Patent classifications
G01N33/0031
REDUNDANT GAS DETECTION SYSTEM
A system for redundantly detecting a gas is provided. The system includes first and second series-connected gas sensors and a signaling module. If both gas sensors are functioning normally, the signaling module provides an alert when both gas sensors detect a predetermined gas concentration. If however any one of the gas sensors is experiencing a fault condition, the faulty gas sensor's alarm is shunted by operation of a fault relay, and the signaling module provides an alert when the non-faulty gas sensor detects a predetermined gas concentration. If both gas sensors are experiencing a fault condition, both gas sensors' alarms are shunted by fault relays, and an audible and/or visual alert is generated by the signaling module. Embodiments of the present invention are well suited for industrial facilities, manufacturing facilities, research and development laboratories, and other locations where unsafe gas concentrations may become present.
DEVICE AND ANALYSIS METHOD FOR APPRECIATING AND IDENTIFYING SMELLS
According to an embodiment, it is a system, comprising, a specialized device comprising, a flow sub-system configured for sampling a gas sample, a gas chamber having a gas sensor array comprising a configurable sensor interface, wherein the specialized device is operable to collect an aroma signal from the gas sample, a microcontroller comprising a processor and a memory operable to digitalize the aroma signal to obtain aroma data, store and transfer an aroma data, perform an aroma analysis on the aroma data, and provide a feedback to a user, wherein the system is an aroma evaluation system operable to detect a target aroma in real-time, and wherein the system is operable to interface to at least one of a cloud platform and a smartphone.
GAS DETECTION DEVICE WITH A DETECTOR AND A COMPENSATOR AND GAS DETECTION PROCESS
A gas detection device and a process monitor an area for a combustible target gas. A heating segment of a detector (10) is heated when electrical current flows therethrough. A heating segment of a compensator (1) is heated when electrical current flows therethrough. An electrical voltage is applied to both the detector and the compensator. The heating of the detector (10) causes a combustible target gas to be oxidized in an interior of the gas detection device. A detection variable, which depends on the temperature (Temp_10) of the detector, and a detection variable, which depends on the temperature (Temp_11) of the compensator, are measured. A presence and/or a concentration of a target gas are determined as a function of the detection variables. A quality parameter is measured and increases as the detection variable depending on the detector temperature increases and as the detection variable depending on the compensator temperature decreases.
COMPACT PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR
A compressor assembly for a portable oxygen concentrator includes a first compressor chamber having a first connector, a second compressor chamber having a second connector, and a tube having a first end having a first connection interface configured to connect to the first connector and a second end having a second connection interface configured to connect to the second connector. The first connection interface is shaped to maintain the connection between the first connector and the first connection interface in a fixed orientation and the second connection interface is shaped to maintain the connection between the second connector and the second connection interface in a fixed orientation. One or more of the first connector, the second connector, and the tube are compliant.
SYSTEMS, SENSING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DETECTION OF AIRBORNE CONTAMINANTS
A device for detecting airborne contaminants includes a protonated, electrically conductive sensing material with affinity for binding with, and capable of being deprotonated by, the airborne contaminant. Electronics measure a property of the sensing material that is sensitive to deprotonation and generates signals indicative of the airborne contaminant. A method for detecting airborne contaminants includes: determining a property change of the protonated, electrically conductive material; and determining presence of the airborne contaminant based on the change. A system for detecting airborne contaminants includes: a data center in remote communication with multiple sensing devices each having: protonated, electrically conductive sensing material with affinity for binding with, and capable of being depronated by, an airborne contaminant, and electronics for relaying signals indicative of a sensing material deprotonation property to the data center; and wherein a user associated with a sensing device is notified of an abnormal level of the airborne contaminant.
HYBRID SENSOR METHOD
A method of determining a presence, concentration or change in concentration of a first or second material in an environment is disclosed. The method comprises measuring a response of a first sensor to the first and second material, wherein the first sensor is one of a metal oxide sensor, an electrochemical sensor, a photoionisation sensor, an infrared sensor, a pellistor sensor, an optical particle monitor, a quartz crystal microbalance sensor, a surface acoustic wave sensor, a cavity ring-down spectroscopy sensor, or a biosensor. The method further comprises measuring a response of a second sensor to the first and second material, wherein the second sensor is another one of a metal oxide sensor, an electrochemical sensor, a photoionisation sensor, an infrared sensor, a pellistor sensor, an optical particle monitor, a quartz crystal microbalance sensor, a surface acoustic wave sensor, a cavity ring-down spectroscopy sensor, a biosensor or a field effect transistor sensor. The method further comprises determining from first and second sensor measurements, a presence, concentration or change in concentration of the first or second material.
Method for mapping the concentration of an analyte in an environment
A method for estimating a mapping of the concentration of an analyte in an environment uses sensors distributed in the environment. Each sensor generates a measurement of the analyte concentration at various measurement instants, which measurements are carried out by each sensor at each measurement instant, forming an observation vector, each term of which corresponds to a measurement arising from a sensor. The environment is spatially meshed with a plurality of mesh cells. The analyte concentration at each mesh cell, at each measurement instant, forms a “state vector,” each term of which corresponds to an analyte concentration in a mesh cell. A “global bias” is determined and used to correct the state vector to obtain a “debiased state vector.” The state vector is also corrected by a local correction vector as a function of a correction vector.
Nanotube array gas sensor
Aspects describe a nanotube array gas sensor, and methods to manufacture and use the same. In one example, the nanotube array gas sensor comprises an insulator template including an array of parallel aligned, open-ended nanotubes; a sensing material deposited on at least interior surfaces of the nanotubes; and catalyst nanoparticles distributed on the sensing material. An electronic controller activates electrodes made of different conductor materials in order to obtain multiple measurements of electrical resistance across the insulator template. The electrical resistance measurements can be compared to electrical resistance profiles in order to determine types and concentrations of gases in the nanotube array gas sensor.
Lithium-ion battery impending failure detection
A battery management system configured to detect impending failure of a lithium-ion battery cell includes a sensor array microchip. The microchip includes a plurality of silicon chemical-sensitive field effect transistors (CS-FETs) configured to detect multiple distinct gases vented by the lithium-ion battery cell. The battery management system also includes a cell monitoring unit (CMU) configured to receive from at least one of the CS-FETs data indicative of a detected amount of gas vented by the lithium-ion battery cell. The CMU is also configured to compare the data indicative of the detected amount of the vented gas to a predetermined threshold amount of the subject vented gas programmed into the CMU. The CMU is further configured to trigger a signal indicative of impending failure of the lithium-ion battery cell when the detected amount of the vented gas exceeds the predetermined threshold amount of the subject vented gas.
Protective enclosure for gas sensors
A small-sized, portable enclosure protects a gas sensor against degradation due to environmental exposure and changes in atmospheric conditions. The protective enclosure includes an inlet for introduction of a gas into the enclosure, an outlet for release of the gas upon completion of a sensing run, and a number of in-line filters that remove from the inflowing gas sample analytes, contaminants, and other materials that can compromise the integrity of the sensor or cause the sensor to degrade over time. The enclosure does not include any filters during the measurement phase of the sensing run in order to allow the gas sensor to accurately measure an unmodified gas mixture and/or analyte.