US3826577A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Gas analyzing apparatus
Assignee: COMMERCIAL ELECTRONICS Inc
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Filing: 1972-12-07
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Granted: 1974-07-30
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Expires: 1992-12-07
Abstract
Abstract Gas analyzing apparatus in which one or more components in a gas are detected by measuring the rate at which the gas absorbs radiation such as light. The analyzer is defined by an open ended tube disposed concentrically about the optical path of the radiation and a vacuum chamber disposed over the length of the tube and having ends adjacent the tube ends. The vacuum chamber is outside the optical path to prevent its interference therewith. Gas is introduced into the tube, preferably at the middle thereof, thereafter flowed parallel to the optical path to the open tube ends and is then completely withdrawn from the optical tube ends by the vacuum prevailing in the vacuum chamber so that the gas is unable to contact and contaminate either the radiation source or the radiation detector.
Inventors
- 👤 C Irwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/01; G01N21/15; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N21/49; G01N21/53; G01N21/534
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
Apparatus for analyzing exhaust gas samples and the like for the presence and concentration of a predetermined component comprising: an elongate, open-ended flow tube including an expansion chamber communicating with the interior of the tube and disposed substantially midway between the ends thereof and means for introducing a gas sample into the expansion chamber for subsequent discharge into the tube and flow longitudinally of the tube towards the open ends thereof, means spaced from one open end for directing radiation coaxially with the tube through the tube and means spaced from the other end of the tube for detecting such radiation and registering a change in the radiation, a vacuum compartment having a generally tubular configuration and extending over the length of the tube, the compartment terminating in open ends disposed immediately adjacent open ends of the tube, pump means including a suction side connected to the compartment for withdrawing gaseous matter from the compartment, and means for introducing gas samples into the expansion chamber at a constant, predetermined rate which is substantially less than the rate at which the pump means withdraws gaseous matter from the compartment, whereby the vacuum formed in the compartment draws gas issuing from the open ends of the tube together with atmospheric air in the vicinity of the open ends into the compartment for discharging to the atmosphere via the pump means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
Apparatus for analyzing exhaust gas samples and the like for the presence and concentration of a predetermined component comprising: an elongate, open-ended flow tube including an expansion chamber communicating with the interior of the tube and disposed substantially midway between the ends thereof and means for introducing a gas sample into the expansion chamber for subsequent discharge into the tube and flow longitudinally of the tube towards the open ends thereof, means spaced from one open end for directing radiation coaxially with the tube through the tube and means spaced from the other end of the tube for detecting such radiation and registering a change in the radiation, a vacuum compartment having a generally tubular configuration and extending over the length of the tube, the compartment terminating in open ends disposed immediately adjacent open ends of the tube, pump means including a suction side connected to the compartment for withdrawing gaseous matter from the compartment, and means for introducing gas samples into the expansion chamber at a constant, predetermined rate which is substantially less than the rate at which the pump means withdraws gaseous matter from the compartment, whereby the vacuum formed in the compartment draws gas issuing from the open ends of the tube together with atmospheric air in the vicinity of the open ends into the compartment for discharging to the atmosphere via the pump means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a portion of the tube and of the compartment is defined by a common wall member having a length about equal to the length of the tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 including means extending the compartment beyond the wall member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 including means for closing ends of the compartment facing in the direction of the tube ends and wherein the closing means are positioned beyond the projection of the interior of the tube and outside the radiation passing through the tube.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for continuously analyzing gas by directing radiation from a radiating source along an optical path to a radiation detector and interpreting the detected radiation in terms of its changes, the method comprising the steps of passing the gas parallel to the optical path over a distance less than the length of the path, discharging the gas into an air space extending to the source and to the detector to form an air-gas mixture, and withdrawing from the space a sufficiently large volume of the mixture to include therein all gas discharged into the space to prevent any gas from contacting the source or the detector and to prevent their contamination by the gas.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for continuously analyzing gas by directing radiation from a radiating source along an optical path to a radiation detector and interpreting the detected radiation in terms of its changes, the method comprising the steps of passing the gas parallel to the optical path over a distance less than the length of the path, discharging the gas into an air space extending to the source and to the detector to form an air-gas mixture, and withdrawing from the space a sufficiently large volume of the mixture to include therein all gas discharged into the space to prevent any gas from contacting the source or the detector and to prevent their contamination by the gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the step of withdrawing comprises the step of subjecting the air space to a sufficient vacuum to withdraw all gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 5 including the step of controlling the gas flow rate and the rate at which the mixture is withdrawn from the space to prevent changes in the relative length of the gas flow over the optical path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the step of controlling comprises the step of maintaining the gas flow rate constant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the step of controlling further comprises the step of withdrawing the mixture from the space at a rate of at least 5 times greater than the gas flow rate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the step of withdrawing comprises the step of withdrawing at a rate of between about 5 to about 25 times the gas flow rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the step of withdrawing comprises the step of withdrawing at a rate of between about 10 to about 15 times the gas flow rate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
193 words
Gas analyzing apparatus comprising an elongate, open-ended housing, means dividing the housing longitudinally into at least a first compartment and an adjacent second compartment, the first compartment having spaced apart openings communicating with the atmosphere, the second compartment having spaced apart, aligned openings communicating with the atmosphere and located adjacent the openings of the first compartment, means for introducing a gas into the second compartment at a point intermediate the openings of the second compartment for flowing gas generally parallel to the axis of the second compartment to the openings thereof, means for subjecting the first compartment to a vacuum of sufficient magnitude to draw all gas issuing from the openings of the second compartment into the respective adjacent openings of the first compartment and thus prevent an escape of gas into the atmosphere surrounding the compartments, means aligned and in direct communication with one of the openings in the second compartment for directing radiation generally parallel to the gas flow through the second compartment, and means aligned and in direct communication with the other opening in the second compartment for sensing the absorption of radiation by the gas in the second compartment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
193 words
Gas analyzing apparatus comprising an elongate, open-ended housing, means dividing the housing longitudinally into at least a first compartment and an adjacent second compartment, the first compartment having spaced apart openings communicating with the atmosphere, the second compartment having spaced apart, aligned openings communicating with the atmosphere and located adjacent the openings of the first compartment, means for introducing a gas into the second compartment at a point intermediate the openings of the second compartment for flowing gas generally parallel to the axis of the second compartment to the openings thereof, means for subjecting the first compartment to a vacuum of sufficient magnitude to draw all gas issuing from the openings of the second compartment into the respective adjacent openings of the first compartment and thus prevent an escape of gas into the atmosphere surrounding the compartments, means aligned and in direct communication with one of the openings in the second compartment for directing radiation generally parallel to the gas flow through the second compartment, and means aligned and in direct communication with the other opening in the second compartment for sensing the absorption of radiation by the gas in the second compartment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein adjacent open ends of the compartments are angularly inclined with respect to each other at an angle less than 180. 180*
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the angle is about 90*.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 including means for introducing the gas into the second compartment at a substantially constant, predetermined flow rate, and wherein the vacuum forming means comprises pump means having a flow rate of between about 5 to about 25 times the gas flow rate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the pump means flow rate is between about 10 to about 15 times the gas flow rate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 including means for flowing the gas at a constant, predetermined rate, and wherein the vacuum means includes means for drawing air and gas from the second compartment at a rate which is at least about 5 times the rate at which the gas is introduced into the second compartment.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
129 words
Gas analyzing apparatus comprising a radiation source aligned with a radiation detector, chamber defining means disposed between the source and the detector and aligned therewith, the chamber defining means having open ends spaced apart from the source and the detector, respectively, by open air spaces, the chamber defining means further including a gas inlet disposed between the open ends for flowing gas from the inlet to the open ends of the chamber defining means and to the spaces substantially coaxially with an axis between the source and the detector, and means positioned adjacent the open ends for withdrawing all gas in the spaces and a volume of air substantially greater than the withdrawn volume of gas to prevent the contamination of the source or the detector by the gas.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
129 words
Gas analyzing apparatus comprising a radiation source aligned with a radiation detector, chamber defining means disposed between the source and the detector and aligned therewith, the chamber defining means having open ends spaced apart from the source and the detector, respectively, by open air spaces, the chamber defining means further including a gas inlet disposed between the open ends for flowing gas from the inlet to the open ends of the chamber defining means and to the spaces substantially coaxially with an axis between the source and the detector, and means positioned adjacent the open ends for withdrawing all gas in the spaces and a volume of air substantially greater than the withdrawn volume of gas to prevent the contamination of the source or the detector by the gas.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for continuously analyZing gas by directing radiation from a radiating source along an optical path through an open-ended tubular member having a first end spaced from the source to a radiation detector spaced from a second end of the member and interpreting the detected radiation in terms of its changes, the method comprising the steps of flowing the gas in the member towards the ends thereof, discharging the gas from the member into the atmosphere surrounding the open ends of the member, subjecting a space between the open ends and the source and the detector, respectively, to a vacuum of a magnitude which causes a flow rate from the spaces greater than the gas flow rate so that atmospheric air and gas is withdrawn from the space and the source and the detector, respectively, are prevented from contact with and contamination by the gas.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for continuously analyZing gas by directing radiation from a radiating source along an optical path through an open-ended tubular member having a first end spaced from the source to a radiation detector spaced from a second end of the member and interpreting the detected radiation in terms of its changes, the method comprising the steps of flowing the gas in the member towards the ends thereof, discharging the gas from the member into the atmosphere surrounding the open ends of the member, subjecting a space between the open ends and the source and the detector, respectively, to a vacuum of a magnitude which causes a flow rate from the spaces greater than the gas flow rate so that atmospheric air and gas is withdrawn from the space and the source and the detector, respectively, are prevented from contact with and contamination by the gas.
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) | 1977-07-29 | 1978-01-28 | 1978-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-29 | 1982-01-28 | 1982-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-29 | 1986-01-28 | 1986-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |