Calibration-inability warning method in analyzing apparatus
AssigneeHoriba, Ltd.
InventorsMasahiko Fujiwara, Kiyomi Shiotani
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A calibration-inability warning method in an analyzing apparatus determines in advance when the analyzing apparatus approaches a calibration-inability condition prior to entering calibration inability condition. To do so, coefficient ranges are set, and a calibration coefficient is computed. It is then determined whether the calibration coefficient is within a normal calibration range, a calibration-inability range, or a normal calibration range with no allowance. Signals are generated indicating that the calibration-inability condition is approaching when the calibration coefficient becomes a certain value in the vicinity of the calibration-inability range.
Claims7
A calibration-inability warning method for use in a gas analyzer, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing the gas analyzer with a gas analyzing portion equipped with an auto-calibrator set to calibrate at a specified time period, wherein the auto-calibrator compensates for a sensitivity degradation of the gas analyzing portion;
- b) setting a plurality of coefficient ranges including a normal range, a cautionary range, and an inability range indicative of when a calibration of the gas analyzer is unable to be performed, the cautionary range being positioned between the normal range and the inability range;
- c) computing a calibration coefficient;
- d) determining in which the coefficient ranges the calibration coefficient is located;
- and
- e) generating a signal when the calibration coefficient is in the cautionary range to indicated that the calibration coefficient is approaching the inability range.
A gas analyzer having a warning apparatus for warning a user when a calibration coefficient approaches a calibration-inability range, the gas analyzer comprising:
- a gas analyzing portion having an auto-calibrator set to calibrate at a specified time period, wherein the auto-calibrator compensates for a sensitivity degradation of the gas analyzer portion;
- a signal converter connected to the gas analyzing portion for receiving data from the gas analyzing portion;
- a processor connected to the signal converter for computing the calibration coefficient from the data received from the gas analyzing portion, and for determining whether the calibration coefficient is in a normal range, a cautionary range, or a calibration-inability range, the cautionary range being positioned between the normal range and the calibration-inability range, the calibration-inability range being a range in which the warning apparatus is unable to calibrate the gas analyzing portion;
- and
- an input/output interface in communication with the processor for outputting a range signal when the calibration coefficient is located in the cautionary range, thereby indicating the approach of the calibration-inability range.
A method for generating a warning message in a gas analyzer in case of malfunction of an automatic calibration, the method comprising the steps of:
- specifying a time period for automatically calibrating the gas analyzer, wherein the automatic calibration compensates for a sensitivity degradation of the gas analyzer;
- computing a calibration coefficient during the calibration of the gas analyzer;
- setting coefficient ranges which indicate whether said calibration coefficient is within a normal calibration range in which the calibration is able to be performed for the gas analyzer, or within a calibration inability range in which the calibration is unable to be performed for the gas analyzer;
- and
- generating a signal when said calibration coefficient is within a cautionary range which is within said normal calibration range, said signal indicative of when said calibration coefficient approaches said calibration inability range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.