Optical gas sensing apparatus with explosion-proof enclosure

An optical gas sensing apparatus comprising:

• an explosion-rated device electronics enclosure, the explosion-rated device electronics enclosure housing device electronics;
• an explosion-rated sensing enclosure having a light transmitting element to allow light to pass out of and into the sensing enclosure, the light transmitting element having a thickness less than or equal to about 3 millimeters, the sensing enclosure being operably coupled to the explosion-rated device electronics enclosure by a feed-through;
• a light source disposed within the sensing enclosure and being operably coupled to, and controlled by, the device electronics;
• a detector disposed within the sensing enclosure and being operably coupled to the device electronics;
• and
• wherein the explosion-rated device electronics enclosure and the explosion-rated sensing enclosure are both constructed such that each enclosure is configured to retain an internal explosion in compliance with an explosion-proof rating.

An optical gas sensing apparatus comprising:

• an explosion-rated device electronics enclosure with an enclosure volume, the explosion-rated device electronics enclosure housing device electronics;
• an explosion-rated sensing enclosure, with a sensing volume, the explosion-rated sensing enclosure having a light transmitting element to allow light to pass out of and into the sensing enclosure, the sensing enclosure being operably coupled to the explosion-rated device electronics enclosure by a feed-through, wherein an internal volume of the sensing enclosure is less than or equal to about 10 cubic centimeters;
• a light source disposed within the sensing enclosure and being operably coupled to the device electronics;
• and
• a detector disposed within the sensing enclosure and being operably coupled to the device electronics;
• wherein the explosion-rated device electronics enclosure and the explosion-rated sensing enclosure are both constructed such that each enclosure is configured to retain an internal explosion and wherein the sensing volume is smaller than the enclosure volume.