Patent US2377991A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3884081A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automated sequential air sampler
Assignee: California Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1974-06-24
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1994-06-24
Abstract
Abstract An automated sequential air sampler that is highly suitable for being remotely situated to obtain a plurality of air samples at predetermined intervals of time over an extended time period, is disclosed. The air sampler includes a plurality of piston pumps that may be in the form of hypodermic syringes. Each pump operates to obtain an air sample whenever a plunger thereof is retracted to have air drawn through an inlet needle into an interior chamber thereof. The inlet to each pump is automatically sealed by having the inlnet needle thereof covered by a septum that is drawn against said inlet with a guide rod on which it is mounted and in response to the plunger reaching the end of its stroke. Sequential retraction of the several syringe plungers is accomplished by operation of a timed retractor assembly which functions to retract individual plungers at predetermined intervals of time.
Inventors
- 👤 George A Griffith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/22; G01N1/24; G01N2001/247
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An air saMpling device for obtaining a plurality of air samples at scheduled time intervals, said air sampling device comprising: a plurality of piston pumps each having a housing forming an interior chamber, an inlet port member communicating with said chamber, and a plunger which is partially retracted from within said chamber of said housing to draw air into said chamber through said inlet port member when a said piston pump is actuated; a plurality of sealer means respectively connected to a different one of said pumps for sealing off said inlet port member thereof in response to the plunger thereof being partially retracted from within the chamber thereof by a predetermined distance; and actuator means for actuating each of said plurality of pumps at scheduled time intervals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
An air saMpling device for obtaining a plurality of air samples at scheduled time intervals, said air sampling device comprising: a plurality of piston pumps each having a housing forming an interior chamber, an inlet port member communicating with said chamber, and a plunger which is partially retracted from within said chamber of said housing to draw air into said chamber through said inlet port member when a said piston pump is actuated; a plurality of sealer means respectively connected to a different one of said pumps for sealing off said inlet port member thereof in response to the plunger thereof being partially retracted from within the chamber thereof by a predetermined distance; and actuator means for actuating each of said plurality of pumps at scheduled time intervals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
The device defined by claim 1, said piston pumps being elongate and further including a stopper arm attached to said plunger, said sealer means including: an elongated member positioned to extend along the length of a pump associated therewith; and cover means attached at an end of said elongate member for preventing the passage of air through an inlet port member when positioned to cover said inlet port by being drawn thereagainst in response to being engaged by said stopper arm when said plunger is retracted by said predetermined distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device defined by claim 2, said elongate member further including a nub attached on said elongate member to be engaged by said stopper arm, said stopper arm having a central groove for receiving said elongate member therein, said stopper arm engaging said nub on said elongate member to draw said cover means against said inlet port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device defined by claim 3, said cover means and said nub being movably on said elongate member to allow adjustment of the distance therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device defined by claim 4, wherein the distance between said cover means and said nub is equal to the distance between the tip of said inlet port member and the outermost end of a plunger when retracted by said predetermined distance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
The device defined by claim 2, said sealer means further including: a positioning arm attached to and extending from said elongate member, said positioning arm having an aperture for receiving said inlet port member which is extended therethrough; and a guide member attached to said elongate member for slideably moving with respect to said housing of an associated pump for guiding said elongate member when moved with respect to said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device defined by claim 1, said air sampler device further including a mount on which said plurality of piston pumps are removably mounted, said mount configured to have first and second walls connected to a base panel to form a channel therebetween, said plurality of piston pumps being attached to said first wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
The device defined by claim 7, said actuator means including: a plurality of retention means respectively associated with each of said pumps for maintaining said plunger thereof within said interior chamber of the housing thereof; a plurality of retracting means respectively connected to a plunger of one of said pumps for retracting a plunger connected thereto by said predetermined distance in response to an associated retention means being released; and trigger means for releasing each of said retention means at scheduled time intervals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device defined by claim 8, said retracting means including a spring which is attached between the outermost end of a plunger to be retracted and said second wall of said channel mount.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
The device defined by claim 8, said retention means including a latching pin and a latching arm having means for receiving said latching pin and thereby maintaining said latching pin in a position preventing retraction of a plunger retained thereby, said latching arm being mounted to be pivoted by said trigger means, whereby said latching pin is released by said latching arm when pivOted by said trigger means to allow retraction of said plunger.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device defined by claim 10, said trigger means including: an armature; a plurality of trigger arms mounted on said armature; and means for rotating said armature about the longitudinal axis thereof whereby said trigger arms are moved to contact and thereby cause pivoting of said latching arms to produce release of corresponding latching pins and consequent retraction of plungers retained thereby.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device defined by claim 11, wherein the trigger arms are mounted on said armature at radial angles with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof that are determinative of the time interval at which individual ones of said plurality of pumps are actuated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device defined by claim 1, said actuator means including: a plurality of retracting means respectively connected to a plunger of a different one of said plurality of pumps for retracting the plunger connected thereto at predetermined times; and timing means for initiating the retraction of the respective plungers of said plurality of pumps in accordance with a predetermined time schedule.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
The device defined by claim 13, said plurality of retracting means each including a chain and having a predetermined different length, a first end portion of each chain connected to the outermost end of a different one of said plungers, a second end portion of each chain connected to said timing means, said chains being drawn away from said plungers by said timing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device defined in claim 14, the lengths of said chains determining the succession in which the plungers connected thereto are retracted, the plunger connected to the shortest chain being retracted first and the plunger attached to the longest chain being retracted last.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device defined by claim 13, said timing means including: a plurality of sprockets each positioned to be engageable with a different one of said retracting means; and mover means for driving said sprockets to have said retracting means engaged therewith retract plungers connected thereto at said predetermined times.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device defined by claim 16, said mover means including an armature that is adapted to be rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof, said armature being connected to at least one of said sprockets to cause rotation thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device defined by claim 14, said timing means including: a plurality of sprockets each positioned to engage a different one of said chains; and mover means for causing said sprockets to be rotated to have chains engaged therewith drawn in a direction away from the plungers connected thereto to produce retraction of said plungers connected thereto.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device defined by claim 18, said sprockets each having a diameter corresponding to a desired rate at which an associated plunger is to be retracted.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device defined by claim 19, wherein said mover means is connected to rotate said sprockets in unison.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device defined by claim 19, wherein said mover means is connected to rotate said sprockets successively.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device defined by claim 5, said air sampler device further including a mount on which said plurality of piston pumps are removably mounted, said mount configured to have first and second walls connected to a base panel to form a channel therebetween, said plurality of piston pumps being attached to said first wall.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
83 words
The device defined by claim 22, said actuator means including: a plurality of retention means respectively associated with each of said pumps for maintaining said plunger thereof within said interior chamber of the housing thereof; a plurality of retracting means respectively connected to a plunger of one of said pumps for retracting a plunger connected thereto by said predetermined distance in response to an associated retention means being released; and trigger means for releasing each of said retention means at scheduLed time intervals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device defined by claim 23, said retracting means including a spring which is attached between the outermost end of a plunger to be retracted and said second wall of said channel mount.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
74 words
The device defined by claim 14, said retention means including a latching pin and a latching arm having means for receiving said latching pin and thereby maintaining said latching pin in a position preventing retraction of a plunger retained thereby, said latching arm being mounted to be pivoted by said trigger means, whereby said latching pin is released by said latching arm when pivoted by said trigger means to allow retraction of said plunger.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device defined by claim 25, said trigger means including: an armature; a plurality of trigger arms mounted on said armature; and means for rotating said armature about the longitudinal axis thereof whereby said trigger arms are moved to contact and thereby cause pivoting of said latching arms to produce release of corresponding latching pins and consequent retraction of plungers retained thereby.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device defined by claim 26, wherein the trigger arms are mounted on said armature at radial angles with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof that are determinative of the time intervals at which individual ones of said plurality of pumps are actuated.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device defined by claim 5, said actuator means including: a plurality of retracting means respectively connected to a plunger of a different one of said plurality of pumps for retracting the plunger connected thereto at predetermined times; and timing means for initiating the retraction of the respective plungers of said plurality of pumps in accordance with a predetermined time schedule.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
64 words
The device defined by claim 28, said plurality of retracting means each including a chain and having a predetermined different length, a first end portion of each chain connected to the outermost end of a different one of said plungers, a second end portion of each chain connected to said timing means, said chains being drawn away from said plungers by said timing means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device defined by claim 29, the lengths of said chains determining the succession in which the plungers connected thereto are retracted, the plunger connected to the shorter chain being retracted first and the plunger attached to the longest chain being retracted last.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device defined by claim 29, said timing means including: a plurality of sprockets each positioned to be engageable with a different one of said retracting means; and mover means for driving said sprockets to have said retracting means engaged therewith retract plungers connected thereto at said predetermined times.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device defined by claim 29, said sprockets each having a diameter corresponding to a desired rate at which as associated plunger is to be retracted.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device defined by claim 32, wherein said mover means is connected to rotate said sprockets in unison.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device defined by claim 32, wherein said mover means is connected to rotate said sprockets successively.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device defined by claim 33, said mover means including an armature that is adapted to be rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof, said armature being connected to at least one of said sprockets to cause rotation thereof.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
147 words
An air sampling device for successively obtaining a plurality of air samples, said device comprising: a plurality of air sampler units each including a cylindrical housing defining an interior cavity, an inlet needle connected to said cavity, and a piston-like plunger housed in said cavity for drawing an air sample through said inlet needle into said cavity as said plunger is partially withdrawn from said cavity; a plurality of stopper means respectively connected with a different one of said sampler units for covering the inlet needle thereof in response to the plunger thereof being withdrawn from the cavity thEreof by a predetermined distance, said stopper means serving to prevent the escape of an air sample through the inlet needle covered thereby; retractor means connected to the plungers of said sampler units for partially withdrawing each plunger for said predetermined distance in accordance with a selected time schedule.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
147 words
An air sampling device for successively obtaining a plurality of air samples, said device comprising: a plurality of air sampler units each including a cylindrical housing defining an interior cavity, an inlet needle connected to said cavity, and a piston-like plunger housed in said cavity for drawing an air sample through said inlet needle into said cavity as said plunger is partially withdrawn from said cavity; a plurality of stopper means respectively connected with a different one of said sampler units for covering the inlet needle thereof in response to the plunger thereof being withdrawn from the cavity thEreof by a predetermined distance, said stopper means serving to prevent the escape of an air sample through the inlet needle covered thereby; retractor means connected to the plungers of said sampler units for partially withdrawing each plunger for said predetermined distance in accordance with a selected time schedule.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
120 words
An air sampling device for automatically obtaining an air sample, said device comprising: an air sampler unit including a housing defining an interior cavity, an inlet needle connected to said cavity, and a piston-like plunger housed in said cavity for drawing an air sample through said inlet needle into said cavity as said plunger is partially withdrawn from said cavity; stopper means connected with said sampler unit for covering said inlet needle in response to the plunger thereof being withdrawn from said cavity by a predetermined distance, said stopper means serving to prevent the escape of an air sample through said inlet needle covered thereby; retractor means connected to said plunger for partially withdrawing said plunger for said predetermined distance.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
120 words
An air sampling device for automatically obtaining an air sample, said device comprising: an air sampler unit including a housing defining an interior cavity, an inlet needle connected to said cavity, and a piston-like plunger housed in said cavity for drawing an air sample through said inlet needle into said cavity as said plunger is partially withdrawn from said cavity; stopper means connected with said sampler unit for covering said inlet needle in response to the plunger thereof being withdrawn from said cavity by a predetermined distance, said stopper means serving to prevent the escape of an air sample through said inlet needle covered thereby; retractor means connected to said plunger for partially withdrawing said plunger for said predetermined distance.
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) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |