Humidity sensor

• Main Authors: SEAKINS, PAUL JOHN, ABEYSINGHE, KAUMALI PRASANGIKA, SMITH, MALCOLM DAVID
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 03.09.2008
• Subjects: AIR-CONDITIONING, AIR-HUMIDIFICATION, VENTILATION, USE OF AIRCURRENTS FOR SCREENING; BLASTING; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, ORSURGICAL ARTICLES; DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROMTHE BODY; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION, OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; HEATING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; LIGHTING; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, OR SURGICALARTICLES; MEASURING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS INGENERAL; PHYSICS; RANGES; TESTING; VENTILATING; WEAPONS

A method and apparatus are described for sensing the absolute humidity of gases where The relauve humidity of gases arc measured, the humidity transducer is heated, the resulting temperature measured and the absolute htunidiry calculated (based on the power to heat said transducer, the temperature of said transducer and the relative humidity). In further embodiment the humidity transducer may be heated to a pasteurisation temperature, to substantially kill any common pathogens proseat on the humidity transducer. The flow rate may be determined to estimate a more instantaneous valve of humidity. The operation of the sensor may be continually monitored for correct operation and various constructions disclosed for improving the efficiency of operation.