The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 19, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 28, 1998
Ellwood G Ivey, Jr, Savannah, GA (US);
Michael L Horovitz, Savannah, GA (US);
Cedric Stratton, Savannah, GA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A portion a the machine which the operator regularly engages with his or her hands has incorporated therein a plurality of passageways (14) through which a vacuum is applied to draw vapor which is emitted by the hands of the individual. Vapor from the individual's hands is drawn through a sampling apparatus. The sampling apparatus contains an electrical coil (32, 36, 42, 46) which is coated with a composite metal-nonmetal catalytic substance which causes ethanol to oxidize at the coil. When ethanol-containing vapor passes over the coil, oxidation at the coil causes an electrical charge to build up on the coil. The charge build-up is detected and processed in a discriminating type of electrical circuit which incorporates a wheatstone bridge or a constant-current loop. The resulting signal is further processed then ultimately used to estimate the alcohol content of the individual.