US6679098B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High flow rate sample flow path assembly for electronic gas leak detectors
Assignee: SPX Technologies Inc
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Filing: 2002-02-25
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Granted: 2004-01-20
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Expires: 2022-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A gas detector, as useful for conducting refrigerant fluid leak detection, having a housing, a probe and a sample flow path assembly capable of providing a sample air flow rate to a sensing device in excess of 300 SCCM. The sample flow path assembly also provides the gas detector with a short signal path between the sensing device and a printed circuit board within the housing, an efficient sample path, and ready access to and easy replacement of the sensing device as well as of the probe, making the gas detector generally more reliable and cost effective. The sample path assembly requires a simple method of construction and sensing device replacement thereby reducing the difficulty and the time required for manufacturing the sample flow path assembly and, ultimately, reducing the cost of manufacturing the electronic gas leak detector.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis Cardinale
- 👤 Manuel Duarte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/0004; G01N33/0009; G01N33/0011; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/22; G01N1/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A gas detector for sensing the presence of at least one predetermined gas comprising; a device means for sensing at least one predetermined gas; means for supplying a sample air flow to the sensing device at a flow rate exceeding about 300 SCCM; means for disposing said sensing means within the sample air flow path between the pump and the probe, wherein the means for disposing the sensing means within the sample air flow path is a socket connected to an inlet port of the pump and a collar surrounding the socket, the sensing means being supported by the socket and the probe connected to the collar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A gas detector for sensing the presence of at least one predetermined gas comprising; a device means for sensing at least one predetermined gas; means for supplying a sample air flow to the sensing device at a flow rate exceeding about 300 SCCM; means for disposing said sensing means within the sample air flow path between the pump and the probe, wherein the means for disposing the sensing means within the sample air flow path is a socket connected to an inlet port of the pump and a collar surrounding the socket, the sensing means being supported by the socket and the probe connected to the collar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The gas detector according to claim 1 , wherein the means for sensing at one predetermined is a sensing means device selectively operable with a controlled temperature, a controlled bias current or a combination thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The gas detector according to claim 1 , wherein the means for supplying a sample air flow has a maximum flow rate of about 400 SCCM.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The gas detector according to claim 1 , wherein the means for supplying a sample air flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The gas detector according to claim 3 , wherein the means for supplying a sample flow includes a means for generating an air flow in communication with a probe via a sample air flow path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The gas detector according to claim 5 , wherein the means for generating an air flow is a pump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The gas detector according to claim 6 , wherein the pump is a diaphragm micro-pump.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gas detector according to claim 5 , wherein the probe is a flexible goose-neck probe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The gas detector according to claim 6 , wherein further comprising means for disposing said means for sensing within the sample air flow path between the pump and the probe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
131 words
A gas detector, operative in conjunction with a power source, for sensing at least one predetermined gas, the gas detector comprising: a sensing device capable of sensing at least one predetermined gas; a sample flow path assembly for supplying the sensing device a sample air flow at a flow rate exceeding about 300 SCCM, wherein the sample flow path assembly further comprises a pump in communication with a probe via a sample air flow path, a socket connected to an inlet port of the pump and a collar surrounding the socket, the sensing device being supported by the socket and the probe connected to the collar, wherein the pump has a manifold integral to the pump, and has the inlet and an outlet port disposed on opposite sides of the manifold.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
131 words
A gas detector, operative in conjunction with a power source, for sensing at least one predetermined gas, the gas detector comprising: a sensing device capable of sensing at least one predetermined gas; a sample flow path assembly for supplying the sensing device a sample air flow at a flow rate exceeding about 300 SCCM, wherein the sample flow path assembly further comprises a pump in communication with a probe via a sample air flow path, a socket connected to an inlet port of the pump and a collar surrounding the socket, the sensing device being supported by the socket and the probe connected to the collar, wherein the pump has a manifold integral to the pump, and has the inlet and an outlet port disposed on opposite sides of the manifold.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The gas detector according to claim 10 , wherein the sensing device is selectively operable with a controlled temperature, a controlled bias current or a combination thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The gas detector according to claim 10 , wherein the sample flow path assembly supplies the sensing device a sample flow having a maximum flow rate of about 400 SCCM.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The gas detector according to claim 12 , wherein the sample flow path assembly supplies the sensing device a sample air flow having a flow rate between about 350 SCCM and 400 SCCM.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The gas detector according to claim 10 , wherein the sensing device is disposed in the air flow path between the pump and the probe.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The gas detector according to claim 10 , wherein the pump is a diaphragm micro-pump.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The gas detector according to claim 10 , wherein the gas detector further comprises a housing and wherein the probe extends beyond the housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gas detector according to claim 10 , wherein the probe is a flexible goose-neck probe.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
127 words
The method for sensing the presence of at least one predetermined gas with a gas detector, the steps comprising: monitoring a sample air flow with a sensing device, the sensing device comprising a sample flow path assembly that comprises a pump in communication with a probe via a sample air flow path, a socket connected to an inlet port of the pump and a collar surrounding the socket, the sensing device being supported by the socket and the probe connected to the collar, wherein the pump has a manifold integral to the pump, and has the inlet and an outlet port disposed on opposite sides of the manifold; and supplying the sample air flow to the sensing device at a flow rate of at least 300 SCCM.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
127 words
The method for sensing the presence of at least one predetermined gas with a gas detector, the steps comprising: monitoring a sample air flow with a sensing device, the sensing device comprising a sample flow path assembly that comprises a pump in communication with a probe via a sample air flow path, a socket connected to an inlet port of the pump and a collar surrounding the socket, the sensing device being supported by the socket and the probe connected to the collar, wherein the pump has a manifold integral to the pump, and has the inlet and an outlet port disposed on opposite sides of the manifold; and supplying the sample air flow to the sensing device at a flow rate of at least 300 SCCM.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein the step of monitoring a sample air flow includes the step of controlling the sensing device to selectively operate with a controlled temperature, a controlled bias current or a combination thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein the step of supplying the sample air flow includes the step of supplying the sample air flow to the sensing device at a maximum flow rate of about 400 SCCM.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 20 , wherein the step of supplying the sample air flow further includes the step of supplying the sample air flow to the sensing device at a flow rate between 350 SCCM and about 400 SCCM.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-01-19 | 2007-07-21 | 2008-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-01-19 | 2011-07-21 | 2012-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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