Msa Technology, LLC

Daniel D Santoro, Jr

Michael Alvin Brown

Meghan E Swanson

Mark Flori Zanella, Sr

Ryan Alan Sherry

Jeff Audia

Christopher S Detka

Mark Fiori Zanella, Sr

A gas sensor device includes a sensing element including a heating element and electronic circuitry in connection with the heating element. The sensing element forms a resistive element in a circuit of the electronic circuitry. The electronic circuity operates the sensing element in a trigger mode via a pulsed energy input to the heating element at a first duty cycle and in a primary mode via a pulsed energy input to the heating element at a second duty cycle, which is greater than the first duty cycle. The electronic circuitry is further configured to measure a response of the sensing element over time during each pulse of a plurality of pulses of the pulsed energy input. The primary mode is entered upon measurement of a value of a response at or above a threshold value in the trigger mode of operation.

Operation of combustible gas sensor in a dynamic mode with a constant resistance setpoint

A system for detecting an analyte gas in an environment includes a first gas sensor, a first contaminant sensor separate and spaced from the first gas sensor, and electronic circuitry in electrical connection with the first gas sensor to determine if the analyte gas is present based on a response of the first gas sensor. The electronic circuitry is further in electrical connection with the first contaminant sensor to measure a response of the first contaminant sensor over time. The measured response of the first contaminant sensor varies with an amount of one or more contaminants to which the system has been exposed in the environment over time.

Gas sensor with separate contaminant detection element

A combustible gas sensor for detecting an analyte gas includes a first element including a first electric heating element, a first support structure on the first electric heating element and a first catalyst supported on the first support structure and electronic circuitry in electrical connection with the first element. The electronic circuitry is configured to provide energy to the first element to heat the first element to at least a first temperature at which the first catalyst catalyzes combustion of the analyte gas and to determine if the analyte gas is present based on a response of the first element to being heated to at least the first temperature. The electronic circuitry is further configured to apply an interrogation pulse to the first element in which energy to the first element is increased or decreased to induce an associated response from the first element.

Dynamic comparative diagnostics for catalytic structures and combustible gas sensors including catalytic structures

A method of operating a sensing element including a heating element in operative connection with electronic circuitry, wherein the sensing element forms a resistive element in a circuit of the electronic circuitry, includes, in at least a first phase, activating the electronic circuitry to heat the sensing element to a temperature at which the sensing element is responsive to an analyte gas via energy input to the heating element in a pulsed manner. A constant resistance setpoint is set for the sensing element and energy through the circuit is variably controlled via the pulsed energy input toward achieving the constant resistance setpoint. The method further includes measuring a response of the sensing element over time to the pulsed energy input.

A sensor system for detecting mass deposition from a gaseous environment includes a first sensor element including a first electrically conductive heating component and a first interface structure on the first electrically conductive heating component. The sensor system further includes electronic circuitry in connection with the first electrically conductive heating component. The electronic circuitry is configured to provide energy to the first electrically conductive heating component to heat the first sensor element and to measure a thermodynamic response of the first sensor element, which varies with mass deposition of one or more compositions on the first interface structure.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Daniel D Santoro, Jr