Patent · US Expired

Method and system for detecting gases or vapors in a monitored area

US6061141A · kind A · utility

66Cited by
9References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 20, 1998
Grant dateMay 9, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 20, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N21/3504
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of detecting the presence of a predetermined vapor of a predetermined concentration in a monitored area, the method including the steps of (a) exposing gas in or from the monitored area to radiation at wavelengths at least covering and surrounding from both sides a main absorption peak of the vapor; (b) simultaneously sensing the radiation after passing through the gas by a signal sensor and a reference sensor, each of the sensors including a radiation sensing element, wherein the signal sensor further includes a first optical filter passing wavelengths covering the main absorption peak, yet substantially blocking wavelengths from both sides of the main absorption peak of the vapor, whereas the reference sensor further includes a second optical filter passing wavelengths surrounding from both sides the main absorption peak, yet substantially blocking wavelengths covering the main absorption peak of the vapor; and (c) comparing signals obtained from the signal and reference sensors for determining a presence or absence of the vapor of the predetermined concentration in the gas.

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