Condensation sensor and method of controlling condensate film in sealed space with condensation sensor
US7161677B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/157
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A condensation sensor detects whether hydrogen peroxide gas has condensed in a sealed space and determines the condition of a condensate film upon passage of time. The condensate film in the sealed space is controlled with the condensation sensor. The condensation sensor includes a condensate forming part with a plurality of glass plates arranged so that a direction of irradiation is substantially perpendicular to a surface direction, and the condensate forming part is disposed between a projector and a light receiver. The condensation sensor is placed inside an isolator and irradiated with laser beams. The condensate film formed on the glass plates is detected from a change in the quantity of light received by the light receiver, thus the condition of condensation on the surface of an item to be sterilized inside the isolator is presumed, and accordingly, the necessary and sufficient amount of gas introduced is determined.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.