For Analysis Of Gas, Vapor, Or Particles Of Matter Patents (Class 324/464)
  • Patent number: 6842008
    Abstract: A pulsed discharge detector includes a device and method for modular measurement of ionization signals from a sample. The pulsed discharge detector includes a discharge source in a chamber, a collector spaced from the discharge source, a monitor connected to a discharge electrode, an electrometer connected to the collector, a calibrator and a sample and hold processor. The discharge electrodes include a source electrode centrally located in relation to the discharge chamber wall. The collector is centrally located in relation to the chamber wall. Discharge signals are monitored for time and intensity. Collected signals are adjusted based on the discharge intensity. Collected signals are collected during a time window based on the discharge occurrence time. Detector output is predicated on collected signals coordinated with pulsed discharges. The calibrator of the present invention adjusts the collected signals to reduce discharge noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventors: Stanley D. Stearns, Huamin Cai
  • Patent number: 6836732
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for ensuring effective and efficient vehicle vapor recovery performance, storage tank system integrity relative to both vapor and liquid containment and for reducing the probability that inaccurate information causes companies to undertake unnecessary, expensive and wasteful loss investigations at gasoline dispensing facilities. A fuel storage and delivery system is transformed from an “open system” communicating directly with the environment to a “closed system” which ensures capture, containment and accurate accounting of both hydrocarbon vapors and liquid phase product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Arid Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tedmund P. Tiberi
  • Patent number: 6831465
    Abstract: An electrical measurement device is described, with a measurement input, an integrated sensor, a measurement and evaluation circuit, and a measured value display, and several measured value outputs. The electrical measurement device enables not only one measured value or several measured values to be determined, but makes it possible to display and process the determined measured values depending on other values such as comparison values and setpoints. An influencing input acts on the measurement and evaluation circuit and is the connecting point for the electrical measurement device to which or via which an influencing value can be applied or input. Therefore, a value with which the measured value can be influenced in the broadest sense is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Benno Kathan, Alfred Wagner
  • Publication number: 20040245993
    Abstract: A sensor having electrodes connectable to an AC or DC voltage for powering an electrical discharge such as a corona, glow, arc, or the like. Additional electrodes connectable to analysis voltage may be proximate to the discharge providing electrodes. The discharge may ionize a sample fluid of varying chemical composition, flowing through a channel where the electrodes are situated. The discharge may be part of a group of sensors sensing the fluid flowing from a particle filter, gas chromatograph (GC) separator, thermal conductivity detector (TCD), optical sensors, photo ionization detector (PID), and to additional micro discharge devices (MDDs) and a mass spectrometer and/or a processor for analysis and processing to obtain results and information about the sample fluid composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Ulrich Bonne
  • Publication number: 20040245992
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer that includes a tray on the outer housing of the mass spectrometer for receiving a portable user interface. Each of the user interface and the tray has a transceiver port for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic wave radiation as infrared radiation. More specifically, the tray also includes a serial port connector and the portable user interface includes a receptor for receiving the serial port connected when the user interface is mounted on the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Gregor Overney
  • Patent number: 6828794
    Abstract: An electrostatic instrument for measuring particle concentrations and possibly sizes in aerosols, such as an Electrostatic Low Pressure Impactor or Differential Mobility Analyser suffers from errors which limit the useful response bandwidth of the device. The invention minimises or eliminates these transient errors which are caused by changing particle concentrations in the aerosol. A system may be added to an otherwise conventional instrument to compensate for the transient effects based on a model of the charge production mechanism. Alternatively, a screening electrode placed over the sense electrodes in the instrument, and held at controlled electrical potential difference, is added to the instrument to eliminate the effect. A third embodiment adds compensating electrodes which provide a direct measurement of the transient effect which can be subtracted from the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Cambustion Limited
    Inventors: Kingsley St John Reavell, Nicholas Collings
  • Patent number: 6828795
    Abstract: An explosive detection system detects the presence of trace molecules in air. The sensitivity of such instruments is dependent on the concentration of target gas in the sample. The sampling efficiency can be greatly improved when the target object is warmed, even by only a few degrees. A directed emission of photons, typically infrared or visible light, can be used to significantly enhance vapor emission. The sensitivity of such instruments is also dependent on the method of gas sampling utilized. A cyclone sampling nozzle can greatly improve the sampling efficiency, particularly when the sampling needs to be performed at a distance from the air intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Implant Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Leonid Y. Krasnobaev, Vyacheslav S. Persenkov, Vladimir V. Belyakov, Vladimir B. Kekukh, Stephen N. Bunker
  • Patent number: 6812710
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas probe for installation in a measurement gas chamber, having a metal housing in which a planar sensor element is disposed, electrically insulated, with at least one contact face that is conductively connected to a metal conductor element. For the conductor element, an electrically insulating contact holder is provided, which presses the conductor element onto the contact face by a spring element that engages the contact holder. The conductor element is disposed in an indentation of the contact holder, which indentation is oriented toward the contact face of the sensor element, and by way of a region protruding out of the indentation of the contact holder, the conductor element is in contact with the contact face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Weyl, Juergen Wilde
  • Publication number: 20040189314
    Abstract: The invention relates to a helium ionisation detector comprising:—a helium supply section (2);—an ionisation section (3) through which the helium flows in order to create a plasma; —a detector body (12) providing a detection zone wherein the plasma meets components to be quantified, the components being eluted from a gas chromatographic separation device (13). According to the invention, the ionisation holder and/or the detector body are designed in such a way that the detection zone is predetermined and restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Pierre Le Foll, Paul Guieze
  • Publication number: 20040189313
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product for differential particle detection in electronic devices is provided. A first particulate sensor is positioned in proximity to an air intake of the electronic device. A second particulate sensor is positioned in proximity to the air exhaust of the device. A comparator compares the particulate concentrations detected by the first and second particulate sensors. Differential particle detection between the air intake and air exhaust of an electronic device enables early detection of potential fire conditions existing within the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machiness Corporation
    Inventor: Peter James Shabino
  • Publication number: 20040178800
    Abstract: A pulsed discharge detector includes a device and method for modular measurement of ionization signals from a sample. The pulsed discharge detector includes a discharge source in a chamber, a collector spaced from the discharge source, a monitor connected to a discharge electrode, an electrometer connected to the collector, a calibrator and a sample and hold processor. The discharge electrodes include a source electrode centrally located in relation to the discharge chamber wall. The collector is centrally located in relation to the chamber wall. Discharge signals are monitored for time and intensity. Collected signals are adjusted based on the discharge intensity. Collected signals are collected during a time window based on the discharge occurrence time. Detector output is predicated on collected signals coordinated with pulsed discharges. The calibrator of the present invention adjusts the collected signals to reduce discharge noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Stanley D. Stearns, Huamin Cai
  • Patent number: 6781384
    Abstract: An electronic circuit and a method of generating an electrical discharge for an ionization detector system. The electronic circuit includes a transformer with a primary portion and a secondary portion. The circuit and method produce an electrical discharge across a set of electrodes. The discharge is stable over time and has relatively low peak currents associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud Abdel-Rahman, Robert P. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 6774638
    Abstract: A highly sensitive charged particle measuring device capable of measuring low-level alpha rays comprises in a measurement chamber 7 provided with a sealable door 15, a test sample 2 and a semiconductor detector 1, a radiation measuring circuit 30 including a preamplifier 30c connected to the semiconductor detector 1, a linear amplifier 30d, and a pulse height analyzer 30e, a charged particle emission amount arithmetic unit 40 for performing the quantitative analysis of charged particles from its measurement, a display unit for displaying its analysis result, and further has an evacuation pipe line and a pure gas supply pipe line for performing supply and replacement of the pure gas in the measuring chamber 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Kogawa, Hiroshi Kitaguchi, Tetsuya Matsui, Akihisa Kaihara, Junichi Arita
  • Patent number: 6771075
    Abstract: An air ion measuring device is provided which holds the air passage rate in an ion detector as constant as possible to provide for improved air ion measurement reliability, permits a size and thickness reduction and also a reduction of parts and cost of the ion detector, permits ready cleaning thereof, provides a measure for coping with static electricity, provides good visual recognition property in the air ion data display and displays data other than air ion data and error data. An ion detector structure is formed by disposing a charge collector electrode and repelling electrodes in the vicinity of opposite ends of the charge collector electrode on one side surface of an air passage, through which air is withdrawn from one end portion and exhausted from the other end portion, and disposing a further repelling electrode on the other side surface of the air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Andes Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Aiki, Shunichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6768311
    Abstract: The ion measuring device comprises an ion detector including a charge collector electrode disposed in an air passage with an air passing member provided therein and capable of collecting ions in air in the air passage and repelling electrodes disposed to face the charge collector electrode, a measurement computation device for executing computation processing on related to the charge on the charge collector electrode to obtain data representing the numbers of measured positive and negative ions per unit time and unit volume, a charging circuit including a switch for switching the positive and negative polarities of the charge applied to the repelling electrodes such that the repelling electrodes are charged to the same polarity as the polarity of measurement subject ions, and a discharging circuit for discharging the charge collector electrode at time intervals corresponding to the timings of switching by the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Andes Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Aiki, Wakao Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20040108857
    Abstract: This invention relates to ionization detectors in which the direction of propagation of the radiation beam is co-linear to the direction of flow of the sample fluid of interest. In one embodiment, the ionization detector comprises an ionization chamber, a first electrode, a second electrode, and an optical window. The first and second electrodes are capable of forming an electrical field in the ionization chamber. The ionization chamber allows a sample fluid to flow through. The optical window is configured to allow a radiation beam to enter the ionization chamber in a direction that is co-linear to a direction of flow of the sample fluid in the ionization chamber. Preferably, the radiation beam is generated by a laser, such as a pulsed UV microchip laser, and molecules in the sample fluid are ionized through resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Paul Jarski, Daniel Engebretson, Brian Very
  • Patent number: 6744373
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable gas alarm device easy to be fabricated as a small-sized one handy to carry and high in convenience for use. The portable gas alarm device comprises a gas alarm device body having a casing flat in whole and a fitting member provided on the casing to fit it to the human body. The gas alarm device body has a control circuit board extending to the direction of the flat plane of the casing, a display mechanism is arranged in a central area on the front surface side of the control circuit board, a gas sensor and an alarm buzzer are arranged on the right and left sides of the display mechanism, and a battery fitting chamber is provided on the back surface side of the circuit board. A vibration generator for alarm may be provided in the gas alarm device body. The fitting member may be one suitable for use in fitting the gas alarm device body to a person's wrist or a person's wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Riken Keiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Koyano, Shuji Tajima, Yoshiharu Ao, Masahide Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20040100269
    Abstract: A sensor having a nanotube grown on and supported by thermal bimorph structures. The nanotube rests on a heat sink during sensing gas or a liquid and is moved from the heat sink when the nanotube is heated to desorb gas or liquid from it. The heatsink may function as a gate along with the bimorph structures as the other terminals of a transistor. Current-voltage and current-gate voltage characteristics may be obtained of the nanotube as a device like a transistor. These characteristics may provide information on a gas or liquid absorbed by the nanotube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Barrett E. Cole, Robert E. Higashi
  • Publication number: 20040090235
    Abstract: A flavor monitoring system comprises a photo-ionization detector based sensor for measuring the amount of flavor in flavored cigarette filters The sensor has an intake port and an exit port open to the atmosphere. An enclosure with a removable cover is connected to the intake port of the sensor, and the enclosure is constructed and arranged to receive a flavored cigarette filter to be analyzed. The photo-ionization detector based sensor draws a gaseous sample from the flavored filter within the enclosure, ionizes the flavor sample and displays a reading representative of the amount of flavor in the filter. Subsequently the reading may be converted to a flavor amount in milligrams by multiplying the reading by a correlation factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Tejinder K. Gill, Robert C. Lanier, John Dawson
  • Patent number: 6717413
    Abstract: A nondestructive testing method of condensed matter surfaces, and a sensing device for the measurement of the work function of the surface of a conducting or semiconducting sample. The sensing device includes an ionization chamber, a probe having a first surface, and a potential difference measurement circuit that is capable of measuring a difference in potential between the first surface of the probe and a surface made of another material to be tested. The ionization chamber produces ionized particles that travel out of an output of the ionization chamber and toward the probe. The probe is a non-vibrating probe having a first surface that is either a positively or negatively charged electrode. The measurement circuit of the present invention is capable of sensing the small amount of electrical current that the electrons and ions moving toward the first surface and the testing surface represent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Danyluk, Anatoly Zharin
  • Patent number: 6717414
    Abstract: A monitor apparatus and corresponding method of monitoring high voltage alternating current in the emitter and reference circuits of ionizers. The monitor is capacitively coupled to the emitter and reference circuits to detect faults without affecting the ionizer operation. Faults are displayed on a light emitting diode display. In an alternative embodiment, faults may be indicated by output signals. The output signals are used to automatically adjust the ionizer operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Rodrigo, William S. Richie, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040061518
    Abstract: A time limit function utilization apparatus includes a first function block, a second function block, a signal line which connects the first and second function blocks and allows using a desired function that is generated by accessing the first and second function blocks with each other, and a semiconductor time switch interposed in or connected to the signal line, and disables or enables mutual access between the first and second function blocks upon the lapse of a predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Watanabe, Kazuya Matsuzawa, Riichiro Shirota
  • Publication number: 20040051535
    Abstract: A gas analyzing apparatus including a reactor for decomposing a target substance contained in a gas to produce a product gas containing a decomposition product, a contacting chamber connected to the reactor and having a quartz oscillator disposed therewithin. The quartz oscillator has opposing surfaces each provided with an electrode, at least one of the electrodes being reactable with the decomposition product so that the decomposition product when contacted with the reactable electrode is reacted with the reactable electrode to cause a frequency deviation which is detected by a frequency measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicants: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, GASTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Noda, Ryuichi Naganawa, Kunitoshi Matsunobu, Katsuhide Uchida, Kouta Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20040046567
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assessing the state of organisms and natural products wherein one or more substances are determined in a gaseous mixture, determination being effected by a mass spectrometer wherein an ion beam acts on the sample of gaseous mixture in high vacuum in such a way that the test molecules are ionized with the aid of the internal energy of the ions of the ion beam, and the values obtained upon determination are evaluated for assessing the state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Johannes Villinger, Werner Federer
  • Publication number: 20040001006
    Abstract: A modular smoke detector has a sensing electrode carried by an insulator module. The insulator module also carries an ionization source and a field effect transistor. The insulator module lockingly engages a printed circuit board. A conical smoke deflector and exterior electrode are assembled to the insulator module. The deflector and exterior electrode are spaced apart providing a space for inflow and outflow of airborne particles of combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: William MacPherson, Gregory A. Wischstadt
  • Patent number: 6661234
    Abstract: A failure determining apparatus for a gas-insulated electrical appliance where the appliance is a cylindrical metal container with a charged conductor, insulating gas, and a plurality of insulating spaces inside for supporting the conductor and partitioning the container. The failure determining apparatus has a high-speed developing sensor which detects a high-speed phenomenon caused by a failure within the gas sections; a first failure determining circuit which determines the presence of a failure from an output of the high-speed developing sensor; a low-speed developing sensor which detects a low-speed phenomenon caused by a failure within the gas sections; a second failure determining circuit which determines the presence of a failure from an output of the low-speed developing sensor; and an arithmetic control circuit which identifies a gas section of the metal container in which a failure occurs from an output of the first and second failure determining circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kuniaki Nakashima, Hiroshi Doi, Yasuhiro Maeda, Hirohide Aoki, Hiroyuki Hama, Naoyuki Kajita, Yoshikatsu Honda
  • Patent number: 6661233
    Abstract: A gas analysis system and method use foreground broadband gas monitoring and background selective gas analysis. The foreground broadband monitoring indicates concentrations of a class of chemicals or contaminants in a gas sample, provides real-time warnings of contaminants, and can activate the background selective analysis. Separate broadband detectors and gas analyzers can respectively perform broadband monitoring and selective analysis. To reduce system components, a broadband detector that performs broadband monitoring switches to measure concentrations of chemicals output from a separation device for the selective analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: RAE Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenjun Yang, Peter C. Hsi
  • Patent number: 6642720
    Abstract: A wireless sensor assembly for circumferential monitoring of gas stream properties comprises a drive system attachable to a hot gas path housing. A rake is movably coupled to the drive system for unrestricted circumferential movement. At least one RF sensor is disposed on the rake for generating a signal responsive to the gas stream properties. Circuitry is provided for remotely powering the at least one RF sensor and for remotely detecting the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Herbert Maylotte, James Peter DeLancey
  • Patent number: 6639392
    Abstract: A highly sensitive charged particle measuring device capable of measuring low-level alpha rays comprises in a measurement chamber 7 provided with a sealable door 15, a test sample 2 and a semiconductor detector 1, a radiation measuring circuit 30 including a preamplifier 30c connected to the semiconductor detector 1, a linear amplifier 30d, and a pulse height analyzer 30e, a charged particle emission amount arithmetic unit 40 for performing the quantitative analysis of charged particles from its measurement, a display unit for displaying its analysis result, and further has an evacuation pipe line and a pure gas supply pipe line for performing supply and replacement of the pure gas in the measuring chamber 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Kogawa, Hiroshi Kitaguchi, Tetsuya Matsui, Akihisa Kaihara, Junichi Arita
  • Publication number: 20030193338
    Abstract: An explosive detection system detects the presence of trace molecules in air. The sensitivity of such instruments is dependent on the concentration of target gas in the sample. The sampling efficiency can be greatly improved when the target object is warmed, even by only a few degrees. A directed emission of photons, typically infrared or visible light, can be used to significantly enhance vapor emission. The sensitivity of such instruments is also dependent on the method of gas sampling utilized. A cyclone sampling nozzle can greatly improve the sampling efficiency, particularly when the sampling needs to be performed at a distance from the air intake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Leonid Y. Krasnobaev, Vyacheslav S. Persenkov, Vladimir V. Belyakov, Vladimir B. Kekukh, Stephen N. Bunker
  • Patent number: 6608484
    Abstract: A diagnostic fuel storage system is provided and includes a pressure sensor configured to monitor pressure at one or more diagnostic points within the system. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a diagnostic fuel storage system is provided comprising at least one storage tank, a filter system, at least one pump, and at least one pressure sensor. The storage tank includes a fuel vapor vent port. The filter system comprises a filter input port coupled to the fuel vapor vent port. The pump is positioned to cause fuel vapor to pass through the filter input port. The storage tank, the filter system, and the pump are arranged such that the storage tank and selected fuel vapor ducts in communication with the storage tank operate below atmospheric pressure. The pressure sensor is configured to monitor pressure at one or more diagnostic points within the storage tank, the selected fuel vapor ducts, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Vapor Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodger P. Grantham, Glen K. Walker
  • Patent number: 6608446
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) probe head apparatus is provided for measuring voltage and current of an RF signal in a sampled transmission line. The probe head apparatus includes a conductive housing, a bus inside the conductive housing, a pair of connectors mounted on the conductive housing and configured to pass an RF signal into and out of the housing via the bus, a voltage pick-up board within the housing, and a current pickup board within the housing. The voltage pickup board has an analog processor responsive to an electric field around the bus to produce a first DC output indicative of a root-mean-square (RMS) value of the electric field. The current pick-up board has a second analog processor responsive to a magnetic field around the bus to produce a second DC output indicative of an RMS value of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: ENI Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Coumou
  • Publication number: 20030146760
    Abstract: A highly sensitive charged particle measuring device capable of measuring low-level alpha rays comprises in a measurement chamber 7 provided with a sealable door 15, a test sample 2 and a semiconductor detector 1, a radiation measuring circuit 30 including a preamplifier 30c connected to the semiconductor detector 1, a linear amplifier 30d, and a pulse height analyzer 30e, a charged particle emission amount arithmetic unit 40 for performing the quantitative analysis of charged particles from its measurement, a display unit for displaying its analysis result, and further has an evacuation pipe line and a pure gas supply pipe line for performing supply and replacement of the pure gas in the measuring chamber 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Kogawa, Hiroshi Kitaguchi, Tetsuya Matsui, Akihisa Kaihara, Junichi Arita
  • Publication number: 20030146759
    Abstract: A nanodosimeter device (15) for detecting positive ions induced in a sensitive gas volume by a radiation field of primary particle, comprising an ionization chamber (10) for holding the sensitive gas volume to be irradiated by the radiation field of primary particles; an ion counter system connected to the ionization chamber (10) for detecting the positive ions which pass through the aperture opening and arrive at the ion counter (12) at an arrival time; a particle tracking system for position-sensitive detection of the primary particles passing through the sensitive gas volume; and a data acquisition system capable of coordinating the readout of all data signals and of performing data analysis correlating the arrival time of the positive ions detected by the ion counter system relative to the position sensitive data of primary particles detected by the particle tracking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Vladimir Bashkirov, Reinhard W Schulte, Sergi Shchemelinin, Amos Breskin, Rachel Chechik, Guy Garty, Jamie Milligan
  • Publication number: 20030137306
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting volatile organic compounds in ambient air by positioning a detection cell adjacent a gas discharge device to cause molecules of organic compounds to become ionized, and applying an electric field across the collection cell to attract ions and free electrons formed in the cell to develop a current, and amplifying the current magnitude so created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Boris N. Dolgov, Donald K. Forsberg
  • Patent number: 6593567
    Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed which includes a sample input port, an ion generator, an ionization chamber receiving and ionizing samples, an ion gate for causing the ionized samples to travel in a direction, and a drift region for receiving the directed ionized samples and for subjecting the ionized samples to an electric potential. The ionized samples then separate according to their electric charge and mass and are detected by a sensor having an output with linear, non-linear, and logarithmic characteristics. The ion mobility spectrometer further includes circuitry coupled to the sensor for linearizing the output such that the non-linear and logarithmic characteristics are linearized while preserving the linear characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mahmoud F. Abdel-Rahman
  • Patent number: 6590375
    Abstract: Particles in a fluid cause an arc at a certain electric field whose value depends on the nature of the particles (size, composition, and the like). By applying an electric field across the fluid and determining the value of the electric field at which the arc occurs, the nature of the particles can be determined. For example, if their composition is known, their size can be determined, and vice versa. The device for carrying out such testing has a first electrode with an interior opening and a second electrode having a pin through the interior opening to define a passageway for the fluid. The electric field is varied, either by varying a voltage applied between the electrodes or by forming the passageway to be tapered. Multiple such passageways can be provided, as by forming the first electrode from honeycomb-expanded metal, thus reducing pressure drop, energy consumption without decreasing sensitivity to low concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: William E. Kinne
  • Patent number: 6583627
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for detecting gas-permeable damaged points in an electrically non-conductive layer which can exist as a single layer or as a multi-layer composite with at least one conductive layer, which process can be used for containers or packaging of pharmacological preparations to determine their integrity after storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Henning, Matthias Hausmann, Juergen Wittekind, Andreas Kuehnel, Heinrich Kladders, Heiko Rengel
  • Patent number: 6580280
    Abstract: An exhaust gas side electrode is provided on one surface of a solid electrolytic substrate. A reference gas side electrode is provided on an opposite surface of the solid electrolytic substrate so as to be exposed to a reference gas stored in a reference gas chamber. Each lead of the electrode is connected to a signal output terminal. This sensor satisfies a relationship B/A<0.5, wherein ‘A’ represents an overall resistance value of an electric path including the solid electrolytic substrate, the electrodes, and their leads in a sensor activated condition, while ‘B’ represents a resistance value of the leads at a room temperature. Some embodiments may be arranged such that at least one of the leads has a low resistance portion located in the vicinity of the electrodes and a high resistance portion located in the vicinity of signal output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Makato Nakae, Syuichi Nakano, Toshitaka Saito
  • Patent number: 6568245
    Abstract: An aerosol detector, particularly well suited for liquid chromatography applications, includes a corona discharge source controlled to selectively charge the non-volatile residue particles of an aerosol. The aerosol initially is composed of droplets of a liquid sample, with the residue particles resulting from droplet evaporation. The selectively charged residue particles, each carrying a charge in proportion to its size, are collected at a conductive filter. The electrical current along a conductor coupled to the filter is measured repeatedly or continuously to provide an indication of concentrations of the non-volatile material. Preferably, a pneumatic nebulizer is used to generate the aerosol. When used in a liquid chromatography system, the detector can yield several separated areas of relatively high electrical current, corresponding to concentrations of several different analytes in the liquid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: TSI Incorporated
    Inventor: Stanley L. Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20030085714
    Abstract: A sample conditioner system carries a real-time sample of a process gas through a chromatograph column in an analyzer. A flame ionization detector (FID) is coupled to the chromatograph column and generates a temperature output and an output indicating sample ions. A processor generates a real-time process gas analysis and a mass set point. A flow controller controls mass flow of a stream of gas to the FID.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Marion A. Keyes, Stephen T. Staphanos
  • Publication number: 20030071629
    Abstract: A gas analysis system and method use foreground broadband gas monitoring and background selective gas analysis. The foreground broadband monitoring indicates concentrations of a class of chemicals or contaminants in a gas sample, provides real-time warnings of contaminants, and can activate the background selective analysis. Separate broadband detectors and gas analyzers can respectively perform broadband monitoring and selective analysis. To reduce system components, a broadband detector that performs broadband monitoring switches to measure concentrations of chemicals output from a separation device for the selective analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Wenjun Yang, Peter C. Hsi
  • Patent number: 6545480
    Abstract: The invention pertains to testing technique and designed to be used in the research n the dielectric rigidity of high-voltage equipment gaseous isolation. The technical result of the invention is the achievement of gas dielectric breakdown with relatively low voltage. A corona discharge is generated by supplying the initial voltage to the electrodes, defining the discharge gap so as to ensure a three dimensional load at the corona-producing electrode. Then, the total voltage, sufficient for complete breakdown, is supplied to the discharge gap with the uniformly distributed three-dimensional load and the breakdown of a gaseous dielectric takes place. The present method provides the decrease of corona discharge and formation of impulse pedestal with the help of additional dynamic discharger in the circuit, which electrodes are switched from the closed state to the open one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Valery Venginovich Starikov
    Inventor: Igor Viktorovich Zhuravkov
  • Patent number: 6541982
    Abstract: A plasma density measuring method which includes producing a surface wave at an interface between a dielectric member and a plasma, and measuring at least one of a plasma density and a relative change in plasma density, on the basis of the surface wave. A plasma processing system including a container having a window, and for storing therein a gas introduced thereinto, a dielectric member for closing the window of the container, a plasma voltage source for applying a high frequency voltage through the dielectric member to produce a plasma by use of the gas inside the container, wherein a predetermined process is performed by use of the thus produced plasma, a detecting system for detecting an electric field intensity distribution of a surface wave propagated through the dielectric member, and a feedback system for feeding back the result of detection by the detecting system, to determine a processing condition for the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Kitagawa, Nobumasa Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20030057954
    Abstract: A diagnostic fuel storage system is provided and includes a pressure sensor configured to monitor pressure at one or more diagnostic points within the system. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a diagnostic fuel storage system is provided comprising at least one storage tank, a filter system, at least one pump, and at least one pressure sensor. The storage tank includes a fuel vapor vent port. The filter system comprises a filter input port coupled to the fuel vapor vent port. The pump is positioned to cause fuel vapor to pass through the filter input port. The storage tank, the filter system, and the pump are arranged such that the storage tank and selected fuel vapor ducts in communication with the storage tank operate below atmospheric pressure. The pressure sensor is configured to monitor pressure at one or more diagnostic points within the storage tank, the selected fuel vapor ducts, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Rodger P. Grantham, Glenn K. Walker
  • Publication number: 20030052692
    Abstract: The invention relates to a writing pen with a liquid crystal screen displaying the tested alcohol concentration value, and its architecture includes a lower barrel, an upper barrel, and a sensor device. The sensor device has a circuit board, wherein a sensor, a liquid crystal screen, and a processing unit are installed on and electrically connected to the circuit board. The circuit board receives the alcohol content in the user's exhaled breath and converts it so that a precise value can be displayed on the liquid crystal screen. Hence, a writing pen that can be readily carried and has a liquid crystal screen displaying the tested alcohol concentration value is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: SPEADA INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Jung Lin
  • Patent number: 6531877
    Abstract: An ionization detector includes a unique combination of elements including a non-radioactive glow discharge source, a gas flow area designed to promote mixing of sample gas with a reagent gas, a GC column interface which directs air leaks away from the sample area, and a signal electrode designed to discriminate against ion collection. This embodiment includes a body defining a detector cavity and a sample flow area. A plurality of electrodes are disposed within the body including a glow discharge source having a first and second discharge electrode located near one end of the body, a guard electrode located longitudinally intermediate to the discharge electrode and the sample flow area, and a signal electrode disposed within a signal electrode cavity located near an end opposite to the guard electrode. A column interface depends from the body, in communication with the sample flow area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mahmoud Abdel-Rahman
  • Publication number: 20030034781
    Abstract: An ionization detector includes a unique combination of elements including a non-radioactive glow discharge source, a gas flow area designed to promote mixing of sample gas with a reagent gas, a GC column interface which directs air leaks away from the sample area, and a signal electrode designed to discriminate against ion collection. This embodiment includes a body defining a detector cavity and a sample flow area. A plurality of electrodes are disposed within the body including a glow discharge source comprising a first and second discharge electrode located near one end of the body, a guard electrode located longitudinally intermediate to the discharge electrode and the sample flow area, and a signal electrode disposed within a signal electrode cavity located near an end opposite to the guard electrode. A column interface depends from the body, in communication with the sample flow area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Mahmoud Abdel-Rahman
  • Patent number: 6522150
    Abstract: A corona discharge apparatus includes a control unit and a discharge unit. The control unit has a baseboard with a main power source circuit located thereon. A CPU, a memory as well as other elements such as an attachment for a gas supply source are] installed in a housing of the control unit. The discharge unit has a high voltage generation circuit including a high-frequency step-up transformer installed in a housing of the discharge unit. A cable including a power line and a signal communication line is detachably connectable to the control unit and the discharge unit to electrically couple the units together through connectors secured to the respective housings. A gas guide tube is also detachably connectable to the discharge unit housing to feed a gas from the gas supply source into the discharge unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventor: Tsukasa Fujita
  • Publication number: 20030030444
    Abstract: A highly sensitive charged particle measuring device capable of measuring low-level alpha rays comprises in a measurement chamber 7 provided with a sealable door 15, a test sample 2 and a semiconductor detector 1, a radiation measuring circuit 30 including a preamplifier 30c connected to the semiconductor detector 1, a linear amplifier 30d, and a pulse height analyzer 30e, a charged particle emission amount arithmetic unit 40 for performing the quantitative analysis of charged particles from its measurement, a display unit for displaying its analysis result, and further has an evacuation pipe line and a pure gas supply pipe line for performing supply and replacement of the pure gas in the measuring chamber 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Kogawa, Hiroshi Kitaguchi, Tetsuya Matsui, Akihisa Kaihara, Junichi Arita