×

Method and system for gas detection

  • US 5,526,280 A
  • Filed: 04/28/1994
  • Issued: 06/11/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A system for monitoring a concentration of gaseous carbon monoxide and for automatically recording and displaying gaseous carbon monoxide concentration data, said system comprising:

  • means for sensing the concentration of the gaseous carbon monoxide and for outputting an electrical signal proportional to the concentration of the gaseous carbon monoxide, the sensing means being placed in fluid communication with the gaseous carbon monoxide, said sensing means comprising;

    a catalyzing element and a means for cyclically heating said catalyzing element, said gaseous carbon monoxide catalyzing when in fluid communication with the catalyzing element that is heated to a predetermined catalyzing temperature range, wherein the cyclical heating means heats said catalyzing element by application of a first predetermined electrical voltage for a first predetermined time so as to cause the catalyzing element to be heated above the predetermined catalyzing temperature range, and wherein the cyclical heating means heats said catalyzing element by application of a second predetermined electrical voltage for a second predetermined time so as to cause the catalyzing element to be heated within the predetermined catalyzing temperature range, the sensing means outputting an electrical signal proportional to the concentration of the gaseous carbon monoxide when the catalyzing element is heated within the predetermined catalyzing temperature range;

    means for converting said signal output from said sensing means into a series of corresponding digital signals;

    data memory means for storing a concentrations history array, said concentrations history array having stored therein for chronological order from an oldest previously stored concentration level of the gaseous carbon monoxide to a newest concentration level of the gaseous carbon monoxide a plurality greater than two of previously stored levels of concentration of the gaseous carbon monoxide, for storing a total exposure level, and for storing a calibration table of values, each value in the calibration table of values corresponding to a predetermined response of the sensing means to being placed in fluid communication with a predetermined concentration of gaseous carbon monoxide;

    digital processor means for processing said digital signals so as to electronically monitor, display and record the concentration of the gaseous carbon monoxide by performing a plurality of programmed steps comprising;

    comparing the digital signals with said values of the calibration table of values;

    deriving data from said comparison step representing a derived gas level that corresponds to the predetermined response of the sensing means to being placed in fluid communication with the corresponding predetermined concentration of gaseous carbon monoxide;

    electronically storing the derived gas level in the concentrations history array, said concentrations history array having stored therein a plurality greater than two of previously stored levels of concentration of the gaseous carbon monoxide, each of said previously stored levels of concentration of the gaseous carbon monoxide being stored therein in chronological order from an oldest previously stored concentration level of the gaseous carbon monoxide to at least two chronologically more recent concentration levels of the gaseous carbon monoxide, said derived gas level being stored in said concentrations history array so as to replace the oldest previously stored concentration level of gaseous carbon monoxide;

    summing said plurality greater than two of previously stored levels of concentration of the gaseous carbon monoxide to arrive at the total exposure level;

    electronically storing the total exposure level in the data memory means;

    automatically displaying the derived gas level in a visually perceptible manner to a system user; and

    automatically displaying in a visually perceptible manner to the system user a diagnostic when the total exposure level exceeds a predetermined alarm level;

    program memory means for storing machine-readable instructions utilized by said digital processor means to carry out said plurality of programmed steps; and

    display means, electrically connected to said digital processor means, for outputting a visual display of the derived gas level, and for outputting a visual display of the diagnostic when the total exposure level exceeds the predetermined alarm level.

View all claims
  • 18 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×