Importance

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Abstract

The apparatus includes a mixing chamber for mixing gas from a gas supply to be tested with air to form a gas-air mixture. The mixing chamber includes a gas inlet port through which the gas is received, an air intake port through which the air is received, and an outlet port through which the gas-air mixture leaves the mixing chamber. The apparatus includes a flow control valve that can be connected to the gas supply to enable a user to selectively adjust the flow rate of the gas from the gas supply to the apparatus. The apparatus also includes a mass flow sensor positioned between the flow control valve and the gas inlet port of the mixing chamber for measuring the mass flow rate of the gas flowing into the mixing chamber. A motorized fan is positioned in a conduit connected to outlet port of the mixing chamber for drawing the gas-air mixture out of the mixing chamber to a location where it can be sniffed by the user to detect odor. The apparatus also includes a tachometer for measuring the rotational speed of the motorized fan and a microprocessor controller responsive to signals from the tachometer for controlling the rotational speed of the motorized fan such that it is maintained at a substantially constant speed. The apparatus can be linked to a personal computer to enable data to be exchanged between the personal computer and the apparatus.

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First Claim