US4677078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oxygen monitoring device and method
Assignee: SENSORMEDICS Corp A CORP OF
•
Filing: 1984-05-07
•
Granted: 1987-06-30
•
Expires: 2004-05-07
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a novel method and apparatus which can provide continuous monitoring of the oxygen content of a gas over an indefinite period of time and at a minimal cost. In the novel apparatus of the present invention, a light source and a light sensitive detector are disposed within the atmosphere to be measured, and a polymeric film formed from a manganese tertiary phosphine polymer complex is deposited between the light source and the detector. As oxygen pressure increases or decreases a change in color intensity of the film takes place which controls passage of light from the light source to the detector. The detector in turn is suitably connected to an audio and/or visual warning device and/or a recorder which will provide the desired form of warning.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl Minten
- 👤 William Krug
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N21/78; G01N21/783; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S436/00; Y10S436/904; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/20; Y10T436/207497
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for monitoring the oxygen content in a stream of gas comprising a housing means; a light source, and a light detection means disposed within said housing means, and in alignment with each other, said detection means being coupled to a warning device; a film of manganese tertiary phosphine polymer complex disposed between said light source and said light detection means; input means by which the gas to be monitored is fed into said housing; and egress means from said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for monitoring the oxygen content in a stream of gas comprising a housing means; a light source, and a light detection means disposed within said housing means, and in alignment with each other, said detection means being coupled to a warning device; a film of manganese tertiary phosphine polymer complex disposed between said light source and said light detection means; input means by which the gas to be monitored is fed into said housing; and egress means from said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the polymer in the complex is silicone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said light source is a LED light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
185 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said polymer complex is produced by the steps which comprise: forming a substantially anhydrous first solution of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, polyvinylacetate, and silicone, dissolved in a suitable solvent; adding a substantially anhydrous manganese salt of the formula: MnX.sub.2 wherein X is a species capable of forming an anion to form a second solution, then adding to the solution of polymer and manganese salt at least a stoichiometric equivalent with respect to said manganese salt of a substantially anhydrous phosphine of the formula: PR.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 wherein R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 may be the same or different, and each is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl groups or hydrogen, provided that no more than two of the groups R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 are substituted or unsubstituted aryl groups and that at least one of the groups R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein X is a member selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, iodine and thiocyanate, and said solvent is tetrahydrofuran.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein a stoichiometric excess of phosphine is employed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said phosphine is selected from the group consisting of methyldialkylphosphines, ethyldialkylphosphines, and pentyldialkylphosphines.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said polymer comprises between about 2 and 30 wt.%, inclusive, of said first solution, the weight ratio of said manganese salt to said polymer is in the range of about 1:10 to 2:1, inclusive, and said phosphine is added in a stoichiometric excess with respect to said manganese salt of between about 50 and 150%, inclusive.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said polymer comprises between about 5 and 20 wt.%, inclusive, of said first solution and said weight ratio of said manganese salt to said polymer is between about 1:2 and 2:1, inclusive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said phosphine is selected from the group consisting of phenyldialkylphosphines, diphenylalkylphosphines, cyclohexyldialkylphosphines, dicyclohexylalkylphosphines, trialkylphosphines, octyldialkylphosphines, and dodecyldialkylphosphines.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said phosphine is selected from the group consisting of trimethylphosphine, triethylphosphine, tributylphosphine, methyldiethylphosphine, ethyldimethylphosphine, dimethylphenylphosphine, diethylphenylphosphine, methyldiphenylphosphine, diphenylethylphosphine, and trioctylphosphine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said polymer is polyvinylchloride.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of monitoring the oxygen content of a stream of gas the steps which comprise passing the gas to be monitored through a defined enclosed area, disposing a light source and light detection means within said enclosed area and in alignment with each other, disposing a film of manganese tertiary phosphine polymer complex between said light source and said detection means, connecting said detection means to a warning device whereby a drop in the oxygen content in the gas stream will cause a reduction in the color intensity of the said film permitting light to pass through the film activating the light detection means and thereby activating said warning device.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of monitoring the oxygen content of a stream of gas the steps which comprise passing the gas to be monitored through a defined enclosed area, disposing a light source and light detection means within said enclosed area and in alignment with each other, disposing a film of manganese tertiary phosphine polymer complex between said light source and said detection means, connecting said detection means to a warning device whereby a drop in the oxygen content in the gas stream will cause a reduction in the color intensity of the said film permitting light to pass through the film activating the light detection means and thereby activating said warning device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
185 words
The method according to claim 13 where said polymer complex is synthesized by the steps which comprise: forming a substantially anhydrous first solution of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, polyvinylacetate, and silicone, dissolved in a suitable solvent; adding a substantially anhydrous manganese salt of the formula: MnX.sub.2 wherein X is a species capable of forming an anion to form a second solution; then adding to the solution of polymer and manganese salt at least a stoichiometric equivalent with respect to said manganese salt of a substantially anhydrous phosphine of the formula: PR.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 wherein R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 may be the same or different, and each is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl groups or hydrogen, provided that no more than two of the groups R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 are substituted or unsubstituted aryl groups and that at least one of the groups R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein a stoichiometric excess of phosphine is employed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the polymer in the complex is silicone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein said light source is a LED light source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said phosphine is selected from the group consisting of methyldialkylphosphines, ethyldialkylphosphines, and pentyldialkylphosphines.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein said solvent is tetrahydrofuran.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 19 wherein X is a member selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, iodine and thiocyanate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said polymer comprises between about 2 and 30 wt.%, inclusive, of said first solution, the weight ratio of said manganese salt to said polymer is in the range of about 1:10 to 2:1, inclusive, and said phosphine is added in a stoichiometric excess with respect to said manganese salt of between about 50 and 150%, inclusive.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said polymer comprises between about 5 and 20 wt.%, inclusive, of said first solution and said weight ratio of said manganese salt to said polymer is between about 1:2 and 2:1, inclusive.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein said phosphine is selected from the group consisting of phenyldialkylphosphines, diphenylalkylphosphines, cyclohexyldialkylphosphines, dicyclohexylalkylphosphines, trialkylphosphines, octyldialkylphosphines and dodecyldialkylphosphines.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 23 wherein said phosphine is selected from the group consisting of trimethylphosphine, triethylphosphine, tributylphosphine, methyldiethylphosphine, ethyldimethylphosphine, dimethylphenylphosphine, diethylphenylphosphine, methyldiphenylphosphine, diphenylethylphosphine, and trioctylphosphine.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 23 wherein said polymer is polyvinylchloride.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2232622A
Cited
US2741544A
Cited
US2800397A
Cited
US2895807A
Cited
US3164004A
Cited
US3114610A
Cited
US3194053A
Cited
US3260104A
Cited
US3343044A
Cited
US3538133A
Cited
US3694164A
Cited
US3754867A
Cited
US3744296A
Cited
US3870469A
Cited
US4042333A
Cited
US3920402A
Cited
US4032297A
Cited
US4096740A
Cited
US4027084A
Cited
US4111036A
Cited
US4032617A
Cited
US4081769A
Cited
US4100811A
Cited
US4251452A
Cited
US4323543A
Cited
US4245997A
Cited
US4306877A
Cited
US4313338A
Cited
US4230828A
Cited
US4312228A
Cited
US4442297A
Cited
US4361026A
Cited
US4343715A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-29 | 1990-12-29 | 1991-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-29 | 1994-12-29 | 1995-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-29 | 1998-12-29 | 1999-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |