Calibration-inability warning method in analyzing apparatus

• US 5,966,676 A
• Filed: 06/26/1996
• Issued: 10/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Horiba Limited
• Original Assignee: Horiba Limited
• Inventors: Fujiwara, Masahiko, Shiotani, Kiyomi
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAH, KAMINI S
• Application Number:
  US08/670,567
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 364/571.01, 364/571.02, 364/571.04, 364/497, 364/571.07, 73/1 R, 73/1 G, 73/863.83, 73/863.33, 73/863.03, 73/1.05, 73/1.07, 423/219, 422/67, 436/50, 324/601, 250/252.1, 250/343, 250/282, 250/382, 702/24, 702/30, 702/27, 702/87, 702/88, 702/85
• US Class Current: 702/85
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/009 alarms, e.g. audible
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0006 Calibrating gas analysers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/007 Arrangements to check the analyser calibrating G01N33/0006
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00594 Quality control, including calibration or testing of components of the analyser
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00712 Automatic status testing, e.g. at start-up or periodic

Abstract

A calibration-inability warning method in an analyzing apparatus determines in advance when the analyzing apparatus approaches a calibration-inability condition prior to entering calibration inability condition. To do so, coefficient ranges are set, and a calibration coefficient is computed. It is then determined whether the calibration coefficient is within a normal calibration range, a calibration-inability range, or a normal calibration range with no allowance. Signals are generated indicating that the calibration-inability condition is approaching when the calibration coefficient becomes a certain value in the vicinity of the calibration-inability range.

Claims

1. A calibration-inability warning method for use in a gas analyzer, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing the gas analyzer with a gas analyzing portion equipped with an auto-calibrator set to calibrate at a specified time period, wherein the auto-calibrator compensates for a sensitivity degradation of the gas analyzing portion;

b) setting a plurality of coefficient ranges including a normal range, a cautionary range, and an inability range indicative of when a calibration of the gas analyzer is unable to be performed, the cautionary range being positioned between the normal range and the inability range;

c) computing a calibration coefficient;

d) determining in which the coefficient ranges the calibration coefficient is located; and

e) generating a signal when the calibration coefficient is in the cautionary range to indicated that the calibration coefficient is approaching the inability range.

2. The calibration-inability warning method of claim 1 wherein:

the cautionary range includes;

an upper cautionary range which is greater than an upper limit of the normal range; and

a lower cautionary range which is less than a lower limit of the normal range; and

the inability range includes;

an upper inability range which is greater than an upper limit of the upper cautionary range; and

a lower inability range which is less than a lower limit of the lower cautionary range.

3. The calibration-inability warning method of claim 1 wherein the normal range is evenly distributed about zero.

4. A gas analyzer having a warning apparatus for warning a user when a calibration coefficient approaches a calibration-inability range, the gas analyzer comprising:

a gas analyzing portion having an auto-calibrator set to calibrate at a specified time period, wherein the auto-calibrator compensates for a sensitivity degradation of the gas analyzer portion;

a signal converter connected to the gas analyzing portion for receiving data from the gas analyzing portion;

a processor connected to the signal converter for computing the calibration coefficient from the data received from the gas analyzing portion, and for determining whether the calibration coefficient is in a normal range, a cautionary range, or a calibration-inability range, the cautionary range being positioned between the normal range and the calibration-inability range, the calibration-inability range being a range in which the warning apparatus is unable to calibrate the gas analyzing portion; and

an input/output interface in communication with the processor for outputting a range signal when the calibration coefficient is located in the cautionary range, thereby indicating the approach of the calibration-inability range.

5. A method for generating a warning message in a gas analyzer in case of malfunction of an automatic calibration, the method comprising the steps of:

specifying a time period for automatically calibrating the gas analyzer, wherein the automatic calibration compensates for a sensitivity degradation of the gas analyzer;

computing a calibration coefficient during the calibration of the gas analyzer;

setting coefficient ranges which indicate whether said calibration coefficient is within a normal calibration range in which the calibration is able to be performed for the gas analyzer, or within a calibration inability range in which the calibration is unable to be performed for the gas analyzer; and

generating a signal when said calibration coefficient is within a cautionary range which is within said normal calibration range, said signal indicative of when said calibration coefficient approaches said calibration inability range.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said cautionary range is set such that said cautionary range is reached first by a drifting calibration coefficient before said calibration coefficient enters said calibration inability range.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the calibration of the gas analyzer is carried out when said calibration coefficient is within said cautionary range.