US4847594A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensor for detecting the exhaustion of an adsorbent bed
Assignee: TRADSDUCER RESEARCH Inc
•
Filing: 1988-03-28
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Granted: 1989-07-11
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Expires: 2008-03-28
Abstract
Abstract A sensor includes a vapor sensitive medium and a means for monitoring at least one property of the vapor sensitive medium. The vapor sensitive medium is chosen such that it exhibits a response to the vapors absorbed by an absorbent bed which is substantially the same as the response of the absorbent to the vapors absorbed. The monitored property is a function of the response of the vapor sensitive medium to the vapors absorbed. Also disclosed are an absorbent bed alarm system employing the sensor and a filter cartridge which employs the adsorbent bed alarm system.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph R. Stetter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/12; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18; G08B21/182
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A sensor useful in detecting the exhaustion of an adsorbent bed comprising: a vapor sensitive medium having a response to the vapors adsorbed by the adsorbent bed which is substantially the same as the response of the adsorbent bed to the vapors adsorbed, and means for monitoring a property of said vapor sensitive medium that is a function of the response of said vapor sensitive medium to the vapors adsorbed by the adsorbent bed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A sensor useful in detecting the exhaustion of an adsorbent bed comprising: a vapor sensitive medium having a response to the vapors adsorbed by the adsorbent bed which is substantially the same as the response of the adsorbent bed to the vapors adsorbed, and means for monitoring a property of said vapor sensitive medium that is a function of the response of said vapor sensitive medium to the vapors adsorbed by the adsorbent bed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vapor sensitive medium comprises at least some of the same material used as the adsorbent bed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a means for providing temperature compensation of the sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a means for providing humidity compensation of the sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means for monitoring comprises electrodes or electrical contacts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means for providing temperature compensation comprises at least one reference electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 2 wherein said vapor sensitive medium is up to 0.1 cm in thickness.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adsorbent bed and said vapor sensitive medium comprise carbon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
An adsorbent bed safety alarm system for detecting and signalling the exhaustion of an adsorbent bed, said alarm system comprising: a sensor means including a vapor sensitive medium having a response to the vapors adsorbed by the adsorbent bed which is substantially the same as the response of the adsorbent bed to the vapors being adsorbed, and means for monitoring a property of said vapor sensitive medium that is a function of the response of said vapor sensitive medium to the vapors adsorbed by the adsorbent bed, and a means for generating an alarm signal responsive to a change in the property of said vapor sensitive medium monitored by said means for monitoring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
An adsorbent bed safety alarm system for detecting and signalling the exhaustion of an adsorbent bed, said alarm system comprising: a sensor means including a vapor sensitive medium having a response to the vapors adsorbed by the adsorbent bed which is substantially the same as the response of the adsorbent bed to the vapors being adsorbed, and means for monitoring a property of said vapor sensitive medium that is a function of the response of said vapor sensitive medium to the vapors adsorbed by the adsorbent bed, and a means for generating an alarm signal responsive to a change in the property of said vapor sensitive medium monitored by said means for monitoring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An adsorbent bed safety alarm system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said vapor sensitive medium comprises at least some of the same material used as the adsorbent bed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An adsorbent bed safety alarm system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said sensor further comprises a means for providing temperature compensation of said sensor means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An adsorbent bed safety alarm system as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a means for providing humidity compensation of said sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
An adsorbent bed safety alarm system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the adsorbent bed and said vapor sensitive medium comprise a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, silica, silica gel, alumina, molecular sieves and drying agents.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
An adsorbent bed safety alarm system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said means for generating an alarm signal comprises: a means for preventing alarm signal generation until the change in the monitored property exceeds a threshold amount.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
An adsorbent bed safety alarm system as claimed in claim 14 further comprising: a means for selecting the threshold level for said means for determining.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for use in adsorbing harmful or undesirable vapors that signals the exhaustion of the adsorbent material to prevent flow of harmful or undesirable vapors through the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a housing having an inlet means and an outlet means, an adsorbent bed housed within said housing, a sensor means located in said adsorbent bed, said sensor means including a vapor sensitive medium having a response to the vapors adsorbed by the adsorbent bed which is substantially the same as the response of the adsorbent bed to the vapors being adsorbed, and means for monitoring a property of said vapor sensitive medium that is a function of the response of said vapor sensitive medium to the vapors adsorbed by the adsorbent bed, and a means for generating an alarm signal responsive to a change in the property of said vapor sensitive medium monitored by said monitoring means.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for use in adsorbing harmful or undesirable vapors that signals the exhaustion of the adsorbent material to prevent flow of harmful or undesirable vapors through the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a housing having an inlet means and an outlet means, an adsorbent bed housed within said housing, a sensor means located in said adsorbent bed, said sensor means including a vapor sensitive medium having a response to the vapors adsorbed by the adsorbent bed which is substantially the same as the response of the adsorbent bed to the vapors being adsorbed, and means for monitoring a property of said vapor sensitive medium that is a function of the response of said vapor sensitive medium to the vapors adsorbed by the adsorbent bed, and a means for generating an alarm signal responsive to a change in the property of said vapor sensitive medium monitored by said monitoring means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said vapor sensitive medium comprises at least some of the same material used as the adsorbent bed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said adsorbent bed and said vapor sensitive medium comprise carbon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said sensor means further comprises a means for providing temperature compensation of said sensor means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said means for generating an alarm signal further comprises: a means for preventing alarm signal generation until the change in the monitored property exceeds a threshold amount.
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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) | 1992-07-10 | 1993-01-09 | 1993-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-10 | 1997-01-09 | 1997-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-10 | 2001-01-09 | 2001-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |