US4570494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for sampling and characterizing aerosols
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1984-04-11
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Granted: 1986-02-18
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Expires: 2004-04-11
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for sampling and characterizing aerosols having a wide particle size range at relatively low velocities may comprise a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the chamber including: a plurality of vertically stacked, successive particle collection stages; each collection stage includes a separator plate and a channel guide mounted transverse to the separator plate, defining a labyrinthine flow path across the collection stage. An opening in each separator plate provides a path for the aerosols from one collection stage to the next. Mounted within each collection stage are one or more particle collection frames.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick F. Dunn
- 👤 Joseph E. Herceg
- 👤 Robert H. Klocksieben
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/22; G01N1/2202; G01N1/2214; G01N1/2208; G01N2001/222; G01N2001/2223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
Apparatus for sampling aerosols comprising: a chamber having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, said chamber including: a plurality of vertically stacked, successive particle collection stages located within said chamber between said chamber inlet and chamber outlet and together with said chamber, defining a flow path from said chamber inlet, through successive collection stages, to said chamber outlet, each of said collection stages including: a separator plate located within and extending across said chamber for separating that stage from the previous stage, said separator plate having an inlet opening extending therethrough, and a channel guide, mounted transverse to said separator plate, defining a labyrinthine flow path from said inlet opening to the inlet opening of the next stage, and a plurality of particle collection means supported by said channel guide and located within said labyrinthine flow path; the particle collection means within the plurality of collection stages of the chamber including a combination of collector plates for gravity separation, fine wire impactors, and diffusion battery screens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
Apparatus for sampling aerosols comprising: a chamber having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, said chamber including: a plurality of vertically stacked, successive particle collection stages located within said chamber between said chamber inlet and chamber outlet and together with said chamber, defining a flow path from said chamber inlet, through successive collection stages, to said chamber outlet, each of said collection stages including: a separator plate located within and extending across said chamber for separating that stage from the previous stage, said separator plate having an inlet opening extending therethrough, and a channel guide, mounted transverse to said separator plate, defining a labyrinthine flow path from said inlet opening to the inlet opening of the next stage, and a plurality of particle collection means supported by said channel guide and located within said labyrinthine flow path; the particle collection means within the plurality of collection stages of the chamber including a combination of collector plates for gravity separation, fine wire impactors, and diffusion battery screens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said collector plate comprises a frame having an opening positioned transverse to said labyrinthine flow path and a flat plate for collection by gravitational settling connected to said frame and positioned substantially parallel to said labyrinthine flow path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising one or more metal coupons affixed to said flat plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said coupons are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of Zr-2, Ag, Pd, In-625, 316-SST, Ni, Pt, Al 2 O 3 , Fe, oxidized 316-SST, and oxidized carbon steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fine wire impactor comprises a frame having an opening and one or more fine wires fixedly placed across said opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said wires have a diameter of from 0.1 to 10 mils.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said wires are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of Pt, 70% Pt/30% Ir, Ni, Au, Ag, W, Pd, and Nichrome.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for injecting a stream of aerosols into said chamber inlet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means for injecting a stream provide for injection of the stream at a velocity of from approximately 0.1 to 30 cm/s.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a canister and a manifold tube extending therethrough and a plurality of said chambers vertically stacked within said canister, wherein said manifold tube is connected to the inlet of each chamber.
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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) | 1989-02-17 | 1989-08-19 | 1990-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-17 | 1993-08-19 | 1994-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-17 | 1997-08-19 | 1998-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |