WO2015038165A1

WO2015038165A1 - Drive system for a gas analyzing instrument

Info

Publication number: WO2015038165A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/060005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benjamin S. MCELHANEY; Michael J. Morgan
Original assignee: Draeger Safety, Inc.
Priority date: 2013-09-16
Filing date: 2013-09-16
Publication date: 2015-03-19

Abstract

Described herein is a gas detection system (5) including a housing (20) having an opening (90); an analyzer (25) contained within the housing (20) and configured to measure an amount of a gas species detected by a removable gas sensor element (30); and a drive system (10) interfaced with the housing (20). The drive system (10) includes a motor (50); a first drive element (35) operatively coupled to the motor (50); and a second drive element (45). The gas detection system (5) can particularly be a colorimetric detection system where the gas sensor element is a colorimetric cartridge. The drive system (10) allows to move the cartridge between an inserted postion and an ejection position. Related apparatus, systems, methods and/or articles are described.

Description

DRIVE SYSTEM FOR A GAS ANALYZING INSTRUMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The subject matter described herein relates to gas detection, analysis, monitoring and environmental warning systems.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A person often must be present in environments where the air is dangerous or can become dangerous due to the presence of harmful gases and toxics. When the air in the environmental atmosphere becomes dangerous to a person, such as due to high concentration of the dangerous gases, it can be necessary for the person to know that fact. Various types of gas monitoring and sensing devices are used in such environmental atmospheres.

SUMMARY

[0003] In one aspect, disclosed is a gas detection system including a housing having an opening; an analyzer contained within the housing and configured to measure an amount of a gas species detected by a removable gas sensor element; and a drive system interfaced with the housing. The drive system includes a motor; a first drive element operatively coupled to the motor; and a second drive element.

[0004] The drive system can be configured to cause bi-directional linear movement of the gas sensor element relative to the housing and the analyzer. The first and second drive elements can be gears. The second drive element can be operatively coupled to the first drive element by a belt. The second drive element can be located a distance away from the first drive element, wherein the distance can be at least about 75 mm. The first and second drive elements can have surface features configured to engage surface features of the gas sensor element.

[0005] The system can further include a chassis coupled to an internal surface of the housing. The chassis can include a planar surface aligned with the opening and a first sidewall coupled to the planar surface. The analyzer can be positioned above at least a portion of the planar surface of the chassis. The drive system can be contained within the housing and interface with the first sidewall of the chassis. The planar surface of the chassis can be configured to support a lower surface of the gas sensor element. The planar surface of the chassis can further include one or more rails. The first sidewall can include one or more cut-outs through which at least a portion of the first and second drive elements extend. The first drive element can be configured to extend through a first of the one or more cut-outs to contact a side of the gas sensor element. The second drive element can be configured to extend through a second of the one or more cut-outs to contact the side of the gas sensor element.

[0006] The system can include one or more pressure rollers. The one or more pressure rollers can include a spring-biased wheel rotatable about an axis. A first of the one or more pressure rollers can be configured to bias the gas sensor element laterally towards at least one of the first and second drive elements. A second of the one or more pressure rollers can be configured to bias the gas sensor element downward.

[0007] The system can further include the gas sensor element. The gas sensor element can be configured to detect a gas species in an atmosphere. The gas sensor element can have a measurement region having one or more measurement tubes. The drive system can be configured to engage the gas sensor element and linearly translate the gas sensor element in a first direction into an insertion position when the gas sensor element is at least partially inserted through the opening. The gas sensor element in the insertion position can be fully contained within the housing and at least one of the measurement tubes of the measurement region can be aligned with the analyzer. Both the first and the second drive elements can contact at least a portion of the gas sensor element when the gas sensor element is in the insertion position. The drive system can be configured to engage the gas sensor element in the insertion position and linearly translate the gas sensor element in a second, opposite direction into an ejection position. The gas sensor element in the ejection position can be only partially contained within the housing and an end of the gas sensor element can extend a distance outside the housing. Only the first drive element remains can be in contact with the gas sensor element when the gas sensor element is in the ejection position. The distance the end of the gas sensor extends outside the housing can be at least about 16 mm. The system can further include a second motor. The second drive element can be operatively coupled to the second motor.

[0008] In an interrelated aspect, disclosed is a gas detection system including a removable gas sensor element configured to detect a gas species in an atmosphere. The gas sensor element has a lower surface, a first end, a second, opposite end, and a side having one or more surface features. The system includes a housing having an opening shaped to receive the gas sensor element. The system includes a chassis coupled to an internal surface of the housing. The chassis includes a first sidewall coupled to a planar surface aligned with the opening and configured to support the lower surface of the gas sensor element. The system includes an analyzer contained within the housing and configured to measure an amount of the gas species detected by the gas sensor element. The system includes a drive system contained within the housing that interfaces with the first sidewall of the chassis. The drive system includes a motor; a first drive element operatively coupled to the motor; and a second drive element. The drive system causes bi-directional linear movement of the gas sensor element along the planar surface relative to the housing and the analyzer.

[0009] The second drive element can be located a distance away from the first drive element that is at least about 75 mm. The planar surface of the chassis can further include one or more rails. The first sidewall can include one or more cut-outs through which at least a portion of the first and second drive elements extend to make contact with the side of the gas sensor element. The first drive element can contact the side of the gas sensor element through a first of the one or more cut-outs. The second drive element can contact the side of the gas sensor element through a second of the one or more cut-outs. The surface features of the gas sensor element can have a shape complementary to surface features of the first and second drive elements. The system can further include one or more pressure rollers. The one or more pressure rollers can include a spring-biased wheel rotatable about an axis. The chassis can further include a second sidewall. A first of the one or more pressure rollers can be coupled to the second sidewall of the chassis opposite the first sidewall including the one or more cut-outs. The first of the one or more pressure rollers can bias the gas sensor element laterally toward the first sidewall such that the side of the gas sensor element comes into contact with at least one of the first and second drive elements. A second of the one or more pressure rollers can be coupled to a portion of the housing above the planar surface such that the second pressure roller biases the gas sensor element downward toward the planar surface of the chassis. [0010] The gas sensor element can have a measurement region. The measurement region of the gas sensor element can include one or more measurement tubes. The drive system can be configured to engage the gas sensor element having the first end at least partially inserted through the opening and linearly translate the gas sensor element in a first direction into an insertion position. The gas sensor element in the insertion position can be fully contained within the housing and at least one of the measurement tubes of the measurement region is aligned with the analyzer. Both the first and the second drive elements can contact the side of the gas sensor element when the gas sensor element is in the insertion position. The drive system can be configured to engage the gas sensor element in the insertion position and linearly translate the gas sensor element in a second, opposite direction into an ejection position. The gas sensor element in the ejection position can be only partially contained within the housing and the second end extends a distance outside the housing. Only the first drive element can remain in contact with the side of the gas sensor element when the gas sensor element is in the ejection position. The distance the second end extends outside the housing can be at least about 16 mm. The drive system can further include a second motor, wherein the second drive element is operatively coupled to the second motor. The gas sensor element can be a planar element.

[0011] In an interrelated aspect, disclosed is a gas detection system including a housing containing an analyzer configured to measure an amount of a gas species detected by a removable gas sensor element and a drive system having a first drive element and a second drive element and configured to cause bi-directional linear movement of the gas sensor element relative to the housing between an insertion position and an ejection position. The first drive element is arranged relative to the second drive element within the housing such that the first drive element maintains contact with at least a portion of the gas sensor element when the gas sensor element is moved into the ejection position and beyond contact with the second drive element.

[0012] The second drive element can be arranged relative to the first drive element within the housing such that the second drive element maintains contact with at least a portion of the gas sensor element when the gas sensor element is moved into the insertion position and beyond contact with the first drive element. The gas detection system can further include the removable gas sensor element.

[0013] Non-transitory computer program products (i.e., physically embodied computer program products) are also described that store instructions, which when executed one or more data processors of one or more computing systems, causes at least one data processor to perform operations herein. Similarly, computer systems are also described that may include one or more data processors and memory coupled to the one or more data processors. The memory may temporarily or permanently store instructions that cause at least one processor to perform one or more of the operations described herein. In addition, methods can be implemented by one or more data processors either within a single computing system or distributed among two or more computing systems. Such computing systems can be connected and can exchange data and/or commands or other instructions or the like via one or more connections, including but not limited to a connection over a network (e.g. the Internet, a wireless wide area network, a local area network, a wide area network, a wired network, or the like), via a direct connection between one or more of the multiple computing systems, etc. [0014] The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an implementation of a gas detection system having a drive system;

[0016] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the drive system;

[0017] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the drive system of FIG. 2A having a gas sensor cartridge in an ejected position;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an implementation of a gas sensor cartridge for use with a gas detection system;

[0019] FIG. 4A is a perspective view, FIG. 4B is an end view, and FIG. 4C is a side view of a gas sensor cartridge ejected from a gas detection system;

[0020] FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the drive system and having a gas sensor cartridge in an ejected position relative to a portion of a housing.

[0021] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Described herein are devices, systems, methods and articles to monitor, detect and analyze various substances, such as gas species, in an environment. [0023] FIG. 1 is a box diagram illustrating an implementation of a drive system 10 for use with a gas detection system 5. The drive system 10 incorporates two drive elements arranged relative to each other and to the housing of the instrument providing for bi-directional linear movement of a removable gas sensor element along a greater distance relative to the housing of the gas detection system. The gas detection system 5 can be Chip - Measurement -System (CMS) (Dragerwerk AG&Co KGaA). The gas detection system 5 can have a housing 20 containing an analyzer 25 configured to measure an amount of a gas species detected by a removable gas sensor element such as a gas detection cartridge 30, also known as a "chip," and a drive system 10 configured to cause bi-directional linear movement of the gas sensor element relative to the housing between an insertion position and an ejection position. As will be described in more detail below, the drive system 10 can cause bi-directional linear movement the cartridge 30 relative to the analyzer 25 and the housing 20 a travel distance that upon ejection of the cartridge 30 from the housing 20 allows for a user to more easily grasp the cartridge 30 to remove it from the system 5.

[0024] The gas detection system 5 described herein can be used in a variety of locations, including, but not limited to confined space entry such as shafts, tunnels or tanks, and others, locations of natural gas extraction, production and distribution, factories, petro-chemical production and staging, Marcellus Shale gas extraction and production, drill pad (drilling, fracking and flaring operations, frack water re-use/storage/treatment (VOC release from evaporation, leaks and spills), condensate/collection tanks, compressor station emissions, routine pressure relief gas releases (VOCs, H₂S, CO), diesel or gas fueled compressor engine exhaust (NOX, CO, formaldehyde, ozone), Manufacturing /production of chemicals, petrochemical, solvents, adhesives, paints, stains, other coatings, Hazardous Materials ((e.g. toxic, corrosive, explosive) in manufacturing, construction and end-product use, firefighting, Hazmat environments, locations of chemical warfare, or any locations subject to off-gassing. The systems described herein can have application in any area where toxic gases may occur, such as military and law enforcement use as well as in hospitals, research facilities, and industrial facilities to detect exposure to dangerous substances that might be inadvertently released into the environment. As such, users of the systems described herein may be wearing protective gear that can impair dexterity and the user's tactile senses such that handling of the system components can be difficult. The system described herein improves a user's ability to grasp and handle the components of the system even while wearing protective gear.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2A, the drive system 10 can include a first drive element 35 and a second drive element 45 located a distance away from the first drive element 35. The first drive element 35 and second drive element 45 can each be a drive gear or a roller wheel or other element that can cause movement of the cartridge 30 relative to the housing 10 between an insertion position in which the cartridge 30 is aligned with the analyzer 25 and an ejection position in which the cartridge 30 extends at least in part outside the housing 10 as will be describe in more detail below. The first drive element 35 can be operatively coupled to a motor 50, such as a stepper motor or other type of motor. The second drive element 45, although separated a distance from the first drive element 35 can be operatively coupled to the first drive element 35 such as by a belt or other element 40 configured to coordinate the rotation of the first drive element 35 and the second drive element 45. In some implementations, rotation of the first drive element 35 by the motor 50 can cause a pin 55 to drive the element 40, which rotates a pin 60 coupled to the second drive element 45 causing it to rotate as well. Alternatively, the drive system 10 need not include a coupling element 40. For example, the drive system 10 can incorporate two motors, including a first motor 50 operatively coupled to the first drive element 35 as shown and a second motor operatively coupled to the second drive element 45 and configured to operate in coordination with the first drive element 35 and motor 50.

[0026] Still with respect to FIG. 2A, in some implementations the drive system 10 can interface with a chassis 65 housed within the gas detection system 5. The chassis 65 can be coupled to an internal surface of the housing 20. The chassis 65 can be a relative planar structure having a planar surface or base 70, and first and second sidewalls 72, 74 coupled to the planar surface or base 70. The base 70 can be aligned with an opening or door 90 of the housing 20. The opening or door 90 can be shaped to receive the cartridge 30. An upper planar surface of the base 70 of the chassis 65 can be configured to receive and support a lower surface of the cartridge 30. One or more rails 76 can be positioned on the upper planar surface of the base 70 that can aid in linear movement of the cartridge 30 along the upper surface of the base 70 such that it can be properly aligned with the analyzer 25 for a reading of the cartridge 30 to take place. In some implementations, the analyzer 25 can be contained within the housing such that it is positioned above at least a portion of the planar surface or base 70. The drive system 10 can interface with the chassis 65. In some implementations, the chassis 65 can include one or more cut-outs 77, 78 in at least one of the sidewalls 72, 74 through which at least a portion of the first and second drive elements 35, 45 can extend to make contact with at least a portion of the cartridge 30, such as the side of the cartridge 30. For example, teeth of the first drive element 35 can be available through a first cut-out 77 and teeth of the second drive element 45 can be available through a second cut-out 78 such that the drive elements 35, 45 can come in contact with surface features 80 such as grooves or teeth located on a side of the cartridge 30 that can have a shape complementary to surface features of the first and second drive elements 35, 45. It should also be appreciated that the drive system 10 can cause linear movement of the cartridge 30 relative to the housing 10 independent of or without interfacing with a chassis 65 supporting the cartridge 30.

[0027] As shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B, the drive system 10 can include one or more pressure rollers 85. The pressure rollers 85 can include a spring-biased wheel rotatable about an axis. A first set of one or more pressure rollers 85a can be coupled to a sidewall of the chassis 65 opposite the sidewall where the first and second drive elements 35, 45 are located such that the pressure rollers 85a bias the cartridge 30 laterally toward the first sidewall such that the side of the cartridge 30 can come into contact with at least one of the drive elements 35, 45. A second set of one or more pressure rollers 85b can be positioned above the base 70 of the chassis 65 such that the pressure rollers 85b bias the cartridge 30 in a downward direction toward the base 70. This arrangement of pressure rollers 85 can encourage optimum engagement between the drive elements 35, 45 and the surface features 80 of the cartridge 30 while allowing for translation of the cartridge 30 in a linear direction forward and backward relative to the one or more pressure rollers 85, such as during insertion and ejection of the cartridge 30 from the drive system 10.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an implementation of a cartridge 30. The cartridge 30 can be a disposable element configured to hold one or more gas sensors (not visible) located within a measurement region 93 of the chip. The gas sensor of the cartridge 30 can include a gas measurement tube within the

measurement region 93 containing reactants such as colorimetric chemicals configured to change color upon exposure to a gas species. Each cartridge 30 can include 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 20, or more measurement tubes. In some implementations, the cartridge 30 can have 10 measurement tubes within the measurement region 93. Each cartridge 30 can include more or fewer measurement tubes and the measurement tubes can be grouped into related subsets of detection. It should be appreciated that any combination of measurement tubes in a cartridge 30 are considered herein.

[0029] It should be appreciated that the cartridge 30 can have various configurations. In some implementations, the cartridge 30 can include single and Simulset short term tubes and tube cartridges (Dragerwerk AG&Co KGaA). The cartridge 30 can, but need not, be a planar element. The measurement tubes can be positioned on the cartridge 30 as a parallel array although it should be appreciated that the cartridge 30 can include a single measurement tube. Each measurement tube within the cartridge 30 can be formed of a variety of transparent materials including, for example, glass or clear plastic. Generally, the measurement tube is a tube of capillary dimension such that fluid flow through the measurement tube can occur by capillary action

[0030] Each measurement tube can be configured to detect one of a variety of different gases including, but not limited to, combustible gases, volatile organic compounds (VOC), NH₃, AsH₃, C0₂, CO, Cl₂, C₂H₆, HC1, HCN, HF, PH₃, H₂S, CH₄, NO, N0₂, 0₃, 0₂, C₇H₁₆, COC,₂, C₃H₈, S0₂, Ammonia, Ethane, Methane, Pentane, and Propane, benzene, toluene and others depending on the reactants contained within the tube. The reactants can be exposed to air sampled from the environment, for example upon insertion of the cartridge 30 into the analyzer 25. Upon exposure to a particular gas, sand within the measurement tube can change color providing a colorimetric indication of the presence and level of the gas in the environment. The color can indicate exactly what gas is present, how much, and the rate of change. Optics and electronics within the analyzer 25 can perform colorimetry to convert the degree of coloration of the derivative within the measurement tube into a quantitative digital signal.

[0031] The cartridge 30 can include an encoder 91 positioned on the upper surface 88 of the cartridge 30. The encoder 91 can be configured to be scanned and read by a reader device within the system 5 such as upon loading the cartridge 30 within the analyzer 25. The encoder 91 can be a radiofrequency identification ("RFID") tag, an optical code such as a two-dimensional bar code, three-dimensional bar code or the like. Data stored within the encoder 91 can be communicated to the system 5 and can include a variety of information regarding the cartridge 30 and the measurement tubes present on the cartridge 30, including, but not limited to identification of the cartridge 30, type of measurement tube, settings or adjustment of certain parameters for proper use of the cartridge 30 such as flow rate through the measurement tube.

[0032] Still with respect to FIG. 3, in some implementations the cartridge 30 can be generally rectangular in shape and have a first end 83, a second, opposite end 84 and overall cross-sectional shape configured to be inserted through a door 90 in the housing 20 (best shown in FIGs. 4A and 4B). The drive system can be configured to engage the cartridge 30 having the first end 83 at least partially inserted through the door 90 and linearly translate the cartridge 30 in a first direction into an insertion position. The insertion position can be the position of the cartridge 30 relative to the housing 20 when at least one of the measurement tubes is aligned with the analyzer 25 such that detection and analysis of a gas species in the environment can take place. Generally, the cartridge 30 is fully contained within the housing 20 when the cartridge 30 is in the insertion position. The one or more of the pressure rollers 85a can contact a first side 86 of the cartridge 30 urging a second side 87 of the cartridge 30 against the opposite sidewall 72 of the chassis 65. The second side 87 of the cartridge 30 can include the surface features 80 configured to engage the first and second drive elements 35, 45. The one or more pressure rollers 85b can contact an upper surface 88 of the cartridge 30 urging a bottom surface 89 of the cartridge 30 against the base 70 of the chassis 65. Upon inserting at least a portion of the first end 83 of the cartridge 30 through the door 90 of the housing 20, the cartridge 30 can engage with the drive system 10. The surface features 80 of the cartridge 30 can engage the first drive element 35 through the first cut-out 77. The first drive element 35 can be rotated by the motor 50 such that the cartridge 30 is pulled along the base 70 of the chassis 65 until the first end 83 and the second, opposite end 84 are inserted completely through the door 90 and the cartridge 30 fully contained within the housing 20 of the gas detection system 5.

[0033] FIG. 2A shows a cartridge 30 engaged with the drive system 10 and in an insertion position. When in the insertion position, the chip 30 can be fully contained within the housing 20 of the gas detection system 5 such that at least one of the measurement tubes of the measurement region 93 is aligned with and can be read by the analyzer 25. The analyzer 25 (not shown in FIG. 2A) can be contained within the housing 20 positioned above measurement region 93 or the specific measurement tube to be used. The first drive element 35 can engage surface features 80 near the second end 84 of the cartridge 30 via the first cut-out 77. The second drive element 45 can engage surface features 80 near the first end 83 of the cartridge 30 via the second cut-out 78. It should be appreciated that both drive elements 35, 45 can, but need not maintain contact with the cartridge 30 when the cartridge 30 is in the insertion position. For example, only one of the two drive elements 35, 45 can maintain contact with at least a portion of the cartridge 30 when the cartridge 30 is in the insertion position. The first drive element 35 can be arranged relative to the second drive element 45 within the housing 20 such that the cartridge 30 is moved beyond contact with the first drive element 35 and only the second drive element 45 maintains contact with the cartridge 30 when the cartridge 30 is moved into the insertion position.

[0034] The drive system 10 can be configured to engage the cartridge 30 in the insertion position and linearly translate the cartridge 30 in a second, opposite direction into an ejection position. The ejection position can be the position of the cartridge 30 relative to the housing 20 when at least a portion of the cartridge 30 is external to the housing 20 an ejection distance D such that it can be easily grasped by a user and removed from the housing 20. Generally, the cartridge 30 in the ejection position can still be at least partially engaged with a portion of the housing 20 such that it does not fall free from the housing 20. FIG. 2B and also FIGs. 4A-4D show the cartridge 30 still engaged with the drive system 10, but in the ejected position. When in the ejected position, the cartridge 30 can be only partially contained within the housing 20. The second end 84 can be ejected by the drive system 10 through the door 90 to extend a distance D outside the housing 20 such that the cartridge 30 can be easily grasped and removed from the gas detection system 5. Although the chip 30 has advanced beyond the second drive element 45 which can no longer engage the surface features 80 of the cartridge 30, the first drive element 35 can still be engaged or remain in contact with the side of the cartridge 30 such as with the surface features 80 via the first cut-out 77 and provide additional linear movement to drive the cartridge 30 from the housing 20 a greater ejection distance D. It should be appreciated that one or both drive elements 35, 45 can maintain contact with the cartridge 30 when the cartridge 30 is in the ejection position. In the figure, only one of the two drive elements 35, 45 maintains contact with at least a portion of the cartridge 30 when the cartridge 30 is in the ejection position. The second drive element 45 can be arranged relative to the first drive element 35 within the housing 20 such that the cartridge 30 is moved beyond contact with the second drive element 45 and only the first drive element 35 maintains contact with the cartridge 30 when the cartridge 30 is moved into the ejection position.

[0035] In some implementations, the first and second drive elements 35, 45 can be spaced approximately 65mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, 80 mm, 85 mm, 90 mm, 95 mm or 100 mm apart. In some implementations, the first and second drive elements 35, 45 can be 98 mm apart. It should be appreciated that the distance between the drives can vary as can the overall length of the cartridge 30. In some

implementations, the first and second drives can be as close together as possible without interfering with their relative operations. The first drive element 35 (and the first cut-out 77 if a chassis is present) can be located relatively near the door 90 of the housing 20. As such, the drive system 10 can continue to eject the cartridge 30 a further distance than if the drive were located further away from the door 90. It is desirable that the drive system 10 eject the cartridge 30 as far as possible from the housing 20 without allowing the cartridge 30 to fall out during ejection. The cartridge 30 can be ejected a sufficient distance such that at least about 30%, at least about 35%), at least about 40%, at least about 45%o, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60% of the length of the cartridge 30 remains within the housing 20. The length of the cartridge 30 can vary. In some implementations, each cartridge 30 can have a total length of between about 107.1 mm to about 107.5 mm. In some implementations, the measurement region 93 of the cartridge 30 (i.e. the portion of the cartridge 30 where the measurement tubes are located) can be between about 70 mm to about 75 mm. In some implementations, the measurement region 93 can be between about 72 mm to about 74 mm. The drive system 10 can cause a total linear movement of the cartridge 30 relative to the analyzer 25 such that each and every measurement tube within the measurement region 93 of the cartridge 30 can align with and be read by the analyzer 25 while still allowing for the cartridge 30 to achieve an ejection distance D (i.e. the distance the second end 84 of the cartridge 30 extends outside the housing 20 when in the ejection position). In some implementations, the ejection distance D is at least about 16 mm. In some implementations, the ejection distance D is at least about 9 mm, at least about 10 mm, at least about 11 mm, at least about 12 mm, at least about 13 mm, at least about 14 mm, at least about 15 mm, at least about 16 mm, at least about 17mm, at least about 18 mm or greater.

[0036] Again with respect to FIG. 1 , the gas detection system 5 can include an inlet 95 in the housing 20 such that an air sample from the atmosphere can be drawn and analyzed using a cartridge 30 loaded in the chip analyzer 25 by the drive system 10. The gas detection system 5 can also include a power supply 140, user interface 145 having one or more inputs 150, alarm system 155, and

communication system 160 in bi-directional communication with a control module 120. The control module 120 can include a memory 135, a microprocessor 136 and an evaluating circuit 137. The control module 120 can be configured to receive, process, store and command the various components of the system 5 during operation. The control module 120 can run one or more software programs to oversee, manage, and/or coordinate the measurement, evaluation and analysis functions of the analyzer to make the data acquired useful for a user in terms of analysis and reporting. The control module 120 can combine data for logging and analysis. The control module 120 can also use its evaluating circuit to perform periodic system housekeeping functions and self-tests.

[0037] The control module 120 can include a memory 135 that can store electronic data such as flow rates, substance(s) measured, concentration, date and time measured, trend data, temperature compensation, site of measurement, number, calibration values, measure range, cartridge identification information, alarms triggered, alerts, and any other information related to the system 5, its components and their use. The stored data can be retrieved again at any time and communicated to the user such as via the user interface 145. The electronic data capacity of the memory 135 can vary. The electronic data capacity can hold the results of a variety of measurements, including 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 50, 60, or more measurements, together with relevant data. The memory 135 can be volatile and non-volatile, and removable and non-removable. The memory 135 can include computer storage media, including by not limited to RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical disk storage, or any other medium which can be used to store computer-readable instructions, software, data structures, program modules, and other data which can be accessed by the system 5. Data can be accessed directly or through a network such as the internet, WAN or a LAN.

[0038] The user interface 145 can include a visual information display such as an LCD (liquid crystal display), LED, plasma screen, or a CRT (cathode ray tube) for displaying information to the user such as a reading performed or other information. The one or more inputs 150 of the system 5 can allow the user to provide input to the circuitry. The input 150 can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. The input 150 can include a user-friendly, mechanical control devices (e.g. switches, dials, keys, buttons), electrical

arrangements (e.g. slider, touch screen), wireless interfaces for communication with a remote controller (e.g. RF, infrared), acoustic interfaces (e.g., with speech

recognition), computer network interfaces (e.g., USB port), and other types of interfaces. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well. For example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as for example visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user may be received in any form, including, but not limited to, acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Other possible input devices include, but are not limited to, touch screens or other touch-sensitive devices such as single or multi-point resistive or capacitive trackpads, voice recognition hardware and software, optical scanners, optical pointers, digital image capture devices and associated interpretation software, and the like. The input 150 can be used to selectively activate the power supply 140 during a period of interest.

[0039] The power supply 140 can include a variety of types such as one or more batteries, including disposable or rechargeable battery such as a NiCad battery, LiPo battery, Lithium ion battery, NiMH battery or the like. The user interface 145 can indicate the charge of the device if powered by a battery. The system 5 can connect to a power supply charger 165. The power supply charger 165 can include a docking station that provides a constant trickle charge to the power supply 140 provided by, for example, direct connection to a high capacity lead gel battery or a power supply/charger in lieu of a conventional cradle or wall adaptor recharging station.

[0040] The system 5 can periodically perform one or more self-checks to verify the readiness and integrity of various components of the system; the external communication links with network peers and/or remote client/supervisors; viability of the analyzer 25 and cartridge 30 loaded; battery remaining charge; configuration whether to allow operation if connected to a battery charging circuit; whether or not a remote sampling hose is coupled to the inlet 95; and others.

[0041] The alarm system 155 can include measurement alarms (e.g.

threshold alarm etc.) and system alarms (e.g. cartridge jammed/loaded improperly, battery low, etc.). The alarm system 155 can include any form of sensory feedback or alarm (e.g., audible, tactile and/or visual feedback). The alarm system 155 can include one or more illuminated LEDs that indicate a particular status of the system 5 and/or the ambient air condition. In some implementations, the LED can illuminate a green color indicating a clean condition of the ambient air. Upon detection of a gas hazard, the LED color can change from green to red. It should be appreciated that other visual warnings can be incorporated. Similarly, a variety of audible warnings or alarms can be incorporated in the system 5 such as through a speaker. It should be appreciated that the alarm system 155 can also cause a wireless signal (e.g. a wireless transmission to a remote controller or monitor) to be transmitted by the

communication system 160. The system 5 can also connect to and operate external alarm equipment such as alarm horns, lamps, traffic lights, etc. remote from the system 5. A triple alarm can also be used in which an audible, visual and tactile alarm can be emitted when the threshold is exceeded or a value falls below a configured concentration. The alarm system 155 can be adjustable such that there are one or more alarm set points for a selected measuring range. The alarms can be latching, meaning human intervention is needed for the alarm indication to be reset. The alarm system 1 5 can generate one or more alarms using multiple mechanisms simultaneously, concurrently or in a sequence, including redundant mechanisms or complementary mechanisms. It should be appreciated that a variety of alarms can be incorporated into the system.

[0042] The communication system 160 can be an external communication system configured to send data and hazardous event notifications from the system 5 to an external destination or device and vice versa. The communication system 160 can be used to transmit data such as from the memory 135 to a remote location and/or receive data from remote location device. The system 5 in turn can provide real-time warnings of substances detected in an area. The communication system 160 can transmit via various communications protocols including SMS / MMS to individuals within the monitored area as well as to supervisors / control centers overseeing the activities of such individuals. Other notifications can be delivered by other means including voice telephone calls, e-mails, and the like. The data can be downloaded through the communication system 160 to a remote or local PC, laptop,

communication station, another detector system, or other remote device, over a variety of communication lines. The communication system 160 of the system 5 can have wired and/or wireless communication capability such as for the sending and receiving of data as is known in the art. The wireless communication capability can vary including, e.g. transmitter and/or receiver, radiofrequency (RF) transceiver, WIFI connection, infrared, optical or Bluetooth communication device, and the like. The wired communication capability can vary including, e.g. USB or SD port, flash drive port, disk, data stick, or the like. The wired and wireless capability may be used for a variety of purposes, including updating software or firmware for the processor.

[0043] The system 5 can be suitable for both mobile and stationary use. In some implementations, the system 5 can be a portable or mobile system, such as a hand-held system or a system capable of being carried by a person of ordinary strength. The system 5 can be small enough to be clipped onto or held by a person, such as on a belt or piece of clothing using a clip accessory coupled to a portion of the housing 20 or in a pocket in the person's clothing. Alternatively, the system 5 can be held and transported using a handle coupled to a portion of the housing 20.

[0044] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein may be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device (e.g., mouse, touch screen, etc.), and at least one output device.

[0045] These computer programs, which can also be referred to as programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code, include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural language, an object-oriented programming language, a functional programming language, a logical programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As used herein, the term "machine-readable medium" (sometimes referred to as a computer program product) refers to physically embodied apparatus and/or device, such as for example magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable data processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term "machine- readable signal" refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable data processor. The machine-readable medium can store such machine instructions non-transitorily, such as for example as would a non-transient solid state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium. The machine-readable medium can alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner, such as for example as would a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[0046] The subject matter described herein may be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component (e.g., as a data server), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an application server), or that includes a front-end component (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user may interact with an implementation of the subject matter described herein), or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front- end components. The components of the system may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communication network).

Examples of communication networks include a local area network ("LAN"), a wide area network ("WAN"), and the Internet.

[0047] The computing system may include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

[0048] The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desired configuration. The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flow(s) depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other implementations may be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A gas detection system comprising:

a housing having an opening;

an analyzer contained within the housing and configured to measure an amount of a gas species detected by a removable gas sensor element; and

a drive system interfaced with the housing comprising:

a motor;

a first drive element operatively coupled to the motor; and a second drive element.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the drive system is configured to cause bidirectional linear movement of the gas sensor element relative to the housing and the analyzer.

3. The system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first and second drive elements are gears.

4. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second drive element is operatively coupled to the first drive element by a belt.

5. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second drive element is located a distance away from the first drive element, wherein the distance is at least about 75 mm.

6. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second drive elements have surface features configured to engage surface features of the gas sensor element.

7. The system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a chassis coupled to an internal surface of the housing, wherein the chassis comprises a planar surface aligned with the opening and a first sidewall coupled to the planar surface.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the analyzer is positioned above at least a portion of the planar surface of the chassis.

9. The system of claims 7 or 8, wherein the drive system is contained within the housing and interfaces with the first sidewall of the chassis.

10. The system of any of claims 7-9, wherein the planar surface of the chassis is configured to support a lower surface of the gas sensor element.

11. The system of any of claims 7-10, wherein the planar surface of the chassis further comprises one or more rails.

12. The system of any of claims 7-11, wherein the first sidewall comprises one or more cut-outs through which at least a portion of the first and second drive elements extend.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first drive element is configured to extend through a first of the one or more cut-outs to contact a side of the gas sensor element.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the second drive element is configured to extend through a second of the one or more cut-outs to contact the side of the gas sensor element.

15. The system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more pressure rollers.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more pressure rollers comprise a spring-biased wheel rotatable about an axis.

17. The system of claims 15 or 16, wherein a first of the one or more pressure rollers is configured to bias the gas sensor element laterally towards at least one of the first and second drive elements.

18. The system of any of claims 15-17, wherein a second of the one or more pressure rollers is configured to bias the gas sensor element downward.

19. The system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising the gas sensor element, wherein the gas sensor element is configured to detect a gas species in an atmosphere.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the gas sensor element has a

measurement region comprising one or more measurement tubes.

21. The system of claims 19 or 20, wherein the drive system is configured to engage the gas sensor element and linearly translate the gas sensor element in a first direction into an insertion position when the gas sensor element is at least partially inserted through the opening.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the gas sensor element in the insertion position is fully contained within the housing and at least one of the measurement tubes of the measurement region is aligned with the analyzer.

23. The system of claims 21 or 22, wherein both the first and the second drive elements contact at least a portion of the gas sensor element when the gas sensor element is in the insertion position.

24. The system of any of claims 21-23, wherein the drive system is configured to engage the gas sensor element in the insertion position and linearly translate the gas sensor element in a second, opposite direction into an ejection position.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the gas sensor element in the ejection position is only partially contained within the housing and an end of the gas sensor element extends a distance outside the housing.

26. The system of claims 24 or 25, wherein only the first drive element remains in contact with the gas sensor element when the gas sensor element is in the ejection position.

27. The system of claims 25 or 26, wherein the distance the end of the gas sensor extends outside the housing is at least about 16 mm.

28. The system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a second motor, wherein the second drive element is operatively coupled to the second motor.

29. A gas detection system comprising:

a removable gas sensor element configured to detect a gas species in an atmosphere, wherein the gas sensor element has a lower surface, a first end, a second, opposite end, and a side having one or more surface features;

a housing having an opening shaped to receive the gas sensor element;

a chassis coupled to an internal surface of the housing, wherein the chassis comprises a first sidewall coupled to a planar surface aligned with the opening and configured to support the lower surface of the gas sensor element;

an analyzer contained within the housing and configured to measure an amount of the gas species detected by the gas sensor element; and a first drive element operatively coupled to the motor; and

a second drive element,

wherein the drive system causes bi-directional linear movement of the gas sensor element along the planar surface relative to the housing and the analyzer.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the second drive element is located a distance away from the first drive element that is at least about 75 mm.

31. The system of any of claims 29-30, wherein the planar surface of the chassis further comprises one or more rails.

32. The system of any of claims 29-31 , wherein the first sidewall comprises one or more cut-outs through which at least a portion of the first and second drive elements extend to make contact with the side of the gas sensor element.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the first drive element contacts the side of the gas sensor element through a first of the one or more cut-outs.

34. The system of claims 32 or 33, wherein the second drive element contacts the side of the gas sensor element through a second of the one or more cutouts.

35. The system of any of claims 29-34, wherein the surface features of the gas sensor element have a shape complementary to surface features of the first and second drive elements.

36. The system of any of claims 29-35, further comprising one or more pressure rollers.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the one or more pressure rollers comprise a spring-biased wheel rotatable about an axis.

38. The system of any of claims 29-37, wherein the chassis further comprises a second sidewall.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein a first of the one or more pressure rollers is coupled to the second sidewall of the chassis opposite the first sidewall comprising the one or more cut-outs.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the first of the one or more pressure rollers biases the gas sensor element laterally toward the first sidewall such that the side of the gas sensor element comes into contact with at least one of the first and second drive elements.

41. The system of claims 39 or 40, wherein a second of the one or more pressure rollers is coupled to a portion of the housing above the planar surface such that the second pressure roller biases the gas sensor element downward toward the planar surface of the chassis.

42. The system of any of claims 29-41, wherein the gas sensor element has a measurement region.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the measurement region of the gas sensor element includes one or more measurement tubes.

44. The system of any of claims 29-43, wherein the drive system is configured to engage the gas sensor element having the first end at least partially inserted through the opening and linearly translate the gas sensor element in a first direction into an insertion position.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the gas sensor element in the insertion position is fully contained within the housing and at least one of the measurement tubes of the measurement region is aligned with the analyzer.

46. The system of claims 44 or 45, wherein both the first and the second drive elements contact the side of the gas sensor element when the gas sensor element is in the insertion position.

47. The system of any of claims 44-46, wherein the drive system is configured to engage the gas sensor element in the insertion position and linearly translate the gas sensor element in a second, opposite direction into an ejection position.

48. The system of claim 45, wherein the gas sensor element in the ejection position is only partially contained within the housing and the second end extends a distance outside the housing.

49. The system of claims 47 or 48, wherein only the first drive element remains in contact with the side of the gas sensor element when the gas sensor element is in the ejection position.

50. The system of claims 48 or 49, wherein the distance the second end extends outside the housing is at least about 16 mm.

51. The system of any of claims 29-50, wherein the drive system further comprises a second motor, wherein the second drive element is operatively coupled to the second motor.

52. The system of any of claim 29-51, wherein the gas sensor element is a planar element.

53. A gas detection system comprising: a housing containing an analyzer configured to measure an amount of a gas species detected by a removable gas sensor element and a drive system comprising a first drive element and a second drive element and configured to cause bi-directional linear movement of the gas sensor element relative to the housing between an insertion position and an ejection position,

wherein the first drive element is arranged relative to the second drive element within the housing such that the first drive element maintains contact with at least a portion of the gas sensor element when the gas sensor element is moved into the ejection position and beyond contact with the second drive element.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the second drive element is arranged relative to the first drive element within the housing such that the second drive element maintains contact with at least a portion of the gas sensor element when the gas sensor element is moved into the insertion position and beyond contact with the first drive element.

55. The system of claims 53 or 54, further comprising the removable gas sensor element.