US 5,351,522 A · Gas sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to an oxygen sensor which measures the concentration of oxygen based upon ultrasonic sound waves traveling through a binary gas. The measured sound-wave delay through the gases determines the concentration level for oxygen within the transducer chamber. The invention includes an L-shaped housing where a transmitter/transducer is attached to one end of the housing and the receiver/transponder is positioned at the junction between the two substantially straight portions of the L-shaped housing. A straight transducer chamber is thereby provided, while simultaneously provided a housing design which minimizes reflected standing waves for detection by the receiver/transponder. The invention includes a sonic baffle positioned at the opposite end of the L-shaped housing from the transmitter/transducer which minimizes standing waves thereby improving the performance of the gas detection device. The invention also includes a sound buffer affixed to the interior of the L-shaped housing which further reduces the existence and reflection of standing waves for detection by the receiver/transponder. Temperature is monitored within the transducer chamber by an angularly offset temperature sensor.

Claims46

Dependent claims

A gas-sensor device for detection of the presence and concentration of a gas, said gas-sensor device comprising:

(a) an L-shaped housing having a first transmitter end, a second gas outflow end, a junction receiver end, and a gas inlet port through said L-shaped housing proximal to said first transmitter end, said gas inlet port permitting flow-through access of said gas to be detected;
(b) a transmitter assembly having a transmitter/transducer and a temperature sensor positioned in said first transmitter end, said transmitter/transducer having means for generating sound waves for passing through said gas within said L-shaped housing;
(c) a gas outflow end cap assembly having a sonic baffle and a gas outlet port positioned in said second gas outflow end, said sonic baffle having means for reducing reflection of said sound waves within the said L-shaped housing;
(d) a receiver assembly having a receiver/transponder for receipt of said sound waves positioned in said junction receiver end;
and
(e) a sound buffer means for reduction of reflected sound waves, said sound buffer means engaged to said L-shaped housing, said first transmitter end, said second gas outflow end, and to said receiver assembly.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Gas sensor

Life of this patent

Gas sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims46