Abstract: A control device and method provides control of at least one operating feature of a cooking device in response to measured smoke and/or gas produced by item(s) being cooked. The device and method may control the temperature and cooking time of the device, and may also shut off the device or provide a fire alarm.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A detector requires a stream of dry air for transporting particles to the detector. The detector then operates to determine whether the dry air has transported any particles of interest. Continuous operation of the detector is permitted by providing first and second dryers that can be operated alternately for drying air that is to be directed to the detector. The dryer that is not being operated is recharged. Air is directed alternately between the first and second dryer to ensure that neither dryer is operated after reaching saturation.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting whether substances of interest are present in a sample of air. The apparatus includes a detector, such as an ion trap mobility spectrometer. The detector is operated at a high drift voltage and then is switched to a low drift voltage. Spectra are collected at the high and low field strengths and are compared with standard spectra at those strengths to determine whether materials of interest are present.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An ion trap mobility spectrometer is provided with a reaction chamber and a drift chamber. Ions are produced in the reaction chamber by high voltage electronic pulses. More particularly, the ions are formed periodically and are allowed to thermalize in a field-free environment of the reaction chamber. The ions then react with molecular species in the gas phase in the reaction chamber. After a short period, the ions are pulsed into the drift section and are collected on a collector electrode disposed at the end of the drift chamber remote from the reaction chamber. The reaction period may be varied to sample the ion population at different intervals. This enables the ion-molecule reactions to be monitored as the ion population approaches equilibrium. The monitoring results can be used to determine differences between reacting species because the molecular ion population varies at different time points approaching equilibrium. This in turn provides improved identification of target materials.

Abstract: Sample traps or wipes are provided for a detection system for detecting contraband materials. The sample trap is formed from an open weave glass fabric coated with a thin layer of Teflon and roughened to cut through the surface of Teflon and to break some of the glass fibers. Alternatively, the sample trap is non-woven felt fabric made of high temperature polyamide fiber. The sample traps are used in a detector, such as an ion trap mobility spectrometer. The detector includes a desorber which feeds dry air from a manifold above and below the sample trap through a series of holes along the mouth of the desorber. The dry air passes through the trap and purges out unwanted atmospheric constituents that could otherwise affect the performance of the detector. The purged air passes to the outside atmosphere, thus creating a dry curtain at the entry to the desorber.

Abstract: A can end (1) having a chuck wall (3) which is inclined at an angle of between 30° and 60°. The chuck wall (3) is provided with an image (9) such as a logo, pattern, printed or etched image, typically for promotional purposes.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement includes a multi-functional arm mounted in a mounting receiver. The arm includes a forward enlarged section, an intermediate recessed section, and a rearward enlarged section. The mounting receiver includes a forward mounting portion, an intermediate open portion, and a rearward mounting portion. The arm is mounted by aligning the intermediate recessed section of the arm over a top opening in the forward mounting portion, lowering the arm and sliding it rearwardly. A pair of pins on the arm engage a pair of aligned apertures on the front surface of the forward mounting portion to minimize looseness between the arm and the mounting receiver. A latch mechanism engages the arm to secure the arm in the mounting receiver and provides a visual indication that the arm is properly engaged. When the latch mechanism is pivoted by an operator inwardly, the latch mechanism disengages the arm, allowing removal of the arm from the mounting receiver.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement includes a multi-functional arm mounted in a mounting receiver. The arm includes a forward enlarged section, an intermediate recessed section, and a rearward enlarged section. The mounting receiver includes a forward mounting portion, an intermediate open portion, and a rearward mounting portion. The arm is mounted by aligning the intermediate recessed section of the arm over a top opening in the forward mounting portion, lowering the arm and sliding it rearwardly. A pair of pins on the arm engage a pair of aligned apertures on the front surface of the forward mounting portion to minimize looseness between the arm and the mounting receiver. A latch mechanism engages the arm to secure the arm in the mounting receiver and provides a visual indication that the arm is properly engaged. When the latch mechanism is pivoted by an operator inwardly, the latch mechanism disengages the arm, allowing removal of the arm from the mounting receiver.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An ion trap mobility spectrometer is provided with a reaction chamber and a drift chamber. Ions are produced in the reaction chamber by high voltage electronic pulses. More particularly, the ions are formed periodically and are allowed to thermalize in a field-free environment of the reaction chamber. The ions then react with molecular species in the gas phase in the reaction chamber. After a short period, the ions are pulsed into the drift section and are collected on a collector electrode disposed at the end of the drift chamber remote from the reaction chamber. The reaction period may be varied to sample the ion population at different intervals. This enables the ion-molecule reactions to be monitored as the ion population approaches equilibrium. The monitoring results can be used to determine differences between reacting species because the molecular ion population varies at different time points approaching equilibrium. This in turn provides improved identification of target materials.

Abstract: A control device and method provides control of at least one operating feature of a cooking device in response to measured smoke and/or gas produced by item(s) being cooked. The device and method may control the temperature and cooking time of the device, and may also shut off the device or provide a fire alarm.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.