초록 ▼

A method for identifying an unknown gas using a diffusion limited sensor providing an electrical signal output when exposed to the gas. According to the method, a sensor is disposed in a chamber of fixed volume and having a gas input and gas output through which the gas flows, and the chamber is con

A method for identifying an unknown gas using a diffusion limited sensor providing an electrical signal output when exposed to the gas. According to the method, a sensor is disposed in a chamber of fixed volume and having a gas input and gas output through which the gas flows, and the chamber is connected to a source of a known test gas of known concentration and known diffusion coefficient Dk. The input to the chamber is opened, causing the sensor to be exposed to the known test gas until a steady state electrical signal output from the sensor is obtained. The time Tk necessary for the sensor to attain a predetermined percentage of the steady state output is determined. The chamber is then connected to a source of unknown gas, and the input is opened, and time Tu necessary for the sensor to attain the predetermined percentage of a steady state output for the unknown gas is determined. The diffusion coefficient Du for the unknown gas is calculated by the formula Du=Dk.times.(Tk/Tu); and the unknown gas is identified by its calculated diffusion coefficient.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for identifying an unknown gas using a diffusion limited sensor providing an electrical signal output when exposed to the gas, comprising the steps of:disposing the sensor in a chamber of fixed volume and having a gas input and gas output through which the gas flows; connecting the chamb

1. A method for identifying an unknown gas using a diffusion limited sensor providing an electrical signal output when exposed to the gas, comprising the steps of:disposing the sensor in a chamber of fixed volume and having a gas input and gas output through which the gas flows; connecting the chamber to a source of a known test gas of known concentration and known diffusion coefficient Dk, opening the input to the chamber, and causing the sensor to be exposed to the known test gas until a steady state electrical signal output from the sensor is obtained; determining the time Tk necessary for the sensor to attain a predetermined percentage of the steady state output; closing the input to the chamber and disconnecting the chamber from the source of the known test gas; connecting the chamber to a source of said unknown gas; opening the input to the chamber and determining the time Tu necessary for the sensor to attain said predetermined percentage of a steady state output for the unknown gas; calculating a diffusion coefficient Du for the unknown gas by the formula Du=Dk.times.(Tk/Tu); and identifying the unknown gas by its calculated diffusion coefficient.