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Vapor detection apparatus and method using an acoustic interferometer

  • US 5,289,715 A
  • Filed: 11/12/1991
  • Issued: 03/01/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for rapidly detecting and identifying a chemical vapors, comprising:

  • (a) a sensor having a surface exposed to the chemical vapors,(b) a coated tubular section containing an inner coating of absorbant material whereby said tubular section separates individual vapor species according to their velocity in passing through said tubular section,(c) a nozzle for directing a flow of chemical vapors onto said surface whereby said vapors are concentrated onto a specific region of said surface,(c) monitoring means, coupled to the sensor, for monitoring the change in the physical parameter associated with said surface due to adsorption of the chemical substance, producing an electrical signal indicative of said change,(d) analysis means, connected to the monitoring means, for determining a predicted time constant for adsorption of the chemical substance as a function of the electrical signal well before the chemical substance is completely adsorbed onto said surface,(e) identification means for identifying the chemical substance from said group of chemical substances based upon its predicted time of arrival at said sensor and its rate of adsorption at a specific sensor temperature both of which are generally characteristic of individual chemical substances.

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