Patent Document

PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/413,736, filed on Sep. 27, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a filter. More specifically, a multistage filter for use with a gas analyzer such as a hand held gas analyzer.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Gas powered vehicles produce emissions of various gases leading to pollution of the air. Most states require yearly vehicle inspections as part of the privilege in driving in their states. However, some states, such as California, have required stricter emission standards for the vehicles of their citizens. Thus, testing facilities and repair garages are performing more tests as the regulations become tighter.  
           [0004]    In the past, only hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) had to be measured, but stricter regulations require the measurement of oxygen (O 2 ), carbon dioxides (CO 2 ) and nitrous oxides (NOx), as well. The vehicle must pass inspection, including emissions testing, in order to obtain a valid inspection sticker. If the vehicle fails, then it must be repaired before it will pass inspection. In the repair process, a mechanic must be able to determine if the repair of the gas emission system was successful.  
           [0005]    Gas analyzers have been developed in order to help the mechanic diagnose the emission problems. Large platform analyzers were originally developed to measure the emission gases and were moved around on carts. However, large platform analyzers are too large for small garages to use and store. Additionally, the large platform analyzers are typically very expensive for a small repair garages to own.  
           [0006]    “Portable” gas analyzers were subsequently developed to be used for repair purposes. While the portable gas analyzers were smaller, they still weigh between twenty-thirty pounds and are too large to be held in the operator&#39;s hands. Because the portable analyzers were still big, they required a big pump to move the emission gases throughout the analyzer for measuring, and a large filtering device to filter the particulate and moisture from the emission gases. The big pump also required a large power source, thus increasing the weight of the portable gas analyzer. Additionally, the portable gas analyzer has a large chassis to hold the various components together. The large size of the chassis increases the weight of the analyzer.  
           [0007]    As the analyzer operates, emission gases including condensation from the line (due to a hot emission source traveling in hoses that are at ambient temperature) are filtered through a filter. However, the analyzer can have many filters that require additional hoses so that additional contamination and condensation leading to false readings can occur.  
           [0008]    In order to circulate the emission gases, a pump is utilized. However, the pump can be big because of the size of the analyzer. The pump is solidly mounted onto the chassis. Additionally, the pump vibrates, thereby, transmitting the vibration to the operator, and making it uncomfortable for the operator to use the analyzer.  
           [0009]    Therefore, there is a need for an analyzer that can be lightweight, compact, and portable. There is also a need for an integrated multistage filter system to reduce contamination and condensation. Additional needs include an analyzer that can notify the operator that it is in the wrong orientation for better purging and for an analyzer with reduce vibration from the pump so that the analyzer is more comfortable to use. There is a further need for an analyzer that can purge and recalibrate (“zero out”).  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    Embodiments of the present invention generally provide for an analyzer that is portable, lightweight and compact and includes a multistage filter. The analyzer can have an orientation component, can have less vibration, and can purge and/or zero manually or automatically.  
           [0011]    In one aspect, the invention provides a multi-stage filtration assembly for a gas analyzer system including a filter holder forming a chamber having a lower portion and an upper portion. A filter element having a first filter and a second filter is located in an upper portion and lower portion of the chamber, respectively. The filtration assembly may also provide the first filter as a two stage particulate filter comprising an inner filter element and an outer filter element.  
           [0012]    In another aspect of the invention, a method for filtering gasses in a gas analyzer device is provided including receiving a gas in a filter holder having an upper portion and a lower portion. The gas passes through a first filter element located in the upper portion of the filter holder and a second filter element located in the lower portion of the filter holder.  
           [0013]    In yet another aspect of the invention, a multi-stage filtration system for a gas analyzer system is provided including a means for receiving a gas in a filter holder having an upper portion and a lower portion, a means for passing the gas through a first filter element located in an upper portion of the filter holder, and a means for passing the gas through a second filter element located in the lower portion of the filter holder.  
           [0014]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.  
           [0015]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
           [0016]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable analyzer according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a manifold with components thereon.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a bench of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 illustrates the analyzer with the upper portion of the housing removed.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a blown-up view of the various components of the analyzer.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a blown-up view of an embodiment of a pump assembly of the invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a blown-up illustration of the filter of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of an orientation device of the invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an analyzing system of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0026]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable analyzer that is portable, lightweight and compact. The analyzer is constructed and arranged so that lightweight components can be selected and are made up of lightweight materials. The analyzer can also determine its orientation so that efficient purging of contaminants and liquids are conducted. An efficient integrated filter is also provided to filter contaminants and liquids, such as water, from the emission gases. Additionally, the embodiments include reducing the vibration of components of the analyzer during operation, such as the pump, and to purge and zero out the analyzer.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable analyzer  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. The analyzer  100  includes a housing  110  having an upper portion  120  and a lower portion  130 . Moveable latches  140  are provided in the upper portion  120  to couple to another device, such as the Genisys™ (from Service Solutions, Owatonna, Minn.). The latches  140  include grooves  150  on an upper surface and can be easily coupled or uncoupled with another device. A filter  710  (greater detail in FIG. 7) is provided having an inlet hose  160  that can receive gases, such as emission gases from a vehicle, and an outlet to exhaust the gases after analysis and to exhaust contaminates, including water.  
         [0028]    In one embodiment of the invention, the portable analyzer  100  is lightweight and small enough to be comfortable in a hand(s) of the operator. Preferably the analyzer  100  weighs about 2 pounds or less and has dimensions of about 6.4 inches (length) by 4.9 inches (height) by 3.9 inches (depth). The analyzer  100  can weigh less because the housing  110  is preferably made from a lightweight polymer that is resistant to particles, such as dusts, from accumulating on the surface. The polymer can be acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. ABS is a strong, high-density plastic that is resistant to particles sticking to its surfaces, hence, contamination and the weight of the analyzer are decreased.  
         [0029]    With the use of a smaller manifold (FIG. 2), the various components of the analyzer  100  will have to be smaller and thus lighter. Because the components can be smaller and lighter, the analyzer weighs less and is smaller in dimensions. Due to the analyzer  100  being lighter and smaller than conventional analyzers, more can be on hand in smaller garages because it takes less storage space. Because of the reduced weight and dimensions, the analyzer  100  is cheaper to ship, which saves money for consumers, and can be held by the operator for a longer period of time then a heavier analyzer.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a manifold  210  with components thereon. The upper and lower portions  120  and  130  have been removed to illustrate an embodiment of the manifold  210  of the present invention. Conventional analyzers have a chassis coupled to the manifold  210  thereby, making it heavier. In one embodiment, the chassis is removed and is no longer coupled to the manifold  210  in order to decrease the weight of the analyzer  100 . The manifold  210  is smaller than conventional manifolds and includes gas passages therein to allow gases to travel throughout the analyzer  100  until it is exhausted out. Manifold  210  can be made from a strong lightweight material, such as ABS. Because the manifold  210  is made from ABS and is smaller than conventional manifolds, the analyzer  100  is lighter and smaller in dimensions.  
         [0031]    The manifold  210  mounts onto a circuit board  250 , which has a connector  252  that connects with a ribbon cable  380  (FIG. 4). The manifold  210  includes a plate  212  and a manifold gas cap  214 , which are ultrasonically welded together using known methods. The ultrasonic welding prevents gases from escaping the manifold  210 . The plate  212  provides a platform for coupling other analyzer components, such as a pump  218  or solenoids  220 . The gas cap  214  provides passages for gases to travel beneath the plate  212 , so that the gases can travel to the various components.  
         [0032]    The pump  218  is a positive displacement pump that helps to circulate the emission gases throughout the analyzer  100 . Hoses  222  bring gases to and from the pump  218  for circulation. The pump  218  is secured on the manifold  210  by an assembly  224  (details in FIG. 6) so that it does not travel during operation.  
         [0033]    Solenoids  220  are also mounted on the manifold  210  and help to direct the gases in the right direction toward the appropriate components, such as the pump  218 . One solenoid is the zero solenoid, which helps to zero out the sensors (described below) before a sample of the emission gases are analyzed. The zero solenoid is connected to an outside source of ambient gas that will be used as the control gases. The other solenoid is the purge solenoid, which purges the contaminants and liquids from the filter  710 . The solenoid directs the air from the pump to the filter  710  to force the contaminants and liquids from the filter. The solenoids&#39;  220  are powered by power sources  234 .  
         [0034]    The manifold  210  can include a NOx sensor coupler  236  and an O 2  sensor coupler  238  mounted thereon. The couplers  236  and  238  can provide a threaded connection for their respective sensors. The NOx sensor  390  (FIG. 4) senses the presence and concentration of the NOx in the emission gases in parts per million (p.p.m.) and relays the data to a controller. Like the NOx sensor  390 , the O 2  sensor  395  (FIG. 4) senses the presence and concentration of O 2  (p.p.m.) in the emission gases and relays the data to the controller.  
         [0035]    A bench  300  (FIG. 3) which contains other sensors is not shown, but is placed on the circuit board  250  and secured by the bench assembly  240 , which is mounted to the circuit board. The bench assembly  240  includes holders  242  located at the ends of the circuit board  250  and a clamp  246 . The holder  242  supports the base  310  (FIG. 3) of the bench  300  and the clamp  246  clamps on a wall  320  (FIG. 3) of the bench.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the bench  300  of the present invention. The bench  300  includes the base  310  and the wall  320  that mate with the holders  242  and clamp  246 , respectively. An emitter  340  transmits non-disperse infrared (NDIR) along a tube  346  containing emission gases. The tube  346  can have an outer surface of brass and an inner surface plated with gold. Gold is preferable because it does not react with the emission gases. The emitter  340  can send the emission gases to the manifold  210  via connector  344 . Additionally, the emitter  340  is in communication with an absolute pressure transducer  364  via a hose (not shown) that connects a connector  342  with the connector  368 . The absolute pressure transducer  364  is a flow determiner to ensure that the tested gas flow is adequate for an accurate measurement. The type and concentration of the emission gases (such as CO, CO 2  and HC) can be measured by the absorbance of the NDIR&#39;s wavelength in the gases by a receiver  350 . A zero reference is provided by a separate beam so that a chopper motor (that blocks the beam for a zero reference) is not required, thus making the analyzer  100  lighter. The emissions gases are exhausted from the receiver  350  via outlet  352  to continue its normal course.  
         [0037]    The absolute transducer  364  and a differential transducer  362  are present on the base  310 . The absolute pressure transducer  364  includes the connector  368  that can communicate with the emitter  340  via a hose. The differential transducer  362  provides altitude data for the analyzer  100  that can affect the reading. An interface  330  that can connect to the circuit board  250  through the ribbon cable  380  (FIG. 4) can relay data collected by the components of the bench  300 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4 illustrates the analyzer  100  with the upper portion  120  of the housing  110  removed. The lower portion  130  contains the bench  300 , the circuit board  250  and the manifold  210 . Bench  300  is shown mated with the bench assembly  240  and the interface  330  is connected to the ribbon cable  380 , which is connected to connector  253  on the circuit board  250 . Also shown is the NOx sensor  390  and O 2  sensor  395  mounted on the manifold  210  at the NOx sensor coupler  236  and the O 2  sensor coupler  238 , respectively.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 5 is a blown-up view of the various components of the analyzer  100 . The lower portion  130  of the housing  110  protects the lower components of the analyzer  100 . A communication port window  530  that provides exterior access for a communication port  510  on the lower surface of the circuit board  250 . The communication port  510  communicates with an external device, such as a data processing device, a network device, a printer, a computer, a PDA (personal digital assistant) and other devices. The communication port  510  can transmit data via a direct connection to another device or can transmit data via a wireless means. FIG. 5 also illustrates the placement of the bench  300  on the bench assembly  240 . The bench  300  is powered by power cable  520  that connects the bench with the power source  234 . The ribbon cable  380  connects at one end to the interface  330  and at the other end to the connector  252  provides a communication means with the bench  300  and the circuit board  250 .  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 6 is a blown-up view of an embodiment of the pump assembly  218  of the invention. The assembly  224  secures the pump  218  to the manifold  210 . The assembly  224  has an assembly base  228 , an assembly cap  226  and retainers  258 . The pump  218  is placed in the assembly base  228  to initially secure the pump. The assembly cap  226  has receiving slots  227  to receive the mating portion  259  of the retainers  258 . The assembly cap  226  along with the retainers  258  prevent movement, such as side to side movement, of the pump  218  when it is in operation. In an embodiment of the invention, the assembly&#39;s  224  components, individually or in combination, can be made of an elastomeric material or other dampening materials. Some examples of elastomeric material include nitrile (NBR), butyl (IIR), styrene-butadiene (SBR), polyurethane (AU/EU), Silicone (PVMQ), polyisoprene (NR), and other elastomers. Conventional pumps are solidly mounted onto the chassis and are not made from an elastomeric material, thus the vibration made it difficult for the operator to hold the device for an extended period of time. Additionally, the pump can be noisy during its operation. Because of the properties of elastomeric material, the vibration is kept to a minimum and the noise from the pump  218  can be absorbed by the elastomeric assembly  224 . Therefore, the analyzer  100  is more comfortable to use and can be held for a longer extended period of time, thus more tests can be conducted by the operator.  
         [0041]    In an alternate embodiment, the individual or the combination of the assembly components (base, cap, retainers and other components) can be made from a semi-rigid or rigid material. Preferably the semi-rigid or rigid material can absorb the vibration and/or the noise of the pump.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 7 is a blown-up illustration of the filter  710  of an embodiment of the invention. The filter  710  is a multi-stage filter having a filter cap  712 , O-rings  718  and  719 , primary filter element  720 , filter retainer  728 , filter holder  760 , secondary filter element  734 , filter base  738  and nozzle  750 . The filter cap  712  having threads  714  secures the primary filter element  720  by being threaded into the filter holder  760 . The filter cap  712  includes a filter connector  716  that can be hooked up to a hose that allows sample emission gases to enter of the analyzer from the exterior. O-ring  718  provides a seal between the filter cap  712  and the filter holder  760 . The filter holder  760  includes an upper portion  730  and a lower portion  732  that can be threaded with the filter cap  712  and the filter base  738 , respectively. The holder  760  and/or the filter cap  712  can be made of a clear material, such as polycarbonate (PC) so that the operator can view the accumulation of condensation and execute a purge function at the appropriate time. Additionally, the polycarbonate can also be used in other portions of the analyzer  100  because it is a high impact material and can provide protection of the analyzer and its components should the analyzer be dropped.  
         [0043]    The emission gases is directed to the filter element  720  by the pump  218 , where the gases pass through an outer filter element  722  where the larger particulate and “rough water” are removed. The sample emission gases can contain water or condensation as they travel in the hoses to the filter  710  due to temperature changes from the hot emission and ambient hoses. The emission gases then travel through the inner filter element  724  where additional filtering occurs to remove the smaller particulate and then to the annular area  726 . The filtered emission gases then travel to the secondary filter element  734  where additional filtering can be accomplished. The O-ring  719  seals the filter base  738  to the lower portion  732  so that the emission gases do not escape. The filter base  738  has the nozzle  750  so that the filtered air can travel to the sensors for analysis. The filter base  738  also has a pair of retaining holes  740 , which can provide a mating surface for an end of the filter retainer  728 . The filter retainer  728  further retains the filter  710  to the analyzer  100 .  
         [0044]    The filter  710  is constructed and designed to reduce contamination and condensation and provides for a more accurate reading of the samples. Conventional filters require that the emission gases travel from the outside to one filter via a hose then to another filter by another hose and then to another filter via still another hose. As the emission gases travel in the hoses, it can get contaminated because of cracking and aging hoses and/or condensation can occur due to the many hoses that the gases must travel through to get to the filter. By having a multi-stage filter, where the filters are close to each other and no additional hoses are required between the filters, then chances of contamination and condensation are reduced. Additionally, the life of the filter can last longer because the filter is encased and sealed in the filter holder  760  and it does not have to filter out other external elements that can get into the filter other than from the sample hose.  
         [0045]    The filter connector  716  is also used to purge the water from the filter holder  760 . Over time, condensation will build up in the filter holder  760  and needs to be purged so that accurate readings of the emission gases can be taken. The operator can actuate the pump  218  to purge the liquid from the filter holder  760  and out the filter connector  716 . However, for optimal purging, the filter connector should be in a certain orientation, preferably in the general direction of gravity. Because the analyzer  100  is lightweight and portable, the operator can set it down in various orientations, and thus, the analyzer may not be in the preferred orientation for purging. If the operator believes he purged the water from the filter holder  760 , then he will believe that the readings are accurate when they may not be.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of an orientation device of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, a tilt switch and/or accelerometer are used to notify the operator if the analyzer&#39;s  100  current orientation is preventing a satisfactory purging of the water. Conventional tilt switch can be used, such as a tilt switch  810  that is positioned on the circuit board  250 . The tilt switch  810  can contain mercury, which can move based on the orientation of the tilt switch, and can detect changes in movement around them. The tilt switch can determine the orientation on all axis, such as X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, and any other axis. Additionally, accelerometer can also detect changes in the orientation of the analyzer  100 . The accelerometer can be a one-axis, a two-axis, a three-axis accelerometer or as many axis type accelerometer, as desired. The tilt switch  810  and the accelerometer can communicate its data to the circuit board  250 , which can act like a signal conditioner, and can relay to the orientation data to a controller on the bench  300 . Although tilt switches and accelerometers can be used, other devices that can detect orientation of the analyzer  100  can be used, such as a GPS (Global Position System), or magnetic sensitive devices.  
         [0047]    With the assistance of the tilt switch and/or accelerator, the analyzer  100  can notify the operator that it is not in the desired orientation for a purge, should the operator attempt to purge the water. The desired orientation can be pre-selected or predetermined so that purging only occurs when the analyzer is in the proper orientation. Thus, the operator can be assured that the purge went as expected and can rely on the readings from the analyzer  100 . Additionally, if the purge function is automatic (discussed below) such as based on a certain time, in a certain amount of water or automatically as part of another operation, or other operations, and if the analyzer is not in the preferred orientation, the operator can be alerted or the purge function may not be performed. By alerting the operator of the incorrect orientation, the operator can reorient the analyzer  100  to the desired purging orientation. The operator is alerted visually, audibly, and tactically. A display or remote means, which can include an integrated display or a remotely located display. The remote means can communicate with the analyzer  100  via a wireless means or a connected means, such as Ethernet (wired and wireless).  
         [0048]    The purging of the water from the analyzer  100  and the zero out can be done automatically, manually, or combined with other functions. Before a live reading of the emission gases is taken, the ambient air is taken into the analyzer so that the sensors can be zeroed out or can reset to take new readings. Additionally, the purge function can also be performed after the zero out. The purge function can also be performed before the zero out function. In another embodiment of the invention, the purge function and/or the zero function can be automatic, such as after startup, after the analysis is completed, after a certain amount of time has passed while the analyzer is on, after a number of samples have been taken, or any other time period or event.  
         [0049]    In one embodiment of the invention, preferably when the operator activates the live reading mode of the analyzer  100 , the analyzer can automatically purge, and then zero out. Alternatively, when the live reading mode is activated, the analyzer can automatically zero out then purge. In another embodiment, when the live reading mode is activated, the analyzer  100  can automatically and simultaneously purge and zero out. By having the purge and/or zero functions done automatically, the operator can concentrate on the analysis and does not have to remember when to purge and/or zero out.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an analyzing system  900  of the present invention. The analyzing system  900  can include an analyzer and an optional diagnostic device, such as the Genisys™  942  that contains a gas analyzing software  944 . The analyzer of the analyzing system  900  can include the analyzer  100 , whose basic operation is explained herein and below.  
         [0051]    A probe  902  is inserted or located near an exhaust system of a vehicle (not shown) and collects emission gases, which travels down a sample hose  904  to a filter housing  906 . The filter housing  906  includes a primary filter  908 , which can have two additional filters (inner and outer filter), and a secondary filter  910 . The outer filter may be designed, for instance, to filter particulates greater than approximately 1 micron, while the inner filter may filter particulates greater than 0.3 microns. The primary filter  908  will remove most of the particulates and any condensation. The secondary filter  910  is designed to remove remaining particulates and condensation. The secondary filter may be comprised of a gasket material such as TriSeal F-217 LDPE foam, for example, with a 0.040 inch thickness. The secondary filter provides additional protection for preventing passage of particulates and fluids into the gas analyzer system which may not have been filtered out by the primary filter&#39;s inner and outer filter. Otherwise, any fluid entering the gas analyzer could adversely affect gas measurements and also be potentially damaging to the internal components of the analyzer such as the bench  300  and its associated components.  
         [0052]    After the emission gases are filtered, the gases can travel through a zero solenoid  912 , which at this point is shown in the inactive position, to a pump  914 . The zero solenoid  912 , during the zero out function, will open the pathway from an ambient air intake  920  and shutoff the gas pathway from the filter housing  906 . The ambient air allows a baseline for the sensors  925 ,  928  and  930  to reset to zero, so that a live reading function can occur and an accurate reading can be made.  
         [0053]    The pump  914  circulates the emission gases throughout the analyzer. The emission gases are then pumped to a purge solenoid  916 , which allows the gases to travel to the gas analysis bench  922 . The purge solenoid, when in the purging mode, can purge by closing the pathway to the bench  922  and open the pathway to the filter housing  906 . The zero solenoid  912  will close the pathway from the filter housing  906  and open the pathway from the ambient air intake  920 . The pump  914  will draw in air from the air intake  920  and pump air through the purge solenoid  916  and to the filter housing  906  and force the water to purge out the sample hose (which can have the probe  902  removed or attached).  
         [0054]    The purge function (whether automatic or manual) may not occur properly if the analyzer not in the desired purging orientation. A tilt circuit  918  is provided to determine the orientation of the analyzer. The tilt circuit  918  can include tilt switches and/or accelerometer or other orientation determining devices. The tilt circuit  918  will alert the operator if the analyzer is not in the desired orientation when a purge function is activated so that the operator can make the appropriate corrections.  
         [0055]    At the bench  922 , the emission gases (CO2, CO and HC) can be analyzed with a NDIR. The bench  922  includes a flow sensor  924  to ensure that the gases are flowing adequately for an accurate reading and a pressure sensor  926  to determine the altitude of the device, which can effect the reading. After the bench  922 , the gases are pumped to the O 2  and NOx sensors  928 ,  930 , where the respective gas readings can occur. Afterwards, the gases can be exhausted via an outlet hose  932 .  
         [0056]    Additional components of the analyzer can include the unit ID  934  so that if the analyzer is coupled to another device, such as the TM Genisys™, the analyzer would be identified. A power connection  936  and communication port  938  is also provided to communication with other devices via a wire or wirelessly. A hip connector  940  can connect the analyzer with another device.  
         [0057]    The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirits and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 4