Method and apparatus for the detection of selected components in fluids

Claim 5

The method claimed in claim 2, wherein the component to be detected is mercury vapor and the metal is one having an affinity for mercury and a capacity for forming solid solutions therewith.

Claim 6

The method claimed in claim 3, wherein the metal is a noble metal.

Claim 7

The method claimed in claim 4, wherein the metal is gold.

Claim 8

The method claimed in claim 2, wherein the component to be detected is iodine vapor and the metal is silver.

Claim 9

Apparatus for detecting the presence of a selected component in a gas, comprising: means defining a substrate, a thin layer of molecular thickness of a metal having a chemical affinity for the component, the layer being deposited on the substrate, means for passing the gas over the layer so that such component is removed from the gas by selective adsorption onto the layer, and circuit means connected to the layer for detecting the change of resistance of the layer consequent to the adsorption.

Claim 10

Apparatus for detecting the presence of a selected component in a gas, comprising: means defining a substrate, a thin layer of molecular thickness of a metal having a chemical affinity for the component, the layer being deposited on the substrate, means for passing the gas over the layer so that such component is removed from the gas by selective adsorption onto the layer, and circuit means connected to the layer for detecting the change of resistance of the layer consequent to the adsorption.

Claim 11

Apparatus for detecting the presence of a selected component in a gas, comprising: means defining a substrate; a thin layer of molecular thickness of a metal having a chemical affinity for the component deposited on the substrate; a pair of electrodes making contact with the layer; circuit means connected between the electrodes for passing electric current through the layer; and means defining a gas flow path for causing the gas to flow over the layer whereby the component to be detected is removed from the gas by chemisorption onto the layer, said circuit means including current responsive means for indicating a change in current consequent to a change in the resistance of the layer.

Claim 12

Apparatus for detecting the presence of a selected component in a gas, comprising: means defining a substrate; a thin layer of molecular thickness of a metal having a chemical affinity for the component deposited on the substrate; a pair of electrodes making contact with the layer; circuit means connected between the electrodes for passing electric current through the layer; and means defining a gas flow path for causing the gas to flow over the layer whereby the component to be detected is removed from the gas by chemisorption onto the layer, said circuit means including current responsive means for indicating a change in current consequent to a change in the resistance of the layer.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 8 for the detection of mercury vapor in air, wherein the metal is one having an affinity for mercury and a capacity for forming solid solutions therewith.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the metal is a noble metal.

Claim 15

Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the metal is gold.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 8, for the detection of iodine vapor in air, wherein the metal is silver.

Claim 17

Apparatus for detecting the presence of a selected component in a gas comprising: first and second identical sensor means: each of said sensor means consisting of a substrate supporting a thin layer of molecular thickness of a metal having a chemical affinity for the component to be detected, and a pair of electrodes making contact with the layer; circuit means connected with the pairs of electrodes and adapted for comparing resistance changes of the respective sensor means; structural means defining a gas flow path for the passage of said gas, the gas flow path consisting of fist and second series-connected passages and a connecting passage therebetween the first sensor means being mounted in the first passage, the second sensor means being mounted in the second passage, and the connecting passage containing a filter for the removal of such component residual in the gas flowing from the first passage to the second passage, whereby the said component is selectively adsorbed onto the layer of the first sensor means.

Claim 18

Apparatus for detecting the presence of a selected component in a gas comprising: first and second identical sensor means: each of said sensor means consisting of a substrate supporting a thin layer of molecular thickness of a metal having a chemical affinity for the component to be detected, and a pair of electrodes making contact with the layer; circuit means connected with the pairs of electrodes and adapted for comparing resistance changes of the respective sensor means; structural means defining a gas flow path for the passage of said gas, the gas flow path consisting of fist and second series-connected passages and a connecting passage therebetween the first sensor means being mounted in the first passage, the second sensor means being mounted in the second passage, and the connecting passage containing a filter for the removal of such component residual in the gas flowing from the first passage to the second passage, whereby the said component is selectively adsorbed onto the layer of the first sensor means.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claim 13 for the detection of mercury vapor in air, wherein the metal of the layers is a noble metal.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the metal of the layers is gold.