Systems and methods for membrane blockage detection in gas detectors
A gas detector includes a membrane configured to define a sensing chamber of the gas detector; a strain sensor operatively connected to the membrane, the strain sensor configured for generating output signals related to strain in the membrane; and a controller operatively connected to the strain sensor, the controller configured to: determine a strain in the membrane based on the output signals; and determine a condition of the membrane based on the determined strain, wherein the determined condition indicates whether the membrane is blocked.
1. A gas detector comprising:
a membrane configured to define a sensing chamber of the gas detector;
a strain sensor operatively connected to the membrane, the strain sensor configured for generating output signals related to strain in the membrane; and
a controller operatively connected to the strain sensor, the controller configured to:
determine a strain in the membrane based on the output signals; and
determine a condition of the membrane based on the determined strain, wherein the determined condition indicates whether the membrane is blocked.
2. The gas detector of claim 1 , wherein presence of blockage in the membrane is determined responsive to the determined strain being above a strain threshold.
3. The gas detector of claim 2 , wherein the strain threshold is determined based on the porosity of the membrane.
4. The gas detector of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
determine an amount of blockage of the membrane based on the determined strain.
5. The gas detector of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
determine a remaining operational life of the membrane based on the determined strain.
6. The gas detector of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:
send an alert to a user, the alert indicating the condition of the membrane.
7. The gas detector of claim 1 , wherein the strain sensor comprises a resistive conductor physically connected to the outer surface of the membrane.
8. The gas detector of claim 7 , wherein the conductor is glued, printed on, pressed on woven in, embedded in, or otherwise connected to the outer surface of the membrane.
9. A gas detector comprising:
a membrane configured to define a sensing chamber of the gas detector;
a strain sensor operatively connected to the membrane, the strain sensor configured for generating output signals related to strain in the membrane; and
a controller operatively connected to the strain sensor, the controller configured to:
determine a strain in the membrane based on the output signals; and
determine a condition of the membrane based on the determined strain, wherein the determined condition indicates whether the membrane is blocked;
wherein the strain sensor comprises a resistive conductor operatively connected to the outer surface of the membrane;
wherein the conductor is placed around at least a portion of the outer surface of the membrane in a zig-zag manner.
10. A method for detecting membrane blockage in a gas detector comprising a membrane defining a sensing chamber of the detector, and a strain sensor, the method comprising:
generating, with the strain sensor, output signals related to membrane strain;
determining a strain in the membrane based on the output signals; and
determining a condition of the membrane based on the determined strain change, wherein the determined condition indicates whether the membrane is blocked.
11. A method for detecting membrane blockage in a gas detector comprising a membrane defining a sensing chamber of the detector, and a strain sensor, the method comprising:
generating, with the strain sensor, output signals related to membrane strain;
determining a strain in the membrane based on the output signals; and
determining a condition of the membrane based on the determined strain change, wherein the determined condition indicates whether the membrane is blocked;
wherein the determined condition indicates whether the membrane is ruptured or missing.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein presence of blockage in the membrane is determined responsive to the determined strain being above a strain threshold.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the strain threshold is determined based on porosity of the membrane.
14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
determining an amount of blockage of the membrane based on the determined strain.
15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
determining a remaining operational life of the membrane based on the determined strain.
16. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
sending an alert to a user, the alert indicating the condition of the membrane.
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the strain sensor comprises a resistive conductor physically connected to the outer surface of the membrane.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the conductor is glued, printed on, pressed on woven in, embedded in, or otherwise connected to the outer surface of the membrane.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the conductor is placed around at least a portion of the outer surface of the membrane in a zig-zag manner.
20. A gas detector comprising:
a membrane configured to define a sensing chamber of the gas detector;
a strain sensor operatively connected to the membrane, the strain sensor configured for generating output signals related to strain in the membrane; and
a controller operatively connected to the strain sensor, the controller configured to:
determine a strain in the membrane based on the output signals; and
determine a condition of the membrane based on the determined strain, wherein the determined condition indicates whether the membrane is ruptured or missing.