Beckman Instruments, Inc.

Other

Kenneth B Sawa

Radhakrishna M Neti

Gordon E Mehaffy

John D Blanke

Willis M Peek

A membrane type amperometric gas sensor is provided with a pressure equalization passage between the exterior and interior of the cell in which the electrodes are located. Cell fluids move into and out of the passage as necessary to maintain the pressure inside the cell substantially equal to the pressure outside the cell over a wide range of pressures and temperatures. A movable fluid plug or seal located in the passage protects the fluids inside of the cell from contact with the gas being sensed and from the atmosphere for all permissible values of pressure and temperature.

Pressure equalization system for membrane type amperometric sensors

A carbon monoxide detection apparatus and process are disclosed in which the amount of carbon monoxide is measured by oxidizing it and measuring the heat of oxidation. To accomplish this platinum oxide is used as the catalyst and an operating temperature is maintained at which oxidation of carbon monoxide occurs in the presence of platinum oxide. Various types of heat-change-responsive techniques are disclosed, including measurement of the voltage drop across forward-biased solid-state diodes, and measurement of the voltage generated by thermo-couples.

Carbon monoxide detection apparatus

In apparatus for analyzing the exhaust gas of a motor vehicle, the apparatus including an oxygen sensor and means for sampling a portion of the exhaust gas and conducting the sample to the sensor, there is disclosed an improvement wherein the exhaust gas is used to heat a moisture barrier and the oxygen sensor and is then cooled before being directed through the moisture barrier to the sensitive area of the oxygen sensor. This arrangement prevents moisture from condensing on the sensitive area of the oxygen sensor, which moisture would interfere with the operation of the sensor.

Sampling system for engine exhaust gas analysis apparatus

Apparatus for switching a fluid stream, either gaseous or liquid, between a first path and a second path is disclosed. A pair of enclosures are formed by two depressions in a first plate (each depression having an inlet and an outlet) and an elastomeric diaphragm covering the depressions. The diaphragm is held in place by a second plate having a first control inlet opposite one depression and a second control inlet opposite the other depression. A fluid to be switched is connected into the inlets of the first plate in common. By alternately applying a control fluid to one control inlet and then the other of the second plate, the fluid to be switched is switched from one outlet to the other by the diaphragm alternately being deformed into one depression and then the other by the control fluid so as to seal the inlet and outlet and, thereby, block the flow of fluid therethrough from the inlet to the outlet. A plurality of such switching pairs are shown interconnected to provide a plurality of switching actions from a single control fluid switched source. A preferred embodiment for switching three inputs and three outputs is disclosed particularly adapted for sample loop switching in apparatus such as gas chromatographs.

Fluid switch

An improved catalytic reactor system and method for removing interferents such as reactive hydrocarbons from the gas being sampled by gas component determination apparatus is disclosed. The sample from which the interferents are to be removed is blended with ozonized air and saturated to at least 15% with water vapor. The mixture is then passed through the catalytic reactor which, preferably, contains a mixture of platinum oxide mixed with sand and maintained at an operating temperature of 200.degree. to 280.degree. C. Additional catalytic mixtures which may be employed in the reactor are also disclosed. Methods of preventing the poisoning of catalytic reactors and rejuvenating poisoned catalytic reactors are also disclosed.

Catalytic reactor systems method and apparatus

A device for inflating tennis balls having a sharpened needle which punctures the wall of the ball which needle inserts both air and a sealant material. A sharpened needle is held by a frame, the needle being hollow to permit passage of air and sealant material. A hollow conduit is affixed to the needle and a pressure sensitive member is positioned in the hollow conduit. Air and a ball sealant is pumped through the hollow conduit into the tennis ball. After all the sealant has been injected additional air is injected in an amount to cause the pressure inside the ball to exceed the desired pre-set pressure. Excess air is removed from the ball through the hollow needle and through a pressure sensitive member until the desired pre-set pressure inside the ball is attained.

Growing community of inventors

Yorba Linda, CA, United States of America

Kenneth B Sawa