Sampling interface for a vehicle

US6837121B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · US

Inventors

• Waynle I. Sternberger · Highland, US
• Stuart A. Goemmer · Bel Air, US
• Alexander E. Dence · Panama City, US
• Stanley G. Reach · Panama City, US
• Cheryl S. Schein · Rockville, US
• Micah A. Carlson · Baltimore, US
• William R. Allmon · Yardley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 21, 2003
• Grant date: Jan 4, 2005
• Expiry date: Apr 21, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2015/0053
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention comprises a material sampling interface that includes one or more inlet manifolds and one or more outlet manifolds and piping running to and from the manifolds. There are rungs connecting the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. In addition, a bypass rung is positioned between the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold, with a bypass valve positioned on the bypass. Each of the rungs has piping connected to the inlet and outlet manifolds and a removable reservoir connected to the piping. The reservoir includes an internal removable sampler adapted to sample the material. There is an inlet valve connected to the piping between the reservoir and the inlet manifold and an outlet valve connected to the piping between the reservoir and the outlet manifold. The invention is capable of sampling any flowable material including fluids, gases, particles, etc.