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:
Mar. 04, 2003
Filed:
Apr. 16, 2002
Edward A. Johnson, Bedford, MA (US);
William Andrew Bodkin, Needham, MA (US);
Ion Optics, Inc., Waltham, MA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting a gas having distinct infrared radiation absorption characteristics. The apparatus includes a spectral source/bolometer for conducting an electrical current and for producing an infrared radiation. The source/bolometer is disposed along an axis and has a temperature and a characteristic resistance, and the characteristic resistance is a predetermined function of the temperature. A return reflector is disposed along the axis beyond the gas such that at least a portion of the infrared radiation passing through the gas is reflected back through the gas to the source/bolometer. The apparatus also includes a driver/detector for driving a current through the source/bolometer, for determining the characteristic resistance, and for detecting the gas from a variation of the characteristic resistance.