Method and apparatus for optically reading gas sampling test cards
OwnerGary W. Short, Dale Main +2inventors
InventorsGary W. Short, Dale Main, Margaret R. Pippin, Linda Bush
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring a gas concentration detected by a passive sampler are provided. The apparatus includes a light source which illuminates a passive sampler, a detector which detects light from the light source reflected from the passive sampler and provides an output signal, and a microprocessor which receives the output signal and calculates light absorption by the passive sampler based on the received signal.
Claims19
An apparatus for measuring a gas concentration detected by a passive sampler, the apparatus comprising:
- a light source which illuminates a passive sampler;
- a detector which detects light from the light source reflected from the passive sampler and provides an output signal;
- and
- a microprocessor which receives the output signal and calculates light absorption by the passive sampler based on the received signal.
A method of measuring a gas concentration detected by a passive sampler, the method comprising:
- illuminating an unexposed passive sampler with a light source;
- measuring a first reflected light intensity;
- illuminating an exposed passive sampler with a light source;
- measuring a second reflected light intensity;
- calculating percent light absorbance by the passive sampler based on the first reflected light intensity and the second reflected light intensity;
- determining a gas concentration value by referring to a calibration curve;
- and
- displaying a gas concentration value on a display.
A computer readable medium having stored therein a program for making a computer execute a gas concentration measurement method, said program including computer executable instructions for performing steps comprising:
- illuminating an unexposed passive sampler with a light source;
- measuring a first reflected light intensity;
- illuminating an exposed passive sampler with a light source;
- measuring a second reflected light intensity;
- calculating percent light absorbance by the passive sampler based on the first reflected light intensity and the second reflected light intensity;
- determining a gas concentration value by referring to a calibration curve;
- and
- displaying a gas concentration value on a display.
A system for measuring a gas concentration detected by a passive sampler, the system comprising:
- means for illuminating a passive sampler;
- means for detecting light reflected from the passive sampler and providing a detected light intensity signal;
- means for detecting ambient temperature and providing a detected temperature signal;
- means for detecting ambient humidity and providing a detected humidity signal;
- means for detecting wind speed and providing a detected wind speed signal;
- and
- means for calculating light absorbance by the passive sampler based on the detected light intensity signal and at least one of the detected temperature signal, detected humidity signal and detected wind speed signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.