TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to determination of degrading of sensors. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for analysing degree of degrading
of gas sensors.

BACKGROUND

The background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information
provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any
publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] There are so many environmental and health issues because of hazardous and
poisonous gases like Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S), Nitrogen dioxide
(NO2), Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and many more. In domestic and industrial areas there are
highly flammable gases such as LPG, Methane, Butane, Propane etc.
[004] Human being and other living organism affected by these gases which can
cause mental disorder, incurable diseases that even can cause death, so safety precautions
need to be taken. To prevent these issues, we need a gas sensor. Gas sensor is basically used
to detect these types of gases. The need of gas sensor arises in domestic as well as industrial
field.
[005] Therefore, it is necessary to timely verify the efficiency or level of degradation
of the sensors such that if the efficiency of the sensors falls below a threshold limit then the
sensor can be removed to avoid or avert any probable incident or hazard due to failure of the
sensors.
[006] Efforts have been made in the past to overcome problem associated with
analysing sensors for example, United States Patent Number US 20060081033 A1 relates to a
method and apparatus employing one or more miniature gas containers, for producing low
concentration gases for testing gas detection instruments. However, our field of invention is
to test the gas sensing device through our gas sensing testing system. We also flow different
gases (known) in our chamber and check the performance of the gas sensing device through
it.
[007] European Patent Application Number EP 0890837 A2 relates to apparatus for
testing gas sensors and, more particularly, apparatus for testing carbon monoxide gas sensors.
2
However, our system is not limited to any gas, we can test any gas such as NO2, NH3, CO2,
CO etc. Our system is also capable to perform testing at very small concentration such as
PPM (parts-per-million, 10−6), PPB (parts-per-billion, 10−9) and PPT (parts-per-trillion,
10−12).
[008] United States Patent Application Number US 6428684 B1 provides a method
and apparatus for determining the operating condition of a gas sensor apparatus including an
amperometric electrochemical sensor operating normally in a potentiostat mode. By coating
the sensor with a conductive coating or by varying one or more operating conditions, a
response of the sensor can be determined and compared with sensor response while operating
normally. This testing enables abnormalities in sensor operation to be determined, and failure
of the sensor to be predicted. However, our system is capable of testing the gas sensor at different
temperature as well as different gas concentration. This system is very much helpful to describe the
gas detection at different gas concentration level such as (PPM, PPB and PPT) and can
analyse sensor response at different temperature. This testing enables abnormalities in sensor
operation to be determined, and failure of the sensor to be predicted.
[009] There is therefore a need in the art to provide an apparatus for analysing
degree of degrading of gas sensors that seeks to overcome or at least ameliorate one or more
of the above-mentioned problems and other limitations of the existing solutions and utilize
techniques, which are robust, accurate, fast, efficient, cost effective and simple.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0010] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment
herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a gas sensor analysing
apparatus.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a gas sensor analysing
apparatus that enables analysis of the gas sensor at various temperature conditions.
[0013] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a gas sensor analysing
apparatus that enables analysis of the gas sensor at various moisture conditions.
[0014] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a gas sensor analysing
apparatus that enables analysis of the gas sensor in various light conditions.
[0015] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a gas sensor analysing
apparatus that enables analysis of the gas sensor at various gas concentration level such as
parts per million (PPM), parts per billion (PPB) and parts per trillion (PPT).
3
[0016] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a gas sensor analysing
apparatus that is cost effective and easy to implement with enhanced accuracy.
SUMMARY
[0017] The present disclosure relates to determination of degrading of sensors. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for analysing degree of degrading
of gas sensors.
[0018] According to an aspect the present disclosure provides an apparatus to evaluate
a gas sensor. The apparatus can include a housing. The housing includes: a platform
configured to hold the gas sensor; one or more inlets to allow inflow of one or more gases,
wherein the gas sensor interacts with the one or more gases to produce a detectable change in
the gas sensor configuration; and at least two probes electrically coupled to the gas sensor,
said at least two probes operatively coupled to one or more processors of a control unit, the
control unit configured to: receive a first signal from the gas sensor before the gas sensor
interacts with the one or more gases; and receive a second signal from the gas sensor after the
gas sensor interacts with the one or more gases, wherein comparison of response of the gas
sensor to a predetermined response of a reference gas sensor enables evaluation of efficiency
of the gas sensor.
[0019] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises one or more light sources
configured to emit any or a combination of one or more wavelengths of light at the gas
sensor, wherein the gas sensor interacts with any or a combination of the one or more
wavelengths of light and, based on the current sensor configuration, generates a third signal
or a fourth signal.
[0020] In an embodiment, said third signal being indicative of response of the gas
sensor in absence of light, and said fourth signal being indicative of response of the gas
sensor to any or a combination of wavelengths of light due to the detectable change in sensor
configuration.
[0021] In an embodiment, said one or more light sources are incident on the gas
sensor at an angle of at least 15 degrees with vertical plane.
[0022] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first set of sensors and a second
set of sensors configured with said housing, and wherein the first set of sensors configured to
sense humidity inside said housing, and the second set of sensors configured to sense
pressure inside said housing.
4
[0023] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a pump configured with the
housing for maintaining desired pressure inside the housing.
[0024] In an embodiment, each of the one or more inlets is configured with mass flow
controller (MFC) to monitor amount of the one or more gases allowed to flow into the
housing.
[0025] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a fan configured inside said
housing to enable flow of the one or more gases towards the gas sensor.
[0026] In an embodiment, a view port is configured on housing such that the view
port is directly above the platform configured to hold the gas sensor to enable observing of
the gas sensor by user.
[0027] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a heating element configured with
the platform for heating of the gas sensor to desired temperature.
[0028] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject
matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent
like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same
reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by
following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar
components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is
applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label
irrespective of the second reference label.
[0030] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary representation of top view of a gas sensor
analysing apparatus without top cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary representation of side view of a gas sensor
analysing apparatus with top cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary representation of perspective view of a gas
sensor analysing apparatus with top cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
5
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of an implementation of a gas
sensor analysing apparatus with all components in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary computer system in which or with which
embodiments of the present invention can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure
depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly
communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit
the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0036] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be
apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced
without some of these specific details.
[0037] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be
described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied
in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or specialpurpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps
may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and firmware and/or by human
operators.
[0038] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more
machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with
appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus
for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more
computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems
containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with
various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be
accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
6
[0039] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or
“might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not
required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0040] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0041] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These
exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure
will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of
ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many
different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting
embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to
encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that
such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed
in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of
structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing
exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is
to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and
equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity,
details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the
invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present
invention.
[0042] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art
that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or
processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the
various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated
hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any
switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through
the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program
7
control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by
the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand
that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems
described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any
particular named element.
[0043] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program
product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon
instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to
perform a process. The term “machine-readable storage medium” or “computer-readable
storage medium” includes, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy
diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical
disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs),
programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically
erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of
media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer
programming code, such as software or firmware).A machine-readable medium may include
a non-transitory medium in which data may be stored and that does not include carrier waves
and/or transitory electronic signals propagating wirelessly or over wired connections.
Examples of a non-transitory medium may include, but are not limited to, a magnetic disk or
tape, optical storage media such as compact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD), flash
memory, memory or memory devices. A computer-program product may include code and/or
machine-executable instructions that may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a
program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination
of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to
another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data,
arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc.
may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing,
message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.
[0044] Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software,
firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination
thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the program
code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks (e.g., a computer-program product)
may be stored in a machine-readable medium. A processor(s) may perform the necessary
tasks.
8
[0045] Systems depicted in some of the figures may be provided in various
configurations. In some embodiments, the systems may be configured as a distributed system
where one or more components of the system are distributed across one or more networks in
a cloud computing system.
[0046] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for
infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or
limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the
"invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it
will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one
or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0047] All methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order unless
otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and
all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain
embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a
limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification
should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the
invention.
[0048] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a
claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent
art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of
filing.
[0049] The present disclosure relates to determination of degrading of sensors. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for analysing degree of degrading
of gas sensors.
[0050] According to an aspect the present disclosure provides an apparatus to evaluate
a gas sensor. The apparatus can include a housing. The housing includes: a platform
configured to hold the gas sensor; one or more inlets to allow inflow of one or more gases,
wherein the gas sensor interacts with the one or more gases to produce a detectable change in
the gas sensor configuration; and at least two probes electrically coupled to the gas sensor,
said at least two probes operatively coupled to one or more processors of a control unit, the
control unit configured to: receive a first signal from the gas sensor before the gas sensor
interacts with the one or more gases; and receive a second signal from the gas sensor after the
gas sensor interacts with the one or more gases, wherein comparison of response of the gas
9
sensor to a predetermined response of a reference gas sensor enables evaluation of efficiency
of the gas sensor.
[0051] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises one or more light sources
configured to emit any or a combination of one or more wavelengths of light at the gas
sensor, wherein the gas sensor interacts with any or a combination of the one or more
wavelengths of light and, based on the current sensor configuration, generates a third signal
or a fourth signal.
[0052] In an embodiment, said third signal being indicative of response of the gas
sensor in absence of light, and said fourth signal being indicative of response of the gas
sensor to any or a combination of wavelengths of light due to the detectable change in sensor
configuration.
[0053] In an embodiment, said one or more light sources are incident on the gas
sensor at an angle of at least 15 degrees with vertical plane.
[0054] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first set of sensors and a second
set of sensors configured with said housing, and wherein the first set of sensors configured to
sense humidity inside said housing, and the second set of sensors configured to sense
pressure inside said housing.
[0055] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a pump configured with the
housing for maintaining desired pressure inside the housing.
[0056] In an embodiment, each of the one or more inlets is configured with mass flow
controller (MFC) to monitor amount of the one or more gases allowed to flow into the
housing.
[0057] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a fan configured inside said
housing to enable flow of the one or more gases towards the gas sensor.
[0058] In an embodiment, a view port is configured on housing such that the view
port is directly above the platform configured to hold the gas sensor to enable observing of
the gas sensor by user.
[0059] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a heating element configured with
the platform for heating of the gas sensor to desired temperature.
[0060] FIGs. 1A through 1C illustrate exemplary representation of top view, side
view and perspective view of a gas sensor analysing apparatus in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0061] In an embodiment, a gas sensor analysing apparatus has been disclosed. In an
embodiment, the apparatus 100 can include a housing 102. The housing 102 can include a lid.
10
The housing 102 can include a platform 104 having projections such that to hold a gas sensor
(not shown) firmly for analysis. The housing 102 can include plurality of probes 106-1, 106-
2, 106-3 and 106-4 (collectively referred to as probes 106 and individually referred to as
probe 106 hereinafter). In an embodiment, the probes can be electrically coupled with the gas
sensor for analysing one or more features related to the gas sensor configuration. Further, the
probes 106 can be supported on a supporting platform 108. The supporting platform can be
magnetic to enable keeping the probes stable for avoiding any disconnection of the electric
coupling of the probes 106 and the gas sensor.
[0062] In an embodiment, the housing 102 can include at least two inlets 110-1 and
110-2 (collectively referred to as inlets 110 and individually referred to as inlet 110
hereinafter). The inlets 110 can be used for allowing inflow of one or more gases in the
housing. The one or more gases can interact with the gas sensor to produce a detectable
change in the gas sensor. In an embodiment, each of the inlets 110 can be configured with
corresponding mass flow controller (MFC) 112-1 and 112-2 to monitor amount of the one or
more gases allowed to flow into the housing 102.
[0063] In an embodiment the probes 106 can be operatively coupled with a control
unit (not shown). The probes 106 can be used for sensing a first signal generated when the
one or more gases are absent in the housing 102 and the probes 106 can be used for sensing a
second signal generated when the one or more gases interact with the gas sensor to produce a
detectable change in the gas sensor configuration. The control unit can be used to receive the
first signal and the second signal and compare the received first signal and the second signal
with predetermined response of a reference gas sensor to enable evaluation of efficiency of
the gas sensor.
[0064] In an embodiment, the housing 102 can be configured with a first set of
sensors 114. The first set of sensors can include a humidity sensor to sense or monitor
presence of humidity in the housing.
[0065] In an embodiment, the housing 102 can be configured with a second set of
sensors 116. The second set of sensors 116 can be used to sense or monitor pressure inside
the housing.
[0066] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 can include a pump 118 configured with
the housing 102 to maintain a desired pressure inside the housing. The pump 118 can include
but not limited to a rotary pump.
[0067] In an embodiment, the probes can be operatively coupled with the controlled
unit using a plug 120.
11
[0068] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 can include at least two light sources
122-1 and 122-2 (collectively referred to as light sources 122 and individually referred to as
light source 122 hereinafter). The light sources 122 can be configured to emit any or a
combination of one or more wavelengths of light towards the gas sensor. Further, the gas
sensor can interact with any or a combination of the one or more wavelengths of light and,
based on the current gas sensor configuration, generates a third signal or a fourth signal. The
third signal can be indicative of response of the gas sensor in absence of light sources. The
fourth signal can be indicative of response of the gas sensor to any or a combination of
wavelengths of light due to the detectable change in sensor configuration. In an embodiment,
the light sources 122 are incident on the gas sensor at an angle of at least 15 degrees with
vertical plane.
[0069] In an embodiment, the housing can be configured with a view port 124. The
view port can be configured directly above the platform 104 configured to hold the gas sensor
to enable observing of the gas sensor by user.
[0070] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 can include a heating element (not
shown) coupled with the platform 104 for getting of the gas sensor to desired temperature.
[0071] In an embodiment, the housing 102 can be configured with a pressure
releasing valve 126. The pressure releasing valve 126 can be used for releasing the pressure
inside the housing 102 to facilitate opening of the lid of the housing 102.
[0072] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of an implementation of a gas
sensor analysing apparatus with all components in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0073] In an exemplary embodiment, the gas sensor testing system 200 can include a
main chamber 202 for accommodation of the gas sensor for analysis. Further, the MFCs 204
can be used for monitoring inflow of the one or more gases inside the main chamber 202.
Further, the humidity sensor 206 can be used for determination of humidity inside the main
chamber 202 that can be displayed on a display. Further, the system 200 can include switches
208 for controlling MFCs 204. Further, the system can include gauge controller 210 for
controlling pressure inside the main chamber 202. Further, the system 200 can include
switches 212 for controlling the one or more light source and fan. Further, the system 200 can
include a rotary pump 214 to enable maintaining pressure inside the main chamber 202.
Further, the system 200 can include VI (voltage current) measurement system 216 for
analysis of the sensed one or more features of the gas sensor by the probes inside the main
chamber 202. Further, the system 200 can include a temperature to control temperature to a
12
desired level inside the main chamber 202 such that the various features of the gas sensor can
be sensed at various level of temperature.
[0074] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary computer system in which or with which
embodiments of the present invention can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 3 computer system 300 can include an external storage
device 310, a bus 320, a main memory 330, a read only memory 340, a mass storage device
350, communication port 360, and a processor 370. A person skilled in the art will appreciate
that computer system may include more than one processor and communication ports.
Examples of processor 370 include, but are not limited to, an Intel® Itanium® or Itanium 2
processor(s), or AMD® Opteron® or Athlon MP® processor(s), Motorola® lines of
processors, FortiSOC™ system on a chip processors or other future processors. Processor
370 may include various modules associated with embodiments of the present invention.
Communication port 360 can be any of an RS-232 port for use with a modem based dialup
connection, a 10/100 Ethernet port, a Gigabit or 10 Gigabit port using copper or fiber, a serial
port, a parallel port, or other existing or future ports. Communication port 360 may be chosen
depending on a network, such a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or
any network to which computer system connects.
[0076] Memory 330 can be Random Access Memory (RAM), or any other dynamic
storage device commonly known in the art. Read only memory 340 can be any static storage
device(s) e.g., but not limited to, a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) chips for
storing static information e.g., start-up or BIOS instructions for processor 370. Mass storage
350 may be any current or future mass storage solution, which can be used to store
information and/or instructions. Exemplary mass storage solutions include, but are not
limited to, Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA) or Serial Advanced
Technology Attachment (SATA) hard disk drives or solid-state drives (internal or external,
e.g., having Universal Serial Bus (USB) and/or Firewire interfaces), e.g. those available from
Seagate (e.g., the Seagate Barracuda 7102 family) or Hitachi (e.g., the Hitachi Deskstar
7K1000), one or more optical discs, Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) storage,
e.g. an array of disks (e.g., SATA arrays), available from various vendors including Dot Hill
Systems Corp., LaCie, Nexsan Technologies, Inc. and Enhance Technology, Inc.
[0077] Bus 320 communicatively couples processor(s) 370 with the other memory,
storage and communication blocks. Bus 320 can be, e.g. a Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI) / PCI Extended (PCI-X) bus, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI),
13
USB or the like, for connecting expansion cards, drives and other subsystems as well as other
buses, such a front side bus (FSB), which connects processor 370 to software system.
[0078] Optionally, operator and administrative interfaces, e.g. a display, keyboard,
and a cursor control device, may also be coupled to bus 320 to support direct operator
interaction with computer system. Other operator and administrative interfaces can be
provided through network connections connected through communication port 360. External
storage device 310 can be any kind of external hard-drives, floppy drives, IOMEGA® Zip
Drives, Compact Disc - Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disc - Re-Writable (CDRW), Digital Video Disk - Read Only Memory (DVD-ROM). Components described above
are meant only to exemplify various possibilities. In no way should the aforementioned
exemplary computer system limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0079] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented entirely
hardware, entirely software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or
combining software and hardware implementation that may all generally be referred to herein
as a “circuit,” “module,” “component,” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present
disclosure may take the form of a computer program product comprising one or more
computer readable media having computer readable program code embodied thereon.
[0080] Thus, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes
illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various
elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well
as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the
figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of
program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and
dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity
implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the
exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described
herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular
named.
[0081] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled
to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to
each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element
is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with"
are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms "coupled to" and "coupled
14
with" are also used euphemistically to mean “communicatively coupled with” over a
network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the
network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.
[0082] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications
besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts
herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of
the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all
terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In
particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to
elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced
elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements,
components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers
to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C …. and N, the text
should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus
N, etc.
[0083] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and
further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope
thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is
not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable
a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with
information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0084] The present disclosure provides a gas sensor analysing apparatus.
[0085] The present disclosure provides a gas sensor analysing apparatus that enables
analysis of the gas sensor at various temperature conditions.
[0086] The present disclosure provides a gas sensor analysing apparatus that enables
analysis of the gas sensor at various moisture conditions.
[0087] The present disclosure provides a gas sensor analysing apparatus that enables
analysis of the gas sensor in various light conditions.
[0088] The present disclosure provides a gas sensor analysing apparatus that enables
analysis of the gas sensor at various gas concentration level such as parts per million (PPM), parts per billion (PPB) and parts per trillion (PPT).
[0089] The present disclosure provides a gas sensor analysing apparatus that is cost
effective and easy to implement with enhanced accuracy.

WE CLAIMS

1. An apparatus to evaluate a gas sensor, said apparatus comprising:
a housing comprising:
a platform configured to hold the gas sensor;
one or more inlets to allow inflow of one or more gases, wherein the
gas sensor interacts with the one or more gases to produce a detectable
change in the gas sensor configuration; and
at least two probes electrically coupled to the gas sensor, said at least
two probes operatively coupled to one or more processors of a control unit,
the control unit configured to:
receive a first signal from the gas sensor before the gas
sensor interacts with the one or more gases; and
receive a second signal from the gas sensor after the gas
sensor interacts with the one or more gases,
wherein comparison of response of the gas sensor to a predetermined response of a
reference gas sensor enables evaluation of efficiency of the gas sensor.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more light
sources configured to emit any or a combination of one or more wavelengths of light at
the gas sensor, wherein the gas sensor interacts with any or a combination of the one or
more wavelengths of light and, based on the current sensor configuration, generates a
third signal or a fourth signal.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said third signal being indicative of
response of the gas sensor in absence of light, and said fourth signal being indicative of
response of the gas sensor to any or a combination of wavelengths of light due to the
detectable change in sensor configuration.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said one or more light sources are incident
on the gas sensor at an angle of at least 15 degrees with vertical plane.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a first set of
sensors and a second set of sensors configured with said housing, and wherein the first
set of sensors configured to sense humidity inside said housing, and the second set of
sensors configured to sense pressure inside said housing.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a pump configured
with the housing for maintaining desired pressure inside the housing.
17
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more inlets is configured
with mass flow controller (MFC) to monitor amount of the one or more gases allowed to
flow into the housing.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a fan configured
inside said housing to enable flow of the one or more gases towards the gas sensor.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a view port is configured on housing such
that the view port is directly above the platform configured to hold the gas sensor to
enable observing of the gas sensor by user.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a heating element
configured with the platform for heating of the gas sensor to desired temperature.