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US5173684A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Low molecular weight organic liquid sensor and detection system using same

Assignee: Mitsubishi Cable Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1990-09-07
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Granted: 1992-12-22
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Expires: 2010-09-07
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Abstract

Abstract The invention provides a sensor whose conductive sheet is composed of substantially non-cross-linked thermoplastic elastomer and conductive carbon. The conductive sheet has a maximum of 70 of Shore A-hardness. By virtue of the above structure, the sensor very sharply responds to electric resistance of the conductive sheet against presence of low molecular weight organic liquid such as gasoline and vapor thereof to quickly detect leaked organic liquid or vapor with extremely sharp sensitivity. Furthermore, the detection system of the invention using the above sensor has a simple circuit which precisely detects varied electric resistance of the conductive sheet. The detection system characteristically incorporates an alarm generator to instantly warn operators of the presence of leaked organic liquid such as gasoline and vapor thereof.

Inventors

  • 👤 Yasuo Ijiri
  • 👤 Toshio Kudo
  • 👤 Yasuo Shiraiwa

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 16:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/12; G01N27/125; G01N27/126; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/042; G01M3/045

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim 47 words
A sensor which detects presence of low molecular weight organic liquid or vapor thereof by sensing variation of electric resistance of a conductive sheet, wherein said conductive sheet comprises substantially non-cross-linked thermoplastic elastomer and conductive carbon, and Shore A-hardness of the sheet is a maximum of 70.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 47 words
A sensor which detects presence of low molecular weight organic liquid or vapor thereof by sensing variation of electric resistance of a conductive sheet, wherein said conductive sheet comprises substantially non-cross-linked thermoplastic elastomer and conductive carbon, and Shore A-hardness of the sheet is a maximum of 70.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
The sensor according to claim 1, wherein a region storing said conductive sheet and terminals connected thereto are disclosed in a water-proof structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
The sensor according to claim 1, including a water-proof structure having a water-repellent film covering said conductive sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
The sensor according to claim 3, wherein said water-repellent film has a minimum of 10 4 number of fine holes per square centimeter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 33 words
The sensor according to any of claim 1 wherein said conductive sheet and terminals connected thereto are covered with a reinforcing sheet and said reinforcing sheet is superficially covered with a water-repellent film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 36 words
The sensor according to any of claim 1 wherein a reinforcing layer is provided on the back of said conductive sheet having terminals connected thereto and a front surface thereof is covered with a water-repellent film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
The sensor according to claim 2, which is provided with water-proof structure includes a water-repellent film covering said conductor sheet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 29 words
The sensor according to claim 2, wherein said conductive sheet and terminals are covered with a reinforcing sheet and said reinforcing sheet is superficially covered with a water-repellent film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 31 words
The sensor according to claim 3, wherein said conductive sheet and terminals connected thereto are covered with a reinforcing sheet and said reinforcing sheet is superficially covered with said water-repellent film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 31 words
The sensor according to claim 4, wherein said conductive sheet and terminals connected thereto are covered with a reinforcing sheet and said reinforcing sheet is superficially covered with said water-repellent film.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 29 words
The sensor according to claim 7, wherein said conductive sheet and terminals are covered with a reinforcing sheet and said reinforcing sheet is superficially covered with said water-repellent film.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 32 words
The sensor according to claim 2, wherein a reinforcing layer is provided on a back of said conductive sheet and terminals, and a front surface thereof is covered with a water-repellent film.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 34 words
The sensor according to claim 3, wherein a reinforcing layer is provided on a back of said conductive sheet and terminals connected thereto, and a front surface thereof is covered with said water-repellent film.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 34 words
The sensor according to claim 4, wherein a reinforcing layer is provided on a back of said conductive sheet and terminals connected thereto, and a front surface thereof is covered with said water-repellent film.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 32 words
The sensor according to claim 7, wherein a reinforcing layer is provided on a back of said conductive sheet and terminals, and a front surface thereof is covered with said water-repellent film.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 16 words
The sensor according to claim 1, wherein said substantially non-cross-linked thermoplastic polymer is a styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene copolymer.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3970863A Cited
US4206632A Cited
JPS5719380A Cited
US4563674A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-12-22 1996-06-22 1996-12-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-12-22 2000-06-22 2000-12-22 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-12-22 2004-06-22 2004-12-22 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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