Separator Detail Patents (Class 73/28.04)
  • Patent number: 8299449
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for environmental monitoring, allowing to determine the mass concentration of air-dispersed particulate matter by operating or spy filters (F1-F6), comprising a beta radiation emitter (16) and detector (18) for detecting the mass of particulate matter settled on the operating or spy filters (F1-F6), wherein it is further provided the same beta measurement on spy filters (S 12-S1 6) exposed to the same environmental conditions of the operating filters (F1-F6) and the determination of in-air particulate matter concentration by compensation of the two measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: FAI Instruments S.R.L.
    Inventor: Antonio Febo
  • Patent number: 8266945
    Abstract: A device for removing liquid or solid contaminants such as oil or dust dispersed in air in which an air flow is directed through a space formed by a spiral wall in a cyclonic chamber condenses the particles or droplet which drops down into a collection chamber below the cyclonic chamber while the cleaned air passes out through an outlet extending back up through the cyclonic chamber. A baffle plate array is located at the bottom of the collection chamber composed of spaced apart shallowly inclined partially overlapping plates which captures any cyclonic air flow at the bottom of the collection chamber. This removes contaminants which would otherwise accumulate at the center of the bottom of the collection chamber and be entrained in the air exiting the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Bryn Hartshorne
  • Publication number: 20120160010
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of a sampling apparatus that utilizes one or more cyclone separators to collect airborne particles from the atmosphere. In one representative embodiment, the sampling apparatus includes a collection-vessel retaining member that is adapted to be removably coupled to a collection vessel. The retaining member has an air-inlet conduit for permitting air to flow through the open end of the collection vessel and an air-outlet conduit for permitting air to exit the open end of the collection vessel. The air-inlet conduit and the air-outlet conduit are configured to cause air flowing into the collection vessel to establishes a cyclonic flow path, which causes airborne particles to separate out from the air stream and collect in the collection vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Teh-Hsun B. Chen, Gregory Feather, Jyoti Keswani, Herbert David Edgell III
  • Patent number: 8181504
    Abstract: A smoke evaluation device includes a manifold in fluid communication with a source of smoke, and a first sampling line and a second sampling line in fluid communication with the manifold. The first sampling line and the second sampling line are arranged to convey parallel smoke flows. A first filter station is located in the first sampling line, and is adapted to support a filter paper in fluid communication with the smoke. A first circuit board station is located in the second sampling line, and is adapted to support a circuit board in fluid communication with the smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Factory Mutual Insurance Company
    Inventor: Archibald Tewarson
  • Publication number: 20120096925
    Abstract: An improved analyzer and method of analyzing the content of carbon-containing particles in samples filtered from an air stream is presented. The air stream may be, for example and without limitation, ambient air impacted by pollution; air breathed in an occupational situation such as the atmosphere in a factory or mine; or a combustion exhaust stream such as an engine tailpipe, a chimney, or a smoke plume. The analyzer may operate without the use of bottled gases, such as unfiltered air, and may be operated to provide a very large dynamic range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: MAGEE SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony D.A. Hansen, Jeffrey R. Blair
  • Publication number: 20120090379
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor having a filter arrangement, downstream of which there is arranged a detector arrangement, and an evaluating device which is connected to the detector arrangement, the filter arrangement has at least a first filter, the suspect filter, which is configured as a band pass filter allowing the passage of a first predetermined band, the suspect band, at least one second filter, the reference filter(s), which is configured as a band pass filter allowing the passage of a second predetermined band(s), the reference band(s), and where the detector arrangement has at least one detector associated with at least one of the filters. The band passes reference filters are distributed above and below the band pass of the suspect filter. The sensor with advantage could be utilized within the IR band, and could advantageously be used to detect CO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: DANFOSS IXA A/S
    Inventors: Jens Moeller Jensen, Arun Krishna, Lars Munch, Rainer Buchner, Thomine Stolberg-Rohr, Henrik Gedde Moos
  • Patent number: 8151626
    Abstract: Sensor apparatus includes a housing, a probe mounted to the housing, the probe including an elongate first part and a helical coil second part conductively coupled to each in series with first and second terminals at opposite ends thereof, the probe to be inserted into an exhaust stream in an exhaust corridor; and a circuit coupled to the first and second terminals of the sensor probe, to selectively operate the probe as a temperature sensor in a first mode and as a PM sensor in a second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Krafthefer, Gregory E. Stewart, Jeff Boehler, Matthew Below, Michael L. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 8109129
    Abstract: A nanoparticle size classifier comprising a variable flow rate system with a single diffusion element 3 placed inside a cell 2 containing inlet 1 and outlets 6 and 7, an aerosol filter 8, flow meter 9, pump 10 and pump controller 11, which enables a plurality of measurements to be obtained by means of passing an aerosol through the diffusion element 3 at various flow rates. Preferably, outlet of the diffusion cell is connected to a particle counter 5 via a three-way valve 6. The diffusion element has a net or screen that permit air through but capture some particles. In a preferred embodiment, the nanoparticle size classifier is connected to a PC 12 (a notebook or a palm-size computer) to acquire and process data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Naneum Limited
    Inventor: Boris Zachar Gorbunov
  • Publication number: 20110271740
    Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb filter including trapping holes forming lattices is used to detect particulates trapped in the filter. An electromagnetic wave is transmitted to the filter in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the trapping hole. The electromagnetic wave after the electromagnetic wave passes through the filter is received and the particulates trapped in the filter are detected on the base of a received intensity of the electromagnetic wave. The electromagnetic wave has a frequency of 0.294 c/a or more and c/a or less (a represents a lattice spacing of said trapping holes and c represents the speed of light). The electromagnetic wave is irradiated to the filter wherein the particulates are not trapped and an inclined angle ? of the electromagnetic wave with respect to the lattices is changed so as to increase a received intensity of the electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Jungo Kondo, Yuichi Iwata, Tetsuya Ejiri
  • Patent number: 8015862
    Abstract: Method and device for operating a particle sensor arranged in an exhaust tract of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The particle sensor including a sensor carrier having two sensor electrodes arranged at a predetermined distance from one another on one side of the sensor carrier. The two sensor electrodes are exposed to an exhaust gas stream in the exhaust tract. The at least two sensor electrodes are acted upon with a collective potential, the collective potential having a value such that electrically charged particles are attracted out of the exhaust gas stream in the exhaust tract. The attracted particles in this case accumulate on and/or between the two sensor electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Steve Bollinger, Manfred Weigl
  • Patent number: 8006541
    Abstract: A device for detecting micro particles in gas, which comprises: an inlet through which a gaseous sample including micro particles flows in; an outlet through which the sample flows out; a channel through which the sample flows from the inlet toward the outlet; a cooling layer which cools and condenses the sample flowing in the channel; a reservoir which is positioned on the cooling layer and collects the condensed sample; a detector which is positioned in the reservoir on the cooling layer and detects the micro particles included in the collected sample; and a heater which heats the outlet portion to produce a pressure difference between the inlet portion and the outlet portion, so that the sample flows through the channel from the inlet toward the outlet. The device for detecting micro particles in gas provides the advantage that micro particles included in gaseous sample can be detected without having to use additional pump or collector, detection time can be reduced, and detection accuracy can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University
    Inventors: Yun Woo Nam, Hyo-Il Jung, Seung Jae Lee, Hui-Sung Moon
  • Publication number: 20110203350
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and device for measuring dust concentration in flowing gas, particularly atmospheric air. Aerodynamic forces continuously position the intake nozzle (2) along the direction of gas flow. The velocity of the measuring stream in the inlet of the intake nozzle (2) is compared with velocity of gas flowing around the intake nozzle (2) and the possible difference is compensated by changing the velocity of the measuring stream in mechanical way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Stanislaw Kaminski
  • Publication number: 20110203931
    Abstract: Devices, apparatus and methods are disclosed for non-contact pneumatic sampling and sampling of surfaces, persons, articles of clothing, buildings, furnishings, vehicles, baggage, packages, mail, and the like, for contaminating aerosols or vapors indicative of a hazard or a benefit, where the contaminating aerosols or vapors are chemical, radiological, biological, toxic, or infectious in character. In a first device, a central orifice for pulling a suction gas stream is surrounded by a peripheral array of convergingly-directed gas jets, forming a virtual sampling chamber. The gas jets are configured to deliver millisecond pneumatic pulses that erode particles and vapors from solid surfaces at a distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: ENERTECHNIX, INC
    Inventors: Igor V. Novosselov, Peter C. Ariessohn, Evan D. Dengler, Michelle Hickner
  • Patent number: 7998731
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a collection device for a substance, and methods related to collecting thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Daitch, Roger Reynolds, Stephen C. Francesconi, Bouvard Hosticka, Kathy Terlesky, Eric J. Van Gieson
  • Publication number: 20110186436
    Abstract: Devices, apparatus and methods are disclosed for non-contact pneumatic sampling and sampling of surfaces, persons, articles of clothing, buildings, furnishings, vehicles, baggage, packages, mail, and the like, for contaminating aerosols indicative of a hazard or a benefit, where the contaminating aerosols are chemical, radiological, biological, toxic, or infectious in character. In a first device, a central orifice for pulling a suction gas stream is surrounded by a peripheral array of convergingly-directed gas jets, forming a virtual sampling chamber. The gas jets are configured to deliver millisecond pneumatic pulses that erode particles from solid surfaces at a distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: ENERTECHNIX, INC
    Inventors: Igor V. Novosselov, Peter C. Ariessohn, Evan D. Dengler, Michelle Hickner
  • Patent number: 7968055
    Abstract: The measurement is conducted by means of thermogravimetric scales (10) bearing at one end of the beam (20) a catalyst body (30) for catalysing a coking reaction of the tars present in the gas state. Precautions are taken in order to ensure homogeneity and regularity of the sampled gas flow and to guarantee predominant catalysis on the catalytic body (30), the weight increase of which gives the weight of the deposited coke and indirectly the content of tars present in the gas state in the gas to be measured. A calorimetric device (34) for analyzing gases from the coking of the tars provides a complementary and/or additional measurement. The solid tars are filtered beforehand, but their content may be measured by an auxiliary device. Possible application to analyzing gases from biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Meryl Brothier, Pierre Estubier, Johann Soyez
  • Publication number: 20110120211
    Abstract: A rotary particle sensor assembly and an air cleaner having the rotary particle sensor assembly are disclosed. Particularly, in the present invention, regardless of the orientation of the air cleaner, the rotary particle sensor assembly can always be oriented in the direction of gravity. The rotary particle sensor assembly includes a particle sensor, which measures the pollution level of air drawn into the air cleaner. The particle sensor is supported in the air cleaner so as to be rotatable using a rotating shaft and has a weight at a predetermined position. Thus, the particle sensor can always be oriented in the direction of gravity by the weight regardless of the orientation of the air cleaner. Therefore, the present invention ensures the accuracy of measurement of the pollution level of air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: WOONGJIN COWAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Hyung Bae
  • Publication number: 20110100094
    Abstract: In a method for the diagnostics of an internal combustion engine exhaust gas system that includes a particle filter, first and second sets of value vectors are determined, each including associated values for absolute pressure upstream and downstream of the particle filter, a differential pressure determined from the values of the absolute pressure, an exhaust gas volume flow through the particle filter, and a temperature of the exhaust gas volume flow. After a temperature-standardization of the pressure values, characteristics for dependence of the pressure values are generated from temperature-standardized values of the first set of value vectors and possibly stored as reference characteristics. By comparing temperature-standardized values for the absolute pressure on the inlet and outlet sides of the particle filter and the differential pressure of the second set of value vectors with reference characteristics, flow anomalies can be determined in the exhaust gas system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicants: Daimler AG, Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Konrad, Yi Liu, Emmanuel Routier, Kevin Sisken, Patrick Wolf, Peter Schimmelpfennig
  • Patent number: 7932490
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating size segregated aerosol mass concentration in real time and using a single detector. A beam of electromagnetic radiation is passed through a particle stream made of a test or field aerosol. The single detector outputs an electrical signal proportional to the electromagnetic radiation scattered thereupon. The electrical signal may be conditioned to produce an integrated signal for measuring radiation scattered from all the particles in the interrogation volume, a pulse height from an individual particle within the volume, and/or a time-of-flight measurement from the individual particle. The integrated signal can be correlated to particle mass concentration. The pulse height signal and the time-of-flight signal may be converted to infer the size of the individual particle. Attendant size distributions for the particle sizes may also be obtained. Using known or assumed particle properties, the mass concentration may be estimated from the size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: TSI, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoliang Wang, Jugal Agarwal, George John Chancellor, James Evenstad
  • Publication number: 20110048107
    Abstract: A device for gas analysis includes a detector tube (2) and can be used in the area of explosive or combustible gases. A filter material, which consists of a granular, porous material and has an impregnation for absorbing toxic gases, is provided between the detector tube (2) and a pump (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: DRÄGER SAFETY AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Armin SCHULTEN, Michael ROSERT, Benjamin BRANDENBURG
  • Patent number: 7892983
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus, comprising a processing chamber, a holder to hold at least a plurality of product substrates, a heating member, a supplying member to alternately supply at least a first reactant and a second reactant, and a control unit, wherein the control unit executes forming thin films on the substrates by supplying the first reactant, removing a surplus of the first reactant after the first reactant has been adsorbed on the product substrates, subsequently supplying the second reactant, to cause the second reactant to react with the first reactant adsorbed on the substrates, and executes the forming the thin films in a state where a number of the product substrates is insufficient when a number of the product substrates is less than a maximum number of the product substrates which can be held by the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventors: Hironobu Miya, Taketoshi Sato, Norikazu Mizuno, Masanori Sakai, Takaaki Noda
  • Publication number: 20110036979
    Abstract: System to reduce the pressure drop in a Vienna-type differential mobility analyzer (DMA). It is built to favor the flow axilsymmetry, with no restrictions to avoid strong pressure drops and high pumping capacities. It comprises an electrical isolator, a metallic cone to stabilize the flow, all in one instrument covering a size range of 1 to 600 nm. The electrical isolator is capable of a potential difference of up to 14 kV. It can be used to measure ions and particles in the size range already mentioned with resolutions up to 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES ENERGETICAS, MEDIOAMBIENTALES Y TECNOLOGICAS
    Inventors: Francisco Javier GOMEZ MORENO, Pablo MARTÍNEZ LOZANO SINUES, Manuel MARTÍN ESPIGARES
  • Publication number: 20100330690
    Abstract: Provided are a suspended particulate matter measurement apparatus capable of automatically measuring a nitrate ion content and a sulfate ion content in the atmosphere, and a suspended particulate matter measurement method using the same. The suspended particulate matter measurement apparatus includes a filter, suction part, extraction part, measurement part, and a recording part. The suction part suctions air in the atmosphere at a constant flow rate to cause particulate matter contained therein to be adsorbed onto the filter. The extraction part extracts components of the particulate matter adsorbed onto the filter, by dissolving the particulate matter into a solvent, and collects a resultant solution. The measurement part measures at least one of a nitrate ion content and a sulfate ion content in the solution collected by the extraction part, and outputs the measurement result. The recording part records the measurement result outputted from the measurement part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: KIMOTO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Kimoto, Yoichi Mitani, Xiang Gao, Akiko Fukunaga, Saori Kitayama
  • Patent number: 7854158
    Abstract: A system for measurement and analysis of pipeline contaminants is provided. The system includes a first assembly for engaging a pipeline from which a first fluid flow sample may be isokinetically collected for measurement of aerosol contaminants. The system also includes a second assembly for engaging the pipeline from which a second fluid flow sample may be collected for chromatographic analysis of the aerosol contaminants. The system may further include a third assembly for engaging the pipeline from which a fluid flow sample may be obtained for measurement of solid contaminants. Information on aerosol contaminants and solid contaminants can subsequently be used to select an appropriate extraction technology to control the presence of aerosol and solid contaminants within the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Perry Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: David Burns, Tomas Borjon, Mark Scott
  • Publication number: 20100218595
    Abstract: A particulate filter particularly suited for analytical gravimetric weighing applications is disclosed. The particulate filter includes a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) media supported by a ring and yields stable microgram and submicrogram weighing results. The support ring may be PTFE, metal foil, or another non-hygroscopic polymer such that the mass of the filter does not vary with changes in atmospheric moisture. The filter simplifies the discharge of electrostatic charge buildup such that when a conductive filter media is combined with a conductive ring device, the discharge may be accomplished by placing the filter on a grounded weighing pan or other surface. The particulate filter can simplify filter identification by including identification symbols imprinted on each side of the filter media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: MEASUREMENT TECHONOLOGY LABORATORIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Dikken, Robert O. Nelson, Lloyd G. Keleny, Mike Kiester, Andrew Dahlgren
  • Publication number: 20100180669
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for diagnosing a particle filter used for filtering particles out of the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, wherein a collecting particle sensor is disposed downstream of the particle filter in the direction of flow of the exhaust gas and wherein a measurement for the loading of the particle sensor is determined from an output signal of the particle sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Enno Baars, Torsten Handler, Bernhard Kamp, Henrik Schittenhelm
  • Publication number: 20100175459
    Abstract: A device for determination of solid particle concentration includes a pre-diluter (6), a downstream heated evaporator (7), a secondary diluter (8) downstream of the evaporator (7) and a particle counter (5) connected to such. The secondary diluter (8) is a porous tube diluter and mounted between the outlet of the evaporator (7) and a stabilization chamber (14), from which the sample flow is branched off for the particle counter (5). With it, the concentration of the solid particles can be measured easily and controllably within a wide range without any corruption as a result of volatile aerosol particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Franz Knopf, Helmut Pongratz, Alexander Bergmann
  • Publication number: 20100132435
    Abstract: A method for determining a deviation of a fuel quality from a reference quality and for determining a change in exhaust gas emissions caused by this deviation by evaluating pressure waves in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine outfitted with one of a discontinuous fuel delivery and a fuel take-off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG
    Inventor: Andreas Doring
  • Publication number: 20100132339
    Abstract: The invention concerns an exhaust gas system (1) for an internal combustion engine (11), said system (1) comprising an exhaust gas conduit (13), a particulate filter (15) and a controllable exhaust valve (17) arranged in the exhaust gas conduit (13, said exhaust valve (17) being intended for increasing the exhaust gas temperature (TeXh) by increasing an exhaust gas back pressure in situations where the exhaust gas temperature (TeXh) is too low for performing a regeneration process of the particulate filter (15), a temperature measurement means (12) for determining an exhaust gas temperature (TeXh), a first pressure measurement means (14, 14a) for determining an exhaust gas pressure upstream of the valve (17), a control unit (24) for receiving signals from the measurement means (12, 14) and for controlling the valve (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Ralf Barkhage
  • Patent number: 7721588
    Abstract: A method of detecting particles during inspection is provided. The method includes establishing a security checkpoint including a detection system, wherein the detection system includes a chamber defining a passage and includes a plurality of jets. The method also includes passing an individual through the passage, enhancing a convection plume including particles from the individual by blowing air through at least one of the plurality of jets, and absorbing the particles in a preconcentrator including a filter encased in a frame having a high thermal conductivity. Moreover, the method includes evaporating the particles absorbed in the preconcentrator and using a detector to determine whether the particles are from at least one of an explosive material and a narcotic substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Morpho Detection, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Perry, Matthew Edward Knapp
  • Patent number: 7721589
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an automated system for performing repeated testing using an impactor which comprises a cup manifold defining multiple impaction cups, an impactor head defining transfer passages, and a nozzle manifold which defines multiple nozzles and is disposable between the cup manifold and the impactor head, so that in the assembled impactor a route is defined for through-flow via the impaction cups, the nozzles and the transfer passages. The system comprises an impaction station for performing impaction testing using the assembled impactor; a cup manifold recovery station for recovering sample material from the impactor cups in a solvent; an impactor head cleaning station; and at least one handling system for assembling the impactor for impaction, and for subsequently disassembling the impactor and delivering the cup manifold and the impactor head to their respective stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignees: Glass Group Limited, Astech Projects Limited, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Christopher Ian Hansford, Dominic Ewan Harvey, Willi Juergen Kumb, Anthony Michael Moran, William Leroy Roberts
  • Publication number: 20100107739
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air pollution sensor system (1) comprising an air inlet (11), an air outlet (12), a sensor unit (2), and an air displacement device (3). The air displacement device is arranged to establish an air flow (4) from the air inlet through the sensor unit to the air outlet. The sensor unit comprises, a filter (22) for removing airborne pollutants from the air flow. The sensor unit is arranged to generate an output signal (21) based on the amount of airborne pollutants removed from the air flow by the filter. The air displacement device is arranged to be controlled by the output signal, thereby improving the lifetime of the air pollution sensor system by minimizing the amount of pollutants that will be deposited inside the sensor unit when the air pollution sensor system is operated under predetermined conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Johan Marra
  • Publication number: 20100043528
    Abstract: The measurement is conducted by means of thermogravimetric scales (10) bearing at one end of the beam (20) a catalyst body (30) for catalysing a coking reaction of the tars present in the gas state. Precautions are taken in order to ensure homogeneity and regularity of the sampled gas flow and to guarantee predominant catalysis on the catalytic body (30), the weight increase of which gives the weight of the deposited coke and indirectly the content of tars present in the gas state in the gas to be measured. A calorimetric device (34) for analyzing gases from the coking of the tars provides a complementary and/or additional measurement. The solid tars are filtered beforehand, but their content may be measured by an auxiliary device. Possible application to analyzing gases from biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE
    Inventors: Meryl Brothier, Pierre Estubier, Johann Soyez
  • Patent number: 7666253
    Abstract: A test fixture for collecting particulate matter carried in the exhaust gas stream of an engine has a pair of coaxially aligned mounting plates, each having a filter cartridge holder mounted thereon. One of the mounting plates is moveable with respect to the other along a predefined longitudinal axis of the test fixture between an open position, whereat a filter cartridge is easily placed or removed, and a closed position at which a filter media mounted in the filter cartridge is sealed during a prescribed test sequence. An actuator mounted on a third coaxially aligned mounting plate has an extendable rod connected to the second mounting plate to effect movement of the second mounting plate between the open an closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Ernest M. Krueger, Timothy L. Travis
  • Publication number: 20100031733
    Abstract: Method and device for operating a particle sensor arranged in an exhaust tract of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The particle sensor including a sensor carrier having two sensor electrodes arranged at a predetermined distance from one another on one side of the sensor carrier. The two sensor electrodes are exposed to an exhaust gas stream in the exhaust tract. The at least two sensor electrodes are acted upon with a collective potential, the collective potential having a value such that electrically charged particles are attracted out of the exhaust gas stream in the exhaust tract. The attracted particles in this case accumulate on and/or between the two sensor electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Steve Bollinger, Manfred Weigl
  • Publication number: 20100024522
    Abstract: A device for removing liquid or solid contaminants such as oil or dust dispersed in air in which an air flow is directed through a space formed by a spiral wall in a cyclonic chamber condenses the particles or droplet which drops down into a collection chamber below the cyclonic chamber while the cleaned air passes out through an outlet extending back up through the cyclonic chamber. A baffle plate array is located at the bottom of the collection chamber composed of spaced apart shallowly inclined partially overlapping plates which captures any cyclonic air flow at the bottom of the collection chamber. This removes contaminants which would otherwise accumulate at the center of the bottom of the collection chamber and be entrained in the air exiting the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Bryn Hartshorne
  • Publication number: 20100027013
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for the analysis of materials. The apparatus includes two or more similar analyzers, with the output of the analyzers combined to provide improved measurements. The apparatus may be, for example, a differential photometric analyzer, such as the AETHALOMETER®. The apparatus and method includes providing flows to the analyzers such that the rate of accumulation per filter area differs for the two or more analyzers. The output of the apparatus or method may be a concentration, such as the concentration of black carbon particulates. Additionally, the output may be an optical measure of particulates that is useful for characterizing the source or history of the particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Anthony D. A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 7651543
    Abstract: A planar omni-directional inlet assembly is provided for installing on a device, such as a dry filter unit, that draws a fluid medium, such as ambient air, to collect particulate matter suspended in the fluid medium onto a filter. The inlet assembly includes an annular platform removably positionable on the device; an annular nozzle to direct the air from the platform; an annular impactor disposed downstream of the nozzle; a housing that disposes the filter downstream of the impactor; and an exit for passing the air from the filter to the device. The impactor presents a flow obstacle for a portion of the particulate matter. The housing directs the air through the filter. The housing includes a base with a first cavity and a lid with a second cavity such that the filter is disposable between the first and second cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Virgil A. Marple, Bernard A. Olson, Alan W. Hall, Edward A. Lustig, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7642511
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer system includes an inlet system having an aerodynamic lens system for collimating charged particles into a beam, and an aerodynamic kinetic energy reducing device for receiving and slowing the charged particles to near zero kinetic energy. A detection system receives and identifies a mass of the charged particles. The aerodynamic kinetic energy reducing device can be a reverse jet or a pathway through a stagnant volume of gas. Such mass spectrometer systems can operate in a mass range from 1 to 1016 DA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventor: Peter T. A. Reilly
  • Publication number: 20090301171
    Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the concentration of a catalytic clement in a fuel cell powder. The method includes depositing on a porous substrate at least one layer of a powder mixture comprising the fuel cell powder and an internal standard material, ablating a sample of the powder mixture using a laser, and vaporizing the sample using an inductively coupled plasma. A normalized concentration of catalytic element in the sample is determined by quantifying the intensity of a first signal correlated to the amount of catalytic element in the sample, quantifying the intensity of a second signal correlated to the amount of internal standard material in the sample, and using a ratio of the first signal intensity to the second signal intensity to cancel out the effects of sample size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Lawrence Shore, Ramail Matlin
  • Publication number: 20090241638
    Abstract: A metal compound (50) able to trap a sulfur component in exhaust gas is arranged in a flow path of the exhaust gas, a property of the metal compound (50) changing along with an increase of the amount of sulfur component trapped at the metal compound (50) is measured, and the cumulative value of the amount of SOX actually contained in the exhaust gas is calculated from the measured property. On the other hand, the assumed cumulative value of the amount of SOx, assumed to be contained in the exhaust gas when assuming that fuel or oil of a sulfur concentration assumed in advance is used, is calculated. It is judged if fuel or oil with a high sulfur concentration is being used from the actual cumulative value of the amount of SOX and the assumed cumulative value of the amount of SOx.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takamitsu Asanuma, Kohei Yoshida, Hiromasa Nishioka, Hiroshi Otsuki, Yuka Nakata
  • Publication number: 20090229346
    Abstract: A method of detecting a molecular species in an electronics processing environment is disclosed. The method exposes a capture substrate to the processing environment. The capture substrate has a surface area different from the surface area of an electronic substrate undergoing electronics processing. The molecular species is transferred from the environment to the capture substrate. A characteristic of the molecular species is identified, thereby detecting the species. Other methods utilize a capture substrate to remove the molecular species from an electronic processing environment, or use the capture substrate to determine the presence of a molecular species in a transfer container operating between two process environments or two intermediate process steps. Systems for carrying out the methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel Alvarez, JR., Troy B. Scoggins, Jeffrey J. Spiegelman
  • Patent number: 7536898
    Abstract: An inlet conduit (32) connects to aerosol source (100) of an initial particle concentration. A first flow path having particle counter (62) connects to inlet conduit (32). A second flow path (36) connects to the inlet conduit (32) and branches to form third flow path (38) and fourth flow path (40) which meet at junction (50). A flow restrictor (42) is positioned in the third flow path (38). Filter (44) and a flow meter (46) are connected in the fourth flow path. An outlet path (52) connects to the junction (50). A low particle counter (54), a second filter (56) and a second flow meter (58) are positioned in the outlet path. The system can accurately perform a traceable measurement of the dilution factor of an aerosol particle concentration traceable to national standards and allows for traceable measurements of aerosol concentrations below the dynamic range of a given particle counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Miles C. Owen
  • Patent number: 7531363
    Abstract: Detection systems and methods for capturing and analyzing particles within a particle sample are provided. The detection system may include, for example, a particle concentrator that can be used to collect and concentrate particles on a sample collection surface, an energy source for providing energy to induce fluorescence in the particles, and a detector for detecting at least some fluorescence induced in the particles by the energy source. The detection system may include a heater and/or cooler for controlling the temperature of the particle sample during testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Barrett E. Cole, Yuandong Gu
  • Patent number: 7521673
    Abstract: The resolution of a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) and the range of valid mobility values for the charged particles that it can detect are increased. The DMA makes use of a flat configuration and a purely two-dimensional operating model in which shims are used for improved adjustment and precision of the parallel faces that make up the analysis area. The analyzer uses a closed and pressurized aerodynamic tunnel to establish a cross flow with a very high Reynolds number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: RAHEM, S.A.
    Inventors: Emilio Ramiro Arcas, Angel Rivero Jimenez
  • Publication number: 20090064760
    Abstract: A container cleanliness measurement apparatus capable of preventing particles from being adhered to substrates, while improving the operation efficiency of a container for housing substrates. An FOUP inspection apparatus includes a particle-separation promoting nozzle for promoting separation of particles adhered to an inner wall of an FOUP and to carries for holding peripheral portions of wafers inside the FOUP, a particle collecting nozzle for collecting particles separated from the inner wall of the FOUP, etc., and a particle counter for measuring an amount of collected particles. The particle-separation promoting nozzle and the particle collecting nozzle constitute a probe nozzle which is adapted to enter inside the FOUP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi MORIYA, Toshiya Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20090056417
    Abstract: A particulate monitor includes a housing, an air-moving device coupled to the housing, and an air passageway disposed at least partially within the housing. The air-moving device is operable to create an airflow through the air passageway. The particulate monitor also includes a real-time measuring device positioned at least partially within the housing and in fluid communication with the air passageway and a particulate collection device positioned at least partially within the housing and in fluid communication with the air passageway. The collection device is positioned downstream of the real-time measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: QUEST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick James Kilps, Michael Gene Wurm, Thomas Edward King, Paul Ezekial James, Steven E. Michalski
  • Publication number: 20090044599
    Abstract: An inlet conduit (32) connects to aerosol source (100) of an initial particle concentration. A first flow path having particle counter (62) connects to inlet conduit (32). A second flow path (36) connects to the inlet conduit (32) and branches to form third flow path (38) and fourth flow path (40) which meet at junction (50). A flow restrictor (42) is positioned in the third flow path (38). Filter (44) and a flow meter (46) are connected in the fourth flow path. An outlet path (52) connects to the junction (50). A low particle counter (54), a second filter (56) and a second flow meter (58) are positioned in the outlet path. The system can accurately perform a traceable measurement of the dilution factor of an aerosol particle concentration traceable to national standards and allows for traceable measurements of aerosol concentrations below the dynamic range of a given particle counter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Miles C. Owen
  • Publication number: 20090031786
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fine-particle counter with which the number density of nanometer-sized fine particles born in a gas phase, which is extremely low, can be accurately measured under wide-ranging pressure conditions from pressurized conditions to low-pressure conditions. After contact-mixing, in a mixer 3, saturated vapor of a high-boiling-point solvent produced in a saturator 2, a component of a condensed nucleus detector 1, with nanometer-sized fine gas-born particles, condensed droplets of the saturated vapor whose nuclii are the fine particles are produced in a condenser 4 by heterogeneous nucleation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Kazuo Takeuchi, Kikuo Okuyama, Junsuke Yabumoto, Minekazu Ito
  • Patent number: 7454988
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for sampling a fluid, such as air. As fluid flows through a device, a scrubbing liquid is positioned in a pattern to contact the fluid and constituents in the fluid are transferred to in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Applera Corporation
    Inventor: Roy H. Tan