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US 2003/0156988 A1Published application
Filament controller
OwnerLars Moller Sondergaardinventor
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OwnerLars Moller Sondergaardinventor
Estimating the term…
A control device is disclosed for controlling a power supply arranged to supply electrical power to a filament (Ra), the temperature of the filament (Ra) being non-linearly dependent on power supplied to the filament (Ra). The control device is arranged to receive temperature control instructions and to control the power supply such that the temperature of the filament (Ra) is controlled in accordance with the instructions. The control device is also arranged to take into account the non-linear relationship between the filament temperature and power input into the filament (Ra) so as to control the filament temperature in accordance with the instructions. The temperature control instructions are a function of a detected change in filament temperature and the control device controls the temperature of the filament (Ra) such that the life of the filament is prolonged.
A control device for controlling a power supply arranged to supply electrical power to a filament, the temperature of the filament being non-linearly dependent on power supplied to the filament, wherein the control device is arranged to receive temperature control instructions and to control the power supply such that the temperature of the filament is controlled in accordance with the instructions, wherein the control device is arranged to take into account the non-linear relationship between the filament temperature and power input into the filament so as to control the filament temperature in accordance with the instructions.
The control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device is arranged to control the temperature of the filament such that the life of the filament is prolonged.
The control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature control instructions comprise instructions to heat the filament to a predetermined temperature, and the control device is arranged to control the power supply such that the filament is maintained at substantially the predetermined temperature.
The control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filament comprises an active filament in a gas sensor, the active filament being arranged to undergo a change in temperature when exposed to a hydrocarbon gas, the control device being arranged to at least partially counteract the change in temperature by altering the electrical power supplied by the power supply to the active filament.
A gas sensor for sensing a hydrocarbon gas, comprising:
An apparatus for supplying electrical power to a filament, the apparatus comprising a power supply and a switching means for switching the power on or off, wherein the switching means is arranged to prolong the life of the filament by switching the power supply such that the temperature of the filament is changed at a controlled rate.
A method of controlling a power supply arranged to supply electrical power to a filament, the filament having a filament temperature which is non-linearly dependent on supplied power, whereby to heat the filament to a predetermined temperature, the method comprising the steps of:
A method of operating an active filament in a catalytic hydrocarbon gas sensor, the sensor further including a passive filament and a power supply arranged to supply power to both filaments, the method comprising the steps of:
A method of switching electrical power to a filament on or off whereby to prolong the life of the filament, comprising the step of switching an electrical power supply such that a temperature of the filament is changed at a controlled rate.
A control means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A sensor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
An apparatus for supplying electrical power to a filament, the apparatus comprising a power supply and a switching means for switching the power on or off, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.