GAS SENSOR OPERATION WITH FEEDBACK CONTROL

摘要

A gas sensor and method of operating a gas sensor with reduced energy requirements employing a sensor material providing on exposure to a target gas a primary response which is used in a control circuit to control energy delivered as heat or photon radiation to the sensor material, a measure of which delivered energy provides a secondary sensor output. The feedback control of energy delivery to the gas sensor material allows operation at low power at target gas concentrations below a selectable threshold and elevation of energy inputs above said threshold allowing fast sensor response to target gas exposure and recovery after cessation of exposure. The sensor and mode of operation provides low energy requirements for sensor applications with rare or intermittent exposure to target gases such as in fire detection and security applications.