Patent ID: 6948352

Claim:
A carbon monoxide detector, comprising: a housing forming a chamber therein, said housing including a first aperture; a carbon monoxide sensor assembly having a second aperture positioned within said chamber; a carbon monoxide gas generator assembly having a third aperture positioned within said chamber; and a controller coupled to said carbon monoxide sensor assembly and to said carbon monoxide gas generator assembly, said controller commanding said carbon monoxide gas generator assembly to produce carbon monoxide, said controller further monitoring an electrical output of said carbon monoxide sensor assembly to ensure proper operation thereof; said carbon monoxide gas generator assembly including: a can forming a water reservoir therein; a bottom disk positioned within said can to separate said water reservoir from an upper sensor portion of said can, said bottom disk including at least one aperture therein; a hydrophobic layer positioned on said bottom disk covering said at least one aperture; an electrode assembly positioned on said hydrophobic layer, said electrode assembly including an ion exchange membrane having electrodes deposited on an upper and on a lower surface thereof, said electrodes containing a mixture of carbon black and ion exchange polymer and no platinum; a diffusion layer; a gasket; and a top disk in sealing engagement with said gasket, said top disk defining an aperture therein; and wherein said can is crimped to seal said carbon monoxide gas generator assembly, said diffusion layer providing electrical contact between said top disk and a top of said electrode assembly, electrical contact between a bottom of said electrode assembly and said can being provided by said hydrophobic layer and said bottom disk.