APSP H2 Gas Sensor Module

- for monitoring gas leakage detection in fuel cells and battery thermal runaway applications

The Angst+Pfister Sensors and Power (APSP) newly developed gas leakage detection module has the capability to detect typical trace gases for fuel cell leakage and battery thermal runaway applications by giving both analog and digital signals to trigger an alarm for an early warning to the end user.

In case of electric vehicles, the safety of passengers due to the battery failure is an important safety aspect. Early detection of thermal runaway venting is especially important because flammable vent gases in the battery pack can cause an immediate danger to the vehicle and its occupants.

APSP H2 gas sensor module offers a robust and reliable sensor technology to give an early warning and protect the passengers from life-endangering accidents.

The module consists of two different thermal conductivity sensors which are fully calibrated according to the customer specifications. Both sensors can be evaluated and compared at the same time. Simple design allows sensitivity and offset adjustment of the sensors according to the requirements of the application.

The module is supplied with sensing element drive electronics and readout circuitry with a possible analog voltage output (0-3V) and/or digital output derived from a smart algorithm that can provide application specific alarm signals after comparing both individual thermal conductivity sensors. The advantage of having two different sensors proves to be extremely advantageous especially due to the safety critical nature of the application.

The sensor module can operate at wide temperature range of -40°C to +85°C and has a very long operational lifetime of minimum 10 years. The module features both analog and/or digital outputs for a broad compatibility with any electronic controller, and it comes with an easy-to-use self-service concept with a very short ‘maintenance and calibration’ downtime needed when servicing the module.

The module needs supply voltage of 3.3-5.5VDC and has a very low current consumption of 60mA at 5VDC. The typical response time (t90) of the module lies in the range of 80ms which is suitable for a safety critical system.