DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transmitter for hot swappable sensor.

BACKGROUND
Hot swappable sensor based devices typically have two elements-a sensor element that detects the presence of gaseous components and a transmitter element that displays to the user levels of toxic gases and alerts the user when the levels are beyond permissible limits. Conventional gas transmitters are bulky devices, often cumbersome to handle. They are usually based on digital display of toxic gas concentrations and are, hence, required be kept in the proximity of the user for want of readability of display. Practically, gas transmitters are often required to be mounted on wall surfaces at an elevation because some toxic gases are light and are detectible only at such elevations. These conflicting requirements look for innovative solutions. There is a need for a gas transmitter that is less cumbersome to handle, capable of being mounted at elevated surfaces to enable detection of light gases as well as capable of precisely alerting the user of gaseous concentrations when they reach impermissible limits.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention provides a gas transmitter that overcomes the disadvantages of the conventional transmitter devices in the prior art.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element wherein the gaseous component is selected from the group consisting of methyl bromide, phosphine, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element, wherein the transmitter is connected to a controlling unit having a display element configured to display information communicated by the sensor element to the circuit element.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element wherein the sensor element comprises a gas sensor.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element, wherein the sensor element comprises a gas sensor selected from the group consisting of an electrochemical sensor, catalytic sensor, NDIR sensor or a pellistor based sensor.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of identity of the gas, quantitative range of gas measurement and calibration date of the instrument.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element wherein the sensor element comprises a hot swappable sensor.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element, wherein the sensor element communicates to the circuit element through a serial peripheral interface.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element, wherein the transmitter communicates to the controlling unit through an RS-485 interface.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element, wherein the transmitter communicates to the controlling unit through a 4-20 mA analog output.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element wherein the circuit element comprises a support base extending in vertically opposite directions wherein each of the vertically opposite extensions of the support base are fastened to a horizontally disposed holding element.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element wherein the sensor element is housed in an enclosure having a perforation that allows passage of a gaseous component and having a perforated disk that allow entrapment of dust particles in the gaseous component.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element wherein a smart sensor connecting element is disposed between the sensor element and transmitter.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element wherein the sensor element is housed in an enclosure having a perforation that allows passage of a gaseous component and having a perforated disk that allow entrapment of dust particles in the gaseous component and wherein the perforated disk is fastened to a holding element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
Figure 1 displays a vertical cross sectional view of a gas transmitter in gas sensor-engaged ¬¬¬configuration

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning now to Figure 1, gas transmitter of the present invention is configured to communicate with a controlling unit through a connection port (1). Typically the connection port is equipped with field wiring to establish communication with the controlling unit. Typically, the connection port is a 10-pin connection port consisting of terminals for the power supply input, industry standard 4- 20 mA analog output, RS485 digital communication interface and four digital outputs for interfacing with optional relay module (which can be interfaced to local Audio visual alarms). The gas transmitter of the present invention is of light-weight, weighing less than 1.5 kg. Typically, the device is mounted at an elevation with the assistance of a wall bracket. While under operation, the LED display (2) turns RED, before insertion of the sensor element. The sensor element is typically a hot swappable sensor. After insertion of the sensor element, the light turns into GREEN till it reads the information available in the sensor and till the configuration is completed. The gas to be analysed (analyte gas) is contacted with the sensor element through a perforation (7). A perforated disk (8) is provided at the gas Inlet to avoid dust particle from entering the sensor element (3). Typically, the perforated disk is fastened to a holding element (9). Practically, the sensor element (3) is interfaced with the gas transmitter through a smart sensor connecting element (10). The sensor element is provided with an enclosure (4). The LED display is provided in a perforation at the periphery of the elongated body (6) of the gas transmitter. A circuit element (12) is disposed at the inner volume of the gas transmitter. Typically, the circuit element is a printed circuit board. The sensor element is mechanically supported on a base extending vertically to the connection port end as well as the sensor end and is fastened to a holding element (11, 13) at each end
¬¬¬¬¬¬
The analyte gas that can be detected using the transmitter device of the present invention include, but not limited to, methyl bromide, phosphine, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. When the sensor installation is completed, and when the sensor element is in contact with the analyte gas, the LED display will provide one the following

i. Blinking GREEN: Gas Concentration within Primary Threshold Limit
ii. Blinking BLUE: Gas Concentration above Primary Threshold Limit but below Secondary Threshold Limit
iii. Blinking RED: Gas Concentration above Secondary Threshold Limit

The information for the display element is communicated to it by the sensor element. The sensor element comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of an electrochemical sensor, catalytic sensor, NDIR sensor or a pellistor based sensor. Apart from displaying quantitative information relating to the analyte gas, the transmitter is adapted to display information as to the identity of the gas and calibration date of the instrument. The sensor element used is preferably a hot swappable sensor. The communication between the sensor element and the circuit element is preferably made through a serial peripheral interface while the communication between the transmitter and the controlling unit is through an RS-485 interface. Further, the transmitter communicates to the controlling unit through a 4-20 mA analog output.

The circuit element is typically provided with a support extending in vertically opposite directions. Each of the vertically opposite direction of the support base are fastened to a horizontally disposed holding element. Further, the sensor element is housed in an enclosure having a perforation that allows passage of a gaseous component and having a perforated disk. The disk allows to trap the dust particles in the gaseous component. The perforated disk is usually fastened to a holding element. Further, the sensor element and the transmitter are provided with a connecting element that is disposed in between.

Unlike the conventional transmitter devices, the transmitter of the present invention is compact, less cumbersome to handle and is adapted to be wall mountable. The invention is a technical advance over the transmitter devices known in view of its ease of operation, robustness, accuracy and user friendliness.
,CLAIMS:1. A gas transmitter, the transmitter comprising an elongated body having a circuit element disposed in its inner volume and a display element disposed in a perforation at its periphery, the elongated body being configured to removably engage a sensor element and the sensor element being configured to contact a gaseous component and to communicate with the circuit element

2. The transmitter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gaseous component is selected from the group consisting of methyl bromide, phosphine, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide

3. The transmitter as claimed in any one of the claims 1 or 2 wherein the transmitter is connected to a controlling unit having a display element configured to display information communicated by the sensor element to the circuit element

4. The transmitter as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor element comprises a gas sensor

5. The transmitter as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensor element comprises a gas sensor selected from the group consisting of an electrochemical sensor, catalytic sensor, NDIR sensor or a pellistor based sensor

6. The transmitter as claimed in any one of the claims 3 to 5, wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of identity of the gas, quantitative range of gas measurement and calibration date of the instrument

7. The transmitter as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the sensor element comprises a hot swappable sensor

8. The transmitter as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the sensor element communicates to the circuit element through a serial peripheral interface

9. The transmitter as claimed in in any one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the transmitter communicates to the controlling unit through an RS-485 interface

10. The transmitter as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the transmitter communicates to the controlling unit through a 4-20 mA analog output

11. The transmitter as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the circuit element comprises a support base extending in vertically opposite directions wherein each of the vertically opposite extensions of the support base are fastened to a horizontally disposed holding element

12. The transmitter as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 11, wherein the sensor element is housed in an enclosure having a perforation that allows passage of a gaseous component and having a perforated disk that allow entrapment of dust particles in the gaseous component

13. The transmitter as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein a smart sensor connecting element is disposed between the sensor element and transmitter

14. The transmitter as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 13, wherein the sensor element is housed in an enclosure having a perforation that allows passage of a gaseous component and having a perforated disk that allow entrapment of dust particles in the gaseous component and wherein the perforated disk is fastened to a holding element.