Diagnostics for catalytic structures and combustible gas sensors including catalytic structures
AssigneeMSA Technology, LLC
InventorMark F. Zanella, Sr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A combustible gas sensor for detecting a combustible analyte includes a first sensing element including a first conductive element in electrical connection with an electronic circuitry, a first support structure in operative connection with the first conductive element, a catalyst supported on the first support structure for catalyzing a reaction of the analyte, and a system for measuring a variable related to the reactance of the first sensing element. Changes in the measured variable over time provide an indication of an operational status of the first sensing element.
Claims21
A combustible gas sensor for detecting a combustible analyte, comprising:
- a first sensing element comprising a first conductive element in electrical connection with an electronic circuitry, a first support structure in operative connection with the first conductive element, a catalyst supported on the first support structure for catalyzing a reaction of the analyte, and a system for measuring a variable related to reactance of the first sensing element, changes in the measured variable over time providing an indication of a status of the first sensing element.
A method of operating a combustible gas sensor for detecting a combustible analyte comprising a first sensing element comprising a first conductive element in electrical connection with an electronic circuitry, a first support structure in operative connection with the first conductive element, and a catalyst supported on the first support structure for catalyzing a reaction of the analyte, the method comprising:
- measuring a variable related to reactance of the first sensing element over time and relating changes in the measured variable to an operational state of the first sensing element.
A method of determining the operational status of a sensing element comprising a conductive element in electrical connection with an electronic circuitry, a support structure in operative connection with the first conductive element, and a catalyst supported on the support structure for catalyzing a reaction of the analyte, the method comprising:
- measuring a variable related to reactance of the sensing element over time and relating changes in the measured variable to the operational state of the sensing element.
A method of operating a combustible gas sensor for detecting a combustible analyte gas comprising a first sensing element comprising a first conductive element in electrical connection with an electronic circuitry, a first support structure in operative connection with the first conductive element, a catalyst supported on the first support structure for catalyzing a reaction of the analyte, and a control system in operative connection with the first sensing element, the method comprising:
- electronically interrogating the sensing element via the control system without applying the analyte gas or a simulant therefor to the first sensing element to test an operational state of the first sensing element and increasing the temperature of the first sensing element via the control system upon determining from the electronic interrogation that a foreign material has contaminated the first sensing element to attempt to burn off the foreign material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.