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Method for recognizing sensor poisonings and test station for carrying out the method

  • US 9,063,105 B2
  • Filed: 05/15/2014
  • Issued: 06/23/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for recognizing sensor poisonings of one or more portable gas-measuring devices, the method comprising the steps of:

  • providing a test station comprising a main unit including a control and analysis unit, a plurality of test modules connected with the main unit, each of the test modules for operative connection with one of the portable gas-measuring devices for data exchange, wherein the test station has device model recognition means for detecting at least one of a device model and gas sensor model of the gas sensor of the gas-measuring device operatively connected to a respective test module, wherein the main unit has a plurality of gas inlets, each of the inlets for one of different test gases, and wherein the test station has a first gas feed line, through which test gas is sent to the test modules, a second gas feed line, through which a purging gas is sent to the test modules, and a gas drain line, through which gas can be sent back to the main unit from the test modules;

    connecting at least one gas-measuring device to one of the test modules of the test station;

    recognizing at least one of the model of the gas sensor of the gas-measuring device connected and the device model of the gas-measuring device connected by the device model recognition means of the test station;

    transmitting, the recognized at least one of the gas sensor model and the device model of the gas-measuring device connected, to the control and analysis unit;

    selecting a first test gas, suitable for the gas sensor model of the gas-measuring device connected, by the control and analysis unit;

    connecting a gas inlet, of the plurality of gas inlets, through which the selected test gas can be fed, to the first gas feed line;

    feeding the first test gas to the test module, to which the gas-measuring device is connected;

    detecting a first measured value of the gas sensor of the gas-measuring device;

    one of purging and not purging the gas-measuring device and the gas sensor by means of a purging gas, which is sent through the second gas feed line from the main unit to the test module, into which the gas-measuring device is connected;

    selecting a second test gas suitable for the gas sensor model of the gas-measuring device connected by the control and analysis unit;

    connecting the gas inlet, of the plurality of gas inlets, through which the selected second test gas can be fed, to the first gas feed line;

    feeding the second test gas to the test module, to which the gas-measuring device is connected;

    detecting a second measured value of the gas sensor of the gas-measuring device; and

    determining whether sensor poisoning is present on the basis of the first measured value detected and the second measured value detected, wherein the first test gas contains a gas that is to be measured during the operation of the gas-measuring device at a first, known concentration and the second test gas contains the gas to be measured at a second, known concentration, which is different from the concentration of the gas in the first test gas, wherein the step of determining whether sensor poisoning is present further comprises the steps of;

    transmitting the first and second measured values to the control and analysis unit of the test station;

    determining a ratio of the first measured value to the second measured value; and

    at least one of outputting the ratio by means of an output unit and selecting a follow-up action by the control and analysis unit of the test station on the basis of the ratio determined.

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