Gas Analysis Patents (Class 73/23.2)
  • Patent number: 8584505
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring instrument and method for detecting the content of oil, hydrocarbons and oxidizable gases in air or compressed air. In order to develop a measuring instrument for detecting the content of oil, hydrocarbons and oxidizable gases in air or compressed air, said instrument being suitable for detecting concentrations in the lower ?g/m3 range or in the ppb range and allowing measuring accuracy of 10 micrograms oil/m3 air at a measurement error in the single-digit percentage range, it is proposed according to the invention that the measuring instrument comprises an air or compressed-air connection and, connected thereto, a flow limiter to which a catalyst is connected that is connected in turn with a photoionization detector, switchable means being provided for routing the air or compressed air over the oxidation catalyst or past it directly to the photoionization detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Synthesechemie Dr. Penth GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Penth, Max Penth, Felix Penth
  • Patent number: 8584504
    Abstract: An ammonia concentration detection sensor 100, has: a sensor element 110 capable of detecting the ammonia concentration of a measurement target gas; and a protective cover 120 that regulates the inflow of the measurement target gas into the sensor element 110 and protects the sensor element 110. The protective cover 120 is coated with a coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ito, Sang Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 8584509
    Abstract: Various environmental systems are disclosed. In accordance with one of the systems, a first and second valve are provided. The valves provide a first air flow path from an air pump to a photo-ionization detector is provided through a pre-filter. The valves also provide a second air flow path from the air pump to the photo-ionization detector so that the pre-filter is isolated from its environmental surroundings. Various other arrangements of environmental monitoring systems with one or more pre-filters are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Emilcott Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce D. Groves
  • Patent number: 8586383
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for detection of harmful substances with a measurement unit (28) for measuring at least one harmful substance and an evaluation unit (30) for determining the concentration of the at least one harmful substance. The invention also relates to a method for detecting harmful substances in a gas mixture. It is hereby provided that the gas mixture is tested for a gaseous harmful substance or simultaneously for several gaseous harmful substances, wherein the gaseous harmful substance or the gaseous harmful substances is/are measured with different sensor means, and the gaseous harmful substances are optionally chemically modified such that a measurement is performed with the existing sensor means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Airsense Analytics
    Inventors: Andreas Walte, Wolf Münchmeyer
  • Publication number: 20130298637
    Abstract: An angle connector for the connection of a fluid sensor connecting piece of a fluid sensor to a fluid line, with a line connection for connecting the fluid line and a connecting sleeve for holding of the fluid sensor connecting piece with positive locking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Veritas AG
    Inventors: Elmar Sachs, Oliver Wilhelmi
  • Patent number: 8578758
    Abstract: A gas sensor is provided. The gas sensor includes a gas-sensitive layer which changes in its characteristic properties upon contact with a detectable gas. The gas-sensitive layer has as the main sensitive part, a polycrystalline layer composed of a large number of uniform nano-size microcrystal grains which join together in the planar direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Ito
  • Patent number: 8578781
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device to indicate a predetermined critical corrosion of a metallic structure located in soil, water or concrete environment. The device comprises a probe that has a closed tubular container intended to contain a pressurized medium, and that has a wall thickness t that corresponds to the predetermined critical corrosion. A protective coating is arranged essentially over the entire outside of the container with the exception of a surface that is intended to be subjected to corrosion attack. The container is allowed to corrode so that the container becomes perforated, whereupon the pressure of the pressurized medium falls. The pressure change is measured by means of a pressure gauge, and in this way, information is obtained about the fact that the corrosion has reached the predetermined critical level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: SCS Engineering AB
    Inventor: Anders Dahlström
  • Publication number: 20130291622
    Abstract: A gas flux measurement system comprises gas collection means, operable to collect gas for analysis, and gas analysing means, operable to analyse the collected gas. The gas collection means has at least one elongate tube. The, or each, tube has one or more gas collection openings to provide gaseous communication from outside of the tube to the inside of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: LI-COR, INC.
    Inventor: Andreas Heinemeyer
  • Patent number: 8573030
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for methods of selecting a nanostructured deposit for a conductometric gas sensor, methods of detecting a gas based on the acidic or basic characteristic of the gas using a conductometric gas sensor, devices including conductometric gas sensors, arrays of conductometric gas sensors, methods of determining the acidic or basic characteristic of a gas, methods of treating a sensor, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Gole
  • Patent number: 8571296
    Abstract: Methods for testing the integrity of spiral wound modules including the introduction of pressurized gas within a sealed permeate collection tube and the detection of gas exiting at least one of the scroll faces of the module. The location(s) of gas exiting the scroll face can be correlated to defects in the module. In preferred embodiments, the subject test methods are non-destructive and can be applied to modules in either a dry or wet condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Steven D. Jons
  • Patent number: 8567234
    Abstract: A gas sensor, including a cylindrical outer tube; and a seal member disposed therein, the seal member including: a lead wire insert hole and an atmosphere communication hole. The seal member has a groove extending outwards in a radial direction at a rear end-facing surface from the atmosphere communication hole while circumventing the lead wire insert hole, the groove having a cutout toward the front end of the seal member. The gas sensor further includes: a protection portion which covers the atmosphere communication hole; and an arm couples the protection portion and the outer tube, and extends in the radial direction, the arm being at least partially disposed in the groove of the seal member. and the arm is disposed so as to define a gap with the bottom surface of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Fujita, Mitsuru Sugihara, Chihiro Seki, Takayoshi Atsumi
  • Publication number: 20130275047
    Abstract: A gas trap with a gas analyzer for continuous gas analysis can include a sample chamber, means for agitating and creating a vortex, gas capturing chamber for receiving liberated gas, gas analyzer for providing real-time gas speciation of the liberated gas. A suction pump can pull the liberated fluid, a filtration means can condition the liberated fluid, and an exhaust port can exhaust analyzed fluid. An exhaust line can flow non-analyzed fluid to a drilling fluid storage chamber, drilling fluid stream, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: SELMAN AND ASSOCIATES, LTD.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Selman, Matthew J. Jennings, Stephen M. Bergman
  • Patent number: 8555727
    Abstract: An integral regulator and gauge for a vacuum device consists of a circular regulator having the vacuum gauge inside thereof such that the regulator and gauge rotate about a common radial axis. An opening defined in a boss extending from the bottom of the regulator engages a sloped shoulder defined on the inside surface of a circular port in which the regulator is disposed, varying the size of an opening which allows air to bleed into the vacuum chamber to regulate the strength of the vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: DeVilbiss Healthcare, LLC
    Inventor: Joel David Neatrour
  • Publication number: 20130263644
    Abstract: There are provided methods for detecting at least one odor in a gas sample. For example, such a method can comprise passing a gas sample into a thermal conditioning chamber or unit so as to control the temperature of the gas sample; dividing the gas sample into a plurality of portions and contacting each of the portions together with a different gas sensor. There is also provided an apparatus for detecting an odor that comprises a thermal conditioning unit adapted to control the temperature of a gas sample; a divider adapted to divide the gas sample into a plurality of gas portions; and a plurality of gas sensors disposed adjacently to the divider, each of the sensors being adapted to receive a portion of the gas sample in order to analyze it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Christian Dufour, Wissam Ezzedine, Eric Debeuf, Eric Grossi
  • Patent number: 8543340
    Abstract: A gas detector with a compensated electrochemical sensor exhibits altered sensitivity in response to decreasing stochastic noise in an output thereof. A gain parameter can be adjusted to alter sensitivity. A life-time estimate can be made based on sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Lee D. Tice
  • Patent number: 8537020
    Abstract: A gas detector includes at least one gas sensing element and a calorimetric sensing material for detection of a different, potentially contaminating gas which can impair the function of the gas sensing element disposed within the detector. The sensing material provides a visual indication of the presence of the potentially contaminating gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Walter R. Thorson
  • Patent number: 8528383
    Abstract: A pressure sensor and method of sensing pressure is disclosed. An fluid port is coupled to a substrate. A first microchannel within the substrate is in fluid communication with the fluid port. The first microchannel includes a first compressible fluid, a first incompressible fluid and at least one first meniscus. A second microchannel within the substrate is in fluid communication with the fluid port. The second microchannel includes a second compressible fluid, a second incompressible fluid and at least one second meniscus. A pressure of the first meniscus and/or the second meniscus is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Allan T. Evans, Jonathan D. Suter, Jacob M. Fricke, Rebecca L. Erikson
  • Patent number: 8524181
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the qualitative and/or quantitative determination of at least one component of a chemically reducible gas mixture, an exhaust gas catalytic converter utilizing such a device, a vehicle including such a catalytic converter, a process for preparing such a device, a process for monitoring the NOx emissions of a vehicle, and the use of such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum Fuer Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Bilge Saruhan-Brings, Mathias Christian Stranzenbach, Christoph Leyens
  • Patent number: 8516878
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) includes a thermocouple, a first nozzle configured to direct heat from combustion of a first gas, liquid, or combination thereof to the thermocouple, a second nozzle configured to direct heat from combustion of a second gas, liquid, or combination thereof to the thermocouple, and a first igniter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Appliances, Inc.
    Inventor: David Deng
  • Patent number: 8516879
    Abstract: A gas sensor comprises a gas sensing element, a storage medium to store individual information prepared individually for the sensing element for use in control of the sensing element, and a circuit board supporting the storage medium mounted on the circuit board. A seal portion of a resin covers the circuit board liquid-tightly. An output base includes a mount surface facing to the circuit board. A terminal portion extending through the mount surface is connected with the circuit board and arranged to deliver the individual information through the circuit board. The output base further includes a support projection projecting from the mount surface and including a support surface supporting the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Minami, Shingo Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20130205870
    Abstract: A gas sensor control apparatus (1) for controlling a gas sensor (2) includes change amount detection means (40); element resistance detection means for detecting the element resistance Rpvs of a sensor element section (3) on the basis of the response change amount ?Vs; heater energization control means for on-off controlling the supply of electric current to a heater section (4) by pluses PS having a fixed period T; and instruction signal output means for instructing the change amount detection means (40) to detect the response change amount ?Vs at a third timing t3 which comes after elapse of a predetermined wait time TW from a second timing t2 (heater energization off) which changes in accordance with the pulse width PSW. Switching noise due to at least switching of the heater energization state at a timing which changes with pulse width does not adversely affect detection of the response change amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8500849
    Abstract: A differential absorption spectrum for a reactive gas in a gas mixture can be generated for sample absorption data by subtracting background absorption data set from the sample absorption data. The background absorption data can be characteristic of absorption characteristics of the background composition in a laser light scan range that includes a target wavelength. The differential absorption spectrum can be converted to a measured concentration of the reactive gas using calibration data. A determination can be made whether the background composition has substantially changed relative to the background absorption data, and new background absorption data can be used if the background composition has substantially changed. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: SpectraSensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Xiang Liu, Alfred Feitisch, Gregory M. Sanger
  • Patent number: 8499612
    Abstract: Devices and methods for fast, sensitive hydrogen gas detection using a single palladium nanowire. In one embodiment, a hydrogen sensor comprises a palladium nanowire extending between metal contacts. The palladium nanowire is not subject to fracturing when exposed to hydrogen. The nanowire is able to rapidly and reversibly detect hydrogen as a resistance increase down to 2 ppm with excellent reproducibility and baseline stability at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Fan Yang, Reginald M. Penner
  • Patent number: 8490465
    Abstract: A method for on-vehicle functional diagnosis of a soot sensor and/or for detecting further components in the soot in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the soot sensor connected electrically to an evaluation circuit. To specify a method for functional diagnosis of a soot sensor and/or for detecting further components in the soot, by which it is possible to detect a faulty soot sensor and/or further components in the soot in an economical manner, the evaluation circuit measures a temperature coefficient of the soot sensor and detects the faultiness of the soot sensor and/or the presence of further components in the soot from the temperature coefficient of the soot sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Rudolf Bierl, Markus Herrmann, Andreas Ott, Willibald Reitmeier, Denny Schaedlich, Manfred Weigl, Andreas Wildgen
  • Patent number: 8493223
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring personnel operating at a workplace within a confined space. The method involves providing a mobile workplace module comprising a video registration device producing video data, an audio interface for emitting and receiving audio data and a gas sensor to produce gas sensor data. The workplace module is mounted at least partially within the confined space and a mobile monitoring unit comprising a display for displaying video data from the workplace module, an audio interface for emitting and receiving audio data and a gas data receiver for receiving gas sensor data is located outside the confined space. The workplace module and the monitoring unit are connected by a mobile umbilical cable for data transmission so that personnel at the workplace may easily be monitored from the monitoring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Z-Safety Systems N.V.
    Inventors: Matheus Zadnikar, Rudi Vanderhenst
  • Patent number: 8485019
    Abstract: An environmental monitoring system and methods of a site are disclosed. The system includes one or more environmental measurement instruments, of which at least one instrument is capable to measure a concentration of particles in a certain size range. The system may also include an instrument that is capable of measuring a first concentration of particles in a first size range and a second concentration of particles in a second size range. The system may also include an instrument that is capable to measure a wind speed and a wind direction. The system may also include one device capable of recording an image of a location related to the site. The system includes a controller in communication with the one or more environmental measurement instruments, and a display device capable of displaying data generated by the one or more environmental measurement instruments. The system contains a network. Alerts can be provided based on conditions of the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Bruce D. Groves
  • Publication number: 20130174640
    Abstract: A storage Pod for semiconductor substrates includes a top cover formed from a non-air permeable (NAP) material having faces including a top and a plurality of sides. A bottom base plate has a locking structure configured for providing a locking position for locking the sides, and for providing an unlocked position where the sides are detached from the bottom base plate. The top cover includes at least one aperture in the NAP material for allowing surrounding gases in an environment around the storage Pod to flow into the storage Pod to permit a gas sensor within the storage Pod to sense the target gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: YOUNG SAWK OH
  • Patent number: 8481470
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring an individual's hand hygiene comprising: a hand washing substance comprising a chemical odor marker, said odor marker comprising a detectable odor marker vapor; a detector for detecting said odor marker vapor emanating from an individual's hand containing said hand washing substance wherein said hand is placed proximate said detector without said hand physically touching said detector, said detector comprising a sensor and one or more indicators in operable communication with said sensor, said detector generating a signal based on the results of said detection; and a card reader or ID sensor to identify the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Arthur T. Jones, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130162991
    Abstract: An apparatus can include ablation chamber body having a transmission window and defining an accommodation region configured to accommodate a target that is movable relative to the transmission window. An aerosol transmission conduit is configured to transport an aerosol produced within the accommodation region to a sample receiving region of an analysis system along a substantially straight transport path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTRO SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ciaran John Patrick O'Connor, Shane Hilliard
  • Patent number: 8468872
    Abstract: A novel method of manufacturing a hydrogen sensor is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming a thin film made of a transition metal or an alloy thereof on a surface of an elastic substrate, and forming a plurality of nanogaps in the thin film formed on the surface of the elastic substrate by applying a tensile force to the elastic substrate. The nanogaps are formed as the thin film is stretched in a direction in which the tensile force acts while being contracted in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the tensile force acts when the tensile force is applied, and is contracted again in the direction in which the tensile force is released while being stretched again in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the tensile force is released when the tensile force is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University
    Inventors: Woo Young Lee, Jun Min Lee, Eun Yeong Lee
  • Patent number: 8466799
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in an unsaturated zone of a site in which CO2 should be stored under the ground is provided which includes: a plurality of apparatuses for detecting the concentration of CO2 in the unsaturated zone, each including a cylindrical chamber buried in an unsaturated zone under the earth surface, gas introduction holes formed in the side surface of the chamber, and a CO2 concentration sensor formed through the top of the chamber so as to measure the concentration of CO2 contained in the gas in the chamber; a plurality of communication devices transmitting the CO2 concentration output from the CO2 concentration sensor; and a monitoring server storing a reference CO2 concentration every time zone and comparing the reference CO2 concentration with the measured CO2 concentrations transmitted from the communication devices to output a normal signal or an abnormal signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM)
    Inventors: Jeong-Chan Kim, Ki-Sung Sung
  • Publication number: 20130145818
    Abstract: A sensor unit for attachment to a container such as a bag or other vessel used to retain material includes a clamping mechanism for attaching the sensor unit to the container. The clamping mechanism may be configured to break or provide an indication that the connection between the sensor and container has broken that is visually detectable before a leak of material occurs or is detectable by a person visually monitoring the container or sensor. Such an indication can also indicate that the sensor was previously used and should not be used again for single use applications. Such a visual indicator is separate and different from seeing an actual leak and permits an event that may desterilize material within the container or lead to other problems to be corrected prior to use of a single use reaction system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: METTLER-TOLEDO AG
    Inventors: Mario ALLGÄUER, Philippe EHRISMANN, Dario MEIER, Joachim UFHEIL, Marcus VAYHINGER, Francesca VENTURINI
  • Publication number: 20130145819
    Abstract: An apparatus adapted to measure gaseous hydrogen concentrations in a mechanical vacuum pump (MVP) gas stream includes connection ports adapted to allow the apparatus to be connected to an MVP system and allow a gas stream sample to be taken from the MVP gas stream. The apparatus further includes a hydrogen concentration analyzer to measure H2 concentrations of the gas stream sample taken from the MVP gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Odell, Robert J. Scholz, James A. Tangen, Gerald F. Davina, Joseph F. Giannelli, Susan Elaine Garcia
  • Patent number: 8459097
    Abstract: A gas concentration of a gas may be detected from a gas mixture using gas detectors sensitive to the gas. A gas concentration may be measured by a first gas detector at a first operating temperature, and a first signal characteristic of the measured gas concentration may be provided. An operating temperature of the first gas detector may be changed to a second operating temperature, or a second gas detector having the second operating temperature may be provided. A gas concentration may then be measured at the second operating temperature, and a second signal characteristic of the measured gas concentration may be provided. The gas concentration of the gas from the gas mixture may be determined using a first concentration value allocated to the first signal and a second concentration value allocated to the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Petra Neff, Markus Widenmeyer
  • Publication number: 20130139569
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a gas-liquid contacting column comprising a gas supply line (2), a liquid supply line (4), at least one functional zone (6) comprising at least one gas-liquid contacting element, functional zone (6) being arranged between gas supply line (2) and liquid supply line (4). Gas supply line (2) cooperates with a distribution zone (8) arranged between the gas supply line and the functional zone, distribution zone (8) consisting of a packing whose height is so selected that the gas coming from the distribution zone circulates with a local velocity over the bed inlet section of the functional zone ranging between ?50% and +50% of the average velocity of the gas circulating in the column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Pascal Alix, Ludovic Raynal
  • Patent number: 8455261
    Abstract: A method of measuring the concentration of a halogen in a gas stream using measurement means unsuitable for the direct measurement of halogens in a gas stream includes the step of passing a gaseous conversion compound to the halogen containing gas stream to convert the halogen to a detectable gaseous compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Derek Martin Baker, Sam Olof, Andrew James Seeley
  • Patent number: 8450725
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semi-conductor transducer, and to the use thereof in an electron donor or electron acceptor space sensor. Said transducer consists of an insulating substrate on the surface of which two electrodes and a semiconductor sensitive element are provided. The sensitive element consists of a layer of a semiconductor molecular material M1 having a conductivity C1 and a layer of a semiconductor molecular material M2 having a conductivity C2 and a forbidden bandwidth Eg2<1 eV. The material layer M1 is in contact with the electrodes. The material layer M2 is deposited on the material layer M1 and is not in contact with the electrodes. The conductivities are such that C2/C1?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignees: Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, Centre National de la Recherche
    Inventors: Marcel Bouvet, Vicente Parra
  • Patent number: 8443652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for sensing a fluid, such as in a ventilation duct, comprising a sensing element (6), a first housing portion (27) adapted to be arranged outside said object and accommodating the sensing element (6), a supply opening (13) and an outlet opening (37), which openings provide communication between the said first housing portion (27) and the object containing the fluid that is to be sensed. The device (1) further comprises a second housing portion (28), adapted to be arranged outside said object and accommodating electrical connection components, wherein said first and second housing portions (27, 28) are arranged and configured such that they may be connected to each other in geometrically different configurations by use of mechanical fastening means (22) and electrical interconnection means (19, 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Calectro Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Jörgen Sahibzada
  • Publication number: 20130113924
    Abstract: A plant observation device measures the growing state of a plant placed in a measurement area and the growth environment in the measurement area while moving within the measurement area where the plant is cultivated. The quantity of light is measured during growth environment measurement, and a light transmitting state of the measurement area is detected based on the measured quantity of light and the time of light quantity measurement. The measured growing state information and growth environment information are transmitted, together with positional information, to a server of a remote monitoring system. The growth environment in the measurement area is then optimally controlled based on the growing state information and the growth environment information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Ae Kyeung MOON, Kyuhyung KIM
  • Publication number: 20130111974
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas sensor for detecting gas in the air, especially formaldehyde. The sensor comprises at least one gas-sensitive zone which is preferably a layer on a substrate and which contains the ternary compound In4Sn3O12 as the gas-sensitive material. In order to produce the gas-sensitive zone, a flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) is carried out, organometallic compounds of indium and tin being used as the reactants. The gas sensor is especially suitable for online gas detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicants: UNIVERSITÄT BREMEN, EBERHARD KARLS UNIVERSITÄT TÜBINGEN
    Inventors: Nicolae Barsan, Udo Weimar, Jens Kemmler, Lutz Maedler, Suman Pokhrel
  • Patent number: 8424292
    Abstract: A system for the monitoring and/or controlling emission levels of nitrogen oxide and a reductant from a stream of combustion exhaust, wherein the internal combustion engine includes a SCR unit disposed in the stream of combustion exhaust between an upstream conduit and a downstream conduit, the SCR unit having a catalyst that is configured to catalytically reduce nitrogen oxides contained in the combustion exhaust to elemental nitrogen in the presence of a reductant and oxygen, and wherein the internal combustion engine further includes a reductant injector; the system comprising: a laser absorption spectroscopy unit that is disposed in the downstream conduit and configured to measure the concentration level of at least nitrogen oxide and the reductant in the exhaust; and a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott M. Hoyte, Vivek V. Badami, Chayan Mitra, Ayan Banerjee
  • Publication number: 20130091927
    Abstract: A system for detecting aberrations within a workpiece having a conduit with an input end and an output end is disclosed. The system comprises a fluid delivery device arranged proximate to input end of conduit to pass fluid into input end of the conduit, the fluid delivery device having one or more fluid controllers that control one or more conditions of the fluid passed thereby, a sensor having an input and an output, the input arranged proximate to output end of conduit to measure one or more conditions of the fluid experienced by input, a workpiece exciter situated to excite workpiece and a processor having an input connected to the output of sensor, the processor having a correlator to correlate any changed of the one or more conditions of the fluid experienced by input of sensor with an excitement of workpiece by sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: THERMAL WAVE IMAGING, INC.
    Inventor: THERMAL WAVE IMAGING, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130091925
    Abstract: Black shales differ from conventional gas plays in that in most cases there exists minimal geological scale gas migration. Thus, it is difficult to perform accurate reservoir characterization using classic geophysical and geological techniques (i.e. seismic analysis, gravity anomalies, structural geology, etc.). The principal technique that has traditionally been applied to determine the genetic history of gases or other fluids in the Earth's crust is the analysis of carbon isotopic composition of hydrocarbon gases and carbon dioxide, which has significant gaps in differentiating thermal and migrational histories. The present invention describes a method to determine the genetic fingerprint (i.e. identify the source formation and migration histories) of hydrocarbon gases or other crustal fluids of a geological system at lower cost and greater accuracy than existing methods (carbon and hydrogen isotopes) by analyzing the intrinsic, atmospheric and radiogenic (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Henry Darrah, Robert Joseph Poreda
  • Patent number: 8418377
    Abstract: A dryer with a drying chamber that includes a process air duct for guiding process air through the drying chamber, a heat pump with a heat sink in the process air duct and through which air can flow in an outlet air direction for cooling down the process air, and a heat source arranged in the process air duct and through which air can flow in an inlet air direction for heating up the process air. The outlet air direction and the inlet air direction are substantially parallel to one another. The heat sink and the heat source are in a plane substantially perpendicular to the outlet air direction and to the inlet air direction alongside one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grunert, Günter Steffens, Andreas Stolze
  • Patent number: 8416091
    Abstract: An illumination device is provided at the handle-piece of a sniffing probe, in which the illumination device illuminates the region to be inspected. This incorporation considerably facilitates handling of the sniffing probe in difficult-to-access and poorly illuminated regions, for sniffing probes used for detecting gases, for example, for detecting a gas leakage in a cooling device of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Inficon GmbH
    Inventors: Randolf Rolff, Ralf Kilian, Jörn Liebich, Norbert Moser, Norbert Rolff
  • Patent number: 8413482
    Abstract: A sensor including: a sensor element; terminal metal fittings; a terminal surrounding member; and lead wires. The terminal surrounding member is divided into a front side surrounding member and a rear side surrounding member, and a rear end face of the front side surrounding member abuts a front end face of the rear side surrounding member. The sensor includes a fitting structure including a recess portion formed on one of the rear and front end faces and a protruding portion formed on the other, such that one of the front side surrounding member and the rear side surrounding member is prevented from rotating relative to the other about an axis of the sensor, and is prevented from deviating in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the sensor relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kume, Noboru Matsui
  • Publication number: 20130075088
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising first and second fluid intakes, a pump, and a sample chamber, may be positioned in a borehole penetrating a subterranean formation. A method of use thereof may comprise drawing fluid from the subterranean formation and into the first and second fluid intakes using the pump, discharging into the borehole at least a portion of the fluid drawn into the second fluid intake, and selectively diverting at least a portion of the fluid drawn into the first fluid intake to the sample chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Mark Milkovisch, Alexander F. Zazovsky, Simon Ross
  • Patent number: 8402812
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas concentration detection apparatus that is capable of forming an accurate activity judgment when a gas concentration detection cell begins to detect gas concentration with high accuracy. When warm-up begins at time t0 in a NOx concentration detection apparatus that achieves NOx concentration detection with a NOx sensor cell after excess oxygen is discharged by an oxygen pump cell, a NOx sensor cell output begins to rise at time t1. Subsequently, at time t2, an oxygen pump cell output begins to rise. An inflection point appearing in the NOx sensor cell output is then located. At time t5 at which the inflection point appears, an activity judgment about the NOx sensor cell is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takanori Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20130067987
    Abstract: High Sensitivity Artificial Olfactory System provide for users an easy way to efficiently detect, identify and track any material(s), plant(s), animal(s), or even person(s), based on the odour properties of these. This invention is unique by it's special property that's make it able to sensitively and intelligently recognize and make a difference between odour samples, even if their properties are very approaching or mixed with other odour samples. This invention could be effectively used even where high security is required; to detect, recognize, identify and even track the movement of material(s), animal(s), plant(s) and person(s) Worldwide, in air, water, underground and any other place in Universe, based on the odour/smell properties of these. This invention make easy to keep in track Worldwide the movement of person(s) suspected in crime or terrorist activities, even if the mentioned person travel with false identity documents or the physical appearance has been changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Attila Grieb
  • Publication number: 20130061655
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved systems and methods for providing an atomic sensor device. In one embodiment, the device comprises a sensor body, the sensor body enclosing an atomic sensor, wherein the sensor body contains a gas evacuation site located on the sensor body, the gas evacuation site configured to connect to a gas evacuation device. The device also comprises a getter container coupled to an opening in the sensor body, an opening in the getter container coupled to an opening in the sensor body, such that gas within the sensor body can freely enter the getter container. The device further comprises an evaporable getter enclosed within the getter container, the evaporable getter facing away from the sensor body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Christina M. Schober, Jennifer S. Strabley, Rodney H. Thorland, Chad Langness, Delmer L. Smith, Terry D. Stark