Patents Assigned to Ion Track Instruments
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Publication number: 20020134933Abstract: An ion trap mobility spectrometer is provided. The ion trap mobility spectrometer employs algorithms to simultaneously detect and analyze both positive and negative plasmagrams. Selectivity is improved by detecting the presence of peaks in both spectra and setting logic filters which require the presence or absence of certain peaks in both spectra. Selectivity is improved by looking for two peaks in the two spectra.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2002Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: Ion Track Instruments LLCInventors: Anthony Jenkins, William J. McGann
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Publication number: 20020078767Abstract: A portal trace detection apparatus is provided for detecting minute particles of interest, such as traces of narcotics, explosives and other contraband. The apparatus includes a portal through which a human suspect will pass. A detection apparatus is disposed at least partly in the ceiling of the portal, and hence above the human subject in the portal. Particles of interest will be entrained in the human thermal plume that exists in the boundary layer of air adjacent the suspect, and will flow upwardly from the suspect to the detection apparatus in the ceiling of the portal. The portal includes a plurality of vertically aligned arrays of air jets. The air jets are fired sequentially from bottom to top to produce short bursts of air sufficient to disturb the clothing of the suspect and to dislodge particles of interest from the clothing. The dislodged particles of interest are entrained in the air in the human thermal plume and are transported upwardly to the detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2001Publication date: June 27, 2002Applicant: Ion Track Instruments LLCInventors: Anthony Jenkins, William J. McGann, Kevin J. Perry
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Patent number: 5491337Abstract: An ion trap mobility spectrometer (ITMS) and method of operation are provided for enhanced detection of narcotics in an air sample. The air sample is transported by a carrier gas with a low concentration of a dopant that has a basicity between the relative basicity of said carrier gas and the narcotic.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1994Date of Patent: February 13, 1996Assignee: Ion Track Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Jenkins, William J. McGann
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Patent number: 5263075Abstract: A method of producing a high angular resolution collimator implemented in an inspection system for detecting the presence of selected crystalline materials, such as explosives or drugs. The system includes an x-ray source and an array of energy dispersive detectors to sense radiation scattered by the objects being inspected. The collimator includes a bundle of optical fibers bonded together to form a stack of plates having a plurality of microcapillaries therein to pass an x-ray beam therethrough. The method includes the steps of stacking the plates, aligning the plates in registration, and etching an inner core without disrupting registration.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1992Date of Patent: November 16, 1993Assignee: Ion Track Instruments, Inc.Inventors: William McGann, Kenneth Ribeiro
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Patent number: 5200614Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer is provided which employs an electron capture process. A sample gas stream is irradiated to produce positive ions and electrons in an ionization chamber. An open grid electrode is employed in the ionization chamber to maintain a field-free space that allows ion population to build up in the ionization chamber. However, a high electric field is periodically generated across the ionization chamber for periods of less than one millisecond to cause most ions of one polarity in the ionization chamber to be swept out and into a drift chamber. Ions of opposite polarity are discharged on the walls of the ionization chamber. The ions entering the drift chamber travel at drift velocities dependant on their respective charge and mass. A collector electrode is provided for sequentially collecting ions of differing mass, and the collected ion current is transmitted to a signal processing means for measuring intensity and arrival times for the collected ions.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1992Date of Patent: April 6, 1993Assignee: Ion Track Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Anthony Jenkins
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Patent number: 5027643Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for detecting terrorist bombs. The apparatus is operative to detect small amounts of low volatility atmospheric vapors which are emitted into the surrounding air from the bomb. The apparatus includes a heated inlet nozzle which delivers the air to a silicone membrane. A pair of identical capillaries are disposed downstream from the membrane, with one capillary being polarized, and the other being non-polarized. The heating of the inlet nozzle is periodically increased rapidly to cause extremely low volatility explosive vapors to evaporate and diffuse through the membrane. Detectors disposed downstream from the capillaries detect the presence of the vapors impinging thereon. Differences in the signals generated by the two detectors is indicative of the presence of an explosive. A microprocessor is provided to recalibrate the detectors after each heating cycle.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1990Date of Patent: July 2, 1991Assignee: Ion Track Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Anthony Jenkins
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Patent number: 5007072Abstract: An inspection system for detecting the presence of selected crystalline materials, such as explosives or drugs, utilizing an x-ray source and a collimated array of detectors to sense radiation scattered by the objects being inspected. A signal processing system compares the measured signal with selected spectra to determine whether specific materials are present within the inspected object.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1988Date of Patent: April 9, 1991Assignee: Ion Track InstrumentsInventors: Anthony Jenkins, Peter W. Stephens
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Patent number: 4964309Abstract: A portal vapor detection system for sampling air proximal to the bodies of individuals in which air sampling tubes positioned within movable panels convey a gas flow into an analyzing system. Low vapor pressure materials such as plastic explosives or illicit drugs carried by individuals can be detected thereby enabling the prevention of their transport into aircraft or secured areas.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1989Date of Patent: October 23, 1990Assignee: Ion Track InstrumentsInventor: Anthony Jenkins
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Patent number: 4947352Abstract: A microprocessor is employed to control a test program which operates to cause a component under test to be filled (or evacuated) to a predetermined pressure P.sub.2 at which a leak test is to be carried out. The test program is arranged firstly to perform a rapid test at atmospheric pressure P.sub.1 to determine the pressure change dpl'/dt in the component due to the temperature fluctuation. The component is then filled (or evacuated) automatically to the test pressure P.sub.T, at which the leak check is carried out. Temperature compensation is achieved by subtracting the value of C dpl'/dt from the pressure change dp.sub.t /dt actually measured, i.e. the actual leak rate dPL/dt is given by ##EQU1## where the constant, C, is generated from an identical proram run, the calibration run, on a known non-leaker with a high temperature fluctuation.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1988Date of Patent: August 7, 1990Assignee: Ion Track Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Anthony Jenkins