US3593583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mercury air sampler for geological studies
Assignee: Geomet Inc
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Filing: 1970-04-29
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1990-04-29
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and system for detecting and sampling mercury vapor in the atmosphere especially adapted for geological surveying or studies utilizing sensitized absorption of the vapor on surfaces of noble metal wire grids. The wire grids operate to concentrate encountered low levels
Inventors
- 👤 Howard H Anderson
- 👤 Rudolph H Moyer
- 👤 Donald J Sibbett
- 👤 David C Sutherland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V9/00; G01V9/007; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/22; G01N1/2202; G01N33/00; G01N33/0004; G01N33/0009; G01N33/0027; G01N33/0036; G01N33/0045; G01N2001/222; G01N2001/2223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In a system for sampling and measuring mercury content in air for geological studies: A. means to sample quantities of air and collect mercury in vapor form contained therein by absorption of said mercury on a noble metal wire grid collector comprising: i. a horizontally mounted double-arm rotor; ii. means to drive said rotor; iii. said grid collector being a silver wire grid wound in convolute form, so as to be adapted for sensitized absorption of mercury on the surfaces of the wire, said silver wire grid being vertically mounted on each arm of said rotor and adapted on rotation of said rotor to collect mercury vapor from the atmosphere; B. means to desorb collected mercury from the collector by ohmic heating of the grid; and C. means to quantitatiVely measure the mercury content released from the grid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a system for sampling and measuring mercury content in air for geological studies: A. means to sample quantities of air and collect mercury in vapor form contained therein by absorption of said mercury on a noble metal wire grid collector comprising: i. a horizontally mounted double-arm rotor; ii. means to drive said rotor; iii. said grid collector being a silver wire grid wound in convolute form, so as to be adapted for sensitized absorption of mercury on the surfaces of the wire, said silver wire grid being vertically mounted on each arm of said rotor and adapted on rotation of said rotor to collect mercury vapor from the atmosphere; B. means to desorb collected mercury from the collector by ohmic heating of the grid; and C. means to quantitatiVely measure the mercury content released from the grid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, said grid comprising spaced posts, upper and lower bars interconnecting said posts, said posts being threaded, said wire being wound in said threads to form the grid, and said rotor including means vertically mounting said grid for orbital movement through the atmosphere.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as claimed in claim 2 including said rotor arm mounting said grid, and means detachably interconnecting said grid and rotor for attachment and detachment of the grid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system as claimed in claim 3 including a sealable airtight compartment separate and remote from said rotor, said grid upon removal from said rotor being insertable in said compartment, the desorption means constituting heating means for said grid by direct passage of electric power therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
111 words
A system as claimed in claim 4 and including two separate grids detachably mounted on the rotor, both said grids being insertable in said compartment and said heating being consecutively instituted with respect to the two grids whereby a measure of signals caused by materials other than mercury is first obtained, while desorbing mercury from the first grid, then obtaining a measure of mercury content by reabsorbing said mercury on the second grid, then heating of the second grid to desorb mercury quantity actually being measured by correlation with the said measure of signals caused by materials other than mercury to determine the absolute amount of mercury vapor in the air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
Method for sampling and measuring mercury content in air for geological studies comprising: A. sampling quantities of air and collecting mercury in vapor form contained therein by absorption on a wire grid collector comprised of noble metal wire; B. resistance heating the grid to desorb collected mercury therefrom and in a manner to separate mercury from background contaminants or interferences in said air; and C. quantitatively measuring the desorbed mercury content released from the grid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
Method for sampling and measuring mercury content in air for geological studies comprising: A. sampling quantities of air and collecting mercury in vapor form contained therein by absorption on a wire grid collector comprised of noble metal wire; B. resistance heating the grid to desorb collected mercury therefrom and in a manner to separate mercury from background contaminants or interferences in said air; and C. quantitatively measuring the desorbed mercury content released from the grid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 and including two collecting grids mounted for orbital collecting movement through the air, heating the two grid collectors consecutively for elimination of signals from background contaminants or interferences.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |