Bias-Compensated, Ionization Sensor for Gaseous Media and Method for Attaining Proper Bias for Same.

This invention relates to an ionization detector unit innovatively adapted to provide mobility to the unit and to render it especially suitable for convenient field use in point-source sampling and monitoring of the compositional characteristics of a gaseous medium such as, for example, the ambient atmosphere, and in emitting a discernible electrical signal which in response to a perceptible change in the compositional characteristics in the medium being monitored by the detector will be altered sufficiently to activate, or trigger, a suitable alarm or warning mechanism. The detector unit includes an ionization sensor cell for emitting an output signal and is powered by a suitable electrical source such as, for example, a miniature power source, and means for delivering or feeding to the sensor cell a representative stream or flow of the gaseous medium to be ionization monitored, and features a method and means for effectively compensating for variations andor fluctuations in the electrical output signal emitted by the sensor cell as a consequent result of variations andor fluctuations occurring in the rate of flow of the medium being delivered to and monitored thereby. The featured means is in the form of a low-voltage, battery-operated, bias device.