Battery operated flame ionization detector

• US 8,587,319 B1
• Filed: 10/08/2010
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LDARtools Incorporated
• Original Assignee: LDARtools Incorporated
• Inventors: Bolinger, Jeremy, Moses, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Vazquez, Arleen M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Astacio-Oquendo, Giovanni
• Application Number:
  US12/901,346
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 324/462, 324/464, 324/460, 551/58, 73/232.2, 73/27.R, 73/407, 356/437, 422/54, 422/83, 431/25, 431/69, 431/78, 701/207, 702/85, 707/102
• US Class Current: 324/462
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/123 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/68 Flame ionisation detectors

Abstract

A method for maintaining one or more operating conditions within a battery operated flame ionization detector (BOFID). The method includes receiving one or more desired values that correspond to the operating conditions and receiving one or more measured values from one or more sensors configured to monitor the operating conditions. After receiving the desired values and the measured values, the method sends one or more commands to a controller disposed inside the BOFID to achieve the desired values based on the measured values.

Claims

1. A method for maintaining one or more operating conditions within a battery operated flame ionization detector (BOFID), comprising:

receiving one or more desired values that correspond to the operating conditions;

receiving one or more measured values from one or more sensors configured to monitor the operating conditions;

receiving one or more time stamps, wherein the time stamps comprise the time at which at least one of the measured values was received;

storing the measured values and the time stamps in memory or on a hard disk; and

sending one or more commands to a controller disposed inside the BOFID to achieve the desired values based on the measured values and the time stamps.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the desired values correspond to one or more desired temperature values inside a detector region of the BOFID.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the sensors comprise one or more temperature sensors disposed in the detector region and wherein at least one of the measured values indicate one or more measured temperature values inside the detector region.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the commands comprises:

if the measured values are less than the desired values, then sending a first command to the controller to decrease a voltage input to an air pump disposed in the BOFID; and

if the measured values are greater than the desired values, then sending a second command to the controller to increase the voltage input to the air pump.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the air pump is configured to pump one or more air samples from outside the BOFID into the detector region.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the controller increases or decreases the voltage input using a voltage regulator coupled to the air pump.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the commands comprises:

if the measured values are less than the desired values, then sending a first command to the controller to open a needle valve that is coupled between a detector region of the BOFID and a hydrogen supply; and

if the measured values are greater than the desired values, then sending a second command to the controller to close the needle valve.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the hydrogen supply is configured to provide hydrogen gas to the detector region for maintaining a flame inside the detector region.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the desired values correspond to one or more desired air pressure values between an air pump and a detector region of the BOFID.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the sensors comprise one or more pressure sensors disposed between the air pump and the detector region and wherein the measured values indicate one or more measured air pressure values between the air pump and the detector region.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the commands comprises:

if the measured values are less than the desired values, then sending a first command to the controller to increase a voltage input to an air pump; and

if the measured values are greater than the desired values, then sending a second command to the controller to decrease the voltage input to the air pump.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the commands comprises:

if the measured values are less than the desired values, then sending a first command to the controller to close a needle valve that is coupled between ambient air and a detector region inside the BOFID; and

if the measured values are greater than the desired values, then sending a second command to the controller to open the needle valve.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the commands comprises:

if the measured values are less than the desired values, then sending a first command to the controller to open a needle valve that is coupled between the air pump and a detector region inside the BOFID; and

if the measured values are greater than the desired values, then sending a second command to the controller to close the needle valve.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the commands are sent to the controller via a wireless network.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving one or more temperature values measured by a temperature sensor disposed inside the BOFID but outside a detector region of the BOFID;

determining one or more compensation commands to compensate for one or more effects on one or more tubes inside the BOFID based on the temperature values, wherein the tubes are configured to transport one or more gases to the detector region; and

sending the compensation commands to the controller, wherein the compensation commands include altering a voltage input to an air pump, altering a position of a first needle valve coupled between ambient air and the detector region, altering a position of a second needle valve coupled between the detector region and a hydrogen supply, or combinations thereof.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a power shut off value for an air pump disposed in the BOFID; and

if a voltage input coupled to the air pump is greater than the power shut off value, then sending a shut off command to the controller to turn the voltage input off.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving one or more temperature values measured by a temperature sensor disposed inside the BOFID but outside a detector region of the BOFID;

determining one or more compensation commands to compensate for one or more effects on one or more tubes inside the BOFID based on the temperature values, wherein the tubes are configured to transport one or more gases to the detector region; and

sending the compensation commands to the controller to achieve the desired values based on the temperature values.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the compensation commands comprise altering a voltage input to an air pump coupled to a portion of the tubes located between a probe and the detector region.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the compensation commands comprise altering a position of a needle valve coupled to a portion of the tubes located between ambient air and the detector region.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the compensation commands comprise altering a position of a needle valve coupled to a portion of the tubes located between the detector region and a hydrogen supply.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving one or more measured values from one or more sensors disposed between a filter system and a detector region inside the BOFID;

comparing the measured values from the sensors disposed between the filter system and the detector region to a predetermined value; and

displaying a message indicating that a filter in the filter system should be replaced based on the comparison.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising sending one or more commands to the controller to turn off a voltage supply coupled to an air pump disposed between the filter system and the detector region based on the comparison.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the commands are sent when the measured values from the sensors disposed between the filter system and the detector region are above the predetermined value.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the commands are sent when the measured values from the sensors disposed between the filter system and the detector region are below the predetermined value.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the predetermined value is related to a calibration of the BOFID.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the sensors disposed between the filter system and the detector region are air flow meters.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the sensors disposed between the filter system and the detector region are vacuum gauges.

28. A method for monitoring one or more operating conditions within a battery operated flame ionization detector (BOFID), comprising:

receiving one or more air pressure values measured by one or more sensors disposed between a probe and a detector region of the BOFID;

receiving one or more time stamps, wherein the time stamps comprise the time at which at least one of the air pressure values was received by the BOFID;

determining a pressure rate-of-change value based on a change in the air pressure values and the time stamps; and

sending one or more commands to a controller disposed in the BOFID to turn off an air pump based on the pressure rate-of-change value.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein sending the commands comprises sending the commands when the pressure rate-of-change value is above a predetermined value.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein sending the commands comprises sending the commands when the pressure rate-of-change value is below a predetermined value.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the air pump is configured to pump one or more air samples from outside the BOFID via the probe into the detector region.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the air pressure values are upstream air pressure values measured by the sensors disposed between the probe and the air pump.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the air pressure values are downstream air pressure values measured by the sensors disposed between the air pump and the detector region.

34. A method for monitoring one or more operating conditions within a battery operated flame ionization detector (BOFID), comprising:

receiving one or more current consumption values of an air pump disposed between a probe and a detector region of the BOFID;

receiving one or more time stamps, wherein the time stamps comprise the time at which at least one of the current consumption values was received;

determining a current consumption rate-of-change value based on a change in the current consumption values and the time stamps; and

sending one or more commands to a controller disposed in the BOFID to turn off the air pump based on the current consumption rate-of-change value.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

receiving a power shut off value for the air pump disposed in the BOFID;

determining a percentage of power being used by the air pump; and

sending one or more commands to the controller to turn off a voltage supply coupled to the air pump when the percentage of power is equal to or greater than the power shut off value.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein determining the percentage of power comprises:

receiving a voltage supplied to the air pump; and

dividing the voltage by a maximum voltage that can be input to the air pump.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the power shut off value is a percentage of a maximum amount of power that the air pump is capable of outputting.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the percentage of power is determined based on the voltage being supplied to the air pump.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the percentage of power is determined based on an amount of current being consumed by the air pump.

40. A battery operated flame ionization detector (BOFID), comprising:

a detector region having;

a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the detector region; and

a humidity sensor for measuring the humidity inside the detector region;

an air pump for pumping one or more air samples from outside the BOFID to the detector region;

a downstream air pressure sensor for measuring air pressure between the air pump and the detector region;

a voltage regulator for supplying a voltage to the air pump; and

a controller coupled to the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, the downstream air pressure sensor and the voltage regulator, wherein the controller is configured to store one or more time stamps in memory or a hard disk, and wherein the time stamps comprise the time at which at least one measurement from the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor or the downstream air pressure sensor was received by the controller.

41. The BOFID of claim 40, further comprising a needle valve for controlling an amount of hydrogen gas being provided from a hydrogen supply to the detection region.

42. The BOFID of claim 40, further comprising a needle valve for controlling the amount of the air samples being pumped from outside the BOFID to the detector region.

43. The BOFID of claim 40, further comprising a needle valve for providing ambient air to the detector region.

44. The BOFID of claim 40, wherein the controller is configured to send one or more values measured by the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, the downstream air pressure sensor to a computer device via a wireless network.

45. The BOFID of claim 40, wherein the controller is configured to:

receive one or more desired values for the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, the downstream air pressure sensor, or combinations thereof;

receive one or more measured values from the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, the downstream air pressure sensor, or combinations thereof; and

determining one or more commands for the voltage regulator to achieve the desired values based on the measured values.

46. A battery operated flame ionization detector (BOFID), comprising:

a detector region for determining a presence of a volatile organic compound (VOC) using a flame;

a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature outside the detector region;

an air pump for pumping one or more air samples from outside the BOFID to the detector region;

a downstream air pressure sensor for measuring air pressure between the air pump and the detector region;

a voltage regulator for supplying a voltage to the air pump; and

a controller coupled to the temperature sensor, the downstream air pressure sensor and the voltage regulator, wherein the controller is configured to log measurements received by the temperature sensor or the downstream air pressure sensor, wherein the controller is configured to store one or more time stamps in memory or a hard disk, and wherein the time stamps comprise the time at which at least one of the measurements was received by the controller.

47. The BOFID of claim 46, further comprising:

a Global Positioning System (GPS) device inside the BOFID.

48. The BOFID of claim 46, further comprising:

a temperature sensor for determining ignition of a flame in the detector region;

a hydrogen storage tank coupled to the detector region;

a filter system configured to prevent debris from entering the detector region; and

a filter sensor between the filter system and the detector region.

49. The BOFID of claim 48, wherein the filter sensor is a vacuum gauge configured to measure vacuum pressure between the filter system and the detector region.

50. The BOFID of claim 48, wherein the filter sensor is an air flow meter configured to measure air flow between the filter system and the detector region.

51. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive one or more desired values that correspond to one or more operating conditions within a battery operated flame ionization detector (BOFID);

receive one or more measured values from one or more sensors configured to monitor the operating conditions;

receive one or more time stamps, wherein the time stamps comprise the time at which at least one of the measured values was received;

store the measured values and time stamps in memory or on a hard disk; and

send one or more commands to a controller disposed inside the BOFID to achieve the desired values based on the measured values and the time stamps.

52. A computer system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory comprising program instructions executable by the processor to;

receive one or more desired values that correspond to one or more operating conditions within a battery operated flame ionization detector (BOFID);

receive one or more measured values from one or more sensors configured to monitor the operating conditions;

receive one or more time stamps, wherein the time stamps comprise the time at which at least one of the measured values was received;

store the measured values and time stamps in memory or on a hard disk; and

send one or more commands to a controller disposed inside the BOFID to achieve the desired values based on the measured values and the time stamps.

53. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive one or more air pressure values measured by one or more sensors disposed between a probe and a detector region of a battery operated flame ionization detector (BOFID);

receive one or more time stamps, wherein the time stamps comprise the time at which at least one of the air pressure values was received by the BOFID;

determine a pressure rate-of-change value based on a change in the air pressure values and the time stamps; and

send one or more commands to a controller disposed in the BOFID to turn off an air pump based on the pressure rate-of-change value.

54. A computer system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory comprising program instructions executable by the processor to;

receive one or more current consumption values of an air pump disposed between a probe and a detector region of a battery operated flame ionization detector (BOFID);

receive one or more time stamps, wherein the time stamps comprise the time at which at least one of the current consumption values was received;

determine a current consumption rate-of-change value based on a change in the current consumption values and the time stamps; and

send one or more commands to a controller disposed in the BOFID to turn off the air pump based on the current consumption rate-of-change value.