US4589292A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for sampling ambient air at a work place
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-12-05
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Granted: 1986-05-20
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Expires: 2004-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A process for sampling ambient air at a work place comprises continually withdrawing by means of a pump, a sample of ambient air in the proximity of the respiratory tract of an individual worker, filtering the aspirated air for subsequent analysis of filtered-out particles, picking-up the cardiac rhythm of the individual and controlling the flow of air of the pump by a signal modulated by the cardiac rhythm of the individual. Apparatus for carrying out the process copmrises a sampling tube, a motor driven pump for drawing a sample of ambient air in through the sampling tube, a filter associated with the sampling tube for filtering the air sample, a photo electric device for picking up the cardiac rhythm of the individual and a control circuit for controlling the flow-rate of the pump by a signal modulated by the cardiac rhythm of the individul. The pump motor is further controlled by a pressure pick-up downstream of the filter to correct for flow attenuation by the filter.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Noel Delhaye
- 👤 Elizabeth Kielczewska
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/22; G01N1/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
Process for sampling ambient air at a work place which comprises continually withdrawing by means of a pump, a sample of ambient air in the proximity of the respiratory tract of an individual worker herein after referred to as "said individual", filtering the aspirated air sample with a view to subsequently analyzing the particles filtered out of the air sample and thereby determining particles present in the ambient air, picking up the cardiac rhythm of said individual, and controlling the flow of said pump by a signal modulated by the cardiac rhythm of said individual.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
Process for sampling ambient air at a work place which comprises continually withdrawing by means of a pump, a sample of ambient air in the proximity of the respiratory tract of an individual worker herein after referred to as "said individual", filtering the aspirated air sample with a view to subsequently analyzing the particles filtered out of the air sample and thereby determining particles present in the ambient air, picking up the cardiac rhythm of said individual, and controlling the flow of said pump by a signal modulated by the cardiac rhythm of said individual.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
Process according to claim 1, in which the flow of air sampled is measured after it has been filtered, the flow thus measured is compared with the flow determined by the signal modulated by the cardiac rhythm of said individual and, if any discrepancy is detected between these two flows, the flow of the pump is controlled so as to eliminate such discrepancy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Process according to claim 1, in which the modulated signal controlling the flow of said pump is modified by a coefficient determined by the relation of cardiac and respiratory activities of said individual.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Process according to claim 1 in which the cardiac rhythm of said individual is picked up by sensing the pulsed flow of blood in an ear lobe of said individual.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for sampling ambient air at a work place which comprises, a sampling tube having an inlet positioned in the proximity of the respiratory tract of an individual worker hereafter referred to as "said individual", pump means connected with said sampling tube for continually drawing a sample of ambient air through said sampling tube, filter means associated with said sampling tube for filtering the air sample drawn in through said sampling tube and thereby filtering out for subsequent analysis particles present in the air sample, means for picking up the cardiac rhythm of said individual, and means for controlling the flow of said pump means by a signal modulated by the cardiac rhythm of said individual.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for sampling ambient air at a work place which comprises, a sampling tube having an inlet positioned in the proximity of the respiratory tract of an individual worker hereafter referred to as "said individual", pump means connected with said sampling tube for continually drawing a sample of ambient air through said sampling tube, filter means associated with said sampling tube for filtering the air sample drawn in through said sampling tube and thereby filtering out for subsequent analysis particles present in the air sample, means for picking up the cardiac rhythm of said individual, and means for controlling the flow of said pump means by a signal modulated by the cardiac rhythm of said individual.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means for measuring the flow of air downstream of said filter means, and means for comparing the flow determined by said downstream measuring means with the flow determined by the signal modulated by said cardiac rhythm and for controlling said pump means to eliminate any discrepancy between the flow determined by said downstream measuring means and the flow determined by said signal modulated by said cardiac rhythm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, in which said means for picking up the cardiac rhythm of said individual comprises a light source for directing light through an ear lobe of said individual, and a sensor on the opposite side of said ear lobe for receiving light transmitted through said ear lobe modulated by flow of blood in said ear lobe.
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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) | 1989-05-19 | 1989-11-18 | 1990-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-19 | 1993-11-18 | 1994-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-19 | 1997-11-18 | 1998-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |