Abstract:
The present invention relates to a gas cell (1) for optical measurements of gas content and/or concentration comprising a cavity (1a), at least one aperture (11) for gas exchange, at least one first socket (12) for light emitting means (2) and at least one second socket (13) for light detecting means (3). The length of an optical measuring path (A) through the cavity (1a) is defined by a direct or indirect distance between a light emitting means (2) in the first socket (12) and a light detecting means (3) in the second an epoxy mold compound is used to form at least the parts of the gas cell (1) that define the optical measuring path (A).
Abstract:
A gas sensor module for the spectroscopic measurement of at least one gas concentration, including at least: a spectroscopic gas sensor having a sensor chip which has a micropatterned measuring structure, and having an IR-transparent cap chip covering the measuring structure; a premolded package having a package bottom and a package edge to which a cover having a screen opening provided above the measuring structure is attached; a filter chip provided between the cover and the cap chip; and a lead frame which is partially injected into the premolded package and has multiple leads that include connecting pins for contacting a substrate and contact pads which contact the contact pads of the gas sensor, the connecting pins being bent upward from the package edge. The gas sensor module is mountable by its connecting pins to a substrate in such a way that the measuring structure having the filter chip is positioned directly opposite a substrate opening. Compact dimensions of the finished sensor unit are achieved, while minimizing the production time and ensuring a high degree of radiation shielding.
Abstract:
A micro-chemical chip is comprised of a flow passage substrate (110) that includes a substrate (101) of transparent material having a plurality of flow passages (111) in one surface and an optical device (109) built in the other surface as a unit. In a micro-chemical chip manufacturing method according to the present invention, with metal dies 150 and 160 prepared to shape flow passages, wells, and an optical device(s), components such as the optical devices, flow passages, and the like are formed in a single molding process. The present invention is also directed to an optical unit manufacturing method where the atmospheric gas of nitrogen typically employed in the prior art is replaced with any gas of higher heat conductivity such as helium gas to heat and shape material in this alternative atmospheric gas and obtain the molded product.
Abstract:
A package for an optical assembly of a type that uses bulk optics in an optical path will require environmental protection from contaminants. It is common to construct a substantially hermetically sealed package to provide environmental protection for the optical assembly but such hermetically sealed packages are expensive to construct and are not completely reliable. Consequently, the present invention provides a package (48) for an optical assembly with the bulk optics encapsulated by a silicone encapsulant (54) and encased within an epoxy layer (50) and supported by a substrate base (52). The package (48) for the optical assembly thus provides the bulk optics with the required environmental protection from contaminants.
Abstract:
Apparatus for measuring the concentration of a gas present in a sample chamber by ambient pressure diffusion employs a nondispersive infrared gas analysis technique. The sample chamber has the form of a tube that is closed at one end, with a source of radiation and a detector mounted side by side at the other end. The inwardly-facing surfaces of the tube are specularly reflective, whereby the optical length of the sample chamber is twice its physical length. A gas filter cell located in the optical path permits the concentration of an analyte gas to be measured accurately despite the presence in the sample chamber of an interfering gas. A small ultrasonic vibrator affixed to the wall of the sample chamber prevents unwanted particles from accumulating on the semipermeable membranes through which ambient gases diffuse into and out of the sample chamber.
Abstract:
A gas sample chamber for use in a gas analyzer consists of an elongated hollow tube having an inwardly-facing specularly-reflective surface that permits the tube to function also as a light pipe for conducting radiation from a source to a detector through the sample gas. A number of apertures in the wall of the elongated hollow tube permit the sample gas to enter and exit. Particles of smoke and dust of a size greater than 0.1 micron are kept out of the chamber by use of a semi-permeable membrane that spans the apertures in the hollow tube. Condensation of the sample gas components is prevented by heating the sample chamber electrically to a temperature above the dew point of the component of concern. In one embodiment, at least one detector are spaced around the periphery of the elongated hollow tube adjacent one end of it. In another embodiment, at least one detector are spaced along the length of the elongated hollow tube.
Abstract:
A system for detecting fires uses at least two carbon dioxide sensors positioned at spaced locations in a room. Each sensor produces an electrical output signal representative of the carbon dioxide concentration in its vicinity. A computer calculates the ratio of the concentration sensed by each sensor to the concentration sensed by each of the other sensors, and any imbalance in the distribution of carbon dioxide will be reflected in these ratios. Random variations prevent the ratios from being equal, and the magnitude of the random variations is quantized by calculating the standard deviation of the ratios. The ratios are then normalized and compared to a threshold level that corresponds to a chosen false alarm rate.
Abstract:
A sample chamber for use in measuring the absorption of radiation as it passes through a gas within the chamber includes a block having an extended serpentine passage through it. The walls of the extended passage are coated with a highly reflective material so that the extended passage acts as a light pipe for transmitting the radiation. A number of smaller passages permit gases in the space surrounding the sample chamber to diffuse into the extended passage through which the radiation is conducted. The sampling chamber is made by joining two halves, each of which has a planar face in which an elongated groove is produced. The halves are molded of plastic and in quantity the chamber is quite inexpensive.
Abstract:
An instrument for determining the concentration of a particular gas that might be present in a sample has no moving parts and is extremely compact. The instrument uses as a source of radiation a device that has a radiating element whose temperature is alternated between T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 and whose spectrum approximates that of a blackbody. Radiation from this source is passed through a dual pass band filter that has two non-overlapping pass bands, one of which is centered at a wavelength at which the gas absorbs and the other of which is centered at a wavelength at which the sample does not absorb radiation. After passing through this filter, the radiation passes through the sample chamber and then is intercepted by a detector which produces an electrical signal determined by the radiation intercepted. The electrical signal is processed to provide an indication of the concentration of the gas.