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:
Apr. 16, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 01, 2001
Edward A. Johnson, Bedford, MA (US);
William Andrew Bodkin, Needham, MA (US);
Ion Optics, Inc., Waltham, MA (US);
Abstract
An improved gas detector apparatus includes a spectral source/bolometer for conducting an electrical current and for producing infrared radiation. The source/bolometer has a characteristic resistance that is a predetermined function of the source/bolometer temperature. A concentrating reflector directs the infrared radiation through a spectral filter and the gas. A return reflector is disposed along the axis beyond the spectral filer and the gas, such that at least a portion of the infrared radiation passing through the filter and the gas is reflected back through the gas and the filter to the source/bolometer. A driver/detector drives a current through the source/bolometer, determines the characteristic resistance of the source/bolometer, and detects the gas from a variation of the characteristic resistance.