US 11,927,580 B2
Detection of blockage in a porous member
Alexander Stokoe, Cambridge (GB); Harry Bullivant, Cambridge (GB); and Shane Kelleher, Pittsburgh, PA (US)
Assigned to MSA Technology, LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Filed by MSA TECHNOLOGY, LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Filed on Mar. 17, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/204,361.
Application 17/204,361 is a division of application No. 16/199,019, filed on Nov. 23, 2018, granted, now 10,983,103.
Prior Publication US 2021/0199635 A1, Jul. 1, 2021
Int. Cl. G01N 33/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 33/0062 (2013.01) [G01N 33/0006 (2013.01); G01N 33/007 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of detecting at least a partial blockage in a porous member separating an inner chamber of a device, in which at least one gas sensor responsive to target gas is positioned, and an ambient environment, comprising:
emitting one or more pressure waves within the inner chamber by displacing a volume of the inner chamber via displacement of a moveable element in fluid connection with the inner chamber to create a predetermined volume displacement of the inner chamber to emit the one or more pressure waves, measuring a response via a pressure sensor responsive to the one or more pressure waves positioned within the inner chamber, and determining if at least a partial blockage is present in the porous member based upon the response of the pressure sensor.