Abstract: A device and a process detects alcohol in a gas sample, especially in an exhaled breath sample. A measuring chamber (2) receives the gas sample to be tested. Two IR radiation sources (7, 11) are configured to transmit an IR beam each into the measuring chamber (2). Two IR detectors (9, 13) generate a measured value each depending on an incident IR beam. An analysis unit (10) automatically makes a decision on whether or not the gas sample contains alcohol, doing so depending on the two measured values from the two IR detectors (9, 13).

Abstract: A device and a process detects alcohol in a gas sample, especially in an exhaled breath sample. A measuring chamber (2) receives the gas sample to be tested. Two IR radiation sources (7, 11) are configured to transmit an IR beam each into the measuring chamber (2). Two IR detectors (9, 13) generate a measured value each depending on an incident IR beam. An analysis unit (10) automatically makes a decision on whether or not the gas sample contains alcohol, doing so depending on the two measured values from the two IR detectors (9, 13).

Abstract: An alcohol-measuring device includes a mouthpiece (1), designed to enable a test subject to release breathing air into the mouthpiece, an electrochemical sensor (6), in fluidic connection with the mouthpiece (1) to measure alcohol in the breathing air of the test subject and a control unit. The sensor (6) has at least two heating elements (9, 10), one heating element arranged on the front side and one heating element arranged on the rear side of the sensor (6). The control unit (4) is electrically connected to the heating elements to supply electrical energy for the heating elements. The control unit (4) is set up to heat the heating elements each to a desired temperature. The control unit (4) is also electrically connected to the sensor (6) in order to determine the value of the alcohol concentration in the breathing air of the test subject.

Abstract: A device for optical detection of a target gas in gas mixtures includes an operation and evaluation unit, a measurement cuvette with optically reflective surfaces on its interior walls and a gas inlet to the environment, a radiation source, a measuring detector and a reference detector unit provided on the measurement cuvette. The measuring detector and the reference detector unit detect the light of the radiation source and produce electrical signals corresponding to the intensity of the detected light. An optical bandpass filter element, constructed to transmit light of a measurement wavelength, is arranged upstream of the measuring detector. An optical double-bandpass filter unit, that transmits light of a first reference wavelength and light of a second reference wavelength, is arranged upstream of the reference detector unit. The operation and evaluation unit operates the radiation source and acquires the electrical signals of the measurement detector and the reference detector unit.

Abstract: A device for optical detection of a target gas in gas mixtures includes an operation and evaluation unit, a measurement cuvette with optically reflective surfaces on its interior walls and a gas inlet to the environment, a radiation source, a measuring detector and a reference detector unit provided on the measurement cuvette. The measuring detector and the reference detector unit detect the light of the radiation source and produce electrical signals corresponding to the intensity of the detected light. An optical bandpass filter element, constructed to transmit light of a measurement wavelength, is arranged upstream of the measuring detector. An optical double-bandpass filter unit, that transmits light of a first reference wavelength and light of a second reference wavelength, is arranged upstream of the reference detector unit. The operation and evaluation unit operates the radiation source and acquires the electrical signals of the measurement detector and the reference detector unit.

Abstract: An alcohol-measuring device includes a mouthpiece (1), designed to enable a test subject to release breathing air into the mouthpiece, an electrochemical sensor (6), in fluidic connection with the mouthpiece (1) to measure alcohol in the breathing air of the test subject and a control unit. The sensor (6) has at least two heating elements (9, 10), one heating element arranged on the front side and one heating element arranged on the rear side of the sensor (6). The control unit (4) is electrically connected to the heating elements to supply electrical energy for the heating elements. The control unit (4) is set up to heat the heating elements each to a desired temperature. The control unit (4) is also electrically connected to the sensor (6) in order to determine the value of the alcohol concentration in the breathing air of the test subject.

Abstract: A process is provided for verifying an electrochemical substance in a gas sample. The process generates in an electrochemical sensor a measured electric value changing over time with a characteristic rising from a reference line to a maximum and again declining to the reference line. The percentage of the electrochemical substance in the gas sample is determined in an analysis circuit by setting a first interval and a second interval in the range of the characteristic after the maximum has been exceeded. The first interval includes the range of the characteristic in the vicinity of the maximum and the second interval includes the range of the maximum in the vicinity of the reference line. The electrochemical substance is determined by determining the ratio of the slopes of the first and second intervals and by comparison with a reference value of the ratio of the slopes of the first and second intervals.

Abstract: A gas concentration-measuring device makes it possible to measure gas components in a gas sample. An interferometer, based on a dual-band Fabry-Perot interferometer (1), is provided with a transmission spectrum that can be set by a control voltage (38). The control voltage (38) of the dual-band Fabry-Perot interferometer (1) is synchronized over the course of time with the activation and deactivation of the radiation sources (11, 12).

Abstract: A breath alcohol measuring device (7) is provided with features for superior handling especially of the replaceable mouthpiece (1). A direct physical contact between the test subject being tested and the measuring device is practically ruled out by the combination. The mouthpiece (1) of the breath alcohol measuring device (7) has a trapezoidal cross section, which is complementary to a corresponding negative shape in a holder (6) of the breath alcohol measuring device (7) for the flush mounting of the mouthpiece (1).

Abstract: A process is provided for verifying an electrochemical substance in a gas sample. The process generates in an electrochemical sensor a measured electric value changing over time with a characteristic rising from a reference line to a maximum and again declining to the reference line. The percentage of the electrochemical substance in the gas sample is determined in an analysis circuit by setting a first interval and a second interval in the range of the characteristic after the maximum has been exceeded. The first interval includes the range of the characteristic in the vicinity of the maximum and the second interval includes the range of the maximum in the vicinity of the reference line. The electrochemical substance is determined by determining the ratio of the slopes of the first and second intervals and by comparison with a reference value of the ratio of the slopes of the first and second intervals.

Abstract: A breath alcohol-measuring device for breathing gas sampling has a mouthpiece (2), for receiving the exhaled breathing air (1) of a test subject, provided with a first flow diaphragm (3). A first pressure sensor (6) is connected to the mouthpiece via a first gas line upstream of the flow diaphragm (3). An alcohol sensor (4) is connected to the mouthpiece (2) via an inlet channel downstream of the flow diaphragm (3) and to a sampling system (5) for a breathing gas sample from the breathing air (1) via a second gas line. The second gas line between the alcohol sensor (4) and the sampling system (5) has a second flow restriction (diaphragm 7) and is connected to a second pressure sensor (9). An evaluating and control unit (8) receives the measured signals of the pressure sensors (6, 9) and of the alcohol sensor (4) and actuates the sampling system (5).

Abstract: A process is provided for distinguishing between wet from dry gas with a breath alcohol measuring device, in which a defined sample volume from a gas blown in is fed for sampling to an electrochemical sensor (6), which generates a sensor signal that depends on the reaction of ethyl alcohol. The sensor signal is sent to a control and evaluating unit (4) and is evaluated there to determine the alcohol concentration. To distinguish dry gas from wet gas, provisions are made for the sensor signal to be detected in its time dependence and for the presence of wet gas to be determined when it is observed that a sensor signal of a polarity opposite the polarity of the sensor signal caused by the reaction of ethyl alcohol appeared at first at the beginning of sampling. The process may be used, e.g., in conjunction with the calibration of breath alcohol measuring devices or in so-called interlock systems with a breath alcohol measuring device in order to recognize attempts at manipulation.

Abstract: A breath alcohol measuring device includes a flow chamber, for receiving exhaled breathing gas of a person, with a flow diaphragm. A differential pressure sensor has a first measuring connection via a first gas line (5) to the interior space of the flow chamber (2) upstream of the flow diaphragm (3), and a second measuring connection via second and third gas lines (12, 15) and a breath alcohol sensor (8) to the interior space of the flow chamber (2) downstream of the flow diaphragm (3). A throttling element (14) is present in the second gas line (12). The second gas line (12) is connected to a sampling system (9, 10), and an evaluating and control unit (6) is connected to the sensors (4, 8) and to the sampling system (9, 10) for controlling the sampling system.

Abstract: A breath alcohol-measuring device for breathing gas sampling has a mouthpiece (2), for receiving the exhaled breathing air (1) of a test subject, provided with a first flow diaphragm (3). A first pressure sensor (6) is connected to the mouthpiece via a first gas line upstream of the flow diaphragm (3). An alcohol sensor (4) is connected to the mouthpiece (2) via an inlet channel downstream of the flow diaphragm (3) and to a sampling system (5) for a breathing gas sample from the breathing air (1) via a second gas line. The second gas line between the alcohol sensor (4) and the sampling system (5) has a second flow restriction (diaphragm 7) and is connected to a second pressure sensor (9). An evaluating and control unit (8) receives the measured signals of the pressure sensors (6, 9) and of the alcohol sensor (4) and actuates the sampling system (5).

Abstract: A breath alcohol measuring device is provided with a pressure sensor (2) for detecting a signal representative of the breathing air flow and with an electrochemical sensor (1) for detecting a signal representative of the alcohol content in the breathing air and with evaluating means for processing the signals and for determining the breath alcohol concentration. Such a breath alcohol measuring device has a simple design and high measuring accuracy. The pressure sensor (1) and the electrochemical sensor (2) are connected for this purpose with a delta-sigma analog-digital converter (8), which converts the sensor signals directly into digital measured values for determining the alcohol concentration. The pre-amplifiers needed hitherto become unnecessary as a result, which has a number of advantages.

Abstract: A breath alcohol measuring device (7) is provided with features for superior handling especially of the replaceable mouthpiece (1). A direct physical contact between the test subject being tested and the measuring device is practically ruled out by the combination. The mouthpiece (1) of the breath alcohol measuring device (7) has a trapezoidal cross section, which is complementary to a corresponding negative shape in a holder (6) of the breath alcohol measuring device (7) for the flush mounting of the mouthpiece (1).

Abstract: A process and system are provided for recognizing the movement of a motor vehicle as well as a process for using an acceleration sensor in a device for blocking the starting of a motor vehicle. Reliable information is obtained on whether or not the motor vehicle was moved. In the process for recognizing the movement of a motor vehicle, the accelerating forces acting on the motor vehicle are measured for this purpose as time-dependent functions and are subjected to a discrete Fourier analysis. If the majority of the frequencies determined is below a preset limit frequency, e.g., 0.3 Hz, movement of the motor vehicle is assumed, and an irrelevant vibration is otherwise assumed. An acceleration sensor is used in a device for blocking the starting of a motor vehicle and/or to demonstrate an inadmissible circumventing of the blocking.

Abstract: A process is provided for distinguishing between wet from dry gas with a breath alcohol measuring device, in which a defined sample volume from a gas blown in is fed for sampling to an electrochemical sensor (6), which generates a sensor signal that depends on the reaction of ethyl alcohol. The sensor signal is sent to a control and evaluating unit (4) and is evaluated there to determine the alcohol concentration. To distinguish dry gas from wet gas, provisions are made for the sensor signal to be detected in its time dependence and for the presence of wet gas to be determined when it is observed that a sensor signal of a polarity opposite the polarity of the sensor signal caused by the reaction of ethyl alcohol appeared at first at the beginning of sampling. The process may be used, e.g., in conjunction with the calibration of breath alcohol measuring devices or in so-called interlock systems with a breath alcohol measuring device in order to recognize attempts at manipulation.

Abstract: A breath alcohol measuring device is provided with a pressure sensor (2) for detecting a signal representative of the breathing air flow and with an electrochemical sensor (1) for detecting a signal representative of the alcohol content in the breathing air and with evaluating means for processing the signals and for determining the breath alcohol concentration. Such a breath alcohol measuring device has a simple design and high measuring accuracy. The pressure sensor (1) and the electrochemical sensor (2) are connected for this purpose with a delta-sigma analog-digital converter (8), which converts the sensor signals directly into digital measured values for determining the alcohol concentration. The pre-amplifiers needed hitherto become unnecessary as a result, which has a number of advantages.

Abstract: A device for measuring breath alcohol has a mouthpiece (1) for picking up the exhaled respiratory gas volume flow of a person to be measured. The mouthpiece has a flow diaphragm (3). A pressure sensor (4) is connected via a first gas line to the mouthpiece (1) upstream of the flow diaphragm (3). A breath alcohol sensor (10) is connected via a inlet channel (6) to the mouthpiece (1) downstream of the flow diaphragm (3) and via a second gas line (11) to a sampling system (7, 8, 9) for a respiratory gas sample from the respiratory gas volume flow. An evaluation and control unit (5) receives the measured signals of the pressure sensor (4) and of the breath alcohol sensor (10) and actuates the sampling system (7, 8, 9). The sampling system (7, 8, 9) is designed such that two respiratory gas samples are fed, in a time sequence, into the breath alcohol sensor (10), whereby the volume of the first respiratory gas sample is at most 40% of the volume of the second one.