Adsorption based carbon monoxide sensor and method
First Claim
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1. A carbon monoxide sensor comprising:
- a sensing element;
a temperature sensor;
a signal processing module in communication with the temperature sensor;
the sensing element comprising an adsorbent dispersed over a support material, the adsorbent capable of exothermally adsorbing carbon monoxide; and
the temperature sensor sending signals indicative of the temperature of the sensing element to the processing module.
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Abstract
A carbon monoxide sensor and method is shown and described. The sensor includes a sensing element that includes an adsorbent dispersed over a support material. The adsorbent is capable of exothermically adsorbing carbon monoxide. The sensor also includes a temperature sensor in contact with the sensing element and a signal processing module coupled to the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor communicates signals indicative of a temperature increase of the sensing element to the processing module, thereby indicating an adsorption and, therefore, a presence of carbon monoxide.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A carbon monoxide sensor comprising:
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a sensing element;
a temperature sensor;
a signal processing module in communication with the temperature sensor;
the sensing element comprising an adsorbent dispersed over a support material, the adsorbent capable of exothermally adsorbing carbon monoxide; and
the temperature sensor sending signals indicative of the temperature of the sensing element to the processing module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
a reference element comprising a non-adsorbing material that does not adsorb carbon monoxide, and a second temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor being coupled to the processing module and sending signals indicative of the temperature of the reference element to the processing module.
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8. The carbon monoxide sensor of claim 7 wherein the heating element is a first heating element, and wherein the carbon monoxide sensor further comprises a second heating element to heat the reference element.
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9. The carbon monoxide sensor of claim 8 wherein the first and second heating elements are in communication with one another.
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10. A method of detecting a presence of carbon monoxide in a gas comprising the steps of:
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exposing a sensing element comprising an adsorbent dispersed over a layer of a support material to the gas that comprises carbon monoxide, the adsorbent capable of exothermally adsorbing carbon monoxide;
adsorbing at least a portion of the carbon monoxide in the gas onto the adsorbent resulting in an increase in the temperature of the sensing element; and
using the temperature increase of the sensing element thereby indicating the presence of carbon monoxide in the gas. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
exposing a reference element comprising non-carbon monoxide adsorbing material to the gas;
sensing a temperature of the sensing element and a temperature of the reference element; and
,subtracting the temperature of the reference element from the temperature of the sensing element to provide a net temperature increase of the sensing element.
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16. A carbon monoxide sensor comprising:
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a sensing element comprising an adsorbent dispersed over a support material, the adsorbent capable of exothermally adsorbing carbon monoxide, a first temperature sensor to sense a temperature of the sensing element, a reference element comprising a non-adsorbing material that does not adsorb carbon monoxide;
a second temperature sensor to sense a temperature of the reference element;
a signal processing module in communication with the first and second temperature sensors;
the first temperature sensor sending signals indicative of a temperature of the sensing element to the processing module and the second temperature sensor sending signals indicative of a temperature of the reference element to the processing module; and
a heating element to heat the sensing element to a temperature that is at least as high as the desorption temperature of carbon monoxide adsorbed by the adsorbent thereby resulting in a desorption of the carbon monoxide adsorbed by the adsorbent and a regeneration of the adsorbent. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification