Testing performance of gas monitors

• US 7,377,147 B1
• Filed: 10/23/2006
• Issued: 05/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Nanea, Cristian D., Scheffler, Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Raevis; Robert R
• Application Number:
  US11/551,828
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 73/1.06
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/007 Arrangements to check the analyser calibrating G01N33/0006

Abstract

Method, apparatus, and system are utilized for testing the performance of a gas monitor against predetermined monitor characteristics to determine if performance of the gas monitor is validated in a manner whereby testing gas is directly delivered to the gas sensor.

Claims

1. A method of testing performance of a gas sensor assembly, comprising:

applying a testing gas adjacent a gas sensor assembly;

obtaining a first reading value of testing gas;

storing the first reading value;

obtaining a second gas sensor assembly reading value;

determining a rate-of-rise value of the first and second reading values of the gas sensor based on a difference of the first and second reading values relative to a testing time interval therebetween;

determining if a gas sensor assembly passing condition exists based on a comparison of the rate-of-rise value of the first and second reading values to at least a first predefined rate-of-rise value of the gas sensor assembly; and

further comprising a preliminary step of determining if a testing threshold value is obtained before applying the testing gas to obtain the first reading value, which testing threshold value is a minimum value for which the gas sensor assembly is validated.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising ending the testing if the threshold value is not obtained within a preselected time.

3. The method of claim 1, further including another preliminary step of clearing air adjacent the gas sensor assembly so that testing gas concentration does at least reach the threshold value.