Fluid sensor system and method for analysing fluid
AssigneesOwlstone Medcial Limited, Owlstone Inc.
InventorsAndrew H. Koehl, Max Allsworth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensor system comprising a housing having an inlet aperture through which fluid enters the housing and a conditioning material in the housing, the conditioning material being adapted to control levels of a substance within the housing. The sensor system comprises a sensor for analysing the fluid in the housing. The sensor system comprises circulation means which is configured to alternate circulation of fluid within the housing between a sensing fluid path in which the fluid is analysed by the sensor and a second fluid path in which the fluid flow is conditioned. A method for analysing fluid in a housing using a sensor is also provided.
Claims19
A sensor system, comprising:
- a housing having an inlet aperture through which a fluid enters the housing;
- a conditioning material in the housing, the conditioning material being adapted to control levels of a substance within the housing;
- a sensor for analysing the fluid in the housing;
- and
- a circulation means configured to alternate circulation of the fluid within the housing between a sensing fluid path in which the fluid is analysed by the sensor and a second fluid path in which the fluid flow is conditioned,
- wherein the housing has a flow chamber which houses the circulation means, a second chamber which houses the sensor and a first internal aperture between the flow chamber and the second chamber.
A method for analysing fluid in a housing using a sensor, the method comprising:
- drawing the fluid into the housing through an inlet aperture;
- selecting a fluid path within the housing, wherein the fluid path is selected from a sensing path, in which the fluid flows through the sensor to be analysed, and a second fluid path;
- circulating the fluid within the selected fluid path using a circulation means located within the housing, wherein the circulation means is configured for bi-direction operation, and said circulating the fluid within the selected fluid path includes selecting a direction of operation of the circulation means which drives the fluid in the selected fluid path;
- analysing the fluid within the housing using the sensor when the fluid is flowing in the sensing path;
- and
- controlling a level of a substance within the fluid using a conditioning material located within the housing when the fluid is flowing in the second fluid path.
A sensor system, comprising:
- a housing having an inlet aperture through which a fluid enters the housing;
- a conditioning material in the housing, the conditioning material being adapted to control levels of a substance within the housing;
- a sensor for analysing the fluid in the housing;
- and
- a circulation means configured to alternate circulation of the fluid within the housing between a sensing fluid path in which the fluid is analysed by the sensor and a second fluid path in which the fluid flow is conditioned,
- wherein the circulation means is located adjacent to the sensor forming a sealed path between the circulation means and the sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.