Detector system using extremely low power to sense the presence or absence of an inert or hazardous fuild
First Claim
1. A detector system using extremely low power to sense the presence or absence of an inert or hazardous fluid comprising:
- a sensing probe having a pair of electrically conductive, non-corrosive sensing electrodes disposed in a predetermined spaced relationship; and
an electronic control module electrically connected to said probe for applying a probe energizing potential to one of said sensing electrodes and for connecting the other sensing electrode to a circuit ground, includingpower supply means for developing a regulated predetermined supply voltage of less than 10 volts,voltage and current-limiting means for receiving the supply voltage and for developing a probe voltage that is at least an order of magnitude lower than said supply voltage, and for applying said probe voltage to said one sensing electrode, said voltage and current-limiting means limiting the power applied to said sensing electrodes to approximately 1 microwatt or less,indicator means for indicating current flow or the lack thereof between said sensing electrodes, andcomparator means for comparing the voltage drop developed across said sensing electrodes to a reference voltage and for causing said indicator means to have one indicating state when a particular type of fluid is in contact with said sensing electrodes, and for having another indicating state when said particular type of fluid is not in contact with said sensing electrodes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid detection system capable of detecting the smallest amount of liquid chemicals, mixtures, aqueous solutions, pure water and others by detecting very low levels of resistance or conductance due to ionization when the liquid substances are subjected to very small amounts of electrical power in a small and localized sampling area. The system includes an electronic control module and a sensing probe. The control module provides strictly limited and controlled amounts of electrical voltage and current to one or more remotely located sensing probes which detect the level of resistance or conductance between two electrodes (gold pins) disposed at a fixed distance from one another. The voltage developed across the electrodes is input to a comparator circuit in the electronic module and compared to a reference to produce a signal defining either a dry or a wet (leak) condition of the sensing probe. This signal can be utilized to generate shutdown signals and/or audible and visual alarms. The detection system can also be used to very accurately detect fluid levels.
89 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A detector system using extremely low power to sense the presence or absence of an inert or hazardous fluid comprising:
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a sensing probe having a pair of electrically conductive, non-corrosive sensing electrodes disposed in a predetermined spaced relationship; and an electronic control module electrically connected to said probe for applying a probe energizing potential to one of said sensing electrodes and for connecting the other sensing electrode to a circuit ground, including power supply means for developing a regulated predetermined supply voltage of less than 10 volts, voltage and current-limiting means for receiving the supply voltage and for developing a probe voltage that is at least an order of magnitude lower than said supply voltage, and for applying said probe voltage to said one sensing electrode, said voltage and current-limiting means limiting the power applied to said sensing electrodes to approximately 1 microwatt or less, indicator means for indicating current flow or the lack thereof between said sensing electrodes, and comparator means for comparing the voltage drop developed across said sensing electrodes to a reference voltage and for causing said indicator means to have one indicating state when a particular type of fluid is in contact with said sensing electrodes, and for having another indicating state when said particular type of fluid is not in contact with said sensing electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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17. Detector apparatus using extremely low power to detect the leakage of an inert or hazardous fluid into a particular volume of space, comprising:
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a sensing probe having a pair of sensing electrodes adapted to extend into said volume of space; power supply means for applying a voltage across said electrodes; electronic means for detecting current flowing between said electrodes as a result of fluid leaking into said volume of space and electrically coupling said electrodes, and for developing a responsive output signal, said electronic means including voltage and current-limiting means for causing the voltage applied across said electrodes to be substantially less than one volt and the power applied to said electrodes to be less than one microwatt, and comparator means for comparing the voltage developed across said electrodes to a reference voltage and for causing said output signal to have a first value in the absence of leakage into said volume of space and to have a second value in the presence of leakage into said volume of space; and indicator means responsive to said output signal for providing an indication of the leak. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification