Inventors:
Robert A. McLean - Brea CA
James A. Wurzbach - San Diego CA
Harold C. Gilbert - North Kingston RI
Lawrence A. Schatzmann - Yorba Linda CA
Gregory E. Smith - Fullerton CA
Thomas B. Stanford - Port Hueneme CA
Assignee:
Raytheon Company - Lexington MA
International Classification:
G01N 3100
Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring volatile organic compounds in a gas includes a sensor chamber having a housing with a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a gas flow path from the gas inlet to the gas outlet, a set of baffles within the housing and positioned in the gas flow path, and a set of sensors within the housing and positioned in the gas flow path. Each sensor has an electrically conductive polymer whose electrical properties are dependent upon the presence of specific volatile organic compounds in the gas flow. Desirably, the set of baffles and the set of sensors are cooperatively positioned such that the time for gas to flow from the gas inlet to each of the sensors is substantially the same. The apparatus further includes a pump that removes the gas from the gas outlet of the housing, and an electronic circuit that measures the electrical properties of each of the sensors.