Abstract: A system for detecting an analyte gas in an environment includes a first gas sensor, a first contaminant sensor separate and spaced from the first gas sensor, and electronic circuitry in electrical connection with the first gas sensor to determine if the analyte gas is present based on a response of the first gas sensor. The electronic circuitry is further in electrical connection with the first contaminant sensor to measure a response of the first contaminant sensor over time. The measured response of the first contaminant sensor varies with an amount of one or more contaminants to which the system has been exposed in the environment over time.

Abstract: A sensor system for detecting mass deposition from a gaseous environment includes a first sensor element including a first electrically conductive heating component and a first interface structure on the first electrically conductive heating component. The sensor system further includes electronic circuitry in connection with the first electrically conductive heating component. The electronic circuitry is configured to provide energy to the first electrically conductive heating component to heat the first sensor element and to measure a thermodynamic response of the first sensor element, which varies with mass deposition of one or more compositions on the first interface structure.

Abstract: A combustible gas sensor including a first sensing element having a catalyst and a heating element and electronic circuitry in operative connection with the heating element of the first sensing element to change a temperature thereof between a temperature above a temperature to catalyze oxidative combustion and a temperature at which the catalyst is substantially inactive to catalyze oxidative combustion of a plurality of gas analytes of interest. The electronic circuitry being configured to determine a species of at least one of the plurality of gas analytes of interest from a first, dynamic output of the combustible gas sensor while the temperature of the first sensing element is changing. The electronic circuitry further being configured to determine a concentration of the species from a second output of the combustible gas sensor.

Abstract: A method of operating a sensor system including at least one sensor for detecting an analyte gas and a control system includes electronically interrogating the sensor to determine the operational status thereof and upon determining that the operational status is non-conforming based upon one or more predetermined thresholds, the control system initiating an automated calibration of the sensor with the analyte gas or a simulant gas.

Abstract: A method of operating a gas sensor for a gas analyte including a sensing component includes, in a first mode, interrogating the sensor by periodically applying an electrical signal to the sensing component of the sensor, measuring sensor response to the electrical signal which is indicative of a sensitivity of the sensor each time the electrical signal is applied to the sensing component, determining whether one or more thresholds have been exceeded based upon the sensor response determined each time the electrical signal is applied to the sensing component, and entering a second mode, different from the first mode in analysis of the sensor response to the periodically applied electrical signals, if one or more thresholds are exceeded.

Abstract: A method of operating a sensor system including at least one sensor for detecting an analyte gas and a control system includes electronically interrogating the sensor to determine the operational status thereof and upon determining that the operational status is non-conforming based upon one or more predetermined thresholds, the control system initiating an automated calibration of the sensor with the analyte gas or a simulant gas.

Abstract: A system includes a primary combustible gas sensor and a trigger combustible gas sensor including a first trigger element of low-thermal-mass which includes a first trigger heating element in operative connection with electronic circuitry. The trigger combustible gas sensor also includes a second trigger element of low thermal mass including a second trigger heating element. The second trigger element is also in operative connection with the electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry further has a first trigger mode of operating in which the first trigger element is heated to a temperature at or above a temperature at which the first trigger element causes combustion of the at least one combustible gas analyte and wherein the second trigger element is operated as a trigger compensating element. The electronic circuitry is configured to operate the trigger combustible gas sensor to detect a value of a response at or above a threshold value.

Abstract: A system for detecting an analyte gas including a system housing having an inlet system, an electrochemical gas sensor within the housing and in fluid connection with the inlet system, the electrochemical sensor including a working electrode responsive to the analyte gas, and a control system in electrical connection with the working electrode. The control system is operative to bias the working electrode at a first potential at which the electrochemical gas sensor is responsive to the analyte gas and operative to bias the working electrode at a second potential, different from the first potential, at which the electrochemical gas sensor is sensitive to a driving force created in the vicinity of the inlet system to test at least one transport path of the system.

Abstract: A combustible gas sensor including a first sensing element having a catalyst and a heating element and electronic circuitry in operative connection with the heating element of the first sensing element to change a temperature thereof between a temperature above a temperature to catalyze oxidative combustion and a temperature at which the catalyst is substantially inactive to catalyze oxidative combustion of a plurality of gas analytes of interest. The electronic circuitry being configured to determine a species of at least one of the plurality of gas analytes of interest from a first, dynamic output of the combustible gas sensor while the temperature of the first sensing element is changing. The electronic circuitry further being configured to determine a concentration of the species from a second output of the combustible gas sensor.

Abstract: A method of testing a system, which has at least one electrochemical sensor for detecting an analyte gas within a housing of the system, and the housing has an inlet, includes exhaling in the vicinity of the inlet of the housing of the system and measuring a response to exhaled breath to test one or more transport paths of the system. Measuring the response to exhaled breath may, for example, include measuring the response of a sensor within the housing of the system that is responsive to the presence of exhaled breath. The sensor responsive to the presence of exhaled breath may, for example, include an electrochemically active electrode responsive to a gas within exhaled breath. The electrochemically active electrode may, for example, be responsive to carbon dioxide or to oxygen.

Abstract: A method of operating a sensor to detect an analyte in an environment, wherein the sensor includes a working electrode and circuitry in operative connection with the working electrode, includes performing a sensor interrogation cycle including applying electrical energy to the working electrode to generate a non-faradaic current, measuring a response to the generation of the non-faradaic current to determine a state of the sensor, and actively controlling the circuitry to dissipate the non-faradaic current.

Abstract: A combustible gas sensor includes a first sensing element, which includes a catalyst and a heating element in operative connection with the catalyst to heat the catalyst above a temperature to combust gas analytes of interest, and electronic circuitry in operative connection with the heating element of the first sensing element to periodically cycle the first sensing element between a temperature above the temperature to combust the analytes of interest and a temperature at which the catalyst is substantially inactive to catalyze oxidative combustion of the analytes of interest. The electronic circuitry is adapted to determine a species of at least one of the gas analytes of interest from a first output of the combustible gas sensor during an ON time within a cycle duration. The electronic circuitry is further adapted to determine a concentration of the species of gas from a second output of the combustible gas sensor.

Abstract: A combustible gas sensor for detecting an analyte gas includes a first element including a first electric heating element, a first support structure on the first electric heating element and a first catalyst supported on the first support structure and electronic circuitry in electrical connection with the first element. The electronic circuitry is configured to provide energy to the first element to heat the first element to at least a first temperature at which the first catalyst catalyzes combustion of the analyte gas and to determine if the analyte gas is present based on a response of the first element to being heated to at least the first temperature. The electronic circuitry is further configured to apply an interrogation pulse to the first element in which energy to the first element is increased or decreased to induce an associated response from the first element.

Abstract: A combustible gas sensor includes a first sensing element, which includes a catalyst and a heating element in operative connection with the catalyst to heat the catalyst above a temperature to combust gas analytes of interest, and electronic circuitry in operative connection with the heating element of the first sensing element to periodically cycle the first sensing element between a temperature above the temperature to combust the analytes of interest and a temperature at which the catalyst is substantially inactive to catalyze oxidative combustion of the analytes of interest. The electronic circuitry is adapted to determine a species of at least one of the gas analytes of interest from a first output of the combustible gas sensor during an ON time within a cycle duration. The electronic circuitry is further adapted to determine a concentration of the species of gas from a second output of the combustible gas sensor.

Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor includes a sensor housing having a plurality of inlet passages, wherein each of the plurality of inlet passages has a cross-sectional area of no greater than 11,309 ?m2. The electrochemical gas sensor further includes a working electrode within the housing which is responsive to an analyte gas and an electrolyte within the sensor housing in ionic contact with the working electrode.

Abstract: A method of operating a sensor system including at least one sensor for detecting an analyte gas and a control system includes electronically interrogating the sensor to determine the operational status thereof and upon determining that the operational status is non-conforming based upon one or more predetermined thresholds, the control system initiating an automated calibration of the sensor with the analyte gas or a simulant gas.

Abstract: A method of operating a sensor to detect an analyte in an environment, wherein the sensor includes a working electrode and circuitry in operative connection with the working electrode, includes performing a sensor interrogation cycle including applying electrical energy to the working electrode to generate a non-faradaic current, measuring a response to the generation of the non-faradaic current to determine a state of the sensor, and actively controlling the circuitry to dissipate the non-faradaic current.

Abstract: A system for detecting an analyte gas including a system housing having an inlet system, an electrochemical gas sensor within the housing and in fluid connection with the inlet system, the electrochemical sensor including a working electrode responsive to the analyte gas, and a control system in electrical connection with the working electrode. The control system is operative to bias the working electrode at a first potential at which the electrochemical gas sensor is responsive to the analyte gas and operative to bias the working electrode at a second potential, different from the first potential, at which the electrochemical gas sensor is sensitive to a driving force created in the vicinity of the inlet system to test at least one transport path of the system.

Abstract: A method of testing a system, which has at least one electrochemical sensor for detecting an analyte gas within a housing of the system, and the housing has an inlet, includes exhaling in the vicinity of the inlet of the housing of the system and measuring a response to exhaled breath to test one or more transport paths of the system. Measuring the response to exhaled breath may, for example, include measuring the response of a sensor within the housing of the system that is responsive to the presence of exhaled breath. The sensor responsive to the presence of exhaled breath may, for example, include an electrochemically active electrode responsive to a gas within exhaled breath. The electrochemically active electrode may, for example, be responsive to carbon dioxide or to oxygen.

Abstract: A method of testing a system, which has at least one electrochemical sensor for detecting an analyte gas within a housing of the system, and the housing has an inlet, includes exhaling in the vicinity of the inlet of the housing of the system and measuring a response to exhaled breath to test one or more transport paths of the system. Measuring the response to exhaled breath may, for example, include measuring the response of a sensor within the housing of the system that is responsive to the presence of exhaled breath. The sensor responsive to the presence of exhaled breath may, for example, include an electrochemically active electrode responsive to a gas within exhaled breath. The electrochemically active electrode may, for example, be responsive to carbon dioxide or to oxygen.