초록 ▼

A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module th

A vapor sensing device that is sufficiently small and lightweight to be handheld, and also modular so as to allow the device to be conveniently adapted for use in sensing the presence and concentration of a wide variety of specified vapors. The device provides these benefits using a sensor module that incorporates a sample chamber and a plurality of sensors, located on a chip releasably carried within or adjacent to the sample chamber. Optionally, the sensor module can be configured to be releasably plugged into a receptacle formed in the device. Vapors are directed to pass through the sample chamber, whereupon the sensors provide a distinct combination of electrical signals in response to each. The sensors of the sensor module can take the form of chemically sensitive resistors having resistances that vary according to the identity and concentration of an adjacent vapor. These chemically sensitive resistors can each be connected in series with a reference resistor, between a reference voltage and ground, such that an analog signal is established for each chemically sensitive resistor. The resulting analog signals are supplied to an analog-to-digital converter, to produce corresponding digital signals. These digital signals are appropriately analyzed for vapor identification.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A handheld sensing apparatus comprising:a housing;a sensor module mounted in the housing and including at least two sensors that provide a distinct response to a particular test sample;a sample chamber defined by one or both of the housing and the sensor module, the sampl

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A handheld sensing apparatus comprising:a housing;a sensor module mounted in the housing and including at least two sensors that provide a distinct response to a particular test sample;a sample chamber defined by one or both of the housing and the sensor module, the sample chamber incorporating an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the at least two sensors are located within or adjacent to the sample chamber; anda microprocessor mounted in the housing and configured to analyze a particular response from the at least two sensors, wherein the microprocessor identifies or quantifies analytes within the test sample based on the particular response.