Importance

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Abstract

A device that measures the concentration of a particular gas within a sample of gas includes a housing having a gas flow path with a gas inlet port designed to receive the sample of gas, a gas outlet port, and a chamber extending between the gas inlet and outlet ports. The sample of gas flows into the inlet port, proceeds through the chamber and exits the housing through the outlet port. The device further includes a first ultrasonic transmitter positioned within the chamber near the inlet port capable of transmitting an ultrasonic pulse into the chamber in a direction with the flow of gas, and a second ultrasonic transmitter positioned within the chamber near the outlet port capable of transmitting an ultrasonic pulse into the chamber in a direction against the flow of gas. An ultrasonic receiver is positioned within the chamber at or near the center of the gas flow path between the inlet and outlet ports, and is capable of receiving ultrasonic pulses transmitted by the first and second ultrasonic transmitters. The receiver produces a receive signal that represents of the concentration of the sample of gas passing through the chamber. Electronic circuitry including a microcontroller is coupled to the first and second ultrasonic transmitters to alternately initiate the transmission of an ultrasonic pulse from the first and second ultrasonic transmitters. The microcontroller is also coupled to the ultrasonic receiver to receive the transmit receive signal. The microcontroller compares the difference in time between the transmission of the ultrasonic pulse from the ultrasonic transmitters and the receipt of the corresponding receive signal to indicate the concentration of gas flowing through the measurement device.

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First Claim