US5351522A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas sensor
Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
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Filing: 1993-11-02
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Granted: 1994-10-04
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Expires: 2013-11-02
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an oxygen sensor which measures the concentration of oxygen based upon ultrasonic sound waves traveling through a binary gas. The measured sound-wave delay through the gases determines the concentration level for oxygen within the transducer chamber. The invention includes an L-shaped housing where a transmitter/transducer is attached to one end of the housing and the receiver/transponder is positioned at the junction between the two substantially straight portions of the L-shaped housing. A straight transducer chamber is thereby provided, while simultaneously provided a housing design which minimizes reflected standing waves for detection by the receiver/transponder. The invention includes a sonic baffle positioned at the opposite end of the L-shaped housing from the transmitter/transducer which minimizes standing waves thereby improving the performance of the gas detection device. The invention also includes a sound buffer affixed to the interior of the L-shaped housing which further reduces the existence and reflection of standing waves for detection by the receiver/transponder. Temperature is monitored within the transducer chamber by an angularly offset temperature sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 David B. Lura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/02; G01N29/024; G01N29/22; G01N29/24; G01N29/2481; G01N29/32; G01N29/326; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/021; G01N2291/0212; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02881; G01N2291/10; G01N2291/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A gas-sensor device for detection of the presence and concentration of a gas, said gas-sensor device comprising: (a) an L-shaped housing having a first transmitter end, a second gas outflow end, a junction receiver end, and a gas inlet port through said L-shaped housing proximal to said first transmitter end, said gas inlet port permitting flow-through access of said gas to be detected; (b) a transmitter assembly having a transmitter/transducer and a temperature sensor positioned in said first transmitter end, said transmitter/transducer having means for generating sound waves for passing through said gas within said L-shaped housing; (c) a gas outflow end cap assembly having a sonic baffle and a gas outlet port positioned in said second gas outflow end, said sonic baffle having means for reducing reflection of said sound waves within the said L-shaped housing; (d) a receiver assembly having a receiver/transponder for receipt of said sound waves positioned in said junction receiver end; and (e) a sound buffer means for reduction of reflected sound waves, said sound buffer means engaged to said L-shaped housing, said first transmitter end, said second gas outflow end, and to said receiver assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A gas-sensor device for detection of the presence and concentration of a gas, said gas-sensor device comprising: (a) an L-shaped housing having a first transmitter end, a second gas outflow end, a junction receiver end, and a gas inlet port through said L-shaped housing proximal to said first transmitter end, said gas inlet port permitting flow-through access of said gas to be detected; (b) a transmitter assembly having a transmitter/transducer and a temperature sensor positioned in said first transmitter end, said transmitter/transducer having means for generating sound waves for passing through said gas within said L-shaped housing; (c) a gas outflow end cap assembly having a sonic baffle and a gas outlet port positioned in said second gas outflow end, said sonic baffle having means for reducing reflection of said sound waves within the said L-shaped housing; (d) a receiver assembly having a receiver/transponder for receipt of said sound waves positioned in said junction receiver end; and (e) a sound buffer means for reduction of reflected sound waves, said sound buffer means engaged to said L-shaped housing, said first transmitter end, said second gas outflow end, and to said receiver assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said L-shaped housing is tubular in shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said L-shaped housing has a first grooved surface proximal to said first transmitter end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 3, wherein said L-shaped housing has a second grooved surface of smaller diameter than said first grooved surface, said second grooved surface being positioned proximal to said first grooved surface within said first transmitter end of said L-shaped housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 4, wherein said first transmitter end has a first interior surface of smaller diameter than said second grooved surface, said first interior surface being positioned proximal to said second grooved surface within said first transmitter end of said L-shaped housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 5, wherein said second gas outflow end has a first channel surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 6, wherein said second gas outflow end has a second interior surface of smaller diameter than said first channel surface, said second interior surface being positioned proximal to said first channel surface within said second gas outflow end of said L-shaped housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said junction receiver end has a stop ledge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said transmitter assembly has a transmitter end cap, and input electrical connections affixed to said transmitter/transducer which pass through said transmitter end cap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 9, wherein said temperature sensor further comprises a diode having anode and cathode electrical connections which pass through said transmitter end cap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor is angularly offset with respect to said L-shaped housing and is positioned adjacent to said sound buffer means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor is responsive to the temperature within said L-shaped housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said transmitter/transducer includes means for generating ultrasonic sound waves.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said sonic baffle is conical in shape extending within said L-shaped housing toward said junction receiver end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said gas outlet port has a circular base having a centrally-positioned aperture therethrough and a cylindrical-shaped barbed extension aligned to said aperture.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gas-sensor device according to claim 15, wherein said sonic baffle is affixed to, and extends inwardly from, said circular base of said gas outlet port.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said sonic baffle has a plurality of longitudinal slots.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said receiver assembly has a receiver end cap, and output electrical connections affixed to said receiver/transponder which traverse said receiver end cap.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said receiver assembly is angularly offset with respect to said L-shaped housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 19, wherein said receiver/transponder is angularly offset with respect to said L-shaped housing at an angle of 45°.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said transmitter/transducer and said receiver/transponder are aligned to one another within said L-shaped housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said sound buffer means comprises at least one felt insert.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 7, wherein said sound buffer means engages said first interior surface of said first transmitter end and said second interior surface of said second gas outflow end.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
204 words
A gas-sensor device for detection of the presence and concentration of a gas, said gas-sensor device comprising: (a) an L-shaped housing having a first transmitter end, a second gas outflow end, a junction receiver end, and a gas inlet port through said L-shaped housing proximal to said first transmitter end, said gas inlet port permitting flow-through access of said gas to be detected; (b) a transmitter assembly having a transmitter/transducer and a temperature sensor positioned in said first transmitter end, said transmitter/transducer having means for generating sound waves for passing through said gas within said L-shaped housing; (c) a gas outflow end cap assembly having a sonic baffle and a gas outlet port positioned in said second gas outflow end, said sonic baffle having means for reducing reflection of said sound waves within said L-shaped housing; (d) a receiver assembly having a receiver/transponder means for receipt of said sound waves, positioned in said junction receiver end; and (e) a fabric insert for reduction of reflected sound waves, said fabric insert being positioned within said L-shaped housing and being further engaged to said first transmitter end, said transmitter assembly, said second gas outflow end, said gas outflow end cap assembly, and to said receiver assembly.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
204 words
A gas-sensor device for detection of the presence and concentration of a gas, said gas-sensor device comprising: (a) an L-shaped housing having a first transmitter end, a second gas outflow end, a junction receiver end, and a gas inlet port through said L-shaped housing proximal to said first transmitter end, said gas inlet port permitting flow-through access of said gas to be detected; (b) a transmitter assembly having a transmitter/transducer and a temperature sensor positioned in said first transmitter end, said transmitter/transducer having means for generating sound waves for passing through said gas within said L-shaped housing; (c) a gas outflow end cap assembly having a sonic baffle and a gas outlet port positioned in said second gas outflow end, said sonic baffle having means for reducing reflection of said sound waves within said L-shaped housing; (d) a receiver assembly having a receiver/transponder means for receipt of said sound waves, positioned in said junction receiver end; and (e) a fabric insert for reduction of reflected sound waves, said fabric insert being positioned within said L-shaped housing and being further engaged to said first transmitter end, said transmitter assembly, said second gas outflow end, said gas outflow end cap assembly, and to said receiver assembly.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 24, wherein said L-shaped housing is tubular in shape.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 24, wherein said L-shaped housing has a first grooved surface proximal to said first transmitter end.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
45 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 26, wherein said L-shaped housing has a second grooved surface of smaller diameter than said first grooved surface, said second grooved surface being positioned proximal to said first grooved surface within said first transmitter end of said L-shaped housing.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 27, wherein said first transmitter end has a first interior surface of smaller diameter than said second grooved surface, said first interior surface being positioned proximal to said second grooved surface within said first transmitter end of said L-shaped housing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 28, wherein said second gas outflow end has a first channel surface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 29, wherein said second gas outflow end has a second interior surface of smaller diameter than said first channel surface, said second interior surface being positioned proximal to said first channel surface within said second gas outflow end of said L-shaped housing.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 24, wherein said junction receiver end has a stop ledge.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 24, wherein said transmitter assembly has a transmitter end cap, and input electrical connections affixed to said transmitter/transducer which pass through said transmitter end cap.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 32, wherein said temperature sensor further comprises a diode having anode and cathode electrical connections which pass through said transmitter end cap.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 24, wherein said temperature sensor is angularly offset with respect to said L-shaped housing and is positioned adjacent to said sound buffer means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 24, wherein said temperature sensor includes means for measuring the temperature within said L-shaped housing.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 24, wherein said transmitter/transducer includes means for generating ultrasonic sound waves.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 36, wherein said sonic baffle is conical in shape extending within said L-shaped housing toward said junction receiver end.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 24, wherein said gas outlet port has a circular base having a centrally-positioned aperture therethrough and a cylindrical-shaped barbed extension aligned to said aperture.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gas-sensor device according to claim 38, wherein said sonic baffle is affixed to, and extends inwardly from, said circular base of said gas outlet port.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 24, wherein said sonic baffle has a plurality of longitudinal slots.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 24, wherein said receiver assembly has a receiver end cap, and output electrical connections affixed to said receiver/transponder which traverse said receiver end cap.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 24, wherein said receiver assembly is angularly offset with respect to said L-shaped housing.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 42, wherein said receiver/transponder is angularly offset with respect to said L-shaped housing at an angle of 45°.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 24, wherein said transmitter/transducer and said receiver/transponder are aligned to one another within said L-shaped housing.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 24, wherein said fabric insert is comprised of felt.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
34 words
The gas-sensor device according to claim 30, wherein said fabric insert is engaged to said first interior surface of said first transmitter end and said second interior surface of said second gas outflow end.
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) | 1997-10-03 | 1998-04-04 | 1998-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-03 | 2002-04-04 | 2002-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-03 | 2006-04-04 | 2006-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |