Network manageable advanced gas sensor apparatus and method

Abstract

Mechanical, electronic, algorithmic, and computer network facets are combined to create a highly integrated advanced gas sensor. A sensor is integrated into switchgear housings. These sensors integrated into high voltage switchgear products, deployed by electric utility end users in replacement and expansion cycles, function to detect and mitigate atmospheric pollution caused by leaking SF. As its associated gas insulated tank is charged with 10 to 350 lbs. of SF, each gas sensor monitors its local cache of gas, accurately sensing and computing fractional percentage losses (emissions) and gains (maintenance replacement) in SFmass, storing data in onboard data logs, and communicating data when triggered by detection events or in response to remote requests over a hierarchical communications network, a process that continues without labor until a fractional leak is automatically detected and reported creating the opportunity for early leak mitigation.