Patent ID: 8760179
Filing Date: 2014-06-24
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A hydrocarbon vapor detection instrument comprising: a hydrocarbon vapor detector having a property of conductivity that is proportional to an airborne concentration of hydrocarbon vapor contiguous with the detector; an electronic circuit configured to provide an electrical signal having a magnitude proportional to an instantaneous conductivity of the hydrocarbon vapor detector and to a sensitivity setting; a first plurality of indicators respectively configured to signal recharging status while an external power supply is connected and providing power to a battery and while a power on/off switch is in an OFF position, to signal that the battery is partially charged, to signal that the battery is fully charged, and to signal that a battery temperature is excessive, wherein the power on/off switch is user-accessible from outside a housing and having a power-off state and a power-on state; a second plurality of indicators respectively configured to signal that operating power (VCC) is turned on and that a low battery condition is present or absent; a third plurality of indicators respectively configured to signal different concentrations of hydrocarbon vapor detected by the hydrocarbon vapor detector, with spatial position of each on the housing corresponding to a relative vapor concentration indicated by its lighting; and an audible indicator of instrument status and vapor concentration, configured to produce an audio signal if operating power is on, the audio signal configured to change in the presence of a nonzero concentration of vapor, proportionately to the concentration of vapor, wherein the housing contains the first, second and third plurality of indicators and the audible indicator.