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0 pointslondons_explore6y ago0 comments

Airflow losses in big AC generators are solved by having the whole motor sealed in helium. The helium gas is used as a coolant too.

It would be hard to design such a system with a big enough supply of gas to survive leakage for the whole life of the motor though.

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4 comments · 2 top-level

foobiekr6y ago· 2 in thread

I thought these mostly used hydrogen instead of helium?

(and as an aside, hydrogen detecting sensors is an area of astounding complexity and cool effects which are worthy of an HN post all on their own)

coryrc6y ago

I doubt hydrogen would ever be used because it makes metals brittle.

Gibbon16y ago

I'm pretty sure large generators used hydrogen at one point. I seem to remember reading about them using a palladium membrane to purify the hydrogen used to cool generators.

mikeash6y ago

Airflow losses for a car will be dominated by the outside air. Surrounding the car with helium seems impractical, and hard on the occupants.

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