Liquid ingress control for a gas monitor
US5394881A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 1993 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/497
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Liquid incursion into the gas analyzer or monitoring components of a gas analyzer of a variety employed in medical practice is prevented by a sequence of components performing under computer control. A liquid detector is positioned immediately downstream of the liquid separator/trap of the apparatus to detect any failure of that separating system. Should an incursion occur, the output of the detector will cause a safety valve to block further passage of materials into the monitoring components. The removable separator/trap components are monitored by interlock sensors. Upon appropriate signaling of such removal, a purging valve is actuated to employ atmospheric air made available by the removal of the separator/trap unit to purge the encroaching liquid from the forward components of the analyzer assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.