Toxic gas detector system having convenient battery and sensor replacement
First Claim
1. A toxic gas detector system which comprises:
- a housing having openings permitting ambient gases to pass therethrough;
a drawer removably insertable into said housing;
said drawer adapted to carry a battery and a toxic gas detection cell which changes light transmission characteristics when exposed to a selected toxic gas;
said cell positioned in said drawer to permit light to pass through said cell and drawer from one side of the cell to the other;
light emitting means and light detecting means in said housing positioned to direct said light from said emitter to said detector through said cell when said drawer is fully inserted in said housing;
means for sounding an alarm when light transmission through said cell changes; and
contact means between said drawer and housing whereby said battery is electrically connected to said alarm means and light emitter when said drawer is fully inserted in said housing.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A detector system for sensing the presence of a toxic gas, such as carbon monoxide, and sounding an alarm. The presence of the gas is detected by passing light through a biomimetric sensing material that darkens in the presence of the gas. The system includes a housing containing a light emitter, a light detector and a mechanism for sounding an alarm. The sensing material is contained in a cell, which, together with a battery to power the system, are mounted in a drawer insertable into the housing, which has openings permitting ambient air to reach the sensing material. When fully inserted, the drawer positions the cell between the emitter and detector and brings battery contacts into connection with contact s for the light emitter and alarm. Both the battery and sensing material must be replaced periodically, typically about once every three years. The drawer is configured so that it cannot be inserted without a battery in place. Both the battery and cell are easily replaced in the drawer. A microporous filter is preferably placed between the cell and ambient air to prevent contamination by large airborne particles.
80 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A toxic gas detector system which comprises:
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a housing having openings permitting ambient gases to pass therethrough; a drawer removably insertable into said housing; said drawer adapted to carry a battery and a toxic gas detection cell which changes light transmission characteristics when exposed to a selected toxic gas; said cell positioned in said drawer to permit light to pass through said cell and drawer from one side of the cell to the other; light emitting means and light detecting means in said housing positioned to direct said light from said emitter to said detector through said cell when said drawer is fully inserted in said housing; means for sounding an alarm when light transmission through said cell changes; and contact means between said drawer and housing whereby said battery is electrically connected to said alarm means and light emitter when said drawer is fully inserted in said housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A toxic gas detector system which comprises:
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a housing having openings permitting ambient gases to pass therethrough; a drawer removably insertable into said housing; said drawer adapted to carry a box holding a battery and a toxic gas detection cell which changes light transmission characteristics when exposed to a selected toxic gas; means for preventing full insertion of said drawer into said housing without said box in said drawer and for releasably holding said drawer in the fully inserted position; said cell positioned in said drawer to permit light to pass through said cell and drawer from one side of the cell to the other; light emitting means and light detecting means in said housing positioned to direct said light from said emitter to said detector through said cell when said drawer is full inserted in said housing; means for sounding an alarm when light transmission through said cell changes; and contact means between said drawer and housing whereby said battery is electrically connected to said alarm means and light emitter when said drawer is fully inserted in said housing. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification