Vapor or gas detector and alarm system

• US 4,782,334 A
• Filed: 08/13/1987
• Issued: 11/01/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas A. Meaney
• Original Assignee: Thomas A. Meaney
• Inventors: Meaney, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jackson, Jill D.
• Application Number:
  US07/085,148
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 340/632, 340/634, 73/1 G, 73/23, 310/358, 310/366, 374/45, 324/71.5
• US Class Current: 340/634
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/117 by using a detection device for specific gases, e.g. combustion products, produced by the fire G08B17/103, G08B17/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/14 Toxic gas alarms G08B21/16 takes precedence

Abstract

A vapor or gas detector (12) that forms an element of a vapor or gas detecting and alarm system (30). The detector in one of its embodiments is configured as a three-section dynamic junction (16) consisting of a resilient substrate (22) having a resonant mechanical element (18) attached to its back and an absorbate (20) to its front. When no toxic vapors or gases are present, the element (18) is under a no-strain, no deformation condition and emits a first frequency signal. When a toxic vapor or gas is present, the absorbate (20) absorbs the gas or vapor which causes the substrate (22) to deform and, in turn, causes the element (18) to deform and emit a second frequency signal. This second frequency signal is applied to the system (30) where the signal, through a series of electronic circuits is processed. The processed signal activates a lamp (44a) and an audible alarm (44a) indicating that the detected vapor or gas has exceeded a preselected toxicity level.

Claims

1. A vapor or gas detector having the means to produce a first frequency signal or a second frequency signal, where the first signal is emitted when no vapor or gas is being detected and where the second signal is emitted when a vapor or gas is detected, where said detector is comprised of a three-section dynamic junction further comprising:

(a) a resilient substrate having a front and a back,

(b) a resonant mechanical element rigidly attached to the back of said substrate, and

(c) an absorbate rigidly attached to the front of said substrate, where said absorbate is exposed to the outside environment and is designed to attract and adsorb the vapor or gas molecules in proportion to their molecular density, molecular size and exposure time where;

(1) when no vapor or gas is being absorbed by said absorbate said element is under a no-strain, no-deformation condition and thus emits a first frequency signal, and,

(2) when a vapor or gas is absorbed by said absorbate a pressure differential is created between said element and said substrate that causes said element to strain and deform and thus emit a second frequency signal that differs from the first frequency signal.

2. A vapor or gas detector having the means to produce a first frequency signal or a second frequency signal, where the first signal is emitted when no vapor or gas is being detected and where the second signal is emitted when a vapor or gas is detected, where said detector is comprised of a three-section dynamic junction further comprising:

(a) a resilient substrate having a front and a back,

(b) a crystal rigidly attached to the back of said substrate, and

(c) an absorbate rigidly attached to the front of said substrate, where said absorbate is exposed to the outside environment and is designed to attract and adsorb the vapor or gas molecules in proportion to their molecular density, molecular size and exposure time where;

(1) when no vapor or gas is being absorbed by said absorbate said element is under a no-strain, no deformation condition and thus emits a first frequency signal, and

(2) when a vapor or gas is absorbed by said absorbate a pressure differential is created between said element and said substrate that causes said element to strain and deform and thus emit a second frequency signal that differs from the first frequency signal.

3. A vapor or gas detector having the means to produce a first frequency signal or a second frequency signal, where the first signal is emitted when no vapor or gas is being detector and where the second signal is emitted when a vapor or gas is detected, where said detector is comprised of a three-section dynamic junction further comprising:

(a) a resilient substrate having a front and a back,

(b) a quartz crystal rigidly attached to the back of said substrate, and

(c) an absorbate rigidly attached to the front of said substrate, where said absorbate is exposed to the outside environment and is designed to attract and absorb the vapor or gas molecules in proportion to their molecular density, molecular size and exposure time where;

(1) when no vapor or gas is being absorbed by said absorbate said element is under a no-strain, no-deformation condition and thus emits a first frequency signal, and

(2) when a vapor or gas is absorbed by said absorbate a pressure differential is created between said element and said substrate that causes said element to strain and deform and thus emit a second frequency signal that differs from the first frequency signal.

4. A vapor or gas detector having the means to produce a first frequency signal or a second frequency signal, where the first signal is emitted when no vapor or gas is being detected and where the second signal is emitted when a vapor or gas is detected, where said detector is comprised of a three-section dynamic junction further comprising:

(a) a resilient substrate having a front and a back,

(b) an electroceramic material rigidly attached to the back of said substrate, and

(c) an absorbate rigidly attached to the front of said substrate, where said absorbate is exposed to the outside environment and is designed to attract and adsorb the vapor or gas molecules in proportion to their molecular density, molecular size and exposure time where;

(1) when no vapor or gas is being absorbed by said absorbate said element is under a no-strain, no deformation condition and thus emits a first frequency signal, and

(2) when a vapor or gas is absorbed by said absorbate a pressure differential is created between said element and said substrate that causes said element to strain and deform and thus emit a second frequency signal that differs from the first frequency signal.

5. A vapor or gas detector comprised of a three-section dynamic junction further comprising:

(a) a resilient substrate having a front and a back,

(b) a resonant mechanical element rigidly attached to the back of said substrate, and

(c) an absorbate consisting of an activated charcoal rigidly attached to the front of said substrate, where said absorbate is exposed to the outside environment and is designed to attract and absorb the vapor or gas molecules in proportion to their molecular density, molecular size and exposure time where;

(1) when no vapor or gas is being absorbed by said absorbate said element is under a no-strain, no deformation condition and thus emits a first frequency signal, and

(2) when a vapor or gas is absorbed by said absorbate a pressure differential is created between said element and said substrate that causes said element to strain and deform and thus emit a second frequency signal that differs from the first frequency signal.

6. A vapor or gas detector wherein said detector is comprised of a three-section dynamic junction further comprising:

(a) a resilient substrate having a front and a back,

(b) a resonant mechanical element rigidly attached to the back of said substrate and mounted within an enclosure in a preloaded condition so that said resonant mechanical element is not strained or deformed by external physical forces, and

(c) an absorbate rigidly attached to the front of said substrate, where said absorbate is exposed to the outside environment and is designed to attract and adsorb the vapor or gas molecules in proportion to their molecular density, molecular size and exposure time where;

(1) when no vapor or gas is being absorbed by said absorbate said element is under a no-strain, no deformation condition and thus emits a first frequency signal, and

(2) when a vapor or gas is absorbed by said absorbate a pressure differential is created between said element and said substrate that causes said element to strain and deform and thus emit a second frequency signal that differs from the first frequency signal.

7. A vapor or gas detector wherein said detector is comprised of a three-section dynamic junction and is also comprised of an element of a vapor or gas detecting and alarm system where said three-section dynamic junction further comprises:

(a) a resilient substrate having a front and a back,

(b) a resonant mechanical element rigidly attached to the back of said substrate, and

(c) an absorbate rigidly attached to the front of said substrate, where said absorbate is exposed to the outside environment and is designed to attract and adsorb the vapor or gas molecules in proportion to their molecular density, molecular size and exposure time where;

(1) when no vapor or gas is being absorbed by said absorbate said element is under a no-strain, no-deformation condition and thus emits a first frequency signal, and,

(2) when a vapor or gas is absorbed by said absorbate a pressure differential is created between said element and said substrate that causes said element to strain and deform and thus emit a second frequency signal that differs from the first frequency signal, and where said element of a vapor or gas detecting and alarm system further comprises;

(d) a first oscillator circuit that oscillates at and emits a first frequency oscillator signal (f1) when the first frequency signal from said detector is applied and which changes and emits a second frequency oscillator signal (f2) when the second frequency signal from said detector is applied,

(e) a reference frequency crystal that emits a reference frequency signal,

(f) a second oscillator circuit that oscillates and emits a reference frequency oscillator signal (f3) when the reference frequency signal from said reference crystal is applied,

(g) a frequency comparator circuit that receives the first frequency oscillator signal (f1) or second frequency oscillator signal (f2) from said oscillator and the reference frequency oscillator signal (f3) from said second oscillator circuit, where said comparator emits a vapor/gas signal when said second frequency oscillator signal (f2) exceeds a preset signal level,

(h) a preset counter circuit connected to the output of said comparator circuit where said counter emits a trigger signal when the applied vapor/gas signal from said comparator exceeds a preset count within a specified time period,

(i) an alarm circuit that is energized upon the application of the trigger signal from said counter, and

(j) a power source designed to provide all the voltages and currents required to operate said system.

8. A vapor or gas detector wherein said detector comprises an element of a vapor or gas detecting and alarm system further comprising:

(a) a first oscillator circuit that oscillates at and emits a first frequency oscillator signal (f1) when the first frequency signal from said detector is applied and which changes and emits a second frequency oscillator signal (f2) when the second frequency signal from said detector is applied,

(b) a reference frequency crystal that emits a reference frequency signal,

(c) a second oscillator circuit that oscillates and emits a reference frequency oscillator signal (f3) when the reference frequency signal from said reference crystal is applied,

(d) a frequency comparator circuit that receives the first frequency oscillator signal (f1) or second frequency oscillator signal (f2) from said oscillator and the reference frequency oscillator signal (f3) from said second oscillator circuit, where said comparator emits a vapor/gas signal when said second frequency oscillator signal (f2) exceeds a preset signal level,

(e) a preset counter circuit connected to the output of said comparator circuit where said counter emits a trigger signal when the applied vapor/gas signal from said comparator exceeds a preset count within a specified time period,

(f) an alarm circuit that is energized upon the application of the trigger signal from said counter wherein said alarm circuit comprises a signal conditioning and control circuit located in series between said preset counter circuit and said alarm circuit where said signal conditioning and control circuit comprises;

(1) an amplifier that receives and amplifies the trigger signal from said counter, and

(2) an SCR having its gate lead connected to the trigger signal from said amplifier, its cathode connected to circuit ground and its anode connected through an SCR reset switch to one side of said alarm circuit where other side of said alarm circuit is connected to said power source, where upon the application of the trigger signal, the SCR turns on, allowing the power from said power source to energize said alarm circuit and,

(g) a power source designed to provide all the voltages and currents required to operate said system.

9. A vapor or gas detects wherein said detector comprises an element of a vapor or gas detecting and alarm system that is constructed as an integrated microcircuit wherein an absorbate on said vapor and gas detector projects through the surface of the microcircuit package to allow said absorbate to be exposed to the outside environment where said detector is comprised of a three-section dynamic junction further comprising:

(a) a resilient substrate having a front and a back,

(b) a resonant mechanical element rigidly attached to the back of said substrate, and

(c) said absorbate rigidly attached to the front of said substrate, where said absorbate is designed to attract and adsorb the vapor or gas molecules in proportion to their molecular density, molecular size and exposure time where;

(1) when no vapor or gas is being absorbed by said absorbate said element is under a no-strain, no-deformation condition and thus emits a first frequency signal, and

(2) when a vapor or gas is absorbed by said absorbate a pressure differential is created between said element and said substrate that causes said element to strain and deform and thus emit a second frequency signal that differs from the first frequency signal, and where said vapor or gas detecting and alarm system further comprises;

(a) a first oscillator circuit that oscillates at and emits a first frequency oscillator signal (f1) when the first frequency signal from said detector is applied and which changes and emits a second frequency oscillator signal (f2) when the second frequency signal from said detector is applied,

(b) a reference frequency crystal that emits a reference frequency signal,

(c) a second oscillator circuit that oscillates and emits a reference frequency oscillator signal (f3) when the reference frequency signal from said reference crystal is applied,

(d) a frequency comparator circuit that receives the first frequency oscillator signal (f1) or second frequency oscillator signal (f2) from said oscillator and the reference frequency oscillator signal (f3) from said second oscillator circuit, where said comparator emits a vapor/gas signal when said second frequency oscillator signal (f2) exceeds a preset signal level,

(e) a preset counter circuit connected to the output of said comparator circuit where said counter emits a trigger signal when the applied vapor/gas signal from said comparator exceeds a preset count within a specified time period,

(f) an alarm circuit that is energized upon the application of the trigger signal from said counter, and

(g) a power source designed to provide all the voltages and currents required to operate said system.