WO2012020178A1 - Method and device for measuring infrared absorption and breath alcohol tester comprising such a device - Google Patents

Method and device for measuring infrared absorption and breath alcohol tester comprising such a device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012020178A1
WO2012020178A1 PCT/FR2010/051683 FR2010051683W WO2012020178A1 WO 2012020178 A1 WO2012020178 A1 WO 2012020178A1 FR 2010051683 W FR2010051683 W FR 2010051683W WO 2012020178 A1 WO2012020178 A1 WO 2012020178A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
chamber
infrared radiation
gaseous fluid
main beam
measuring
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Application number
PCT/FR2010/051683
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Daniel Barcelona
Eric Condesse
Antonio Marin
Original Assignee
Contralco
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Publication date
Application filed by Contralco filed Critical Contralco
Priority to PCT/FR2010/051683 priority Critical patent/WO2012020178A1/en
Publication of WO2012020178A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012020178A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
    • G01N21/25—Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
    • G01N21/31—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
    • G01N21/35—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
    • G01N21/3504—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light for analysing gases, e.g. multi-gas analysis
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
    • G01N21/03—Cuvette constructions
    • G01N21/0303—Optical path conditioning in cuvettes, e.g. windows; adapted optical elements or systems; path modifying or adjustment
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
    • G01N33/483—Physical analysis of biological material
    • G01N33/497—Physical analysis of biological material of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath
    • G01N33/4972—Determining alcohol content
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
    • G01N21/03—Cuvette constructions
    • G01N2021/0378—Shapes
    • G01N2021/0382—Frustoconical, tapered cell
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
    • G01N21/03—Cuvette constructions
    • G01N21/05—Flow-through cuvettes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2201/00—Features of devices classified in G01N21/00
    • G01N2201/02—Mechanical
    • G01N2201/022—Casings
    • G01N2201/0221—Portable; cableless; compact; hand-held

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and an infrared absorption measuring device and to an ethylenometer comprising such a device. More specifically, the method and the device according to the invention relate to the measurement of the infrared radiation absorbed by at least one of the constituents, the content of which is to be determined, of a gaseous fluid.
  • a well-known measurement technique for determining the concentration of a particular gaseous component of a gas mixture is the Beer Lambert method, which consists in introducing the mixture into a measuring chamber provided, in a first position, with a transmitter infrared radiation and, in a second position, an infrared radiation receiver. The attenuation of the infrared radiation received by the receiver, due to the absorption of radiation by the gas whose concentration is to be determined, makes it possible to obtain a measurement of this concentration.
  • the known measuring chambers most often consist of cylindrical tanks having, at each end, an orifice in which the emitter and the infrared radiation receiver are respectively arranged.
  • the tank has a sufficient length, typically of the order of 250 to 400 mm or more. This contributes to a large size of the apparatus comprising this type of tank, making it difficult to transport.
  • the reflections of the infrared radiation on the internal walls of the tank especially the n-th reflections with n> 1, disturb the receiver because they generate a sometimes significant optical noise This is detrimental to the quality and reliability measurements obtained with this type of tank.
  • the present invention is intended in particular to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.
  • the invention proposes a method for measuring an infrared radiation absorbed by at least one of the constituents, the content of which is to be determined, of a gaseous fluid flowing in a measurement chamber, in which
  • an infrared radiation is emitted from one of the ends of the chamber, this radiation comprising a main beam and rays diverging from the main beam,
  • this radiation reaches a reception area at the other end of the chamber
  • the method being remarkable in that the part of the volume of the gaseous fluid flowing into the chamber which is taken into account for the aforementioned determination is maximized by focusing the infrared radiation emitted, thanks to the reflection, by successive zones of the chamber radii diverging from the main beam to form a collimated beam at the receiving zone.
  • This method optimizes the optical efficiency and control reflections of infrared radiation on the inner surface of the measuring chamber, which increases the accuracy of the measurement.
  • the conformation of the inner surface makes it possible to reduce and take into account the totality of the volume of the gaseous fluid to be analyzed, and to reduce the linear optical path by optimizing the internal reflections while keeping an identical total optical path, even greater than that of known cylindrical measuring chambers or chambers.
  • the aforementioned successive zones of the measuring chamber consist of a plurality of frustoconical rings.
  • the present invention also proposes a device for measuring an infrared radiation absorbed by at least one of the constituents, the content of which is to be determined, of a gaseous fluid, the device comprising a measuring chamber in which the gaseous fluid flows, in which
  • an infrared radiation is emitted from one of the ends of the chamber, this radiation comprising a main beam and rays diverging from the main beam,
  • this radiation reaches a reception area at the other end of the chamber
  • the device being remarkable in that it further comprises an inner surface shaped so as to maximize the part of the volume of the gaseous fluid flowing in said chamber which is taken into account for the aforementioned determination, by focusing of the emitted infrared radiation, thanks to the reflection, by successive zones of the chamber, rays diverging from the main beam, to form at the receiving zone a collimated beam.
  • the device also has an outer shape consisting of two conical frustoconical shapes having in common their base of larger diameter.
  • This structure makes it possible at the same time to reduce the size of the device, which concentrates the same volume as a cylindrical shape over a much smaller length, and to optimize the measurement by using the entire internal volume of the device for measuring .
  • the two frustoconical shapes are of different heights. This makes it possible to optimize the measurement by making best use of the multiple reflections of the infrared radiation on the inner surface of the device.
  • the inner surface has a plurality of frustoconical rings.
  • the opening angles of the frustoconical rings of the plurality of rings are not all equal and the heights of the frustoconical rings of the plurality of rings are not all equal.
  • the gaseous fluid is alveolar air, that is to say air coming from the lungs of a candidate subjected, for example, to a test intended to detect in the air alveolar the presence of particular components (alcohol or other gaseous compounds).
  • the device has a length of less than 100 mm. It is indeed possible to reduce the size of the device significantly compared to known devices.
  • the device according to the invention is thus a portable device, much lighter and much less expensive than known devices.
  • the device is made of plastic, for example of the ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) type.
  • ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
  • This further reduces its cost (especially with respect to a metal measuring chamber), its mass and facilitate its manufacture, which can for example be performed by simple molding.
  • ABS also offers the advantage of having good impact resistance.
  • the inner surface has a coating consisting at least partially of gold. Gilding improves the reflection of infrared radiation.
  • the present invention also provides an alcohol meter, remarkable in that it comprises a measuring device as briefly described above.
  • the breathalyzer Due to the miniaturization of the measuring device, the breathalyzer also has a small footprint and is thus easy to transport.
  • the breathalyzer comprises a removable housing containing the measuring device. This further facilitates the use of the breathalyzer by promoting the mobility of the measuring device.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic outside perspective view of a measuring device according to the present invention, in a particular embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic sectional view of a measuring device of the type of that of Figure 1, in a particular embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic representation of an alcohol meter according to the present invention, in a particular embodiment where it is in the form of a suitcase including in particular a removable housing;
  • FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic representation showing the location of the measuring device according to the invention inside a removable housing of the type shown in Figure 3, in a particular embodiment.
  • a device 10 for measuring the infrared radiation absorbed by at least one of the constituents of a gaseous fluid in accordance with the invention has an outer shape 100 consisting of two shapes. hollow frustoconical 102 and 104 in one piece.
  • Each of the two frustoconical shapes 102, 104 has a smaller diameter base (smaller diameter base 1020 for the frustoconical shape 102 and smaller diameter base 1040 for the frustoconical shape 104) and a larger diameter base 1030, which is common to both frustoconical forms.
  • the two frustoconical shapes 102 and 104 are advantageously of different heights, denoted H1 and H2 in FIG. 1.
  • the height H1 is between 10 and 50 mm
  • the height H2 is between 30 and 70 mm
  • the diameter of the base of larger diameter common to the two frustoconical shapes 102 and 104 is between 15 and 50 mm.
  • the total length of the measuring device 10 does not exceed 100 mm, and is for example equal to 74 mm (for a base diameter of greater diameter equal to 27 mm), which is considerably shorter than the currently known measuring vessels.
  • the internal volume of the measuring device 10 is called the measurement chamber and is intended to receive the gaseous fluid to be analyzed, which flows into it.
  • the smaller diameter base 1020 of the frusto-conical shape 102, at one end of the measuring chamber, has an orifice in which or in front of which is disposed an infrared radiation emitting cell (not shown), which sends rays. infrared in the interior volume of the measuring device.
  • the smaller diameter base 1040 of the frustoconical shape 104, at the other end of the measuring chamber, has an orifice in which or facing which is disposed an infrared radiation receiving cell (not shown) which receives the radiation. having passed through the measuring chamber in a reception area.
  • Infrared radiation has a main beam and rays that diverge from the main beam.
  • FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic sectional view of the device
  • the measuring device 10 In the thickness of the wall of the device 10 are provided two circulation channels 210, 212 of the gaseous fluid. These channels serve to warm up the gaseous fluid to be analyzed.
  • the measuring device 10 is surrounded by a heating chamber (not shown), for example consisting of a flexible film, which regulates the temperature of the measuring chamber to a suitable value for the measurements.
  • the fluid arrives at E in the inlet channel 210 and is brought into temperature in the inlet channel before entering the measuring chamber defined by the inner surface 200. Then, the fluid leaves the measuring chamber. taking the exit channel 212 to exit in S.
  • the inner surface 200 is shaped as described in detail below, so that it focuses the infrared radiation towards the receiving orifice, that is to say in the direction of the cell. receiving infrared radiation.
  • the inner surface 200 has successive zones which consist, in the particular embodiment described, in a plurality of frustoconical rings 200 ⁇ , 200 2 , ..., 200N-
  • Each frustoconical ring has a predetermined height and aperture angle, not necessarily equal to the height and opening angle of the other rings.
  • the inner surface 200 has eight frustoconical rings, five of which in the part of the chamber corresponding to the outer frustoconical shape 102 and three in the part of the chamber corresponding to the outer frustoconical shape 104.
  • the heights of the aforementioned five rings are all different and between 2 and 5 mm and the heights of the three aforementioned rings are all different and between 14 and 18 mm.
  • the half opening angles of the five aforementioned rings are all different and between 13 ° and 34 ° and the opening half-angles of the three aforementioned rings are all different and between 5 ° and 9 °.
  • the part of the volume of the gaseous fluid taken into account for the measurement of the absorption of the infrared radiation by at least one of the constituents of the fluid is maximized by focusing of the infrared radiation emitted, thanks to the reflection of the rays which diverging from the main beam by the successive zones of the measuring chamber constituted, in the particular embodiment described, by the frustoconical rings.
  • the beam thus formed at the infrared radiation receiving zone is therefore a collimated beam.
  • the inner surface 200 of the measuring device may comprise a coating consisting at least partially of gold. Gilding improves the quality of the reflections and increases the accuracy of the measurements.
  • the device according to the invention can be used as a measurement chamber of an alcohol meter.
  • the gaseous fluid is for example alveolar air whose purpose is to determine the content of ethyl alcohol.
  • the breathalyzer is compact and can be made for example in the form of a portable, flexible or rigid bag or bag for the protection of the device during its transport.
  • Such a suitcase 30 is illustrated in Figure 3, in a particular embodiment.
  • the bag 30, advantageously but not necessarily provided with a carrying handle (not shown) and / or anti-slip feet (not shown), may have a length and a width of the order of those of a sheet of A4 paper , a width of about twenty centimeters and a length of not more than thirty centimeters, the bag 30 having a thickness of less than ten centimeters, preferably less than 70 mm.
  • the dimensions of the bag are 290x240x67 mm.
  • the contents of the bag 30 may be designed so that the total mass of the bag and its contents does not exceed 1 to 2 kg (for example 1.7 kg), including the measuring equipment, the power supply - for example of the type of independent power supply called “table" (230 V / 12 V DC) if an access to the mains is available, or a power supply by simple connection to the cigarette lighter (12 V) of a motor vehicle -, microcontroller-type processing means making it possible to integrate the logic and analog functions, an interface 302 for inputting and reading, for example of the touch-screen type, or touch-screen screen and keyboard, or a means 304 for printing paper, for example of the type thermal roller printer, as well as any other option such as for example a USB communication port for performing test operations, adjustment, calibration and parameterization or wireless communication means.
  • the power supply - for example of the type of independent power supply called "table" (230 V / 12 V DC) if an access to the mains is available, or a power supply by simple connection to the cigarette lighter (12 V) of
  • the measuring device 10 can be integrated as illustrated in FIG. 4 into a removable housing 306, which can be detached from a fixed base installed in a housing of the bag 30, the base fixed circuit ensuring the power supply of the components of the removable housing when it is placed in its housing, as well as the recharging of a battery 400 provided in the housing 306, via contacts 404 provided in the housing and corresponding contacts provided in the fixed base.
  • the removable housing 306 is very compact. In a particular embodiment, it is of dimensions 145x67x42 mm.
  • the present invention avoids the use of a constricting tube most often present in known devices, sometimes 1.50 meters long, which has the drawbacks of having a high manufacturing cost, to constitute a sensitive point of the breathalyzer and to limit the mobility of the whole; it also avoids the use of an exhaled air suction pump, most often present in known devices.
  • the bag 30, as well as the measuring chamber and the removable housing 306, may for example be made of plastic of the ABS type.
  • the breathalyzer according to the present invention is intended for use by the police, medical personnel, by public or private sector companies such as transport companies, or any private company, these examples not being in no way limiting.

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Abstract

The device (10) for measuring infrared radiation absorbed by at least one of the constituents of a gaseous fluid, the content of which at least one constituent it is desired to determine, comprises a measurement chamber through which the gaseous fluid flows. Infrared radiation, comprising a main beam and rays that diverge from the main beam, is emitted from one of the ends of the chamber and reaches a receiving zone located at the other end of the chamber. The device further includes an internal surface (200) shaped so as to maximize that part of the volume of the gaseous fluid flowing in the chamber which is taken into account in order to determine, by focusing the emitted infrared radiation, through reflection, by successive zones (2001, 2002, ..., 200N) of the chamber, the rays that diverge from the main beam in order to form a collimated beam in the receiving zone. Application in particular to breath alcohol testers.

Description

PROCEDE ET DISPOSITIF DE MESURE D'ABSORPTION  METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ABSORPTION MEASUREMENT
D'INFRAROUGES ET ETHYLOMETRE COMPORTANT UN TEL  OF INFRARED AND ETHYLOMETER COMPRISING SUCH
DISPOSITIF La présente invention se rapporte à un procédé et à un dispositif de mesure d'absorption d'infrarouges et à un éthylomètre comportant un tel dispositif. Plus précisément, le procédé et le dispositif conformes à l'invention se rapportent à la mesure du rayonnement infrarouge absorbé par au moins l'un des constituants, dont on cherche à déterminer la teneur, d'un fluide gazeux.  The present invention relates to a method and an infrared absorption measuring device and to an ethylenometer comprising such a device. More specifically, the method and the device according to the invention relate to the measurement of the infrared radiation absorbed by at least one of the constituents, the content of which is to be determined, of a gaseous fluid.
Une technique de mesure bien connue pour déterminer la concentration en un composant gazeux particulier d'un mélange de gaz est la méthode de Beer Lambert, qui consiste à introduire le mélange dans une chambre de mesure munie, en une première position, d'un émetteur de rayonnement infrarouge et, en une seconde position, d'un récepteur de rayonnement infrarouge. L'atténuation du rayonnement infrarouge reçu par le récepteur, due à l'absorption du rayonnement par le gaz dont on cherche à déterminer la concentration, permet d'obtenir une mesure de cette concentration.  A well-known measurement technique for determining the concentration of a particular gaseous component of a gas mixture is the Beer Lambert method, which consists in introducing the mixture into a measuring chamber provided, in a first position, with a transmitter infrared radiation and, in a second position, an infrared radiation receiver. The attenuation of the infrared radiation received by the receiver, due to the absorption of radiation by the gas whose concentration is to be determined, makes it possible to obtain a measurement of this concentration.
Pour obtenir une sensibilité de détection satisfaisante, on cherche à recueillir un rayonnement infrarouge suffisant au niveau du récepteur.  To obtain a satisfactory detection sensitivity, it is sought to collect sufficient infrared radiation at the receiver.
Les chambres de mesure connues consistent le plus souvent en des cuves de forme cylindrique, présentant à chaque extrémité un orifice où sont disposés respectivement l'émetteur et le récepteur de rayonnement infrarouge.  The known measuring chambers most often consist of cylindrical tanks having, at each end, an orifice in which the emitter and the infrared radiation receiver are respectively arranged.
Cependant, ce type de cuve présente plusieurs inconvénients majeurs.  However, this type of tank has several major disadvantages.
D'une part, l'obtention d'une précision satisfaisante sur la mesure implique que la cuve ait une longueur suffisante, typiquement de l'ordre de 250 à 400 mm, voire plus. Cela contribue à un encombrement important de l'appareil comportant ce type de cuve, le rendant difficilement transportable.  On the one hand, obtaining a satisfactory accuracy on the measurement implies that the tank has a sufficient length, typically of the order of 250 to 400 mm or more. This contributes to a large size of the apparatus comprising this type of tank, making it difficult to transport.
D'autre part, les réflexions du rayonnement infrarouge sur les parois internes de la cuve, notamment les n-ièmes réflexions avec n > 1 , perturbent le récepteur car elles engendrent un bruit optique parfois significatif Cela est préjudiciable à la qualité et à la fiabilité des mesures obtenues avec ce type de cuve.  On the other hand, the reflections of the infrared radiation on the internal walls of the tank, especially the n-th reflections with n> 1, disturb the receiver because they generate a sometimes significant optical noise This is detrimental to the quality and reliability measurements obtained with this type of tank.
En outre, en raison de la forme cylindrique de la cuve, une part significative du volume de gaz présent dans la cuve n'est pas prise en compte pour la mesure, car ni le rayonnement infrarouge direct, ni le rayonnement infrarouge réfléchi n'atteignent certaines régions du cylindre, qui constituent donc des "volumes morts" non exploitables. In addition, because of the cylindrical shape of the tank, a significant part of the volume of gas present in the tank is not taken into account for the measurement because neither the direct infrared radiation nor the reflected infrared radiation reaches certain regions of the cylinder, which therefore constitute non-exploitable "dead volumes".
La présente invention a notamment pour but de remédier aux inconvénients précités de l'art antérieur.  The present invention is intended in particular to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.
Dans ce but, l'invention propose un procédé de mesure d'un rayonnement infrarouge absorbé par au moins l'un des constituants, dont on veut déterminer la teneur, d'un fluide gazeux s'écoulant dans une chambre de mesure, dans lequel  For this purpose, the invention proposes a method for measuring an infrared radiation absorbed by at least one of the constituents, the content of which is to be determined, of a gaseous fluid flowing in a measurement chamber, in which
un rayonnement infrarouge est émis depuis l'une des extrémités de la chambre, ce rayonnement comportant un faisceau principal et des rayons qui divergent du faisceau principal,  an infrared radiation is emitted from one of the ends of the chamber, this radiation comprising a main beam and rays diverging from the main beam,
ce rayonnement parvient à une zone de réception située à l'autre extrémité de la chambre,  this radiation reaches a reception area at the other end of the chamber,
le procédé étant remarquable en ce que la part du volume du fluide gazeux s'écoulant dans la chambre qui est prise en compte pour la détermination précitée est maximisée par focalisation du rayonnement infrarouge émis, grâce à la réflexion, par des zones successives de la chambre, des rayons qui divergent du faisceau principal, pour former au niveau de la zone de réception un faisceau collimaté. the method being remarkable in that the part of the volume of the gaseous fluid flowing into the chamber which is taken into account for the aforementioned determination is maximized by focusing the infrared radiation emitted, thanks to the reflection, by successive zones of the chamber radii diverging from the main beam to form a collimated beam at the receiving zone.
Ce procédé permet d'optimiser le rendement optique et de maîtriser les réflexions du rayonnement infrarouge sur la surface intérieure de la chambre de mesure, ce qui permet d'augmenter la précision de la mesure. En effet, la conformation de la surface intérieure permet de réduire et de prendre en compte la totalité du volume du fluide gazeux à analyser, et de réduire le trajet optique linéaire par l'optimisation des réflexions internes tout en gardant un trajet optique total identique, voire supérieur à celui des chambres ou cuves de mesure cylindriques connues.  This method optimizes the optical efficiency and control reflections of infrared radiation on the inner surface of the measuring chamber, which increases the accuracy of the measurement. Indeed, the conformation of the inner surface makes it possible to reduce and take into account the totality of the volume of the gaseous fluid to be analyzed, and to reduce the linear optical path by optimizing the internal reflections while keeping an identical total optical path, even greater than that of known cylindrical measuring chambers or chambers.
Dans un mode particulier de réalisation, les zones successives précitées de la chambre de mesure consistent en une pluralité d'anneaux tronconiques.  In a particular embodiment, the aforementioned successive zones of the measuring chamber consist of a plurality of frustoconical rings.
Cela permet d'optimiser les réflexions des rayons qui divergent du faisceau principal et ainsi d'augmenter la précision de la mesure.  This makes it possible to optimize the reflections of the rays which diverge from the main beam and thus to increase the accuracy of the measurement.
Dans le même but que celui indiqué plus haut, la présente invention propose également un dispositif de mesure d'un rayonnement infrarouge absorbé par au moins l'un des constituants, dont on cherche à déterminer la teneur, d'un fluide gazeux, le dispositif comportant une chambre de mesure dans laquelle s'écoule le fluide gazeux, dans lequel For the same purpose as that indicated above, the present invention also proposes a device for measuring an infrared radiation absorbed by at least one of the constituents, the content of which is to be determined, of a gaseous fluid, the device comprising a measuring chamber in which the gaseous fluid flows, in which
un rayonnement infrarouge est émis depuis l'une des extrémités de la chambre, ce rayonnement comportant un faisceau principal et des rayons qui divergent du faisceau principal,  an infrared radiation is emitted from one of the ends of the chamber, this radiation comprising a main beam and rays diverging from the main beam,
ce rayonnement parvient à une zone de réception située à l'autre extrémité de la chambre,  this radiation reaches a reception area at the other end of the chamber,
le dispositif étant remarquable en ce qu'il comporte en outre une surface intérieure conformée de façon à maximiser la part du volume du fluide gazeux s'écoulant dans ladite chambre qui est prise en compte pour la détermination précitée, par focalisation du rayonnement infrarouge émis, grâce à la réflexion, par des zones successives de la chambre, des rayons qui divergent du faisceau principal, pour former au niveau de la zone de réception un faisceau collimaté. the device being remarkable in that it further comprises an inner surface shaped so as to maximize the part of the volume of the gaseous fluid flowing in said chamber which is taken into account for the aforementioned determination, by focusing of the emitted infrared radiation, thanks to the reflection, by successive zones of the chamber, rays diverging from the main beam, to form at the receiving zone a collimated beam.
Les avantages de ce dispositif sont similaires à ceux, mentionnés plus haut, du procédé. En outre, la conformation de la surface intérieure contribue à la miniaturisation du dispositif.  The advantages of this device are similar to those mentioned above of the method. In addition, the conformation of the inner surface contributes to the miniaturization of the device.
Dans un mode particulier de réalisation, le dispositif présente en outre une forme extérieure constituée de deux formes tronconiques d'un seul tenant ayant en commun leur base de plus grand diamètre.  In a particular embodiment, the device also has an outer shape consisting of two conical frustoconical shapes having in common their base of larger diameter.
Cette structure permet tout à la fois de réduire l'encombrement du dispositif, qui concentre le même volume qu'une forme cylindrique sur une longueur nettement inférieure, et d'optimiser la mesure en utilisant l'intégralité du volume intérieur du dispositif pour la mesure.  This structure makes it possible at the same time to reduce the size of the device, which concentrates the same volume as a cylindrical shape over a much smaller length, and to optimize the measurement by using the entire internal volume of the device for measuring .
Selon une caractéristique particulière, les deux formes tronconiques sont de hauteurs différentes. Cela permet d'optimiser la mesure en exploitant au mieux les réflexions multiples du rayonnement infrarouge sur la surface intérieure du dispositif.  According to a particular characteristic, the two frustoconical shapes are of different heights. This makes it possible to optimize the measurement by making best use of the multiple reflections of the infrared radiation on the inner surface of the device.
Selon une caractéristique particulière, la surface intérieure présente une pluralité d'anneaux tronconiques.  According to a particular characteristic, the inner surface has a plurality of frustoconical rings.
Cette originalité dans la structure du dispositif permet d'utiliser de façon optimisée les réflexions multiples du rayonnement infrarouge sur la surface intérieure du dispositif, ce qui augmente encore la précision de la mesure. Selon des caractéristiques particulières, les angles d'ouverture des anneaux tronconiques de la pluralité d'anneaux ne sont pas tous égaux et les hauteurs des anneaux tronconiques de la pluralité d'anneaux ne sont pas toutes égales. This originality in the structure of the device makes it possible to optimally use the multiple reflections of the infrared radiation on the inner surface of the device, which further increases the accuracy of the measurement. According to particular features, the opening angles of the frustoconical rings of the plurality of rings are not all equal and the heights of the frustoconical rings of the plurality of rings are not all equal.
Cela permet d'améliorer encore la précision de la mesure.  This further improves the accuracy of the measurement.
Selon une application particulière, le fluide gazeux est de l'air alvéolaire, c'est-à-dire de l'air provenant des poumons d'un candidat soumis, par exemple, à un test ayant pour objectif de détecter dans l'air alvéolaire la présence de composants particuliers (alcool ou autres composés gazeux).  According to a particular application, the gaseous fluid is alveolar air, that is to say air coming from the lungs of a candidate subjected, for example, to a test intended to detect in the air alveolar the presence of particular components (alcohol or other gaseous compounds).
Dans un mode particulier de réalisation, le dispositif présente une longueur inférieure à 100 mm. Il est en effet possible de réduire l'encombrement du dispositif de façon significative par rapport aux appareils connus. Le dispositif conforme à l'invention est ainsi un dispositif portatif, beaucoup plus léger et beaucoup moins coûteux que les dispositifs connus.  In a particular embodiment, the device has a length of less than 100 mm. It is indeed possible to reduce the size of the device significantly compared to known devices. The device according to the invention is thus a portable device, much lighter and much less expensive than known devices.
Dans un mode particulier de réalisation, le dispositif est réalisé en matière plastique, par exemple du type ABS (acrylonitrile butadiène styrène). Cela permet de réduire encore son coût (notamment par rapport à une chambre de mesure métallique), sa masse et de faciliter sa fabrication, qui peut par exemple être effectuée par simple moulage. L'ABS offre en outre l'avantage de présenter une bonne résistance aux chocs.  In a particular embodiment, the device is made of plastic, for example of the ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) type. This further reduces its cost (especially with respect to a metal measuring chamber), its mass and facilitate its manufacture, which can for example be performed by simple molding. ABS also offers the advantage of having good impact resistance.
Dans un mode particulier de réalisation, la surface intérieure comporte un revêtement constitué au moins partiellement d'or. La dorure permet d'améliorer la réflexion du rayonnement infrarouge.  In a particular embodiment, the inner surface has a coating consisting at least partially of gold. Gilding improves the reflection of infrared radiation.
Dans le même but que celui indiqué plus haut, la présente invention propose également un éthylomètre, remarquable en ce qu'il comporte un dispositif de mesure tel que décrit succinctement ci-dessus.  For the same purpose as that indicated above, the present invention also provides an alcohol meter, remarkable in that it comprises a measuring device as briefly described above.
Du fait de la miniaturisation du dispositif de mesure, l'éthylomètre présente également un encombrement réduit et est ainsi facile à transporter.  Due to the miniaturization of the measuring device, the breathalyzer also has a small footprint and is thus easy to transport.
Dans un mode particulier de réalisation, l'éthylomètre comporte un boîtier amovible contenant le dispositif de mesure. Cela facilite encore l'utilisation de l'éthylomètre en favorisant la mobilité du dispositif de mesure.  In a particular embodiment, the breathalyzer comprises a removable housing containing the measuring device. This further facilitates the use of the breathalyzer by promoting the mobility of the measuring device.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description qui suit de modes particuliers de réalisation de l'invention, donnés à titre d'exemples nullement limitatifs et en référence aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels : Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of particular embodiments of the invention given in As nonlimiting examples and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
- la figure 1 est une vue extérieure schématique simplifiée en perspective d'un dispositif de mesure conforme à la présente invention, dans un mode particulier de réalisation ;  - Figure 1 is a simplified schematic outside perspective view of a measuring device according to the present invention, in a particular embodiment;
- la figure 2 est une vue en coupe schématique simplifiée d'un dispositif de mesure du type de celui de la figure 1, dans un mode particulier de réalisation ;  - Figure 2 is a simplified schematic sectional view of a measuring device of the type of that of Figure 1, in a particular embodiment;
- la figure 3 est une représentation schématique simplifiée d'un éthylomètre conforme à la présente invention, dans un mode particulier de réalisation où il est réalisé sous forme d'une valise comportant notamment un boîtier amovible ; et  FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic representation of an alcohol meter according to the present invention, in a particular embodiment where it is in the form of a suitcase including in particular a removable housing; and
- la figure 4 est une représentation schématique simplifiée montrant l'emplacement du dispositif de mesure conforme à l'invention à l'intérieur d'un boîtier amovible du type de celui représenté sur la figure 3, dans un mode particulier de réalisation.  - Figure 4 is a simplified schematic representation showing the location of the measuring device according to the invention inside a removable housing of the type shown in Figure 3, in a particular embodiment.
Comme le montre la figure 1, dans un mode particulier de réalisation, un dispositif 10 de mesure du rayonnement infrarouge absorbé par au moins l'un des constituants d'un fluide gazeux conforme à l'invention présente une forme extérieure 100 constituée de deux formes tronconiques creuses 102 et 104 d'un seul tenant.  As shown in FIG. 1, in a particular embodiment, a device 10 for measuring the infrared radiation absorbed by at least one of the constituents of a gaseous fluid in accordance with the invention has an outer shape 100 consisting of two shapes. hollow frustoconical 102 and 104 in one piece.
Chacune des deux formes tronconiques 102, 104 présente une base de plus petit diamètre (base de plus petit diamètre 1020 pour la forme tronconique 102 et base de plus petit diamètre 1040 pour la forme tronconique 104) et une base de plus grand diamètre 1030, qui est commune aux deux formes tronconiques.  Each of the two frustoconical shapes 102, 104 has a smaller diameter base (smaller diameter base 1020 for the frustoconical shape 102 and smaller diameter base 1040 for the frustoconical shape 104) and a larger diameter base 1030, which is common to both frustoconical forms.
Les deux formes tronconiques 102 et 104 sont avantageusement de hauteurs différentes, notées Hl et H2 sur la figure 1. A titre d'exemple nullement limitatif, la hauteur Hl est comprise entre 10 et 50 mm, la hauteur H2 est comprise entre 30 et 70 mm et le diamètre de la base de plus grand diamètre commune aux deux formes tronconiques 102 et 104 est compris entre 15 et 50 mm. Ainsi, dans un mode particulier de réalisation, la longueur totale du dispositif 10 de mesure ne dépasse pas 100 mm, et est par exemple égale à 74 mm (pour un diamètre de base de plus grand diamètre égal à 27 mm), ce qui est considérablement plus court que les cuves de mesure connues actuellement. Le volume intérieur du dispositif 10 de mesure est appelé la chambre de mesure et est destiné à recevoir le fluide gazeux à analyser, qui s'y écoule. The two frustoconical shapes 102 and 104 are advantageously of different heights, denoted H1 and H2 in FIG. 1. By way of non-limiting example, the height H1 is between 10 and 50 mm, the height H2 is between 30 and 70 mm and the diameter of the base of larger diameter common to the two frustoconical shapes 102 and 104 is between 15 and 50 mm. Thus, in a particular embodiment, the total length of the measuring device 10 does not exceed 100 mm, and is for example equal to 74 mm (for a base diameter of greater diameter equal to 27 mm), which is considerably shorter than the currently known measuring vessels. The internal volume of the measuring device 10 is called the measurement chamber and is intended to receive the gaseous fluid to be analyzed, which flows into it.
La base de plus petit diamètre 1020 de la forme tronconique 102, à une extrémité de la chambre de mesure, présente un orifice dans lequel ou en regard duquel est disposée une cellule d'émission de rayonnement infrarouge (non représentée), qui envoie des rayons infrarouges dans le volume intérieur du dispositif 10 de mesure.  The smaller diameter base 1020 of the frusto-conical shape 102, at one end of the measuring chamber, has an orifice in which or in front of which is disposed an infrared radiation emitting cell (not shown), which sends rays. infrared in the interior volume of the measuring device.
La base de plus petit diamètre 1040 de la forme tronconique 104, à l'autre extrémité de la chambre de mesure, présente un orifice dans lequel ou en regard duquel est disposée une cellule de réception de rayonnement infrarouge (non représentée) qui reçoit le rayonnement ayant traversé la chambre de mesure, dans une zone de réception.  The smaller diameter base 1040 of the frustoconical shape 104, at the other end of the measuring chamber, has an orifice in which or facing which is disposed an infrared radiation receiving cell (not shown) which receives the radiation. having passed through the measuring chamber in a reception area.
Le rayonnement infrarouge comporte un faisceau principal et des rayons qui divergent du faisceau principal.  Infrared radiation has a main beam and rays that diverge from the main beam.
La figure 2 montre une vue schématique simplifiée en coupe du dispositif FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic sectional view of the device
10 de mesure faisant apparaître le détail de sa surface intérieure 200, dans un mode particulier de réalisation. 10 showing the detail of its inner surface 200, in a particular embodiment.
Dans l'épaisseur de la paroi du dispositif 10 sont prévus deux canaux de circulation 210, 212 du fluide gazeux. Ces canaux servent à la mise en température du fluide gazeux à analyser. En effet, le dispositif 10 de mesure est entouré d'une enceinte chauffante (non représentée), par exemple constituée d'un film souple, qui permet de réguler la température de la chambre de mesure à une valeur adéquate pour les mesures. Ainsi, le fluide arrive en E dans le canal d'entrée 210 et est mis en température dans le canal d'entrée avant de pénétrer dans la chambre de mesure délimitée par la surface intérieure 200. Puis le fluide ressort de la chambre de mesure en empruntant le canal de sortie 212 pour ressortir en S.  In the thickness of the wall of the device 10 are provided two circulation channels 210, 212 of the gaseous fluid. These channels serve to warm up the gaseous fluid to be analyzed. Indeed, the measuring device 10 is surrounded by a heating chamber (not shown), for example consisting of a flexible film, which regulates the temperature of the measuring chamber to a suitable value for the measurements. Thus, the fluid arrives at E in the inlet channel 210 and is brought into temperature in the inlet channel before entering the measuring chamber defined by the inner surface 200. Then, the fluid leaves the measuring chamber. taking the exit channel 212 to exit in S.
Conformément à l'invention, la surface intérieure 200 est conformée comme décrit en détail ci-après, de telle façon qu'elle focalise le rayonnement infrarouge vers l'orifice de réception, c'est-à-dire en direction de la cellule de réception de rayonnement infrarouge.  According to the invention, the inner surface 200 is shaped as described in detail below, so that it focuses the infrared radiation towards the receiving orifice, that is to say in the direction of the cell. receiving infrared radiation.
Comme le montre la figure 2, la surface intérieure 200 présente des zones successives qui consistent, dans le mode particulier de réalisation décrit, en une pluralité d'anneaux tronconiques 200ι, 2002, ..., 200N- Chaque anneau tronconique présente une hauteur et un angle d'ouverture prédéterminés, non nécessairement égaux à la hauteur et à l'angle d'ouverture des autres anneaux. As shown in Figure 2, the inner surface 200 has successive zones which consist, in the particular embodiment described, in a plurality of frustoconical rings 200ι, 200 2 , ..., 200N- Each frustoconical ring has a predetermined height and aperture angle, not necessarily equal to the height and opening angle of the other rings.
Dans un mode particulier de réalisation, la surface intérieure 200 présente huit anneaux tronconiques, dont cinq dans la partie de la chambre correspondant à la forme tronconique extérieure 102 et trois dans la partie de la chambre correspondant à la forme tronconique extérieure 104.  In a particular embodiment, the inner surface 200 has eight frustoconical rings, five of which in the part of the chamber corresponding to the outer frustoconical shape 102 and three in the part of the chamber corresponding to the outer frustoconical shape 104.
Dans ce mode particulier de réalisation, les hauteurs des cinq anneaux précités sont toutes différentes et comprises entre 2 et 5 mm et les hauteurs des trois anneaux précités sont toutes différentes et comprises entre 14 et 18 mm. Les demi- angles d'ouverture des cinq anneaux précités sont tous différents et compris entre 13° et 34° et les demi-angles d'ouverture des trois anneaux précités sont tous différents et compris entre 5° et 9°.  In this particular embodiment, the heights of the aforementioned five rings are all different and between 2 and 5 mm and the heights of the three aforementioned rings are all different and between 14 and 18 mm. The half opening angles of the five aforementioned rings are all different and between 13 ° and 34 ° and the opening half-angles of the three aforementioned rings are all different and between 5 ° and 9 °.
Bien entendu, de nombreuses variantes de réalisation en faisant varier le nombre d'anneaux et leurs angles d'ouverture sont possibles, sachant qu'une diminution du nombre d'anneaux tend à diminuer la répétabilité des mesures, tandis qu'une augmentation du nombre d'anneaux tend à rendre la fabrication plus délicate.  Of course, many variants by varying the number of rings and their opening angles are possible, knowing that a decrease in the number of rings tends to reduce the repeatability of the measurements, while an increase in the number of rings rings tends to make the manufacture more delicate.
Conformément à la présente invention, la part du volume du fluide gazeux prise en compte pour la mesure de l'absorption du rayonnement infrarouge par au moins un des constituants du fluide est maximisée par focalisation du rayonnement infrarouge émis, grâce à la réflexion des rayons qui divergent du faisceau principal par les zones successives de la chambre de mesure constituées, dans le mode particulier de réalisation décrit, par les anneaux tronconiques. Le faisceau ainsi formé au niveau de la zone de réception du rayonnement infrarouge est donc un faisceau collimaté.  According to the present invention, the part of the volume of the gaseous fluid taken into account for the measurement of the absorption of the infrared radiation by at least one of the constituents of the fluid is maximized by focusing of the infrared radiation emitted, thanks to the reflection of the rays which diverging from the main beam by the successive zones of the measuring chamber constituted, in the particular embodiment described, by the frustoconical rings. The beam thus formed at the infrared radiation receiving zone is therefore a collimated beam.
De façon optionnelle, la surface intérieure 200 du dispositif de mesure peut comporter un revêtement constitué au moins partiellement d'or. La dorure améliore la qualité des réflexions et augmente ainsi la précision des mesures.  Optionally, the inner surface 200 of the measuring device may comprise a coating consisting at least partially of gold. Gilding improves the quality of the reflections and increases the accuracy of the measurements.
Le dispositif conforme à l'invention peut être utilisé comme chambre de mesure d'un éthylomètre. Dans cette application, le fluide gazeux est par exemple de l'air alvéolaire dont on cherche à déterminer la teneur en alcool éthylique.  The device according to the invention can be used as a measurement chamber of an alcohol meter. In this application, the gaseous fluid is for example alveolar air whose purpose is to determine the content of ethyl alcohol.
Grâce à la structure particulière de la chambre de mesure, décrite ci-dessus, l'éthylomètre est d'encombrement réduit et peut être réalisé par exemple sous forme d'une valise ou sacoche portative, souple ou rigide, pour la protection de l'appareil lors de son transport. Thanks to the particular structure of the measuring chamber, described above, the breathalyzer is compact and can be made for example in the form of a portable, flexible or rigid bag or bag for the protection of the device during its transport.
Une telle valise 30 est illustrée sur la figure 3, dans un mode particulier de réalisation.  Such a suitcase 30 is illustrated in Figure 3, in a particular embodiment.
La valise 30, avantageusement mais non nécessairement munie d'une poignée de transport (non représentée) et/ou de pieds antiglisse (non représentés), peut présenter une longueur et une largeur de l'ordre de celles d'une feuille de papier A4, soit une largeur d'une vingtaine de centimètres et une longueur ne dépassant pas une trentaine de centimètres, la valise 30 ayant par ailleurs une épaisseur inférieure à une dizaine de centimètres, avantageusement moins de 70 mm. Dans une réalisation avantageuse, les dimensions de la valise sont 290x240x67 mm.  The bag 30, advantageously but not necessarily provided with a carrying handle (not shown) and / or anti-slip feet (not shown), may have a length and a width of the order of those of a sheet of A4 paper , a width of about twenty centimeters and a length of not more than thirty centimeters, the bag 30 having a thickness of less than ten centimeters, preferably less than 70 mm. In an advantageous embodiment, the dimensions of the bag are 290x240x67 mm.
Le contenu de la valise 30 peut être conçu de façon que la masse totale de la valise et de son contenu ne dépasse pas 1 à 2 kg (par exemple 1,7 kg), incluant l'équipement de mesure, l'alimentation électrique - par exemple du type alimentation indépendante dite "de table" (230 V/12 V DC) si un accès au secteur est disponible, ou une alimentation par simple branchement sur l'allume-cigare (12 V) d'un véhicule automobile -, un moyen de traitement du type micro contrôleur permettant d'intégrer les fonctions logiques et analogiques, une interface 302 de saisie et de lecture, par exemple du type écran tactile, ou écran et clavier tactile ou non, un moyen 304 d'impression papier, par exemple du type imprimante thermique à rouleau, ainsi que toute autre option éventuelle comme par exemple un port de communication USB pour la réalisation d'opérations de test, de réglage, de calibrage et de paramétrage ou des moyens de communication sans fil.  The contents of the bag 30 may be designed so that the total mass of the bag and its contents does not exceed 1 to 2 kg (for example 1.7 kg), including the measuring equipment, the power supply - for example of the type of independent power supply called "table" (230 V / 12 V DC) if an access to the mains is available, or a power supply by simple connection to the cigarette lighter (12 V) of a motor vehicle -, microcontroller-type processing means making it possible to integrate the logic and analog functions, an interface 302 for inputting and reading, for example of the touch-screen type, or touch-screen screen and keyboard, or a means 304 for printing paper, for example of the type thermal roller printer, as well as any other option such as for example a USB communication port for performing test operations, adjustment, calibration and parameterization or wireless communication means.
Pour faciliter la prise de mesure, on peut prévoir que le dispositif de mesure 10 soit intégré comme illustré sur la figure 4 dans un boîtier amovible 306, qui peut être détaché d'une base fixe installée dans un logement de la valise 30, la base fixe assurant l'alimentation électrique des composants du boîtier amovible lorsqu'il est placé dans son logement, ainsi que la recharge d'une batterie 400 prévue dans le boîtier 306, par l'intermédiaire de contacts 404 prévus dans le boîtier et de contacts correspondants prévus dans la base fixe.  To facilitate measurement, provision can be made for the measuring device 10 to be integrated as illustrated in FIG. 4 into a removable housing 306, which can be detached from a fixed base installed in a housing of the bag 30, the base fixed circuit ensuring the power supply of the components of the removable housing when it is placed in its housing, as well as the recharging of a battery 400 provided in the housing 306, via contacts 404 provided in the housing and corresponding contacts provided in the fixed base.
Pour effectuer la mesure, il suffit ainsi d'approcher le boîtier amovible 306 d'un candidat à la mesure, qui souffle alors dans un embout jetable (non représenté) qui est directement inséré dans un porte-embout 402 prévu dans le boîtier 306. Entre deux mesures, on peut replacer le boîtier amovible 306 sur sa base pour effectuer une opération de rinçage de la chambre de mesure par injection d'air propre, purifié par exemple au moyen d'une cartouche de charbon actif et d'un filtre à particules. To measure, it is sufficient to approach the removable housing 306 of a candidate to measure, which then blows into a disposable tip (not shown) which is directly inserted into a bit holder 402 provided in the housing 306. Between two measurements, we can replace the removable housing 306 on its base to perform a rinsing operation of the measuring chamber by injecting clean air, purified for example by means of an activated carbon cartridge and a filter. particles.
Du fait des dimensions réduites du dispositif de mesure 10, le boîtier amovible 306 est très peu encombrant. Dans un mode particulier de réalisation, il est de dimensions 145x67x42 mm.  Due to the reduced dimensions of the measuring device 10, the removable housing 306 is very compact. In a particular embodiment, it is of dimensions 145x67x42 mm.
Conformément à la présente invention, on s'affranchit ainsi de l'utilisation contraignante d'un tube le plus souvent présent dans les dispositifs connus, parfois long de 1,50 mètre, qui a pour inconvénients d'avoir un coût de fabrication élevé, de constituer un point sensible de l'éthylomètre et de limiter la mobilité de l'ensemble ; on s'affranchit aussi de l'utilisation d'une pompe d'aspiration de l'air exhalé, le plus souvent présente dans les dispositifs connus.  In accordance with the present invention, it avoids the use of a constricting tube most often present in known devices, sometimes 1.50 meters long, which has the drawbacks of having a high manufacturing cost, to constitute a sensitive point of the breathalyzer and to limit the mobility of the whole; it also avoids the use of an exhaled air suction pump, most often present in known devices.
La valise 30, de même que la chambre de mesure et le boîtier amovible 306, peut par exemple être réalisée en matière plastique du type ABS.  The bag 30, as well as the measuring chamber and the removable housing 306, may for example be made of plastic of the ABS type.
On peut en outre prévoir de faciliter la communication des données de mesure entre le boîtier amovible 306 et au moins certains des éléments contenus dans la valise 30 en mettant en œuvre une transmission radiofréquence des données, connue en soi, entre le boîtier 306 et les éléments précités. Cela permet notamment de connaître en temps réel l'état du dispositif de mesure 10 contenu dans le boîtier amovible.  Provision can further be made to facilitate the communication of the measurement data between the removable housing 306 and at least some of the elements contained in the bag 30 by implementing a radiofrequency transmission of the data, known per se, between the housing 306 and the elements supra. This allows in particular to know in real time the state of the measuring device 10 contained in the removable housing.
L'éthylomètre conforme à la présente invention est destiné à une utilisation par les forces de l'ordre, le personnel médical, par des entreprises du domaine public ou privé telles que des entreprises de transport, ou toute société privée, ces exemples n'étant nullement limitatifs.  The breathalyzer according to the present invention is intended for use by the police, medical personnel, by public or private sector companies such as transport companies, or any private company, these examples not being in no way limiting.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
Procédé de mesure d'un rayonnement infrarouge absorbé par au moins l'un des constituants, dont on veut déterminer la teneur, d'un fluide gazeux s'écoulant dans une chambre de mesure, dans lequel A method of measuring infrared radiation absorbed by at least one of the constituents, the content of which is to be determined, of a gaseous fluid flowing in a measuring chamber, wherein
un rayonnement infrarouge est émis depuis l'une des extrémités de la chambre, ledit rayonnement comportant un faisceau principal et des rayons qui divergent du faisceau principal,  an infrared radiation is emitted from one of the ends of the chamber, said radiation comprising a main beam and rays diverging from the main beam,
ledit rayonnement parvient à une zone de réception située à l'autre extrémité de la chambre,  said radiation reaches a reception area at the other end of the chamber,
ledit procédé étant caractérisé en ce que la part du volume du fluide gazeux s'écoulant dans ladite chambre qui est prise en compte pour ladite détermination est maximisée par focalisation du rayonnement infrarouge émis, grâce à la réflexion, par des zones successives (200i, 2002, 200N) de la chambre, des rayons qui divergent du faisceau principal, pour former au niveau de la zone de réception un faisceau collimaté. said method being characterized in that the part of the volume of the gaseous fluid flowing in said chamber which is taken into account for said determination is maximized by focusing of the infrared radiation emitted, thanks to the reflection, by successive zones (200i, 200 2 , 200N) of the chamber, rays diverging from the main beam, to form at the receiving zone a collimated beam.
Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdites zones successives consistent en une pluralité d'anneaux tronconiques (200i, 2002,
Figure imgf000012_0001
Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said successive zones consist of a plurality of frustoconical rings (200i, 200 2 ,
Figure imgf000012_0001
Dispositif (10) de mesure d'un rayonnement infrarouge absorbé par au moins l'un des constituants, dont on cherche à déterminer la teneur, d'un fluide gazeux, ledit dispositif comportant une chambre de mesure dans laquelle s'écoule ledit fluide gazeux, dans lequel Device (10) for measuring an infrared radiation absorbed by at least one of the constituents, the content of which is to be determined, of a gaseous fluid, said device comprising a measurement chamber in which said gaseous fluid flows , in which
un rayonnement infrarouge est émis depuis l'une des extrémités de la chambre, ledit rayonnement comportant un faisceau principal et des rayons qui divergent du faisceau principal,  an infrared radiation is emitted from one of the ends of the chamber, said radiation comprising a main beam and rays diverging from the main beam,
ledit rayonnement parvient à une zone de réception située à l'autre extrémité de la chambre,  said radiation reaches a reception area at the other end of the chamber,
ledit dispositif étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre une surface intérieure (200) conformée de façon à maximiser la part du volume du fluide gazeux s'écoulant dans ladite chambre qui est prise en compte pour ladite détermination par focalisation du rayonnement infrarouge émis, grâce à la réflexion, par des zones successives (200i, 2002, 200N) de la chambre, des rayons qui divergent du faisceau principal, pour former au niveau de la zone de réception un faisceau collimaté. 4. Dispositif (10) selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce qu'il présente en outre une forme extérieure (100) constituée de deux formes tronconiques (102, 104) d'un seul tenant ayant en commun leur base de plus grand diamètre (1030). said device being characterized in that it further comprises an inner surface (200) shaped so as to maximize the part of the volume of the gaseous fluid flowing in said chamber which is taken into account for said determination by focusing of the infrared radiation emitted, thanks to reflection, by successive zones (200i, 200 2 , 200N) of the chamber, rays diverging from the main beam, to form at the receiving zone a collimated beam . 4. Device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that it further has an outer shape (100) consisting of two frustoconical shapes (102, 104) in one piece having in common their base of larger diameter (1030).
5. Dispositif (10) selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que les deux formes tronconiques (102, 104) sont de hauteurs différentes. 5. Device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the two frustoconical shapes (102, 104) are of different heights.
6. Dispositif (10) selon la revendication 3, 4 ou 5, caractérisé en ce que ladite surface intérieure (200) présente une pluralité d'anneaux tronconiques (200i,
Figure imgf000013_0001
6. Device (10) according to claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that said inner surface (200) has a plurality of frustoconical rings (200i,
Figure imgf000013_0001
7. Dispositif (10) selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que les angles d'ouverture des anneaux tronconiques de ladite pluralité d'anneaux (200i,7. Device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the opening angles of the frustoconical rings of said plurality of rings (200i,
2002, ..., 200N) ne sont pas tous égaux. 200 2 , ..., 200N) are not all equal.
8. Dispositif (10) selon la revendication 6 ou 7, caractérisé en ce que les hauteurs des anneaux tronconiques de ladite pluralité d'anneaux (200i, 2002, ..., 200N) ne sont pas toutes égales. 9. Dispositif (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 8, caractérisé en ce que ledit fluide gazeux est de l'air alvéolaire. 8. Device (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the heights of the frustoconical rings of said plurality of rings (200i, 200 2 , ..., 200N) are not all equal. 9. Device (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that said gaseous fluid is alveolar air.
10. Dispositif (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 9, caractérisé en ce qu'il présente une longueur inférieure à 100 mm. 10. Device (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that it has a length less than 100 mm.
11. Dispositif (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 10, caractérisé en ce qu'il est réalisé en matière plastique. 11. Device (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that it is made of plastic.
12. Dispositif (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 11, caractérisé en ce que ladite surface intérieure (200) comporte un revêtement constitué au moins partiellement d'or. 12. Device (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that said inner surface (200) comprises a coating consisting at least partially of gold.
13. Ethylomètre, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un dispositif (10) de mesure selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 12. 13. A breathalyzer, characterized in that it comprises a measuring device (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 12.
14. Ethylomètre selon la revendication 13, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un boîtier amovible (306) contenant ledit dispositif (10) de mesure. 14. A breathalyzer according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a removable housing (306) containing said measuring device (10).
PCT/FR2010/051683 2010-08-09 2010-08-09 Method and device for measuring infrared absorption and breath alcohol tester comprising such a device WO2012020178A1 (en)

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030230716A1 (en) * 2002-04-12 2003-12-18 Infrared Industries, Inc. Multi-gas analyzer
US20070145275A1 (en) * 2005-12-23 2007-06-28 Wong Jacob Y Method for detecting a gas species using a super tube waveguide
FR2941530A1 (en) * 2009-01-28 2010-07-30 S Seres Environnement Sa PORTABLE ETHYLOMETER APPARATUS

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030230716A1 (en) * 2002-04-12 2003-12-18 Infrared Industries, Inc. Multi-gas analyzer
US20070145275A1 (en) * 2005-12-23 2007-06-28 Wong Jacob Y Method for detecting a gas species using a super tube waveguide
FR2941530A1 (en) * 2009-01-28 2010-07-30 S Seres Environnement Sa PORTABLE ETHYLOMETER APPARATUS

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