IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0386901
(2003-02-27)
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등록번호 |
US-7384524
(2008-06-10)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Kirby,Kevin
- Fuller,Keith C.
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
8 |
초록
▼
The present invention relates to a sensor for and a method of detecting carbon monoxide in gas streams containing hydrogen. The sensor acts as a fuel cell and is comprised of a centrally placed membrane electrode assembly upon each side of which is positioned a current collector which has gas inlets
The present invention relates to a sensor for and a method of detecting carbon monoxide in gas streams containing hydrogen. The sensor acts as a fuel cell and is comprised of a centrally placed membrane electrode assembly upon each side of which is positioned a current collector which has gas inlets that allow gas to flow to the membrane electrode assembly. Plates are positioned on each of the exterior surfaces of the current collectors such that when assembled, one side of the CO sensor forms an anode and the other side forms a cathode. At a constant voltage, a sample gas passes through the sensor such that low levels of Platinum on the sensor facilitate the detection of carbon monoxide. A reader attached to the sensor interprets the concentration of carbon monoxide and air is passed through the sensor for recalibration as needed.
대표청구항
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What is claimed is: 1. A carbon monoxide sensor comprising: a membrane electrode assembly for facilitating proton exchange comprising: a proton-exchange membrane for receiving electrical current, having an anode side and a cathode side, and an electrically conductive coating for covering at least a
What is claimed is: 1. A carbon monoxide sensor comprising: a membrane electrode assembly for facilitating proton exchange comprising: a proton-exchange membrane for receiving electrical current, having an anode side and a cathode side, and an electrically conductive coating for covering at least a portion of each of the anode side and the cathode side of the proton-exchange membrane, wherein the electrically conductive coating comprises a concentration of platinum ranging from approximately 0.001 mg/cm2 to 1.0 mg/cm2; an anode connected with the anode side for facilitating dissociation of hydrogen comprising: a first current collector for collecting current, wherein the first current collector has at least one exterior surface, and comprises a first plate for providing an electrical connection, wherein the first plate is electrically connected to the exterior surface of the first current collector; a cathode connected with the cathode side for receiving a current of electricity for delivery to the membrane electrode comprising: a second current collector for collecting current, wherein the second current collector has at least one exterior surface, and comprises a second plate for providing an electrical connection, wherein the second plate is electrically connected to the exterior surface of the second current collector; a sample gas source for supplying a sample gas stream to the anode side of the sensor; an air source for periodically refreshing the carbon monoxide sensor to an unpoisoned state by supplying air to the anode side of the sensor; a voltage controller configured to maintain the closed-cell potential of the sensor at a constant potential; a reader in series with the voltage controller, the reader configured to measure the closed-cell current of the sensor; and an output configured to relate the inverse relationship between the closed-cell current of the sensor and the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) present in the sample gas stream flowing through the anode side of the sensor; wherein the membrane electrode assembly, the anode, and the cathode are electrically connected for transmitting a current and facilitating a proton-exchange reaction when the sample gas stream and the air alternately flow through the anode side of the sensor, and wherein the transmitted current is used to quantify the carbon monoxide concentration in the sample gas stream. 2. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive coating comprises carbon. 3. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the electrically conductive coating comprises a carbon black paste having a concentration of platinum ranging from approximately 0.001 mg/cm' to 1.0 mg/cm'. 4. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the first and the second current collector each comprise at least one channel for allowing the sample gas stream to flow to the electrically conductive coating on the membrane electrode assembly. 5. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the first and the second current collector each comprise at least one inlet for allowing the sample gas stream to flow to the electrically conductive coating on the membrane electrode assembly. 6. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the proton-exchange membrane is a Nation-based proton-exchange membrane. 7. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the first plate and the second plate are comprised of gold-anodized copper. 8. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the each of the first current collector and the second current collector are comprised of graphite. 9. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the anode and the cathode further comprise electrical connections for connecting to an electrical supply. 10. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 9, further comprising a gas selection valve and a reader, wherein the anode is attached to the reader, and the reader activates the gas selection valve and measures current through the circuit. 11. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the reader is configured for converting changes in a measured current caused by a concentration of carbon monoxide in the sample gas stream into a quantification of carbon monoxide (CO) concentration, and wherein the reader sends the quantification of carbon monoxide (CO) concentration to the output of the carbon monoxide sensor. 12. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the sample gas source delivers gas with an approximately 2.0 second exposure time and the air source delivers air with an approximately 0.5 second air exposure time thereby allowing a detection of approximately 25 ppm carbon monoxide in the sample gas stream. 15. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the cathode is attached to a resistor formed to maintaining a potential difference between the anode side and the cathode side at a constant value during closed-circuit operation. 16. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 15, the cathode is attached to a constant voltage sink for maintaining the potential difference between the anode side and the cathode side at a constant value during closed-circuit operation. 17. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 16, further comprising a resistance patch heater electrically connected to the membrane electrode assembly, the anode and the cathode, wherein the resistance patch heater is attached to a temperature controller for maintaining the sensor's temperature. 18. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the carbon monoxide sensor operates at a temperature in a range from approximately 63��-82�� Celsius, wherein the range corresponds to a temperature within 1.0�� to 2.0�� Celsius of the sample gas temperature. 19. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the anode is attached to a selection valve for delivering ambient air and the sample gas to the carbon monoxide sensor. 20. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 19, wherein the concentration of platinum in the anode is approximately 1.0 mg/cm. 21. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 20, wherein the potential is maintained at approximately 0.3 Volts. 22. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive coating comprises a carbon black paste having a concentration of platinum ranging from approximately 0.001 mg/cm' to 1.0 mg/cm2. 23. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and the second current collector each comprise at least one channel for allowing the sample gas stream to flow to the electrically conductive coating on the membrane electrode assembly. 24. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and the second current collector each comprise at least one inlet for allowing the sample gas stream to flow to the electrically conductive coating on the membrane electrode assembly. 25. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the proton-exchange membrane is a Nafion-based proton-exchange membrane. 26. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first plate and the second plate are comprised of gold-anodized copper. 27. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the each of the first current collector and the second current collector are comprised of graphite. 28. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the anode and the cathode further comprise electrical connections for connecting to an electrical supply. 29. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a gas selection valve and a reader, wherein the anode is attached to a the reader, and the reader activates the gas selection valve and measures current through the circuit. 30. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the anode is attached to a reader for activating a gas selection valve and measuring current through the circuit and the reader is configured for converting changes in a measured current caused by a concentration of carbon monoxide in the sample gas stream into a quantification of carbon monoxide (CO) concentration, and wherein the reader sends the quantification of carbon monoxide (CO) concentration to the output of the carbon monoxide sensor. 31. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sample gas source delivers gas with an approximately 2.0 second exposure time and the air source delivers air with an approximately 0.5 second air exposure time thereby allowing a detection of approximately 25 ppm carbon monoxide in the sample gas stream. 34. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cathode is attached to a resistor for maintaining a potential difference between the anode side and the cathode side at a constant value during closed-circuit operation. 35. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, the cathode is attached to a constant voltage sink for maintaining a potential difference between the anode side and the cathode side at a constant value during closed-circuit operation. 36. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a resistance patch heater electrically connected to the membrane electrode assembly, the anode and the cathode, wherein the resistance patch heater is attached to a temperature controller for maintaining the sensor's temperature. 37. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the carbon monoxide sensor operates at a temperature in a range from approximately 63��-82�� Celsius, wherein the range corresponds to a temperature within 1.0�� to 2.0�� Celsius of the sample gas temperature. 38. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the anode is attached to a selection valve for delivering ambient air and the sample gas to the carbon monoxide sensor. 39. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the concentration of platinum in the anode is approximately 1.0 mg/cm2. 40. A carbon monoxide sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a potential difference between the anode side and the cathode side is maintained at approximately 0.3 Volts.
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