Patent ID: 8003945
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: G01J,H01L

Abstract:
1. A Non-Dispersive Infrared (“NDIR”) gas sensor for detecting the presence of a chosen gas, comprising: a mechanical housing comprising: a Microelectronic Mechanical System (“MEMS”) source affixed to the top surface that emits radiation when power is applied to it; a reference detector that produces a reference output; a signal detector that produces a signal output; and a microprocessor that receives the reference output and the signal output; wherein each of the reference detector and the signal detector have an identical narrow band pass filter with the same Center Wavelength (“CWL”), Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) and transmittance efficiency at the CWL; and wherein the reference detector and the signal detector are affixed to the top surface so that the plurality of inner reflective surfaces and the tunnel waveguide sample chamber create a signal channel path length detected by the signal detector that is greater than a reference channel path length detected by the reference detector.