Gas detecting and quantitative measuring device

• US 3,925,183 A
• Filed: 01/28/1974
• Issued: 12/09/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Harry G. Oswin, Keith F. Blurton
• Inventors: Oswin, Harry G., Blurton, Keith F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack, John H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weisstuch, Aaron
• Application Number:
  US05/436,979
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 204/195R,1T,274
• US Class Current: 204/411
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4045 for gases other than oxygen

Abstract

A gas detecting and measuring unit comprising in combination intake means, a gas sample reservoir, an electrochemical cell, means for drawing a gas through said intake means and into said electrochemical cell at a controlled flow rate, and read out means for reading the quantity of the detected gas, at least said gas sample reservoir and said electrochemical cell being in heat communication with a heat reservoir means for providing constant temperature for at least one hour without requiring additional heat energy input, said heat reservoir means comprising a high latent heat of fussion material adapted to be heated to at least its melting point prior to use.

Claims

1. A GAS DETECTING AND MEASURING UNIT COMPRISING IN COMBINATION INTAKE MEANS, A GAS SAMPLE RESERVOIR, AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL, MEANS FOR DRAWING A GAS THROUGH SAID INTAKE MEANS AND INTO SAID ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL AT A CONTROLLED FLOW RATE, AND READ-OUT MEANS FOR READING THE QUANTITY OF SAID DETECTED GAS, AT LEAST SAID GAS SAMPLE RESERVOIR AND SAID ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL BEING IN HEAT COMMUNICATION WITH A HEAT RESERVOIR MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SAID GAS SAMPLE RESERVOIR AND ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL AT A PREDETERMINED, SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT TEMPERATURE;

SAID HEAT RESERVOIR MEANS FOR PROVIDING CONSTANT TEMPERATURE FOR AT LEAST A TIME SUFFICIENT FOR PERFORMING A MEASUREMENT WITHOUT REQUIRING ADDITIONAL HEAT ENERGY INPUT, SAID HEAT RESERVOIR MEANS COMPRISING A HIGH LATENT HEAT OF FUSION MATERIAL ADAPTED TO BE HEATED TO AT LEAST ITS MELTING POIN PRIOR TO USE.

2. The unit of claim 1 wherein the electrochemical cell comprises an anode which will catalyze an electrochemical reaction with alcohol gas to be detected within the potential range where oxygen reduction or oxidation of water to oxygen does not occur;

a cathode, a reference electrode, and an aqueous electrolyte in contact with said anode, cathode, and reference electrode, said anode being adapted to be maintained at a fixed potential relative to the reference electrode, said fixed potential of said anode being from about 0.7 to 1.5 volts with respect to a reversible hydrogen electrode potential in said electrolyte of said cell.

3. THE GAS DETECTING AND MEASURING UNIT OF CLAIM 1 WHEREIN THE MATERIAL HAVING A HIGH LATENT HEAT OF FUSION COMPRISES WAX HAVING A MELTING POINT ABOVE ABOUT 50*C.

4. The unit of claim 3 wherein said material is a mixture of waxes.