Patent · US Expired

Gas analyzers

US4859859A · kind A · utility

50Cited by
33References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 11, 1987
Grant dateAug 22, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 11, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2201/1218
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Gas analyzers of the non-dispersive infrared radiation type which are designed to measure the concentration of one gas in a mixture of gases containing that gas. A novel, electrically modulated, stable, thick film infrared radiation emitter is employed to emit a beam of collimated, focused energy; and two electrically biased detectors are preferably used so that a ratioed, error eliminating output signal can be supplied to the failsafe, signal processing circuitry of the analyzer. The latter, and a conventional analog-to-digital convertor, supply information to a microcomputer which: (1) turns the infrared radiation emitter on and off; (2) controls a heater which keeps the infrared radiation detectors at a constant, precise temperature; and (3) controls displays of a variety of information concerning the gas being measured and the status of the gas analyzer. The microcomputer also accepts ambient temperature, barometric pressure, and other compensation factors. Typically, a disposable airway adapter will be included in the gas analyzer to confine the mixture of gases being analyzed to a path having a transverse dimension of precise and specific length and to provide an optical path…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.