US4820920A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for detecting dangerous substances
Assignee: ANALYTICAL SECURITY SYSTEMS 12 ST JOHN ST MANCHESTER M3 4DX UK
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Filing: 1987-04-24
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Granted: 1989-04-11
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Expires: 2007-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A method of detecting a dangerous substance such as explosives or drugs in an article (27) in transit comprises the steps of taking a sample of atmosphere (28) from the vicinity of the article, causing the sample to enter an ionization chamber (24) of a mass spectrometer (30), obtaining a mass spectrum of one or more constituents of the sample, comparing the mass spectrum with one or more reference spectra, and generating a signal indicative of any said dangerous substance in the sample.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Bather
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:59
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B15/00; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/22; G01N1/24; G01N33/00; G01N33/22; G01N33/227; G01N2001/022; G01N2001/024; G01N2001/028; H; H01; H01J; H01J49/00; H01J49/02; H01J49/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of detecting a dangerous substance in an article in transit comprising the steps of: exposing the article to microwave or radiofrequency radiation to vaporize a component of said dangerous substance; taking a sample of vapor from the vicinity of the article; causing the sample to enter an ionization chamber of a mass spectrometer; obtaining a mass spectrum of one or more constituents of the sample; comparing the mass spectrum with one or more reference spectra; and generating a signal indicative of any dangerous substance in the sample.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of detecting a dangerous substance in an article in transit comprising the steps of: exposing the article to microwave or radiofrequency radiation to vaporize a component of said dangerous substance; taking a sample of vapor from the vicinity of the article; causing the sample to enter an ionization chamber of a mass spectrometer; obtaining a mass spectrum of one or more constituents of the sample; comparing the mass spectrum with one or more reference spectra; and generating a signal indicative of any dangerous substance in the sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sample is taken from a compartment of a means of transportation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein a multiplicity of sampling means located at various locations in an aircraft, vessel or vehicle are arranged to deliver samples to a single mass spectrometer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
Dangerous substance detecting apparatus comprising sampling means arranged to take a sample of atmosphere from the vicinity of an article in transit, a mass spectrometer means arranged to cause the sample to enter an ionization chamber of the mass spectrometer, means arranged to compare a mass spectrum generated by the mass spectrometer with one or more reference spectra and a signal generator arranged to generate a signal indicative of any dangerous substance in the sample, wherein the sampling means includes a perforated member arranged to contact the surface of said article.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
Dangerous substance detecting apparatus comprising sampling means arranged to take a sample of atmosphere from the vicinity of an article in transit, a mass spectrometer means arranged to cause the sample to enter an ionization chamber of the mass spectrometer, means arranged to compare a mass spectrum generated by the mass spectrometer with one or more reference spectra and a signal generator arranged to generate a signal indicative of any dangerous substance in the sample, wherein the sampling means includes a perforated member arranged to contact the surface of said article.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sampling means comprises a capillary needle probe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sampling means comprises a porous diaphragm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2714164A
Cited
US3476968A
Cited
US3920987A
Cited
US3867631A
Cited
US3999065A
Cited
US4314156A
Cited
US4167667A
Cited
US4260886A
Cited
US4442353A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-04-10 | 1992-10-10 | 1993-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-10 | 1996-10-10 | 1997-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-10 | 2000-10-10 | 2001-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |