Patent ID: 7939804
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: G01M,G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for detecting presence of a gas, comprising: a source configured to generate a band of infrared radiation tunable over a range of wavelengths, wherein a gas to be detected has an absorption band within the range of wavelengths, and further wherein the source can be tuned to the absorption band of the gas to be detected; an infrared detecting element configured to receive infrared radiation reflected from an area to be checked for the presence of gas and generate an image from the reflected infrared radiation; a plurality of filters coupled to the infrared detecting element configured to filter the reflected infrared radiation received by the infrared detecting element, wherein one or a combination of at least some of the plurality of filters are selectable based upon the absorption band of the gas to be detected to attenuate wavelengths of radiation outside the absorption band.