Abstract: An improved breath analyzing apparatus for use in an automobile ignition locking system. A breath sample tube receives a breath sample from a user. The breath sample tube is divided into a high pressure section and a low pressure section by an air flow restrictor. A pressure sensor is connected to the high pressure section to determine when a user is blowing into the breath analyzing apparatus. A temperature sensor measures the temperature of the breath sample to insure that it is the same temperature as human breath. A micropump propels a specified volume of the breath sample into a fuel cell which is used to determine the alcohol content. Control means converts the output of the fuel cell into a reading which represents the breath alcohol content of the breath sample. Heating elements warm the fuel cell when the ambient temperature drops below a specified level. The output of the fuel cell is adjusted based on the time it takes the fuel cell to reach its maximum output.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 21, 1993
Date of Patent:
June 20, 1995
Assignee:
Consumer Safety Technology
Inventors:
Timothy J. Prachar, Douglas E. DeVries, Michael W. Walter, Howard V. Block