Multiple sensing system and device

• US 6,996,478 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2004
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smiths Detection Incorporated (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Detection Incorporated (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Sunshine, Steven A., Roy, Ajoy, Steinthal, M. Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsai, Carol S. W.
• Application Number:
  US10/799,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20040181346A1
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 702/136, 702 22- 24, 702/27, 702/28, 702 30- 36, 702/40, 702/56, 702/57, 702/64, 702/65, 702 81- 84, 702/99, 702/104, 702113-119, 702/124, 702/126, 702/130, 702132-134, 702/138, 702/183, 702/184, 702/189, 73/39, 73/38, 73/232.1, 73/615.9, 73/616.1, 738/66, 738/662, 73/232.4, 73/232, 73/310.6, 73/310.5, 422/82.01, 422/68.1, 422/82.02, 422/8, 422/90, 422/98, 204/422, 204/424, 204/452, 204/431, 204/432, 204/400, 204/412, 204/406, 436/149, 436/150, 436/151
• US Class Current: 702/22
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/021 Correlating sampling sites with geographical information, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0215 Mixtures of three or more gases, e.g. air
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0217 Smoke, combustion gases
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0224 Mixtures of three or more liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0226 Oils, e.g. engine oils
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0256 Adsorption, desorption, surface mass change, e.g. on biosensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02827 Elastic parameters, strength or force
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0423 Surface waves, e.g. Rayleigh waves, Love waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0426 Bulk waves, e.g. quartz crystal microbalance, torsional waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/106 one or more transducer arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/022 Fluid sensors based on microsensors, e.g. quartz crystal-microbalance [QCM], surface acoustic wave [SAW] devices, tuning forks, cantilevers, flexural plate wave [FPW] devices microdevices per se B81B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0032 using two or more different physical functioning modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

The present invention provides a distributed sensing system in a networked environment for identifying an analyte, including a first sensor array connected to the network comprising sensors capable of producing a first response in the presence of a chemical stimulus; a second sensor array connected to the network comprising sensors capable of producing a second response in the presence of a physical stimulus; and a computer comprising a resident algorithm. The algorithm indicates or selects the most relevant sensor in the network to identify the analyte. The sensors can be separated over large spatial areas, wherein the sensor arrays are networked. Suitable networks include a computer local area network, an intranet or the Internet.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the progression of a plume of escaped dangerous gas, said method comprising:

transmitting sensory data from a first sensor array comprising sensors capable of producing a first response in the presence of a chemical stimulus to a remote location;

transmitting physical data from a second sensor array comprising sensors capable of producing a second response in the presence of a physical stimulus to a remote location, wherein said physical data is generated by a sensor of said second sensor array selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, a radiation sensor, a thermal sensor and combinations thereof; and

processing said sensory and physical data at said remote location, wherein said processing comprises analyzing the combination of said first and second responses, thus monitoring the progression of said plume.

4. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising employing a sensor selection algorithm to determine sensors in said first array.

5. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising selecting each sensor of said first sensor array from the group consisting of a bulk conducting polymer film, a semiconducting polymer sensor, a surface acoustic wave device, a fiber optic micromirror, a quartz crystal microbalance, a conducting/nonconducting regions sensor, a dye impregnated polymeric coatings on optical fiber and combinations thereof.

6. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said monitoring includes monitoring a leakage of volatile gases.

7. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said monitoring includes monitoring emission levels.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said monitoring includes tracking and the progression of a plume of gas.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said monitoring includes monitoring a perimeter.

10. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said monitoring includes monitoring gases selected from the group consisting of ambient air, combustible gases, natural gas, hazardous leaks, illegal substances, natural gas, smoke, anesthesia gas, sterilization gas, and combinations thereof.

11. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the optical sensor detects visible, near infrared, or infrared radiation, the mechanical sensor detects displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, torque, pressure, mass, flow, acoustic wavelength, or amplitude, the radiation sensor detects gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet rays, visible rays, infrared rays, microwaves, or radio waves, and the thermal sensor is a thermocouple.

12. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising taking corrective measures.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said taking corrective measures comprises notifying an observer.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said notifying comprises providing a visual or an audible alarm.

2. A method of monitoring an environment surrounding a nuclear facility, said method comprising:

transmitting sensory data from a first sensor array comprising sensors capable of producing a first response in the presence of a chemical stimulus to a remote location;

transmitting physical data from a second sensor array comprising sensors capable of producing a second response in the presence of a physical stimulus to a remote location, wherein said physical data is generated by a sensor of said second sensor array selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, a radiation sensor, a thermal sensor and combinations thereof; and

processing said sensory and physical data at said remote location, wherein said processing comprises analyzing the combination of said first and second responses, thus monitoring said environment.

3. A method of detecting the presence of explosive materials, said method comprising:

transmitting sensory data from a first sensor array comprising sensors capable of producing a first response in the presence of a chemical stimulus to a remote location;

transmitting physical data from a second sensor array comprising sensors capable of producing a second response in the presence of a physical stimulus to a remote location,

wherein said physical data is generated by a sensor of said second sensor array selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, a radiation sensor, a thermal sensor and combinations thereof; and

processing said sensory and physical data at said remote location, wherein said processing comprises analyzing the combination of said first and second responses, thus detecting the presence of explosive materials.