US4017792A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Device for determining and/or measuring alcohol content in a gas and method of manufacturing a semi-conductor body for use in alcohol detection
Assignee: Draegerwerk AG and Co KGaA
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Filing: 1975-09-02
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Granted: 1977-04-12
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Expires: 1995-09-02
Abstract
Abstract A sensor for determining and/or measuring alcohol which exhibits an electric conductivity which varies with the alcohol concentration, comprises a heater with a metallic-oxide semi-conductor body located in the range of the heater. A pair of opposite polarity electrodes are biased into engagement with the surface of the body by a spring clamping means. The semi-conductor body comprises a zinc oxide having a density which is close to the density of a monocrystal. The semi-conductor body is formed of zinc oxide and then sintered at a temperature above 750° C and preferably at 1000° C.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Heiland
- 👤 Claus Dieter Kohl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/12; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/483; G01N33/497; G01N33/4972
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
An alcohol presence sensor, comprising a conduit for the passage of breathing air therethrough, a heater carried by said conduit for heating the space within said conduit, a metallic oxide semiconductor body disposed within said conduit and spaced inwardly from the interior thereof so that breathing air passing through the conduit may pass thereover, said metallic oxide semiconductor body being made of zinc oxide and having a density approximating the density of a monocrystal, first and second electrodes of respective opposite polarity engaging respective opposite ends of said body, clamping means engaged with each electrode and applying a high clamping bias against each electrode to said body to establish said biased connection to said body, and indicating circuit means connected to said electrodes responsive to variations in the resistance of said body and to the variations of breathing air produced by the presence and absence of alcohol to indicate such variations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
An alcohol presence sensor, comprising a conduit for the passage of breathing air therethrough, a heater carried by said conduit for heating the space within said conduit, a metallic oxide semiconductor body disposed within said conduit and spaced inwardly from the interior thereof so that breathing air passing through the conduit may pass thereover, said metallic oxide semiconductor body being made of zinc oxide and having a density approximating the density of a monocrystal, first and second electrodes of respective opposite polarity engaging respective opposite ends of said body, clamping means engaged with each electrode and applying a high clamping bias against each electrode to said body to establish said biased connection to said body, and indicating circuit means connected to said electrodes responsive to variations in the resistance of said body and to the variations of breathing air produced by the presence and absence of alcohol to indicate such variations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An alcohol presence sensor according to clam 1, wherein said clamping means comprises a seat clamp extending around a side of said body and over each end into engagement with the respective first and second electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An alcohol presence sensor according to clam 1, wherein said clamping means comprises a seat clamp extending around a side of said body and over each end into engagement with the respective first and second electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An alcohol presence sensor according to claim 1, wherein said clamping means includes a spring biased against each electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An alcohol presence sensor according to claim 1, wherein said circuit means includes a differentiation network connected between said first and second electrodes, said network including a measuring instrument and a battery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said electrodes are carbon electrodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said clamping means comprises a spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said metallic-oxide semi-conductor body comprises a zinc oxide with an admixture of silver in a quantity of up to 2.4% by weight of zinc oxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said heater comprises a tubular member defining said conduit and a gas flow passage therein, said metallic-oxide semi-conductor body being located in said flow passage, said flow passage having an inlet and an outlet for the air to be examined.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A sensor according to claim 8, wherein said heater comprises a tubular member forming a resistance heater and a battery connected to said tubular member for heating said member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-11 | 1980-10-11 | 1981-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-11 | 1984-10-11 | 1985-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-11 | 1988-10-11 | 1989-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |