Low concentration aerosol generator

US5918254A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US

Inventors

• Jerold R. Bottiger · Aberdeen, US
• Paul J. DeLuca · Belcamp, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 17, 1997
• Grant date: Jun 29, 1999
• Expiry date: Apr 17, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2015/1486
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A low concentration aerosol generator capable of generating aerosol partis of a known particle size and count is disclosed. The device includes a substantially hollow drying chamber having a first end, a second end, and a gas circulation means for circulating a gas in a flow through the drying chamber via an inlet means and an outlet means. The first end of the drying chamber has an aerosol droplet generator capable of generating aerosol droplets of a predetermined size and which droplets contain a detectable sample within the drying chamber. The second end of the drying chamber includes a delivery tube having a first orifice arranged within the drying chamber for receiving the detectable sample and a second orifice for allowing the detectable sample to exit the drying chamber. The gas circulation means includes means for generating and regulating the flow of the gas through the drying chamber. The invention also includes a method of generating and delivering a sample particle in a low velocity air stream to an analyzing instrument using the aforementioned device.