Apparatus and method for storage of atmospheric sample for eventual chemical analysis
US7600439B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 2006 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2030/085
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and system for collecting and storing an atmospheric sample for eventual analysis, where the atmospheric sample includes a mixture of at least a matrix and an analyte. In one implementation, the system includes a housing; a sample cartridge removably attached to the housing, and a pump integrated with the housing and in fluid communication with the sample cartridge, the pump being configured to draw the atmospheric sample through the sample cartridge and to subsequently evacuate the matrix from the sample cartridge. The sample cartridge includes a low thermal mass cylinder with a first end and a second end; an inlet port with a gas-tight inlet valve at the first end of the cylinder, an outlet port with a gas-tight outlet valve at the second end of the cylinder, and a sorbent material disposed within the cylinder and adapted to trap the analyte from the atmospheric sample. In addition, the interior surfaces of the cylinder, inlet valve, and outlet valve upon which sorbent material is not disposed are chemically passive.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.