US4563893A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for detection and identification of volatile materials and odors
Assignee: TANYOLAC NECMI DR
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Filing: 1983-04-22
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Granted: 1986-01-14
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Expires: 2003-04-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for the detection of odor has a dielectric sensor having a dielectric potential responsive to absorbed odor molecules, carrier gas flow for directing a substantially uniform flow of carrier gas into contact with the sensor and a detector for detecting the dielectric potential of the sensor. In accordance with certain preferred embodiments, the sensor is at least partially permeable to the flow of the carrier gas. Methods for detection of odors employing apparatus of this invention are also disclosed. Thus, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, known and unknown samples are entrained into the carrier gas for contact with the dielectric sensor. A curve of the dielectric potential of the sensor taken over a period of time for each of the samples is prepared and the curves compared to determine the identity and concentration of the odors.
Inventors
- 👤 Necmi Tanyolac
- 👤 John N. Labows
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/22; G01N27/227; G01N33/00; G01N33/0004; G01N33/0009; G01N33/0011; G01N33/0021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
An apparatus for the detection of odor comprising: dielectric sensing means having a dielectric potential responsive to odor molecules adsorbed onto said sensing means, said sensing means being at least partially permeable to flow of gas, carrier gas flow means for directing a substantially uniform flow of carrier gas into contact with and through said sensing means, and means for detecting the dielectric potential of said sensing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
An apparatus for the detection of odor comprising: dielectric sensing means having a dielectric potential responsive to odor molecules adsorbed onto said sensing means, said sensing means being at least partially permeable to flow of gas, carrier gas flow means for directing a substantially uniform flow of carrier gas into contact with and through said sensing means, and means for detecting the dielectric potential of said sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises a membrane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a plurality of sensing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detection means detects changes in said potential with time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said detection is graphically displayable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an electrically conductive support in contact with said sensing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising electrically conductive grounding means in contact with said sensing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for removing from said flow at least a portion of low molecular weight molecules present in said flow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for entraining a vaporous sample in said flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flow means comprises means for applying a vacuum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for digitizing said detected dielectric potential.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for detecting odor comprising: providing a dielectric sensing means having a dielectric potential responsive to odor molecules adsorbed onto said sensing means, said sensing means being at least partially permeable to flow of gas, contacting said sensing means with a substantially uniform flow of a carrier gas by passing the gas through the sensing means, and detecting the dielectric potential of said sensing means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for detecting odor comprising: providing a dielectric sensing means having a dielectric potential responsive to odor molecules adsorbed onto said sensing means, said sensing means being at least partially permeable to flow of gas, contacting said sensing means with a substantially uniform flow of a carrier gas by passing the gas through the sensing means, and detecting the dielectric potential of said sensing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said sensing means comprises a membrane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein a plurality of sensing means is provided.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said detecting measures said potential over a period of time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said detection is displayed graphically.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising entraining in said flow a vaporous sample.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said flow is contacted with a means for removing at least a portion of low molecular weight molecules from said flow prior to contacting said sensing means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising digitizing said detected electric potential.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for identifying an odor comprising: contacting a dielectric sensing means having a dielectric potential responsive to odor molecules adsorbed onto said sensing means, said sensing means being at least partially permeable to flow of gas with a substantially uniform flow of a carrier gas by passing the gas through the sensing means, entraining in said flow at least one vaporous sample of a known odorous sample, detecting the dielectric potential of said sensing means over a period of time subsequent to said entrainment to provide a curve of said dielectric potential with time, separately entraining in said flow a vaporous sample of unknown composition, detecting the dielectric potential of said sensing means over a period of time subsequent to said separate entrainment to provide a curve of said dielectric potential; and comparing the curve of the known sample with the curve of the sample of unknown composition.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for identifying an odor comprising: contacting a dielectric sensing means having a dielectric potential responsive to odor molecules adsorbed onto said sensing means, said sensing means being at least partially permeable to flow of gas with a substantially uniform flow of a carrier gas by passing the gas through the sensing means, entraining in said flow at least one vaporous sample of a known odorous sample, detecting the dielectric potential of said sensing means over a period of time subsequent to said entrainment to provide a curve of said dielectric potential with time, separately entraining in said flow a vaporous sample of unknown composition, detecting the dielectric potential of said sensing means over a period of time subsequent to said separate entrainment to provide a curve of said dielectric potential; and comparing the curve of the known sample with the curve of the sample of unknown composition.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 20 wherein each of said curves are graphically displayed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said comparing is of the graphs thus displayed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said curves are digitized.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said contacting is at least partially via permeation of said sensing means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-13 | 1989-07-15 | 1990-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-13 | 1993-07-15 | 1994-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-13 | 1997-07-15 | 1998-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |