Non-dispersive infrared sensor with a reflective diffuser
View Patent ↗The present application provides a non-dispersive infrared gas sensor. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor may include an infrared source, an infrared detector, and a waveguide extending about the infrared source and the infrared detector. The waveguide may include a reflective diffuser thereon.
1. A non-dispersive infrared gas sensor, comprising:
an infrared source;
an infrared detector; and
a waveguide extending about the infrared source and the infrared detector;
the waveguide comprising a reflective diffuser thereon, wherein the reflective diffuser comprises a printed circuit board reflective surface.
2. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide defines a chamber.
3. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board reflective surface comprises a textured surface.
4. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 3 , wherein the textured surface comprises a random pattern.
5. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 3 , wherein the textured surface comprises a precision pattern.
6. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 3 , wherein the reflective diffuser comprises a reflective coating thereon.
7. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board reflective surface is formed on a textured thermoplastic component with a reflective metallic coating thereon.
8. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board reflective surface comprises a detector reflective surface.
9. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board reflective surface comprises a source reflective surface.
10. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board reflective surface comprises an electroless nickel immersion gold surface.
11. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of infrared detectors.
12. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of infrared detectors spaced apart from each other.
13. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a microprocessor in communication with the infrared source and the infrared detector.
14. A method of measuring a concentration of a gas in a chamber, comprising:
pulsing an infrared signal into the chamber;
scattering the infrared signal off of a reflective diffuser, wherein the reflective diffuser comprises a printed circuit board reflective surface;
receiving the scattered infrared signal at an infrared detector; and
determining the intensity of the scattered infrared signal.
15. A non-dispersive infrared gas sensor, comprising:
an infrared source;
an infrared detector; and
a waveguide extending about the infrared source and the infrared detector;
the waveguide comprising a reflective diffuser with a textured printed circuit board reflective surface and a reflective coating thereon.
16. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 15 , wherein the textured printed circuit board reflective surface comprises a random pattern or a precision pattern.
17. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 15 , wherein the textured printed circuit board reflective surface comprises a detector reflective surface.
18. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 15 , wherein the textured printed circuit board reflective surface comprises a source reflective surface.
19. The non-dispersive infrared gas sensor of claim 15 , wherein the textured printed circuit board reflective surface comprises an electroless nickel immersion gold surface.