Air sampler based on virtual impaction and actual impaction
US7799567B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 18, 2006 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/25
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Particles are removed from a fluid stream, such as air, and are deposited on one or more collection surfaces. A pre-filter can be employed to reject oversized particles and contaminants, such as rain and insects. A concentrator is employed to increase a concentration of particles larger than a pre-defined particle size in at least a portion of the fluid, producing a concentrated volume of fluid. The concentrator and pre-filter can, for example, be virtual impactors. The concentrated volume of fluid/air is directed to the collection surface(s), where particles in the concentrated volume of air are deposited. In at least one embodiment, the collection surface is a bed of beads, reducing loss of particles that might occur due to particles bouncing from a single collection surface. A sampling component removes a portion of the deposited particles to generate a sample, which is analyzed by an analytical component.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.