Sensor support subassembly

• US 5,582,797 A
• Filed: 03/01/1995
• Issued: 12/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: LumaSense Technologies Holdings, Inc. (Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (China)), AC Limited (Emirate of Dubai (United Arab Emirates))
• Original Assignee: Andros, Inc. (Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (China))
• Inventors: Kewley, Eric L., Bisby, Joseph D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Soderquist, Arlen
• Application Number:
  US08/396,931
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 422/83, 422/90, 422/94-98, 73/23.2, 73/31.05, 73/31.06, 204/415, 204/153.1, 204/153.17, 204/400, 204/409, 204/153.18
• US Class Current: 422/83
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0009 General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state G01N1/22

Abstract

An improved sensor support subassembly for a chemical sensor in the testing of gaseous emissions. The sensor support subassembly of the present invention comprises means for slideably engaging a sensor unit with a gas intake manifold block. The sensor unit comprises a cylindrical base which forms the inlet to the sensor. The manifold block comprises a gas intake means, a gas channel and a U-shaped slot for slideably engaging the sensor unit'"'"'s cylindrical base within the manifold block such that an air-tight passage is formed between the sensor inlet and the gas channel. The sensor support subassembly also provides a sealing means for ensuring an air-tight seal between the sensor unit and the manifold block. This slidable engagement scheme allows the sensor unit to be rotated about the axis of the cylindrical base, which in turn facilitates the use of a card-edge connector for making the electronic connections between the sensor and the sensor testing system power and data lines.

Claims

1. A gas sensor comprising:

gas sensing means having a body with generally circular base, said base having a gas inlet;

a gas source manifold block with receiving means dimensioned to fit said base, said base being at least partially rotatable about its axis within said manifold block, said receiving means having an aperture in communication with said gas inlet and said manifold block for the passage of gases therebetween;

sealing means providing an airtight passage between said manifold block and said gas inlet;

a card edge connector mounted on said body and extending generally in a direction transverse to the axis of said body, said connector having a self-contained power source mounted therewith to said body; and

a mating socket for transmitting data to a gas monitor, said card edge connector alignable with and connectable to said mating socket when said base is rotated in said slot.

2. A sensor support subassembly for use in testing gases, comprising:

a sensor unit having a generally cylindrical base and a gas inlet means in said base;

a manifold block having a gas channel for the passage of gases, said block having a slot therein dimensioned to receive said base, said base being at least partially rotatable about its axis in said slot, said block also having a chamber proximate to and in communication with said channel for the passage of gases therebetween, said slot having an aperture in communication with said chamber and in registration with said gas inlet means for the passage of gases from said channel through said chamber and said aperture to said gas inlet means;

sealing means such that when said aperture and said gas inlet means are in registration with one another, an air-tight passage is created between said gas inlet means and said chamber;

a card edge connector having a self-contained power source mounted therewith to said sensor unit, said card edge connector mounted on said sensor unit and extending in a direction generally transverse to the axis of said cylindrical base; and

a mating socket for transmitting data to a gas monitor, said card edge connector alignable with and connectable to said mating socket when said base is rotated in said slot.