Portable combustible gas detector
First Claim
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1. A portable combustible gas detector for sensing at least one combustible gas, the detector comprising:
- an array of polymer-type sensors, the sensors respond primarily to a predetermined combustible gas and generate at least one of, different signals for the same concentration of gas, or, similar signals for the same concentration of gas;
a filter positioned between the at least one polymer sensor and the environment;
a processor with an input to receive the signals from the sensors, the processor makes a determination of gas concentration;
the processor includes at least one output port coupled to an indicating device to provide an indication of the concentration of the predetermined combustible gas wherein a solid metal condenser is carried between the filter and polymer-type sensors to remove water vapors that pass through the filter;
an enclosure which contains the array, the filter the processor, the indicating device and the condenser where the enclosure provides an opening for an inflow of ambient atmosphere; and
a region defined in the enclosure for at least selected components where the region is sealed from the condenser.
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Abstract
A portable detector of combustible or explosive gases incorporates a polymeric-type sensor or sensor array coupled to a programmed processor which carries out an evaluation of one or more signals from the sensor or array to evaluate the presence of combustible or explosive vapors. Non-polymeric sensors such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors and/or pressure sensors can also be incorporated and their outputs evaluated to compensate the outputs of the sensor or array of sensors. The detector can be housed in a sealed enclosure and energized by a battery.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A portable combustible gas detector for sensing at least one combustible gas, the detector comprising:
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an array of polymer-type sensors, the sensors respond primarily to a predetermined combustible gas and generate at least one of, different signals for the same concentration of gas, or, similar signals for the same concentration of gas; a filter positioned between the at least one polymer sensor and the environment; a processor with an input to receive the signals from the sensors, the processor makes a determination of gas concentration; the processor includes at least one output port coupled to an indicating device to provide an indication of the concentration of the predetermined combustible gas wherein a solid metal condenser is carried between the filter and polymer-type sensors to remove water vapors that pass through the filter; an enclosure which contains the array, the filter the processor, the indicating device and the condenser where the enclosure provides an opening for an inflow of ambient atmosphere; and a region defined in the enclosure for at least selected components where the region is sealed from the condenser. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A portable combustible gas detector for sensing at least one combustible gas, the detector comprising:
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an enclosure; a plurality of different polymer-type gas sensors, the sensors primarily respond to a single, predetermined combustible gas, with sensors of the plurality generating different signals for the same concentration of the predetermined gas; at least one non-polymer sensor that senses a condition different than gas and generates a signal indicative thereof; a filter positioned between the polymer-type sensors and the environment; a processor with an input to receive the signals from all of the sensors, the processor makes a determination of concentration of the predetermined gas; the processor includes at least one output port coupled to an indicating circuit to provide an indication of the concentration of the combustible gas. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A portable combustible gas detector for sensing at least one combustible gas, the detector comprising:
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an enclosure; a plurality of different polymer-type gas sensors, the sensors primarily respond to a single, predetermined combustible gas with sensors of the plurality generating similar signals for the same concentration of the combustible gas; at least one non-polymer sensor that senses a condition different than gas and generates at least a second signal indicative thereof; a filter positioned between the at least one polymer sensor and the environment; a processor with an input to receive the signals from all of the sensors, the processor makes a determination concentration of the combustible gas; the processor includes at least one output port coupled to an indicating circuit to provide an indication of the concentration of the predetermined combustible gas.
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10. A portable combustible gas detector comprising:
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an enclosure; a first plurality of polymeric sensors, the sensors primarily respond to a first combustible gas; a second plurality of polymeric sensors, the sensors of the second plurality primarily respond to a second, different combustible gas; a filter positioned between the polymeric sensors and an external environment; a processor coupled to at least the sensors of the first and second pluralities; where the processor compares sensor outputs to respective sets of multiple levels with each indicating a different concentration of the respective gas. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification