US 12,480,867 B2
Methods and apparatus for measuring methane emissions with an optical open-cavity methane sensor
Garrett Niall John, Escondido, CA (US); James Rutherford, Cypress, TX (US); and Brendan James Smith, Lakeway, TX (US)
Assigned to SeekOps Inc., Austin, TX (US)
Appl. No. 18/033,948
Filed by SeekOps Inc., Austin, TX (US)
PCT Filed Oct. 26, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/056710
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 26, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/093864, PCT Pub. Date May 5, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/106,195, filed on Oct. 27, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0393057 A1, Dec. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. G01N 21/31 (2006.01); G01N 1/22 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/31 (2013.01) [G01N 1/2202 (2013.01); G01N 2201/06113 (2013.01); G01N 2201/0636 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
an air inlet configured to receive air;
an air outlet configured to expel air;
a duct connected between the air inlet and the air outlet;
an open-cavity sensor disposed in the duct, wherein an air flow stream within the duct passes through the open-cavity sensor, and wherein the open-cavity sensor is configured to detect at least one trace gas in the air flow stream;
a low pressure trap disposed in the duct prior to the air flow stream passing through the open-cavity sensor; and
a processor configured to determine trace gas emission measurements based on trace gas detection by the open-cavity sensor.