Patent ID: 6432721
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A gas sampling system for detecting the presence of an analyte in the proximate atmosphere, comprising:a diaphragm pump having a pump chamber for moving gas into and out of said pump chamber through first and second ports, said pump including a valve at said first port having open and closed positions ,said pump adapted to expel said gas at a rate greater than the rate of intake into said pump chamber; a buffer chamber at said second port for holding a quantity of air from said pump chamber; a chemical sensor head operationally connected to said buffer chamber and adapted to identify the presence of a desired analyte and produce a signal in response to the quantity identified, said chemical sensor head having a volume less than said pump chamber; and a sensor intake port for intaking and exhausting a sample potentially containing said analyte for contact with said sensor head upon operation of said diaphragm pump with said valve in its closed position to pump air in and out of said buffer chamber.