US3768302A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for sensing substances by analysis of adsorbed matter associated with atmospheric particulates
Assignee: Smiths Detection Toronto Ltd
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Filing: 1971-05-14
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for sensing substances, such as mineral deposits, in which atmospheric particulates in an area being investigated are collected, and adsorbed matter is removed from the particulates. The adsorbed matter (usually in the gaseous state) is then analyzed to provide information concerning the possible existence of the substance in the area being investigated.
Inventors
- 👤 A Barringer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/0004; G01N33/0009; G01N33/0011; G01V; G01V9/00; G01V9/007; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/14; Y10T436/141111; Y10T436/25; Y10T436/25375; Y10T436/255
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of identifying the presence of a substance in an area, comprising: a. receiving an air stream containing atmospheric particulates at known locations in said area, which particulates may comprise adsorbed matter that is indicative of the presence of said substance in said area, b. continuously concentrating said particulates immediately after they have been received, c. removing at least a portion of said adsorbed matter from said particulates immediately after they have been received and concentrated as aforesaid, d. forming a stream of said removed matter, e. analyzing said removed matter continuously as said matter is removed from said particulates while continuously receiving and concentrating said particulates to determine the identity of said portion of removed matter and hence to ascertain whether or not said substance is present in said area, and f. said steps (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) being performed continuously, rapidly and in quick succession.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of identifying the presence of a substance in an area, comprising: a. receiving an air stream containing atmospheric particulates at known locations in said area, which particulates may comprise adsorbed matter that is indicative of the presence of said substance in said area, b. continuously concentrating said particulates immediately after they have been received, c. removing at least a portion of said adsorbed matter from said particulates immediately after they have been received and concentrated as aforesaid, d. forming a stream of said removed matter, e. analyzing said removed matter continuously as said matter is removed from said particulates while continuously receiving and concentrating said particulates to determine the identity of said portion of removed matter and hence to ascertain whether or not said substance is present in said area, and f. said steps (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) being performed continuously, rapidly and in quick succession.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said area is an area of the earth, wherein said substance is indicative of underlying geological conditions, wherein said method is practised from an aircraft and wherein said method includes the additional step of correlating said analyzed matter with said known Locations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said matter is removed from said particulates by heating said particulates to a temperature sufficient to drive off said matter and wherein said particulates are transferred to an inert carrier gas prior to the analysis thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
176 words
Apparatus for performing a rapid geochemical survey of an area of the earth from a moving vehicle comprising: a. means for receiving an air stream containing atmospheric particulates at known locations in said area, which particulates may contain adsorbed matter that is indicative of underlying geological conditions, b. means for concentrating said particulates immediately after they have been received, said concentrating means being operative continuously whereby immediately after the particulates are received they are concentrated, c. means connected to said concentrating means for removing at least a portion of said adsorbed matter from said particulates immediately after they have been received and concentrated as aforesaid, said removing means being operative continuously whereby said adsorbed matter is removed from said particulates continuously immediately after said particulates have been concentrated as aforesaid, and d. means connected to said removing means for analyzing said removed matter continuously as said matter is removed from said particulates to determine the identity of said portion of removed matter and hence to ascertain whether or not said substance is present in said area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
176 words
Apparatus for performing a rapid geochemical survey of an area of the earth from a moving vehicle comprising: a. means for receiving an air stream containing atmospheric particulates at known locations in said area, which particulates may contain adsorbed matter that is indicative of underlying geological conditions, b. means for concentrating said particulates immediately after they have been received, said concentrating means being operative continuously whereby immediately after the particulates are received they are concentrated, c. means connected to said concentrating means for removing at least a portion of said adsorbed matter from said particulates immediately after they have been received and concentrated as aforesaid, said removing means being operative continuously whereby said adsorbed matter is removed from said particulates continuously immediately after said particulates have been concentrated as aforesaid, and d. means connected to said removing means for analyzing said removed matter continuously as said matter is removed from said particulates to determine the identity of said portion of removed matter and hence to ascertain whether or not said substance is present in said area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said concentrating means includes at least two chambers, each for collecting said particulates, and means for diverting at least a portion of said air stream cyclically between said chambers, so that particulates are collected cyclically in one of said chambers and then in the other, wherein said removing means includes means for heating at least some of the collected particulates to remove matter therefrom in gaseous form, wherein there is further provided means for operating the heating means in said chambers cyclically so that while particulates are collected in one chamber, the concentrated particulates in the other chamber are being heated, and connecting means for connecting said chambers to said analyzing means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |