Abstract:
A gas sensing apparatus (48) comprises a gas sensor arranged to use light to sense presence of a gas; an optical element (12, 40) arranged so that said light impinges thereon; and a thermoelectric heat pump (2, 24) having a cold side (6, 36) and a hot side (8, 34). The thermoelectric heat pump (2, 24) is configured to transfer heat energy from said cold side (6, 36) to said hot side (8, 34) in response to a supply of electrical energy provided to the thermoelectric heat pump (2, 24). The hot side (8, 34) of the thermoelectric heat pump (2, 24) is in thermal contact with the optical element (12, 40).
Abstract:
A gas sensor is used for determining a concentration of a predetermined gas in a measurement volume (104). The gas sensor comprises a light source (100) and a detector (114) arranged to receive light that has passed through the measurement volume. During a first measurement period, the detector (114) is used to make a first measurement of an amount of light received in at least one wavelength band which is absorbed by the gas. The first measurement is compared to a predetermined threshold value. If the threshold is crossed, during a second measurement period the detector (114) is used to make a second measurement of an amount of light received in at least one wavelength band which is absorbed by the gas. The concentration of said gas in said measurement volume (104) is calculated using the first and/or second measurement.
Abstract:
A gas sensor for measuring concentration of a predetermined gas comprises a light source arranged to emit pulses of light, a measurement volume, a detector arranged to receive light that has passed through the measurement volume, and an adaptable filter disposed between the light source and the detector. The gas sensor has a measurement state in which it passes at least one wavelength band which is absorbed by the gas and a reference state in which said wavelength band is attenuated relative to the measurement state. The adaptable filter is arranged to change between one of said measurement state and said reference state to the other at least once during each pulse.
Abstract:
A gas sensor is used for determining a concentration of a predetermined gas in a measurement volume (104). The gas sensor comprises a light source (100) and a detector (114) arranged to receive light that has passed through the measurement volume. During a first measurement period, the detector (114) is used to make a first measurement of an amount of light received in at least one wavelength band which is absorbed by the gas. The first measurement is compared to a predetermined threshold value. If the threshold is crossed, during a second measurement period the detector (114) is used to make a second measurement of an amount of light received in at least one wavelength band which is absorbed by the gas. The concentration of said gas in said measurement volume (104) is calculated using the first and/or second measurement.