US3854320A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quiescent breath testing system
Assignee: ALCOHOL COUNTERMEASURE SYSTEMS CORP
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Filing: 1972-12-11
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1992-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A breath tester system and control system therefor are disclosed. The tester includes a chamber in which a breath sample is stored, a detector unit positioned to test breath therein and means for shielding the detector unit from the chamber while breath is flowing into the chamber and for unshielding the detector unit thereafter to present a relatively quiescent breath sample to the detector. A purge pump for purging the system with air is provided and controlled.
Inventors
- 👤 J Burroughs
- 👤 J Seibert
- 👤 J Hoppesch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/483; G01N33/497; G01N33/4972
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
In a breath testing system of the type employing an alcohol sensor unit and having means for providing a breath sample for testing which sample is the result of a predetermined, essentially continuous and uninterrupted blowing of breath so that the sample obtained is suitable lung breath, the improvement comprising: means for receiving and holding the lung breath sample for a time period sufficient for the sample to achieve an essentially quiescent state; and means, including the sensor unit, for deriving an electrical output signal indicative of the alcohol concentration in the essentially quiescent sample, including means for shielding the sensor unit from the breath sample until it has achieved the essentially quiescent state and for thereafter unshielding the sensor unit for deriving the electrical output signal, whereby said sensor unit is protected from flow effects and from reacting to any but the suitable lung sample.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a breath testing system of the type employing an alcohol sensor unit and having means for providing a breath sample for testing which sample is the result of a predetermined, essentially continuous and uninterrupted blowing of breath so that the sample obtained is suitable lung breath, the improvement comprising: means for receiving and holding the lung breath sample for a time period sufficient for the sample to achieve an essentially quiescent state; and means, including the sensor unit, for deriving an electrical output signal indicative of the alcohol concentration in the essentially quiescent sample, including means for shielding the sensor unit from the breath sample until it has achieved the essentially quiescent state and for thereafter unshielding the sensor unit for deriving the electrical output signal, whereby said sensor unit is protected from flow effects and from reacting to any but the suitable lung sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein: said shielding means includes a shield element that is relatively movable between a first position that substantially covers said sensor unit and a second position wherein said sensor unit is uncovered.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein said system includes an air pump for use in purging the sensor unit after it has tested a sample, and means, coupled to the air pump, for defining passageways to the volume under the shield element so that air may be pumped and circulated under the shield element and about the sensor unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
120 words
A breath testing system which includes: a cell into which breath may flow; a breath alcohol sensing unit which reacts to alcohol vapor to produce an electrical output signal indicative of alcohol concentration, said sensing unit being mounted in proximity to said cell; and means, including a shield, for alternatively shielding or exposing the sensing unit to a breath sample in said cell, so that said sensing unit may be shielded from a breath sample while flowing into said cell and then be exposed to the sample after the sample is in a relatively quiescent state, so that the effects of flow are minimized and the resulting electrical output signal is more accurately indicative of the concentration of alcohol present.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
A breath testing system which includes: a cell into which breath may flow; a breath alcohol sensing unit which reacts to alcohol vapor to produce an electrical output signal indicative of alcohol concentration, said sensing unit being mounted in proximity to said cell; and means, including a shield, for alternatively shielding or exposing the sensing unit to a breath sample in said cell, so that said sensing unit may be shielded from a breath sample while flowing into said cell and then be exposed to the sample after the sample is in a relatively quiescent state, so that the effects of flow are minimized and the resulting electrical output signal is more accurately indicative of the concentration of alcohol present.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
80 words
The method of testing breath for alcohol content employing a detector and a holding cell, comprising the steps of: causing a continuous and uninterrupted flow of breath to pass into the cell for a predetermined period whIle shielding the detector therefrom, stopping the flow of breath to the cell, and then, after a period of time sufficient to allow flow effects to diminish, exposing the detector to the breath in the cell and detecting the alcohol content of that breath.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
80 words
The method of testing breath for alcohol content employing a detector and a holding cell, comprising the steps of: causing a continuous and uninterrupted flow of breath to pass into the cell for a predetermined period whIle shielding the detector therefrom, stopping the flow of breath to the cell, and then, after a period of time sufficient to allow flow effects to diminish, exposing the detector to the breath in the cell and detecting the alcohol content of that breath.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
105 words
A quiescent sampling unit (20) for use in a fluid tester comprising: means (21) defining a chamber (23); an inlet (50) for fluid to enter said chamber; means (54B) for opening and closing said inlet; a detector (24) mounted to be exposed to the chamber; means (26) for shielding and not shielding said detector from the chamber; and means (29, 38, 41) for displacing said shielding means to cause said detector to be selectively shielded and unshielded and for coincidentally causing said inlet opening and closing means to open and close said inlet, so that said detector is substantially shielded from flow from said inlet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
105 words
A quiescent sampling unit (20) for use in a fluid tester comprising: means (21) defining a chamber (23); an inlet (50) for fluid to enter said chamber; means (54B) for opening and closing said inlet; a detector (24) mounted to be exposed to the chamber; means (26) for shielding and not shielding said detector from the chamber; and means (29, 38, 41) for displacing said shielding means to cause said detector to be selectively shielded and unshielded and for coincidentally causing said inlet opening and closing means to open and close said inlet, so that said detector is substantially shielded from flow from said inlet.
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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) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |