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US 11,686,714 B2Granted
Device and method for detecting restrictions in gas access to a gas sensor
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorKeith Francis Edwin Pratt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided is a gas sensor and methods of monitoring the same. The gas sensor may detect gas restrictions within the gas sensor. The gas sensor may include a test gas diffusion path allowing for monitoring of restrictions within the gas sensor. A pulse of test gas may be electrochemically generated into a void disposed between the membrane and capillary of the gas sensor. The resulting transient signal on the sensing electrode may be analyzed to determine the degree of restriction present in the gas sensor.
Claims20
A gas sensor comprising:
- a housing defining an opening to an external environment;
- a sensing electrode disposed in the housing and configured to generate a test gas signal when the sensing electrode is in contact with a test gas;
- a membrane disposed in the housing between the sensing electrode and the opening in the housing, wherein the membrane is at least partially exposed to the external environment;
- a test gas diffusion path defined in the housing for the test gas to travel in the gas sensor and comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the test gas diffusion path is disposed between the membrane and the sensing electrode and is configured such that when the test gas travels through the test gas diffusion path from the inlet to the outlet, the test gas comes in contact with the membrane prior to coming in contact with the sensing electrode and such that the test gas signal is higher when the membrane has a high degree of restriction compared to the test gas signal when the membrane has a low degree of restriction;
- and
- wherein the gas sensor is configured to switch from a diagnostic mode to a normal operating mode when the sensing electrode detects a target gas.
3 more elements
A method of monitoring gas restriction in a gas sensor, the method comprising:
- causing a test gas to travel through a test gas diffusion path disposed in the gas sensor and comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the test gas diffusion path is disposed between a membrane and a sensing electrode and is configured such that when the test gas travels through the test gas diffusion path from the inlet to the outlet, the test gas comes in contact with the membrane prior to coming in contact with the sensing electrode;
- determining a degree of restriction in the gas sensor, and
- wherein determining the degree of restriction in the gas sensor comprise receiving a test gas signal from the sensing electrode and integrating the test gas signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.