Remote sensing gas analyzer
US4999498A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 5, 1989 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 5, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2201/1215
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A particular area or areas are monitored for the presence of gaseous materials, particularly pollutants by analyzing background infrared radiation present in the selected area with a spectrometer and making the results of this analysis available in a form understandable to the person or device monitoring the area for the presence of specified gaseous materials. The results of the spectrometric analysis may, for example, be displayed on a video unit or they may be printed. Apparatus useful in the practice of this invention generally includes an interferometer of the Michaelson-Morely type having specific optical characteristics, a sensitive infrared detector, electronic data processor, and a device which records and/or displays the results of the determination(s). In a preferred embodiment, no radiation concentrating or focusing elements are used ahead of the beamsplitter of the Michelson-Morely interferometer, said interferometer having imaging optics which, combined with detector size, results in the optical field of view being essentially no larger than the area of the remote source employed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.