System and method for detection of foreign substances

摘要

A sensing unit is presented for use in identifying at least one foreign substance in a region of interest. The sensing unit comprises at least one measurement unit, which comprises one or more sensor elements each configured and operable to be responsive to at least one foreign substance in the vicinity thereof. Each sensor element is mounted in its own compartment having an inlet and an outlet thus defining an environmental region in the vicinity of the sensor element separated from the surroundings of the compartment.

主权项

1. A sensing system for use in identifying at least one foreign substance in a region of interest, the sensing system comprising
a certain number of sensor units, each sensor unit comprising; at least one measurement unit, and a sample flow path for flowing a sample medium towards an inlet of the measurement unit the sample flow path comprising at least one heating unit for heating the flowing sample medium prior to entering the measurement unit through said inlet, said at least one measurement unit comprising a plurality of sensor elements each configured and operable to be responsive to at least one predetermined foreign substance in the vicinity thereof and to generate a response signal indicative thereof, each of the sensor elements being mounted in its own compartment having an inlet and an outlet thus defining an environmental region in the vicinity of said sensor element separated from the surroundings of the compartment and from other compartments in said measurement unit, thereby increasing concentration of the sample medium in the vicinity of each of the sensor elements, wherein the compartments with the sensor elements are arranged in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to one another and said inlet of the measurement unit and are mounted on a measurement matrix configured to ensure substantially uniform distribution of the heated sample medium among all the compartments.