US5753832A — Vapor and particle sampling

Claim 1

Independent Claim 171 words

Apparatus for collecting vapor or particles from a surface of a subject moving in a substantially linear direction with respect to said apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a housing; a wand pivotally mounted to said housing said wand being arranged to contact said surface of said subject and having a central fluid flow passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said wand; a plurality of holes disposed in a wall of said wand, each of said holes providing a fluid flow passage between atmosphere and said central fluid flow passage of said wand; said wand mounted to said housing so that said holes extend in said direction of movement of said subject; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand for drawing a sample of working fluid through said fluid flow passages provided by said plurality of holes; and a collector in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand to collect vapor or particles intermixed in said sample of working fluid.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 171 words

Apparatus for collecting vapor or particles from a surface of a subject moving in a substantially linear direction with respect to said apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a housing; a wand pivotally mounted to said housing said wand being arranged to contact said surface of said subject and having a central fluid flow passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said wand; a plurality of holes disposed in a wall of said wand, each of said holes providing a fluid flow passage between atmosphere and said central fluid flow passage of said wand; said wand mounted to said housing so that said holes extend in said direction of movement of said subject; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand for drawing a sample of working fluid through said fluid flow passages provided by said plurality of holes; and a collector in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand to collect vapor or particles intermixed in said sample of working fluid.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an external width of said wand is less than a characteristic dimension of the contour of said surface of said subject.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 11 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said subject is a person.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said external width of said wand is less than about 10 cm.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of said wands.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 51 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a first one of said wands is mounted to a first portion of said housing and a second one of said wands is mounted to a second portion of said housing, wherein said subject moves between said first and said second portions of said housing.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first one of said wands is biased toward said second one of said wands.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 72 words

A collector for collecting explosives vapor and particles intermixed in a sample air stream, said collector comprising: a section of substantially gas permeable filter paper comprising fibers interwoven to trap at least some of said explosives particles as said sample air stream passes through said filter paper; and a substantially gas impermeable material exposed on a surface of said filter paper, said material having a high binding affinity for said explosives vapor.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 72 words

A collector for collecting explosives vapor and particles intermixed in a sample air stream, said collector comprising: a section of substantially gas permeable filter paper comprising fibers interwoven to trap at least some of said explosives particles as said sample air stream passes through said filter paper; and a substantially gas impermeable material exposed on a surface of said filter paper, said material having a high binding affinity for said explosives vapor.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 183 words

Apparatus for collecting vapor or particles from a surface of a subject moving in a substantially linear direction with respect to said apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a housing; a wand pivotally mounted to said housing, said wand being arranged to contact said surface of said subject and having a central fluid flow passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said wand, an end of said central fluid flow passage being open to atmosphere; a plurality of holes disposed in a wall of said wand, each of said holes providing a fluid flow passage between atmosphere and said central fluid flow passage of said wand; said wand mounted to said housing so that said holes extend in said direction of movement of said subject; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand for drawing a sample of working fluid through said fluid flow passages provided by said plurality of holes; and a collector in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand to collect vapor or particles intermixed in said sample of working fluid.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 183 words

Apparatus for collecting vapor or particles from a surface of a subject moving in a substantially linear direction with respect to said apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a housing; a wand pivotally mounted to said housing, said wand being arranged to contact said surface of said subject and having a central fluid flow passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said wand, an end of said central fluid flow passage being open to atmosphere; a plurality of holes disposed in a wall of said wand, each of said holes providing a fluid flow passage between atmosphere and said central fluid flow passage of said wand; said wand mounted to said housing so that said holes extend in said direction of movement of said subject; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand for drawing a sample of working fluid through said fluid flow passages provided by said plurality of holes; and a collector in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand to collect vapor or particles intermixed in said sample of working fluid.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising an orifice disposed in said open end of said central fluid flow passage.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wand is pivotally mounted to said housing.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a damper for damping the rotation of said wand.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal axis of said wand is curved.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wand is comprised of a tubular section.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wand is comprised of polyvinyl chloride.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of holes is oriented at an acute angle with respect to said longitudinal axis of said wand.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said holes are disposed at different rotational orientations around the circumference of said wall of said wand.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 191 words

Apparatus for collecting vapor or particles from a surface of a subject moving in a substantially linear direction with respect to said apparatus said apparatus comprising: a housing; a wand having a central fluid flow passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said wand; a plurality of holes disposed in a wall of said wand each of said holes providing a fluid flow passage between atmosphere and said central fluid flow passage of said wand; said wand mounted to said housing so that said holes extend in said direction of movement of said subject; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand for drawing a sample of working fluid through said fluid flow passages provided by said plurality of holes; a collector in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand to collect vapor or particles intermixed in said sample of working fluid; and a bypass line in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage for removing a portion of said sample of working fluid from said central fluid flow passage before said sample of working fluid reaches said collector.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 191 words

Apparatus for collecting vapor or particles from a surface of a subject moving in a substantially linear direction with respect to said apparatus said apparatus comprising: a housing; a wand having a central fluid flow passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said wand; a plurality of holes disposed in a wall of said wand each of said holes providing a fluid flow passage between atmosphere and said central fluid flow passage of said wand; said wand mounted to said housing so that said holes extend in said direction of movement of said subject; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand for drawing a sample of working fluid through said fluid flow passages provided by said plurality of holes; a collector in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand to collect vapor or particles intermixed in said sample of working fluid; and a bypass line in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage for removing a portion of said sample of working fluid from said central fluid flow passage before said sample of working fluid reaches said collector.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 33 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a valve in said bypass line for adjusting the size of the portion of said sample of working fluid removed from said central fluid flow passage.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 11 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said subject is a person.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said collector is configured for use with an explosives vapor analyzer.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 188 words

Apparatus for collecting vapor or particles from a surface of a moving subject, said apparatus comprising: a housing; a wand pivotally mounted to said housing, said wand being arranged to contact said surface of said subject and having a central fluid flow passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said wand, said longitudinal axis of said wand being oriented at an acute angle with respect to a direction of movement of said subject through said apparatus, an external width of said wand being less than a characteristic dimension of the contour of said surface of said subject; a plurality of holes disposed in a wall of said wand, each of said holes providing a fluid flow passage between atmosphere and said central fluid flow passage of said wand; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand for drawing a sample of working fluid through said fluid flow passages provided by said plurality of holes; and a collector in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand to collect vapor or particles intermixed in said sample of working fluid.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 188 words

Apparatus for collecting vapor or particles from a surface of a moving subject, said apparatus comprising: a housing; a wand pivotally mounted to said housing, said wand being arranged to contact said surface of said subject and having a central fluid flow passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said wand, said longitudinal axis of said wand being oriented at an acute angle with respect to a direction of movement of said subject through said apparatus, an external width of said wand being less than a characteristic dimension of the contour of said surface of said subject; a plurality of holes disposed in a wall of said wand, each of said holes providing a fluid flow passage between atmosphere and said central fluid flow passage of said wand; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand for drawing a sample of working fluid through said fluid flow passages provided by said plurality of holes; and a collector in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand to collect vapor or particles intermixed in said sample of working fluid.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 11 words

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said subject is a person.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said width of said wand is less than about 10 cm.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 200 words

Apparatus for collecting particles from a moving surface, said apparatus comprising: a housing; a wand pivotally mounted to said housing, said wand being arranged to contact said surface and having a central fluid flow passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said wand, said longitudinal axis of said wand being oriented at an acute angle with respect to a direction of movement of said surface through said apparatus; a plurality of holes disposed in a side wall of said wand, each of said holes providing a working fluid flow passage between atmosphere and said central fluid flow passage of said wand; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand for drawing a sample of working fluid through said working fluid flow passages; a collector in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand to collect particles entrained in said sample of working fluid; and said central fluid flow passage being sufficiently wide to prevent substantially all particles of on the order of about 10 microns in diameter from colliding with said wall of said wand after said particles enter said central fluid flow passage from said working fluid flow passages.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 200 words

Apparatus for collecting particles from a moving surface, said apparatus comprising: a housing; a wand pivotally mounted to said housing, said wand being arranged to contact said surface and having a central fluid flow passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said wand, said longitudinal axis of said wand being oriented at an acute angle with respect to a direction of movement of said surface through said apparatus; a plurality of holes disposed in a side wall of said wand, each of said holes providing a working fluid flow passage between atmosphere and said central fluid flow passage of said wand; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand for drawing a sample of working fluid through said working fluid flow passages; a collector in fluid communication with said central fluid flow passage of said wand to collect particles entrained in said sample of working fluid; and said central fluid flow passage being sufficiently wide to prevent substantially all particles of on the order of about 10 microns in diameter from colliding with said wall of said wand after said particles enter said central fluid flow passage from said working fluid flow passages.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus of claim 25 wherein each of said plurality of holes is oriented at an acute angle with respect to said longitudinal axis of said wand.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 25 wherein an end of said central fluid flow passage is open to atmosphere.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising an orifice disposed in said open end of said central fluid flow passage.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the width of said central fluid flow passage is greater than about 1.0 cm.

Claim 36

Independent Claim 174 words

A system for collecting vapor from a subject moving in a substantially linear direction with respect to said system, said system comprising: first and second housings; first and second symmetrically disposed arrays of sampling wands projecting from said respective first and second housings to contact said subject as said subject moves with respect to said system, each of said sampling wands having a central fluid flow passage; said sampling wands disposed at an acute angle to said direction of movement of said subject to traverse a surface of said subject as said subject moves with respect to said system; a sampling hole in each of said wands providing a working fluid flow passage between atmosphere and said associated central fluid flow passage; a vacuum source in fluid communication with at least some of said central fluid flow passages for drawing a sample of working fluid through at least some of said working fluid flow passages; a collector in fluid communication with said vacuum source to collect vapor entrained in said sample of working fluid.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 174 words

A system for collecting vapor from a subject moving in a substantially linear direction with respect to said system, said system comprising: first and second housings; first and second symmetrically disposed arrays of sampling wands projecting from said respective first and second housings to contact said subject as said subject moves with respect to said system, each of said sampling wands having a central fluid flow passage; said sampling wands disposed at an acute angle to said direction of movement of said subject to traverse a surface of said subject as said subject moves with respect to said system; a sampling hole in each of said wands providing a working fluid flow passage between atmosphere and said associated central fluid flow passage; a vacuum source in fluid communication with at least some of said central fluid flow passages for drawing a sample of working fluid through at least some of said working fluid flow passages; a collector in fluid communication with said vacuum source to collect vapor entrained in said sample of working fluid.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 14 words

The collector of claim 8 wherein said fibers of said filter paper comprise cellulose.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 10 words

The collector of claim 8 wherein said material comprises polyimide.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 19 words

The collector of claim 8 wherein said material is arranged in strips on said surface of said filter paper.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 14 words

The collector of claim 8 wherein said filter paper is held in a frame.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-05-18	2001-11-17	2002-05-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-05-18	2005-11-17	2006-05-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-05-18	2009-11-17	2010-05-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Vapor and particle sampling

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