Organic chemical sensor
US5482678A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 10, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 10, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/21
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In this invention, a first sensor senses an organic gas, liquid or vapor and includes a first support having a first support surface with a layer of material fastened to it. In the presence of liquid, gas or vapor, the material swells and expands so as to vary at least one of its dimensions. Such expansion develops a stress at an interface between the first support surface and the material, and strain sensitive resistors detect the stress and produce an output which varies as a function of the stress at the interface. One of a pair of piezoresistors is located where there is increased stress and the other piezoresistor is disposed where there is reduced stress. If desired, a second sensor similar in structure to the first but exposed only to a reference organic liquid, gas or vapor temperature compensates the first. In another embodiment of the invention, an organic chemical responsive sensor includes a first support having a first support surface and a first capacitor plate fastened to the first support. A second support coupled to the first support spaces a second capacitor plate a distance away from the first plate. A material which expands in the presence of organic liquid, gas…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.