Tyco Electronics Raychem Gmbh

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

Vincotech (germany) Gmbh

Robert Frodl

Thomas Tille

Kuno Straub

Rudi Minuth

Joerg Fischer

Marco Forlenza

Hans-Dirk Loewe

The present invention relates to optical sensor arrangements, especially sensors of the type that can be used in motor vehicles and which can detect hydrogen in a gaseous measured medium. According to the invention, an optical sensor arrangement has the at least one radiation source () for emitting radiation, the at least one measuring transducer which modifies its optical characteristics in response to the presence and/or concentration of at least one analyte in a measured medium () and is arranged so that it interacts with at least part of the emitted radiation (), a first detector unit () for capturing a change in radiant intensity due to the changed optical characteristics of the measuring transducer and for outputting a first measuring signal and a light conducting body () which is transparent to the emitted radiation, wherein the measuring transducer, which is sensitive to the analyte, is arranged on at least one surface of the light conducting body () so that the emitted radiation impinges on a surface of the measuring transducer which faces away from the measured medium ().

Long-term stable optical sensor arrangement, especially a hydrogen sensor, and combined gas sensor arrangement

A method of processing time-discrete measured values, which can be described in their time characteristic by a first exponential function which has a first time constant, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a first measured value and storing the first measured value, detecting a second measured value and storing the second measured value according to a defined time interval with respect to the detection of the first measured value, filtering the first measured value and second measured value by calculating a sum of the first measured value and a weighted difference between the second measured value and the first measured value, thereby generating time-discrete output values which can be described in their time characteristic by a second exponential function having a second time constant different from the first time constant, and outputting the output values is disclosed.

Dynamic measured-value filter for a gas sensor arrangement

The present invention relates to a method for measuring the presence and/or the concentration of an analyte by means of a gas sensor arrangement and to a corresponding gas sensor arrangement. The gas sensor arrangement comprises a radiation-emitting radiation source, a gas measuring chamber, which may be filled with a test gas containing at least one analyte to be measured, and at least one radiation-detecting detector device which generates an output signal as a function of the presence and/or the concentration of the analyte. In order to be able to reduce the harmful effects of condensation water, which condenses in the gas measuring chamber, the gas measuring chamber according to the invention is heated before the measurement process, such that the wall of the gas measuring chamber assumes a temperature which lies above the dew point of the test gas.

Method for reducing condensation water in gas sensor arrangements

The present invention relates to a gas sensor arrangement comprising at least one radiation source emitting radiation, a gas measuring chamber which may be filled with a gaseous analyte containing at least one analyte to be measured, and comprising at least one detector device which detects the radiation and generates an output signal indicating the presence and/or the concentration of the analyte. In order to provide an improved gas sensor arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset which ensures, in a particularly simple manner, long-term stable operation of the arrangement even over long periods of time, the control device comprises a power detection unit which may be operated to measure the electrical output consumed by the at least one radiation source.

Gas sensor arrangement with improved long term stability and measuring method

The invention relates to a method for measuring the presence and/or the concentration of an analyte using a gas sensor assembly and to a corresponding gas sensor assembly. The gas sensor assembly comprises, in particular, a radiation-emitting radiation source (), a gas measurement chamber () which may be filled with a test gas () containing the at least one analyte to be measured, and at least one detector device () which detects the radiation () and generates an output signal which is dependent on the presence and/or the concentration of the analyte. In order to meet increased safety requirements and to avoid the drawbacks of the known systems without inadmissible increased complexity and overall size, the radiation source emits radiation in the form of pulses and, during each radiation pulse, a large number of individual values () are recorded for generating an average measured value, the first of the large number of individual values being compared, during the first radiation pulse, with a predetermined threshold value and an alarm signal () being generated if the threshold value is exceeded.

Gas sensor assembly and measurement method with early warning means

A gas sensor arrangement comprises a gas measuring chamber containing a gaseous analyte. First and second radiation sources emit radiation. The first radiation source operates as a measuring radiation source and the second radiation source operates as a reference radiation source. The radiation is directed through the gas measuring chamber and into a detector that generates an output signal depending on the presence of the gaseous analyte. A control device evaluates the output signal from the detector. The control device interchanges the operation of the first and second radiation sources after a predetermined service life.

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Munich, Germany

Robert Frodl