WO2012079116A1

WO2012079116A1 - Dehydrating breather device

Info

Publication number: WO2012079116A1
Application number: PCT/AU2011/001607
Authority: WO
Inventors: Malcolm Ashworth
Original assignee: Dant Industries Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-12-14
Filing date: 2011-12-14
Publication date: 2012-06-21

Abstract

There is provided a device (10) for dehydrating a gas supply, such as air. The device comprises a container portion (14) having a desiccant material contained therein. The container portion (14) has a lid portion (12) having an outlet (11) formed therein, and a base portion (16). A valve member (18) is mountable to the base portion (16) and is configured to permit the ingress of gas from the gas supply into the container portion (14). The valve member (18) extends substantially across a width of the base portion (16) such that the gas is drawn through the desiccant material in a substantially uniform manner across the container portion (14) thereby substantially removing moisture present in the gas as the gas flows through the container portion (14).

Description

DEHYDRATING BREATHER DEVICE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

fhe present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2010905476 filed on 14 December 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dehydrating breather device and in particular, to a dehydrating device lor supplying a dehydrated source of air or gas to a component located downstream thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

For various types of equipment it is important to provide a controlled environment in which the equipment can safely operate or function. When a piece of equipment requires a controlled medium to operate in and that medium can be adversely affected by the ingress of an uncontrolled environmental source, such as ambient air or the like, measures are often required to treat the incoming source. Often, the inability to control the operational environment of a piece of equipment can result in catastrophic failure of the equipment which can destroy the equipment and be considerably costly to the operator, in some instances, this can create an unsafe environment for workers or the general public who may be in close proximity to the equipment, especially when the equipment emits electricity or other sources of energy.

In high power eleclncnl equipment, such as electrical transformers, circuit breakers, conservators and the like, the components are typically immersed in oil or similar fluid to form a controlled environment in which the component can operate. The oil or similar fluid, functions to provide electrical insulation and cooling to the equipment as it operates.

During operation of an electrical transformer, the oil is able to expand and contract in accordance with temperature changes in and around the component. The transformer is typically configured such that as the equipment operates htus causing the temperature of the equipment to rise; the oil also heats up and expands. Equally, as the equipment cools down, typically as a result of an ambient temperature drop or a load change, the oil contracts. To accommodate such an expansion and contraction during normal operating conditions, a transformer is typically vented such that as the oil contracts it draws in air from the environment. As transformer oil is generally hygroscopic, it will absorb any moisture that may be present in the air that is being drawn in. However, any moisture present in the oil can have an adverse effect on the insulation qualities of the oil and can have a significant detrimental effect on the safe and effective operation of the transformer. As such, it is critical to the operation of a transformer that any air being drawn into the transformer is substantially free of moisture.

For this reason, a variety of dehydrating breather devices have been proposed to inhibit moisture being drawn into the transformer from the atmosphere. Such devices typically employ a single compartment which contains a desiecant, such as silica gel, in communication with a valve system. Traditionally the valve system is in the form of an oil bath system that acts to prevent the atmosphere from direct contact with the silica gel until such time as air is required to be drawn in by the transformer. In this regard, when the oil in the transformer contracts, atmospheric air is drawn through the oil bath where it passes through the desiecant before entering the body of the transformer, lite desiecant, typically in the form of silica gel, is configured to change colour as it becomes saturated with moisture. "Itiis provides maintenance staff with a visual indication of the working efficiently of the device, so (hat the desiecant can be replaced when it becomes saturated with moisture.

A problem with conventional breathing devices is that air drawn through the oil bath valve system typically flows through only a narrow region of the desiecant, namely the central region of the desiecant, and not uniformly across (he width of the entire desiecant. This is due to the air typically flowing along the path of least resistance from a centrally located inlet to a centrally located outlet of the device. As such, the desiecant typically becomes saturated through a central "tunnel" region of the device, thereby quickly exhausting the ability of that region of the desiecant to remove moisture from the air flowing therethrough. Hence, an external visual inspection of the device may indicate that the desiecant at the external or peripheral region of the device is of a colour that indicates that it is still functioning to remove moisture from the incoming air, thus concealing from view the desiecant in the central or 'tunnel¹ region of (he device which may have already changed colour to indicate that it is saturated and is no longer able to remove moisture from the air. Hence, the device may continue to operate in a state that doesn't function in the intended manner, thus compromising the performance of the transformer. Such a problem can be referred to as 'tunnel saturation' in order to address this tunnel saturation problem, it has been proposed to introduce bailies and the like within the compartment that contains the desiccant. Such baffles act to impede natural air flow and to divert the flow path of the air as it travels through the desiccant such thai the air becomes more dispersed and distributed over a broader width or cross-sectional area of the device. Unfortunately, such proposals typically fail to correctly address the issue, as the air still typically flows along a common path between the inlet and the outlet such that it flows along the. surface of the baffles, without substantially dispersing..

As such, there is a heed to provide a dehydrating breather device thai provides a more even flow distribution through the desiccant in use. Further, there is a need to provide a device that enables simple and effective removal and disassembly so as to replace the desiccant when required without the need of dedicated equipment and considerable effort.

The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and arc not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. in particular, the above prior art discussion docs not relate to what is commonly or well known by (he person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior url proposals is bul one part.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, there is provided a device for dehydrating a gas supply, comprising:

a container portion having a desiccant material contained therein, said container portion having a lid portion having an outlet formed therein and a base portion;

a valve member mountuble to the base portion and configured to permit the ingress of gas from the gas supply into the container portion;

wherein, the valve member extends substantially across a width of the base portion such that the gas is drawn through the desiccant material in a substantially uniform manner across the container portion thereby substantially removing moisture present in the gas as the gas flows through the container portion.

In one embodiment, the valve member comprises a cup mountable to an undcrsurfacc of the valve member. The cup may define an enclosed space into which the gas is received. The cup may be mounted to the undcrsurface of the valve member in a manner that permits the gas to flow from external the device inlo the enclosed space. The enclosed space may be at least partially filled with a fluid such thai the gas entering the container portion passes through the lluid. In a preferred form, the fluid is oil.

In another embodiment, a valve disc is mounted between the cup and the undersurface of the valve member to regulate the flow of gas from the cup to the container portion. The valve disc permits bidirectional flow of gas between the cup and the container portion.

In another embodiment, the valve member thrcadingly engages with the base portion. The valve member may have an upper lip thai is shaped to be received within a channel formed around a perimeter of an underside of the base portion. The upper lip may be provided with an external thread to engage with a corresponding internal thread provided in the channel on the bottom end of the base portion.

In another embodiment, the base portion comprises an integral filter that provides transfer of gas between the valve member and the container portion. The filter may comprises a plurality of holes formed through the base portion that extend in a substantially uniform manner across the base portion to deliver the gas into the container portion.

A baflle member may be mounted to the base portion to extend at least partially across the width of the container member. The baffle member may be located above a surface of the base portion and acts to further spread the flow of gas passing through the container portion substantially across the width of the container portion. The baffle member may have one or more holes formed therethrough to facilitate gas flow through the baffle member.

In another embodiment, the container portion may comprise a substantially tubular body. The base portion may be mounted to one end of the tubular body and the lid portion may be mounted to the other end of the tubular body. The base portion may be thrcadingly mounted to the tubular body so as lo form a seal therebetween.

In a preferred form, the desiccant material is a silica gel.

In another preferred form, the outlet is attachable to an electrical component such that the dehydrated gas is delivered to the electrical component The electrical component may be an electrical transformer.

In another preferred form, the gas is air.

Tn another aspect of the invention, there is provided a dehydrating breather device for dehydrating air for delivery to an electrical component, comprising:

a lid portion attachable to said electrical component so as to deliver the dehydrated air thereto;

a container portion for receiving a desiccant therein and being configured to receive the lid portion al an end thereof;

a base portion mountablc to the container portion at an end thereof so as to extend substantially across the container portion; and

a valve member mountablc to the base portion and configured to permit the ingress of atmospheric air into the device;

wherein, the valve member delivers said atmospheric device to said base portion such that the air is drawn through the desiccant provided in the container portion across the substantial width of the base portion to substantially remove moisture present in (he atmospheric air thereby forming dehydrated air which is delivered to the electrical component by way of the lid portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be belter understood from (he following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dehydrating breather device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2Λ is a side view of the device of Figure I ;

Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of the device as shown in Figure 2A;

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the device as shown in Figures 1 - 2B;

Figure 4 is a side view of the lid portion of the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a side view of the base portion of the device of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a side view of a baffle member of the device of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the base portion of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the base portion of Figure 6 with the baffle member of Figure 6 in position;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the valve member of the device of Figure

1;

Figure 10 is a side view of the valve member of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment υί' a device according to the present invention;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a valve disc of the device of Figure 11; and

Figure 13 is a plan view of the valve disc of Figure 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular, reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 - 3, a dehydrating breather device 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

Hie device 10 comprises a lid portion 12, a tubular or cylindrical body portion 14, a base portion 16 and a valve portion 18. Each of the portions 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 fit together in the manner as shown. Whilst the device 10 is intended for use with an electrical transformer (not shown) in a conventional manner, other uses of the present device which require the supply of a substantially dry and clean air or gas intake arc also envisaged. In use the device 10 is intended for use in the upright manner as shown in Figures 1 and 2, however, it will be appreciated that the device 10 may be used in a variety of orientations as determined by the specific requirements of use.

As is shown in Figure 2A and 2B, air is drawn into the device 10 adjacent the intersection between the base portion 16 and the valve portion 18, as shown by arrows A. As will be appreciated, air is drawn into the device 10 around the periphery of the base portion 16 and not merely at one inlet. The valve portion 18 is in the form of an oil bath through which the air passes to remove any impurities or particulate matter that may be contained therein. As will be appreciated, the presence of the oil also acts as a natural barrier that prevents the natural ingress of air into the device 10, as air will only be permitted into the device 10 when there is drawing force present.

The air drawn into (he device 10 passes through a filter 19 provided in the base portion 16. The filter 19 functions to disperse the incoming air across undersurtace of the base portion 16 where it passes therethrough and enters the body portion 14 which is typically filled with a suitable desiccant, such as silica gel. A baffle member 20 is centrally located in the body portion 14 to aid in further dispersing the air flow towards the peripheral regions of the body portion 14, thus ensuring (hat the air is in contact with the desiccant material as it passes therethrough, in a uniform manner, to remove moisture Iherelrom. The treated air then travels out of an outlet 11 provided in the lid portion 12 where it can be directed to enter the transformer or similar device located downstream thereof.

As is shown in the exploded view of Figure 3, the individual parts of the device 10 fit together to enable simple and effective assembly and/or disassembly of the device 10, as required. In this regard, the body portion 14 may have an external thread (not shown) formed at opposing ends thereof which facilitates engagement with an internal thread (not shown) provided on the lid portion 12 and the base portion 16 respectively. In such an arrangement, the base portion 16 and or the lid portion 12 can be readily engaged/disengaged from the body portion 14 to facilitate filling and/or removal of the desiccant, as desired. Similarly, the valve portion 18 may thrcadingly engage with the base portion 16 in a manner that will be discussed in more detail below.

Inferring to figure 4, the lid portion 12 is shown in isolation. The lid portion 12 is in the form of a circular disc member (hat fits over the top of the body portion 14. In this regard, a channel 13 is provided in an underside of the lid portion 12 to receive the upper end of the body portion 14. As discussed above, the channel 13 may have an internal thread formed therein to engage with an external thread provided on the upper end of the body portion 14. A seal (not shown), such as a rubber ring, grommct, or the like, may also be provided in the channel 13 to form an air tight seal between the lid portion 12 and the body portion 14. Such a grommct also accommodates thermal expansion of the device 10 as may occur under normal operating conditions. It will be appreciated that various other means may be employed to connect the upper end of the body portion 14 to the lid portion 12 and still Tall within the spirit of the present invention.

An outlet 11 is provided in the lid portion 12 to facilitate connection with a transformer (not shown). Tn the embodiment as shown, the outlet 11 is centrally located in the lid portion 12 such that the air naturally (lows to the outlet 1 1. Tt will be appreciated that the position and orientation of the outlet 11 may. The outlet 11 has an internal thread lo engage with a corresponding inlet of a transformer to provide a secure and airtight connection for the transfer of air from the device 10 to the transformer.

In Figures 5 and 7, the base portion 16 is shown in isolation. The base portion 16 generally functions to provide interconnection between the main body portion 14 and the valve portion 18. In this regard, the base portion 16 has a channel I S formed in an upper surface thereof to receive the lower end of the body portion 14. As discussed above, the channel 15 may have an internal thread that engages with an external thread provided on the lower end of the cylinder portion 16 to facilitate secure connection therebetween. A seal or expandable grommct (not shown), such as a rubber ring or the like, may be provided in the channel to facilitate an air tight connection between the body portion 14 and the base portion 16 and lo accommodate any thermal expansion thai may occur in the device.

The upper surface of the base portion 16 has a central mount member 17 formed therein. The central mount member 17 is configured to receive a baffle member 20, as will be discussed in more detail below. The body of the base portion 16 is in the form of an integral filter 19 lhal extends substantially across the base portion 16. Tn this regard, the base portion 16 is shown having a substantially circular cross section, however it will be appreciated that other shaped cross sections are equally applicable, 'fhc filter 19 is configured to allow air to pass therethrough from the valve portion 18 into the body portion 14. Tn this regard, as can be seen more clearly in Figures 7 and 8, the lllter 19 consists of a series of holes 19a formed in a uniform manner across and through the surface of the base portion 16 so as lo extend through the base portion lo provide multiple paths for the air to travel from an underside of the base portion 16 lo the upper surface of the base portion 16. The filter 19 thus assists in dispersing the flow of air across the device as is shown in Figure 2B. As the holes 19a provide discrete passages through the base portion 16, when the air is drawn in through the valve portion 18 it contacts the underside of the filter 19 it collects in the valve portion 18 and is evenly drawn into the main body portion 14 through the filter 19.

The baffle member 20 is shown in Figure 6. The bailie member 20 comprises a substantially circular disc member 22 mounted upon a support stem 21. The disc member 22 extends substantially orthogonal with respect to (he stem 21 and has a diameter less than the body portion 14 so as to extend at least substantially the width of the body portion. The support stem 21 has a distal end that is shaped to be snugly received within the central mount member 17 of the base portion 16 in the manner as shown In Figure 8. Tn such an arrangement, the disc member 22 is supported above the filler 19 οf the base portion 16 so as to be in the flow path of the air exiting from the filter 19 towards the lid portion 12. Ine baffle member 20 has a scries of holes 23 formed tfierethruugh to provide a path for air to pass through the bailie member 20. As is shown in Figure 2B, the baffle member 20 functions to assist in dispersing the flow of air passing through the cylinder portion further towards the periphery of the main body portion evenly, such that the air flows substantially evenly across the area of the cylinder portion 14 to maximise usage of and contact with the desiccant provided within the cylinder portion. It will be appreciated that the baffle is an optional feature and that sufficient dispersion of air flow is possible without the assistance of the baffle 20.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the valve member 18 is shown in isolation. The valve member 18 is in the form of a cup or receptacle into which is stored a volume of oil or similar liquid to form a liquid bath, ine amount of oil or similar liquid contained within the valve member 18 is sufficient to ensure that all air drawn into the valve member must pass through the oil or fluid present therein. In this regard, the valve member 18 has an upper lip 18a that is shaped to be received within a channel 28 formed around a perimeter of (he underside of the base portion 16, as is shown in Figure S. The upper lip 18a of the valve member 18 may be provided with an external thread to engage with a corresponding internal thread provided in the channel 28 on the bottom end of the . base portion 16. Such an arrangement enables the valve member 18 to be screwed into position on the base portion 16. It will be appreciated that grooves or vents (not shown) may be provided in the upper lip 18a or channel 28 to facilitate air flow from the environment into the valve member 18. The grooves or vents may be located al regular intervals around the perimeter of the device 10.

A locating member 25 projects Irom an inside surface of the valve member 18 to provide a means for controlling attachment of the valve member 18 to the base member 16. Ί be locating member 25 is in the form of a pedestal having an end that is received within a stop member 24 that projects from an underside of the base portion 16. In this regard, as the valve member 18 is screwed into engagement with the base portion 16, the distal end of the locating member abuts the stop member 24 thereby preventing further screwing motion from occurring and providing feedback to a user that the valve member has been secured correctly. It will be appreciated that, should the valve portion 18 be overly tightened against the base portion 16, the vents or grooves in the walls of the valve portion 18 and/or base portion 16 may become scaled thus preventing air from flowing into the device 10. therefore, the interaction between the locating member 25 and the slop member 24 aids in the prevention of such overtightening from occurring.

Referring to Figures 11, an alternative arrangement of the device 10 is shown. In this embodiment an additional component is provided in the form of a valve disc 30, which is lilted to an undersurfacc of the base portion 16 so as to be located between the valve member 12 and the base portion 16, as shown.

ITic valve disc 30 is in (he form of a bidirectional flow disc that enables air to flow therethrough, under action of a drawing or an expulsion force. As is shown in Figures 12 and 13, the valve disc 30 is in (he form of a rigid disc body 31 having a plurality of holes 32 formed therein. The holes 32 extend through the body and arc arranged in groups across the surface of the body 31. In the embodiment as shown the holes 32 are arranged in lour groups of five, in diametrically opposed pairs. Λ central mounting recess 34 is formed in a central region to facilitate mounting of the valve disc 30 to the underside of the base portion 16, so as to accommodate the stop member 24.

A diaphragm 36 is mounted over the holes 32 in the manner as shown in Figures 12 and 13. The diaphragm 36 is in the form of a disc of flexible material that has a central projection 35 that is shaped to be received within a central hole 32 of each of the groups of holes 32. When fitted in such a manner, the diaphragm 36 is fixed in position against (he surface of the body 31. The diameter of (he diaphragm 36 is sufficient so as to cover each of the holes 32, as is shown in Figure 13. In the embodiment as shown, two diaphragms 36 are fitted to opposing groups of holes on either side of the body 31.

The diaphragm 36 is made from a flexible material, such as a rubber material, which has sufficient reliance to (lex away and towards the surface of the body 31. As the diaphragms arc mounted on opposing sides of the body 31, should the device 10 experience a drawing force from a component downstream thereof, the diaphragms 36 mounted on the upper surface of the valve disc 30 will flex upward this allowing air to be drawn through the valve disc 30 and into the main body portion 14 of the device. Alternatively, should (he device 10 experience a positive pressure from a component downstream thereof, the device 10 can expel air thereirom by the diaphragms 36 mounted un (he under surface of the valve disc 30 flexing away from the surface of the body 31 thus allowing air to be expelled through the valve disc 30 and into the valve portion 16 of the device, and out of the device 10. Such a two way valve disc 30 enables pressure regulation within the body 10.

Tt will be appreciated that (he valve disc 30 may be used cither with the oil bath or without the oil bath, depending upon user preferences. Hence, the ability to fit or remove the valve disc 30 by simply disassembling the device adds additional functionality to the device 10.

it will be appreciated that in each of the embodiments of (lie invention described above, each of the various components of the device 10 are preferably made from a lightweight polycarbonate material. Such a material provides an increase m strength and a reduction in weight of the device, and enables recycling of the parts where required. As previously discussed, in order to assemble the parts together each of the parts can be unscrewed or otherwise disassembled to cither insert/replace the valve disc 30 or valve member 18, or refill the desiccant in the body portion 14.

The dehydrating breather device of the present invention provides significant improvements over, existing devices. As the valve member 18 extends substantially the width of the device, air is drawn into the device 10 across a wide surface area. The air is then drawn through a litter formed across the base portion where it may further contact a baffle member that acts to further distribute the air across the width of the body portion 14. Such a wide air ilow path through the present device 10 allows for complete performance of the desiccant (silica gel) to remove any moisture from the air this significantly increasing the efficiency of the device. As the present invention reduces the likelihood of the desiccant becoming saturated in a central region that may not he visibly apparent to a user, a user can readily monitor the state of the desiccant present in the body portion 14 and can replace the desiccant where necessary, thus ensuring that (he device is operating efficiently at all times. Such an arrangement also provides tor more efficient use of the desiccant thus reducing the need for replacement of the desiccant at regular intervals, as m,ay be necessary with existing devices.

Throughout the specification and claims the word "comprise" and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word "comprise" and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features mat it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower arc to be interpreted as relational and arc based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with (he device uppermost.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to (he methods of the invention described herein without departing irom the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A device for dehydrating a gas supply, comprising: a container portion having a desiccanl material contained therein, said container portion having a lid portion having an outlet formed therein and a base portion;

a valve member mountabic to the base portion and configured to permit the ingress of gas from the gas supply into the container portion;

wherein, the valve member extends substantially across a width of the base portion such that the gas is drawn through the desiccanl material in a substantially uniform manner across the container portion thereby substantially removing moisture present in the gas as the gas Hows through the container portion.

2. a device according to claim 1 , wherein the valve member comprises a cup mountable to an undersurlkce ol^'the valve member.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the cup defines an enclosed space into which the gas is received.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein (he cup is mounted U> the undersurface of the valve member in a manner that permits the gas to flow from external the device into the enclosed space.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the enclosed space is at least partially filled with a fluid such that the gas entering the container portion passes through the fluid.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the fluid is oil.

7. Λ device according to claim 2, wherein a valve disc is mounted between the cup and the undersurlkce of the valve member to regulate the flow of gas from the cup to the container portion.

8. A device according to claim 2, wherein the valve disc permits bidirectional flow of gas between the cup and the container portion.

9. Λ device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the valve member thrcadinghy engages with the base portion.

10. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises an integral filter thai provides transfer of gas between the valve member and the container portion.

1 1. A device according to claim 10, wherein the filter comprises a plurality of holes formed through the base portion that extend in a substantially uniform manner across the base portion to deliver the gas into the container portion.

12. Λ device according to claim 10, wherein a bailie member is mounted to the base portion to extend at least partially across the width of the container member.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the baffle member is located above a surface of the base portion and acts to further spread the How of gas passing through the container portion substantially across the width of the container portion.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the baffle member has one or more holes formed therethrough to facilitate gas flow through the baffle member.

15. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container portion comprises a substantially tubular body.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the base portion is mounted to one end of the tubular body and the lid portion is mounted to the other end of the tubular body.

17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the base portion is Ihreadingly mounted to the tubular body so as to form a seal therebetween.

18. A device according to claim 1, wherein the desiccant material is a silica gel.

19. A device according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is attachable to an electrical component such (hat the dehydrated gas is delivered to the electrical component.

20. A device according to claim 1, wherein the gas is air and the gas supply is an environment within which the device is located.