Chemical vapor sensor
US7700044B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 2005 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2201/12792
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A chemical vapor sensor is provided that passively measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is measured, and sufficient sensitivity is provided to passively detect a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. The sensor can be situated in an inconspicuous vehicle cabin location and operate independently without requiring active involvement by a driver. A vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectible level for use with an infrared (IR) detector. In an aspect, in comparison to conventional chemical sensors, the sensitivity of detection of ethanol vapor is increased by a factor of about 1,000. Further, a single channel of infrared detection is utilized avoiding spurious infrared absorption and making the chemical vapor sensor less costly to implement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.