Alcohol breath test device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A breath alcohol detection device comprising:
- A) a breath inlet passage having an inlet port;
B) a pressure sensor in communication with the breath inlet passage to generate a pressure signal responsive to the pressure in the breath inlet passage;
C) a fuel cell;
D) a vent passage communicating the breath inlet passage to the atmosphere;
E) a two position valve having a valve inlet connected to the breath inlet passage between the inlet port and the vent passage, first and second valve outlets, a valve member moveable from a first position connecting the valve inlet to the first outlet and disconnecting the valve inlet from the second valve outlet and a second position connecting the valve inlet to the second valve outlet and disconnecting the valve inlet from the first valve outlet, wherein the valve inlet is always connected to only one of the valve outlets depending upon the position of the valve member;
F) a first passage extending from the first valve outlet to atmosphere, and a first restriction in such passage;
G) a second passage extending from the second valve outlet to atmosphere through the fuel cell, and a second restriction in such second passage, said first restriction generally equaling said second restriction; and
H) an actuator for shifting the valve member from the first position to the second position for a short interval to flow a volume of breath from the breath inlet passage through the valve, along the second passage and into the fuel cell to generate a fuel cell output signal proportional to the alcohol contained in the volume of breath, the actuator normally maintaining the valve member in the first position, wherein a portion of breath flowed through the breath inlet passage continuously flows through the valve and only one of said first or second passages and one of the restrictions so that the pressure in the breath inlet passage does not substantially vary when the valve member shifts between the first and second positions.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A breath alcohol detection device includes a one-piece multi-passage block with attached sensors, a valve and a fuel cell. The cell accurately determines the BrAC of a prospective vehicle operator. In the event the BrAC is less than the legal maximum for a territory, the device unlocks an ignition interlock to permit starting of the engine and operation of the vehicle.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A breath alcohol detection device comprising:
-
A) a breath inlet passage having an inlet port; B) a pressure sensor in communication with the breath inlet passage to generate a pressure signal responsive to the pressure in the breath inlet passage; C) a fuel cell; D) a vent passage communicating the breath inlet passage to the atmosphere; E) a two position valve having a valve inlet connected to the breath inlet passage between the inlet port and the vent passage, first and second valve outlets, a valve member moveable from a first position connecting the valve inlet to the first outlet and disconnecting the valve inlet from the second valve outlet and a second position connecting the valve inlet to the second valve outlet and disconnecting the valve inlet from the first valve outlet, wherein the valve inlet is always connected to only one of the valve outlets depending upon the position of the valve member; F) a first passage extending from the first valve outlet to atmosphere, and a first restriction in such passage; G) a second passage extending from the second valve outlet to atmosphere through the fuel cell, and a second restriction in such second passage, said first restriction generally equaling said second restriction; and H) an actuator for shifting the valve member from the first position to the second position for a short interval to flow a volume of breath from the breath inlet passage through the valve, along the second passage and into the fuel cell to generate a fuel cell output signal proportional to the alcohol contained in the volume of breath, the actuator normally maintaining the valve member in the first position, wherein a portion of breath flowed through the breath inlet passage continuously flows through the valve and only one of said first or second passages and one of the restrictions so that the pressure in the breath inlet passage does not substantially vary when the valve member shifts between the first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A breath alcohol detection device including a body having an exterior surface;
- a plurality of recesses formed in the exterior surface including a pressure sensor recess, a valve recess, a fuel cell recess and a vent recess;
a pressure sensor in the pressure sensor recess;
a two position valve in the valve recess;
a fuel cell in the fuel cell recess;
a breath inlet passage in the body extending from an inlet port at the body surface to a vent passage in the body;
a pressure sensor passage in the body extending from the breath inlet passage to the pressure sensor;
said valve having a valve inlet and first and second valve outlets, and a valve member shiftable between a first position connecting the valve inlet and the first valve outlet only and disconnecting the valve inlet from the second valve outlet and a second position connecting the valve inlet and the second valve outlet only and disconnecting the valve inlet from the first valve outlet, the valve inlet connected to the breath inlet passage;
a first passage in the body connecting the first valve outlet to the fuel cell;
a second passage in the body connecting the second valve outlet to the vent recess;
each of said pressure sensor, valve and fuel cell including electrical leads, all of said leads extending away from said body, wherein breath from the breath inlet passage continuously flows through the valve and through either the first passage or the second passage only depending upon the position of the valve member. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- a plurality of recesses formed in the exterior surface including a pressure sensor recess, a valve recess, a fuel cell recess and a vent recess;
Specification