Ambient Air Patents (Class 73/31.01)
  • Patent number: 11906182
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to calculating a single composite score that indicates an atmospheric environment quality level of a building. Such a composite score is calculated using sensors from three distinct types of atmospheric environmental categories: i) thermal comfort; ii) ventilation; and iii) air quality. Because the sensors used to detect these distinct types of atmospheric environmental categories are indicative of dissimilar metrics of quality of the atmospheric environment, the dissimilar metrics are normalized so as to be combinable. The dissimilar metrics are normalized based on measures of acceptability of the metrics. Each of the dissimilar metrics is given the same normalized score when the dissimilar metrics correspond to the same level of acceptability for that metric. The levels of acceptability may be determined based on one or more building industry standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Hui, Mary Rockwell, Anya Palkowski, Madeline Winer
  • Patent number: 11733077
    Abstract: A measurement carrier includes a housing having an internal space, and a flow-rate measuring device located within the internal space. A bottom surface of the housing includes a first inflow hole, a second inflow hole, and an outflow hole, which provide fluid communication between the internal space and an outer space. The flow-rate measuring device may include a first flow-rate measuring sensor in fluid communication with the first inflow hole, and a second flow-rate measuring sensor in fluid communication with the second inflow hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventors: Sanga Bang, Geunhyung Kim, Sangmin Kim, Gi-Nam Park, Chul-Jun Park, Yong-Jun Ahn, JongJin Ahn, Min Kyun Lee, Sangkyung Lee, Kyubum Cho
  • Patent number: 11703491
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sensor module that includes a substrate having a top surface and a back surface, a sensor element mounted on the top surface of the substrate, an external terminal formed on the back surface of the substrate, and a case fixed to the substrate so as to cover the sensor element. The case has a top plate part having a plurality of through holes. The top plate part has a center area having no through holes and a through hole formation area having the plurality of through holes, the through hole formation area being positioned so as to surround the center area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kei Tanabe
  • Patent number: 11442034
    Abstract: A dual heater gas sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing having a front side and a back side which are partially open and forming the exterior of the dual heater gas sensor module; a first gas sensor for heating the air flowing in through the front side of the housing; and a second gas sensor for measuring a specific gas contained in the air discharging through the backside of the housing, wherein the first gas sensor is located in a first region, the second gas sensor is located in a second region that is higher than the first region, and the first region and the second region may be connected by an inclined plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Moosub Kim, Insung Hwang
  • Patent number: 11416123
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and devices that allow for efficient management of many different sampling locations within a facility. A method for operating a biological sampler, a particle counter, and like air sampling, analysis, and/or monitoring equipment or instrumentation is described, such as by sampling an environment at a sampling position with the biological sampler and storing sample data and other useful information in memory in association with unique identifier(s) including sampling location(s) for the samples. Also provided are associated devices for carrying out the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: PARTICLE MEASURING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniele Pandolfi, Matt Michaelis, Paul B. Hartigan, Cliff Ketcham
  • Patent number: 11410018
    Abstract: A contaminated air exposure level inferring apparatus may include a receiver for receiving a fine dust concentration measured from a fine dust sensor of the wearable device or the portable air purifier, an exposure level classifier for inferring a contaminated air exposure level of a user holding the wearable device or the portable air purifier based on the measured fine dust concentration, and a communicator for communicating with a server. The server may include an artificial intelligence model learner for generating an artificial intelligence model that has learned data on the measured fine dust concentration through a deep neural network. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to infer the contaminated air exposure level of the user of the wearable device or the portable air purifier by using artificial intelligence (AI), a contaminated air exposure level inferring technology based on the artificial intelligence, and a 5G network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yun Sik Park
  • Patent number: 10948207
    Abstract: An air purifier comprise a gas filter between an upstream air flow and a downstream air flow and a concentration sensor comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode being exposed to the upstream air flow and the second electrode exposed to the downstream air flow, the concentration sensor providing an output signal based on the difference in concentrations of a target gas at the first and second electrodes. The output signal is processed to determine information relating to the condition of the gas filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Ruifeng Xue, Rui Ke, Shan Zhu, Shuang Chen
  • Patent number: 10607872
    Abstract: A facility comprises an inactive gas supplying device configured to supply inert gas to a container, a transport device configured to carry a container into, and out of, a storage section, a first controller configured to control the transport device, a second controller configured to control the inactive gas supplying device, and a third controller configured to transmit a first command to the first controller through a communications relay device, and to transmit a second command to the second controller Hp. The transport device receives electric power from the first electric power supply whereas the inactive gas supplying device, the second controller, the third controller, and the communications relay device receive electric power from one or more different-path electric power supplies each of which is different from the first electric power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10485448
    Abstract: A breath sensor includes a base body, a first electrode provided on a part of a surface of the base body, a second electrode provided on a part of the surface of the base body, and a covering layer made of a material that does not pass moisture therethrough, the covering layer covering the second electrode with the base body. The base body is preferably made of a material whose surface potential changes due to attachment of moisture to one of a surface of the first electrode and the surface of the base body. A surface potential on a side of the first electrode of the base body changes when a breath containing moisture touches the surface of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shozo Otera
  • Patent number: 10488382
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring gas flux are disclosed. One method for calculating gas flux includes: receiving a master clock signal from a global positioning system (GPS) module; transmitting a clock synchronization signal that is based on the master clock signal to a measurement subsystem configured to measure environmental data, wherein the measurement subsystem comprises at least two clocks; receiving the environmental data from the measurement subsystem, wherein the environmental data is associated with the at least two clocks; and calculating gas flux based on the environmental data received from the measurement subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Ediger, Bradley Alan Riensche
  • Patent number: 10487651
    Abstract: A real-time silica monitoring system can include a plurality of off-site sensors positioned at geographic locations off-site from a hydraulic fracturing well site that detect and measure quantities of airborne silica particles, a plurality of on-site sensors positioned at geographic locations on a hydraulic fracturing well site that detect and measure quantities of air-borne silica particles, and one or more mobile sensors suitable to be carried by individual persons that detect and measure quantities of airborne silica particles. A monitoring system can include a computer system that can aggregate and store airborne silica measurements taken by one or more sensors and communicate data to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Serkan Dursun, Ilyas Uyanik, Olivier R. Germain
  • Patent number: 10309942
    Abstract: A portable device for measuring gas in a closed space includes an air intake and exhaust unit configured to suction external air and discharge the suctioned air, a sensor unit configured to measure characteristics of the air suctioned by the air intake and exhaust unit, a communication unit configured to communicate with a host system, a power supply unit configured to supply power to the air intake and exhaust unit, the sensor unit, and the communication unit, and a control unit configured to control the air intake and exhaust unit, the sensor unit, the communication unit, and the power supply unit so that the sensor unit measures the characteristics of the air suctioned by the air intake and exhaust unit and configured to transmit measurement information to the host system through the communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Dae Seung Yoo
  • Patent number: 9970912
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting smoke in an area. The apparatus may include a first detector module comprising a sensor configured to detect smoke in a volume of air received from the area, and a display module configured to receive input from the first detector module and provide output to a detection management device. The apparatus may also include a first backplane electrically coupled to the first detector module, and a second backplane electrically coupled to the display module and to the first backplane so as to transmit power, signals, or both between the display module and the first detector module. The first and second backplanes may be interchangeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: UTC FIRE & SECURITY AMERICAS CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Perez Gandara, David Gimenez
  • Patent number: 9823229
    Abstract: A hydrogen sensor and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The hydrogen sensor includes a metal oxide layer formed over a substrate, and a catalytic pattern that is formed over the metal oxide layer. Further, a protective layer is formed over the catalytic pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Ajou University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Yong Gyu Noh, Se Kwon Jung, Chi Myung Kim, Hyung Tak Seo, Yeong An Lee
  • Patent number: 9032780
    Abstract: A gas detector can be releasibly coupled to one of a group of elongated probes each of the probes includes a detector connecting end and a gas in flow/outflow end. The connecting end includes a helical attaching feature which when coupled to the detector defies a plurality of spaced apart angular locking positions. A locking position is selected in response to a flow of air in an adjacent duct to which the detector is being attached. Where the detector carries an elongated display device, the locking position can be selected so that the display device exhibits a desired presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Anderson, JeYong Jin, Andrea Rella
  • Publication number: 20150090000
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring gas flux are disclosed. One method for calculating gas flux includes: receiving a master clock signal from a global positioning system (GPS) module; transmitting a clock synchronization signal that is based on the master clock signal to a measurement subsystem configured to measure environmental data, wherein the measurement subsystem comprises at least two clocks; receiving the environmental data from the measurement subsystem, wherein the environmental data is associated with the at least two clocks; and calculating gas flux based on the environmental data received from the measurement subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin Ediger, Bradley Alan Riensche
  • Publication number: 20150075256
    Abstract: A gas detector for determining the contributions of two or more target gases in an atmosphere to be sampled, the gas detector comprising: a gas sensor for sampling the gas, the gas sensor having a sensitivity to a target gas which is dependent on the temperature of the gas sensor; a temperature regulating device configured to change the temperature of the gas sensor; calculating means in communication with the gas sensor; wherein the gas detector is configured to: sample the atmosphere with the gas sensor at a plurality of temperatures, wherein the temperature regulating device changes the temperature of the sensor; and determine using the calculating means the contributions of the two or more target gases based on the measurements at the plurality of gas sensor temperatures and the sensitivity of the gas sensor at the plurality of gas sensor different temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Basham, Roger Hutton
  • Patent number: 8925371
    Abstract: A sensor (2) for sensing a first substance and a second substance, the sensor comprising first (3) and second (5) sensor components each comprising a first material (20), the first material being sensitive to both the first substance and the second substance, the sensor further comprising a barrier (18) for preventing the second substance from passing into the second sensor component (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventors: Aurelie Humbert, Youri Victorovitch Ponomarev, Roel Daamen, Matthias Merz
  • Patent number: 8904669
    Abstract: A fuel system comprising a fuel tank, a vent tank having a duct open to the ambient atmosphere, a first vent line fluidically connecting the fuel tank ullage to the vent tank, a gas drying system including a pump and a dehumidifying device disposed within the vent tank, and a second vent line fluidically connecting a dry gas outlet of the dehumidifying device to the ullage, wherein the pump is operable to maintain a higher pressure within the ullage than in the vent tank so as to drive vapor rich gas from the ullage into the vent tank via the first vent line. Also, a method of operating the fuel system and a method of retro-fitting the gas drying system in an existing fuel system. The gas drying system may optionally be a gas drying/inerting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Franklin Tichborne, Joseph K-W Lam, David Parmenter, Simon Masters
  • Publication number: 20140223996
    Abstract: A portable electronic device and a related methods are described using an integrated chemical sensor linked to a chemical sensor processing unit and being sensitive to the concentration of a component in a sample of air and one or more contextual sensors not including chemical, temperature and humidity sensors, wherein output from the contextual sensors is linked to a local or remote interpretation processor generating a constraint or correlation set transferred to the chemical sensor processing unit for use in determining a result of a chemical measurement as performed by the chemical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Pascal HUNZIKER, Felix MAYER
  • Publication number: 20140216135
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and sampling air quality in an interior space of a wall are provided. The apparatus includes a housing configured to attach the apparatus to an electrical outlet in the wall, and a gasket configured to provide a seal between the housing and the electrical outlet. The apparatus further includes an air moving unit configured to draw air from the interior space of the wall into the apparatus, and a sensor configured to monitor and sample the air quality in the interior space of the wall. The gasket is configured to directly attach to an electrical plate cover of the electrical outlet or to the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Charles Mitchell MINGES
  • Publication number: 20140208829
    Abstract: A portable electronic device and related methods are described using an integrated chemical sensor linked to a chemical sensor processing unit and being sensitive to the concentration of a component in a sample of air and further including an operating system providing instructions for the control of the portable device, wherein the chemical processing unit uses under operating conditions a first set of instructions and a second set of instructions stored within the portable device, wherein the first set of instructions is part of the operating system level of instructions and the second set of instructions is part of a user of instructions with the second set of instructions being linked to the operating system via a plugin interface and wherein the second set of instructions is communicated to the portable device from a remote computing system based on access to measurements and/or operating conditions of the chemical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Moritz LECHNER, Johannes BUHLER, Rafael SANTSCHI
  • Publication number: 20140190239
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a corrosive environment monitoring apparatus and a corrosive environment monitoring method for evaluating the corrosiveness of an ambient environment simply and accurately in a short time period. The corrosive environment monitoring apparatus (1) of this invention has at least one vent duct (3a, 3b, 3c) in which specimens (2a, 2b, 2c) are installed so that the corrosiveness of the ambient environment is measured from the corroded conditions of the specimens (2a, 2b, 2c). The regions of the specimens (2a, 2b, 2c) in one vent duct (3a, 3b, 3c), which are subject to measurement, are made of the same metallic material. If a plurality of vent ducts (3a, 3b, 3c) are provided, these vent ducts (3a, 3b, 3c) are arranged in parallel with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Rintaro Minamitani
  • Publication number: 20140195158
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for measuring greenhouse gas. A calibration device receives a first sample of atmospheric gas from a first port exposed to the earth's atmosphere. The calibration device receives a second sample of atmospheric gas from a second port exposed to the earth's atmosphere. The calibration device routes the first sample and the second sample to a measurement device for greenhouse gas analysis. The measurement device determines a characteristic of a greenhouse gas present in at least one of the first sample and the second sample. The measurement device transmits data associated with the determined characteristic of the greenhouse gas to a computing device for determining sinks and sources of the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicants: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, EARTH NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Dale Sloop, Elena Novakovskaia, Robert S. Marshall, Ray F. Weiss, Ralph Keeling, Lisa Welp-Smith, William J. Paplawsky
  • Publication number: 20140174154
    Abstract: A method of selectively sensing the concentration of a target gas in polluted ambient air comprises the steps of: —providing a target gas sensor (220) sensitive to the target gas; —providing a first gas flow derived from the ambient air, from which first flow the target gas is substantially removed; —providing a second gas flow derived from the ambient air, substantially comprising the same target gas concentration as the ambient air; —exposing the target gas sensor to the first gas flow during a first time interval, and obtaining from the sensor a first output signal (Smf); —exposing the target gas sensor to the second gas flow during a second time interval not overlapping with the first time interval, and obtaining a second output signal (Smu); —calculating the difference (S?) between the first and the second output signals; calculating the concentration of the target gas from the calculated signal difference (S?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Johan Marra, Johan Hendrik Klootwijk, Jacobus Bernardus Giesbers, Nico Maris Adriaan De Wild, Marcel Bulder, Rogie Adrianus Henrica Niessen, Peter Van Der Linde
  • Publication number: 20140174153
    Abstract: A tunnel monitoring sensor for monitoring environmental conditions in a tunnel comprises a first sensor module which outputs an obscuration signal, a second sensor module which outputs a first gas concentration signal, a common housing for the first and second sensor modules and an electronic logic unit which is preferably accommodated in the housing, which receives the obscuration signal and the gas concentration signal and which outputs a combined environmental condition signal on the basis of a link of the obscuration signal and of the gas concentration signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SICK AG
    Inventors: Andreas BONISCH, Jurgen CONVENT
  • Patent number: 8726720
    Abstract: A particulate monitoring system includes a conduit in which to a pass a fluid sample from an input port to an output port. The particulate monitoring system receives a fluid sample inputted to the conduit through the input port. The fluid sample can include different sizes of particulate matter. The particulate monitoring system controls a flow of the fluid sample through the conduit to age the particulate matter. Gravitational forces cause a portion of the particulate matter in the fluid sample to fall into a basin as opposed to being exhausted through the output port, which is disposed at a vertically higher level of the conduit than the input port. Thus, the particulate monitoring system outputs a portion of the original particulate matter in the fluid sample (e.g., particulate matter that does not drop into the basin out due to gravity) for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Goohs, Jeffrey Socha
  • Patent number: 8726721
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and sampling air quality in an interior space of a wall are provided. The apparatus includes a housing configured to attach the apparatus to an electrical outlet in the wall, and a gasket configured to provide a seal between the housing and the electrical outlet. The apparatus further includes an air moving unit configured to draw air from the interior space of the wall into the apparatus, and a sensor configured to monitor and sample the air quality in the interior space of the wall. The gasket is configured to directly attach to an electrical plate cover of the electrical outlet or to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Charles Mitchell Minges
  • Publication number: 20140130574
    Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring and setting at least one air parameter in a room includes at least one sensor and at least one monitoring unit, which is provided separately from the sensor. The at least one monitoring unit is connected to the sensor by a wireless communications link of a communications network. The communications network has at least one mobile terminal device on which at least a part of the monitoring unit is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Claudia Häpp, Ingo Pietsch, Sabine Thaler
  • Patent number: 8706320
    Abstract: A measuring device for an aircraft is provided in order to determine physical properties of aerosol particles in real time. The device includes a heating device that separates volatile and solid aerosol particles, and a particle sensor that measures acquired data. The physical properties of the solid aerosol particles are determined with an analyzer. The determined analytical data is forwarded to other internal aircraft systems via a communication interface. Due to the formation of a measuring data or analytical data network with several airliners equipped with the measuring device, accurate and up-to-date information on the particle pollution, for example, along flight paths, can be obtained and used for defining no-fly zones, if so required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Kelm
  • Patent number: 8673649
    Abstract: A wireless chemical sensor includes an electrical conductor and a material separated therefrom by an electric insulator. The electrical conductor is an unconnected open-circuit shaped for storage of an electric field and a magnetic field. In the presence of a time-varying magnetic field, the first electrical conductor resonates to generate harmonic electric and magnetic field responses. The material is positioned at a location lying within at least one of the electric and magnetic field responses so-generated. The material changes in electrical conductivity in the presence of a chemical-of-interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Stanley E. Woodard, Donald M. Oglesby, Bryant Douglas Taylor
  • Publication number: 20140069171
    Abstract: A method and instrument is provided that includes a flexible stick that is adjustable for different heights. The method and instrument includes one or more sensor modules coupled to the flexible stick. The method and instrument includes one or more control systems that establish different thresholds for the one or more sensor modules at different heights. The one or more control systems monitors a plurality of environmental parameters in a predetermined sequence and indicates whether at least one environmental parameter is below, within, or above the thresholds of a plurality of set-points through a display indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Purkay Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Indrajit Purkayastha
  • Patent number: 8666666
    Abstract: Disclosed are means for monitoring the levels of air pollution in urban areas for the purpose of optimizing the conditions of airflow ventilation of buildings according to air pollution levels in their area. The invention supplies data in real time regarding local air pollution levels or relative levels, i.e. current air pollution levels in relation to previous ones. The disclosed system and method makes use of the fluctuations in air pollution levels in order to achieve optimal reduction of air pollution levels inside buildings. The system defines optimal times for ventilation in order to achieve a significant and persisting improvement of indoor air quality, in a routine manner, by using measurements of nondeterministic, continuous and effective fluctuations in air pollution levels at the surroundings of each building, specifically in locations which don't include monitoring stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: URECSYS—Urban Ecology Systems—Indoor Air Quality Management Ltd.
    Inventor: Nir Bassa
  • Patent number: 8590366
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a concentration of CO2 for a vehicle may include an indoor panel of a vehicle in which an air inlet is mounted, and a CO2 sensing unit mounted in the indoor panel, including a light emitting unit, a light receiving unit, and a case surrounding the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit so as to reflect and move light on a plane, and vertically introduced with air introduced into the inlet with respect to the plane on which light moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: June Kyu Park, Hyun Kim, Yong Chul Kim, Hee Sang Park, Jun Mo Ku, Moo Yong Kim
  • 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: 8586916
    Abstract: A technology for collecting a granular substance adhering to a baggage with high rate without touching the substance and inspecting whether a dangerous or specific sample material is adhered to the baggage. A method for simplifying or automating such an inspection is also provided. An adhering matter inspection equipment (1) is characterized in that the equipment comprises a collecting section (5) for collecting a sample material peeled off from an inspection object (25) whereupon the sample material is adhered by blowing compression gas through a capturing filter (52), and an inspecting section (2) for analyzing the sample material captured by the capturing filter (52), and further characterized in that the inspection equipment comprises a section (3) for delivering a baggage to the inspecting section (2), and a carrying section (4) for carrying the capturing filter (52) from the capturing section (5) to the inspecting section (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Kashima, Yasuaki Takada, Izumi Waki
  • Publication number: 20130298642
    Abstract: An air monitoring array system can comprise a plurality of air quality sensor devices arranged within a selected area, which can be configured to measure air pollutant levels in the selected area. Furthermore, each of the plurality of air quality sensor devices can comprise at least one sensor operatively coupled to a controller, and a wireless communication device also coupled to the controller. In various embodiments, the controller can be configured to receive a measured input from the at least one sensor. Also, the wireless communication device can be configured to communicate with a central server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: William J. Gillette II
  • Publication number: 20130298641
    Abstract: A sample collection unit for microbiological air analysis includes a housing and a sample treatment path. The housing has a sample inlet opening, an optical window, and an air outlet opening. The sample treatment path has a conjugation pad, and a test strip with a test area and an absorber section. The sample collection unit also has a device configured to receive a container for a solvent, and a device configured to release the solvent. The sample collection unit is preferably configured as a disposable component in the form of a cartridge. Integration of the container for the solvent in the sample collection unit permits simplification and automation of the corresponding sampling method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Petra Neff, Mike Uhlig, Andreas Neumann
  • Publication number: 20130255357
    Abstract: A gas detector can be releasibly coupled to one of a group of elongated probes each of the probes includes a detector connecting end and a gas in flow/outflow end. The connecting end includes a helical attaching feature which when coupled to the detector defies a plurality of spaced apart angular locking positions. A locking position is selected in response to a flow of air in an adjacent duct to which the detector is being attached. Where the detector carries an elongated display device, the locking position can be selected so that the display device exhibits a desired presentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Randy ANDERSON, Jeyong JIN, Andrea RELLA
  • Publication number: 20130258347
    Abstract: A method of halogen gas monitoring includes contacting room air to be monitored with a halogen sensor including a cobalt or cobalt alloy layer. The halogen sensor exhibits a detectable change in at least one property upon contact with a halogen gas. A measurement from the halogen sensor is obtained after the contacting. The presence of the halogen gas is monitored based on the measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: MICHAEL JAMES SATTERFIELD, JEFFREY R. ROUBIK
  • Publication number: 20130239660
    Abstract: An environmental sampling system for use with a mobile support device, the environmental sampling system includes a body with a surrounding sidewall that is about a longitudinal axis to define a body interior, further included is a sensor disposed therethrough the surrounding sidewall, wherein the sensor is in fluid communication with the interior. Also, an inlet portion is adjacent to the surrounding sidewall, wherein the inlet portion is in fluid communication with the interior, and an outlet portion that is adjacent to an opposing end of the surrounding sidewall, wherein the outlet portion is in fluid communication with the interior, and a means for initiating gas movement therethrough the inlet portion, the body, and the outlet portion is provided to enhance the sensor gas contaminant detection performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: James P. Gunderson, Mark C. Vappi
  • Patent number: 8535498
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor includes: a disc-shaped metal bottom member; a cylindrical metal side member that extends along the axial direction of the bottom member to surround the bottom member; a ring-shaped polymer gasket that includes an opening in the center and in which both sides of the opening each have an L-shaped member in cross section, with one section of the L-shaped member being in contact with the inner side of the side member and the other section of the L-shaped member being in contact with the bottom member; a gas sensor body that is located in the opening of the gasket and whose bottom surface is in contact with the bottom member and that includes a pair of electrodes and a solid electrolyte membrane or a separator retaining a liquid electrolyte; and a metal cover that is in contact with the top surface of the gas sensor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Figaro Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Inoue, Yuki Kato, Keiko Shibata
  • Publication number: 20130186776
    Abstract: A method of operating a system having at least one sensor for detecting an analyte gas in an ambient atmosphere and a sensor responsive to oxygen includes providing a volume in fluid connection with the sensor responsive to oxygen. The volume has an open state in which the volume is in fluid connection with the ambient atmosphere and at least a first restricted state in which entry of molecules from the ambient atmosphere into the volume is restricted as compared to the open state. The method further includes placing the volume in the open state, subsequently placing the volume in the first restricted state, and measuring a dynamic output of the sensor responsive to oxygen while the volume is in the first restricted state. The dynamic output provides an indication of the status of one or more transport paths of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Towner B. Scheffler, Michael A. Brown
  • 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: 20130125624
    Abstract: In order to improve a system for monitoring the working area atmosphere of an operating engine, measuring devices (2) for determining readings for a gas and/or an aerosol in the working area (4) of an operating engine are used as a starting point. Each measuring device comprises a suction means (8) which extracts a gas and/or a mixture of an aerosol from the working area (4) of the operating engine and feeds it to a sensor unit (16, 17, 18). An electronics module for operating the sensor unit (16, 17, 18) is also present. The suction means is designed as a convection pump (8) preferably with a heating device (42) and a cooling device (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Uwe Gnauert
  • Publication number: 20130124107
    Abstract: A method for predicting a quantity of a contaminant in a fuel tank at the end of a time period, the method comprising the steps of: determining a quantity of the contaminant in the fuel tank at the start of the time period; determining at least one operating condition of the fuel tank during the time period; using information relating to the at least one operating condition of the fuel tank to generate a predicted quantity of the contaminant accumulated in the fuel tank during the time period; and calculating, based upon the quantity of the contaminant at the start of the time period and the predicted quantity of the contaminant accumulated during the time period, a predicted quantity of the contaminant at the end of a time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
  • Patent number: 8438904
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing analyte is provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of sensor array columns, each sensor array column including a plurality of sensors, each sensor being adapted for sensing one or more parameters in reaction to the presence of one or more analytes and output a current therefrom in accordance with level of the sensed parameter, a heating element for selectively heating one or more of the sensor array columns, a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) array including a plurality of VCOs, each VCO adapted to receive an output current from one of the plurality of sensors from each of the plurality of sensor arrays and for and generating an output oscillation frequency in accordance with the level of the received output current, and a counter array including a plurality of counters, each counter adapted to receive an output from a corresponding VCO and count a number of oscillations over a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Sensorbit Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Dimmler, Thomas Moss, III
  • Patent number: 8438905
    Abstract: A method for sensing analyte. The method includes the steps of sensing one or more parameters in reaction to the presence of one or more analytes and outputting a current therefrom in accordance with level of the sensed parameter by each of a plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors being provided in one or more sensor array columns, selectively heating one or more of the sensor array columns by a heating element, and receiving an output current from one of the plurality of sensors from each of the plurality of sensor arrays by a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) arranged in a VCO array. The method further includes the steps of generating an output oscillation frequency by each VCO in accordance with the level of the received output current, and counting a number of oscillations over a predetermined time received from each of the plurality of VCOs in the VCO array by a plurality of counters arranged in a counter array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Sensorbit Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Dimmler, Thomas Moss, III
  • Patent number: 8424365
    Abstract: A method of operating a screening system includes applying an electromagnetic field to a subject in a region at least partially enclosed by electromagnetic shielding, and measuring an output from a sensor. The output is representative of an interaction of the electromagnetic field and the subject. A trace vapor is collected from the subject within the region, and the trace vapor is identified. Based on the measured sensor output and the identified trace vapor, whether a target material is associated with the subject is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Morpho Detection, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Crowley, Erik Edmund Magnuson, Hacene Boudries
  • Patent number: 8394330
    Abstract: The present invention provides a class of sensors prepared from regions of conducting organic materials and conducting materials that show an increase sensitivity detection limit for amines. The present class of sensors have applications in the detection of spoiled food products and in testing for diseases, such as cholera and lung cancer, which have amines as biomarkers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Carol Lewis, Robert Grubbs, Gregory Allen Sotzing