Patent ID: 6687005
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: G08B

Abstract:
A portable combustible gas detector apparatus for detecting a combustible gas, comprising:a housing defining an inner chamber between a first end and a second end, said second end having an access opening to said chamber; a sensor device disposed within said chamber in communication with said access opening and being operable for sensing and measuring gas levels, and for providing sensor signals in response to said sensed gas levels; a circuit disposed within said chamber and being operable for processing input signals associated with sensed gas levels and generating output signals, said circuit comprising: a sensor driving circuit operationally coupled to said sensor, said sensor driving circuit for maintaining said sensor device in an operational state, and for converting said sensor signals into analog voltage sensor signals; a signal conditioning circuit operationally coupled to said sensor driving circuit, said signal conditioning circuit for amplifying and converting said analog voltage sensor signals; an analog to digital (A/D) converter for converting said analog sensor signals into digital sensor signals; a central processing unit (CPU) for processing the digital sensor signals into data having a data format that can be processed by a central processor unit (CPU); calibration means for establishing a sensor zero point, said calibration means requiring manual actuation of a power switch for a predetermined minimum period of time; operational software for controlling a plurality of operations of the portable gas detector through said circuit; and power supply means for supplying a direct current to said circuit.