Abstract: An ice hockey practice target is provided, the target comprising a first substantially tubular portion, including a first end attached to a base and a second end constructed and arranged to engage an upper horizontal goal crossbar, and a second tubular portion attached to the base, the second tubular portion constructed and arranged to engage and secure a lower end of a vertical goal post.

Abstract: A motion analyzing apparatus includes a first calculation unit that calculates a position of a first line segment representing a direction in which a rod-like part of a sporting tool extends in a stationary state, a second calculation unit that calculates the position of the first line segment at hitting, and a third calculation unit that specifies a virtual plane formed by the first line segment in the stationary state and a second line segment representing a ball hitting direction, wherein a relation between the virtual plane and the first line segment at the hitting is compared.

Abstract: A sleeve for improving a swinging motion of a user wearing the sleeve includes a tubular portion and a primary member. The tubular portion has a first opening and a second opening. The tubular portion configured to directly engage an arm portion of the user, wherein the arm portion extends from the first opening to the second opening. The primary member is substantially adjacent a first opening of the tubular portion, wherein the primary member is removably attached or permanently attached to the sleeve. The thickness of the primary member is greater than a thickness of the tubular portion for providing feedback to the user when the primary member is in contact with a torso of the user.

Abstract: The chalk-dispensing golf training club is a simulated golf club head that is mounted on a golf club shaft. The chalk-dispensing golf training club is not intended to be used with a golf ball. During training sessions, the chalk-dispensing golf training club is swung as a normal golf club. As the chalk-dispensing golf training club hits the ground, the chalk-dispensing golf training club leaves a chalk mark on the ground which indicates the plane of the swing. Through analysis of the chalk mark, an assessment can be as to whether the swing would result in a straight shot, a draw shot or a slicing shot. This information can be used to adjust the trainee's foot placement and to practice swings with the adjusted foot placement. The chalk dispensing golf training club comprises a practice head, chalk, a shaft, a grip.

Abstract: A golf training apparatus which provides technical information not inclusive of proper stance in relationship to the ball placement correcting poor foot alignment, speed and angle of proper golf club swing, proper foot placement, proper stance, club control, and targeted site alignment information to the golfer. The apparatus provides a straight line of site to the intended target to be hit by the golf ball projectile and simultaneously indicates proper position of the ball in relationship to the target to be hit, the golfer's feet and stance. Proper ball placement is determined by intersecting laser beams. Embodiments of the invention will determine the proper swing, distance between the foot and the rail and the ball and the rail by ultrasonic transducers, ultrasonic sensors, and accelerometers. The information of proper foot placement, stance, and swing will be communicated to the golfer by gradient colored light indicators, and digital information display.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a basketball stopping apparatus arranged for attachment to a basketball goal assembly. In some embodiments, the basketball stopping apparatus is configurable between a first position and a second position, the first position being arranged for the deflection of errant basketball shots and the second position being arranged for storage of the basketball stopping apparatus before and/or after use. Additionally, some embodiments include a wall coupled to base arms that are pivotably mounted to a bottom end of the basketball goal assembly.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure describe a pole and base assembly. The pole and base assembly includes a pole with an upper engagement portion and a lower engagement portion that are biased toward each other. A base includes a socket to receive the pole and a channel that allows the lower engagement portion to pass through the base. The upper engagement portion is retained on the top surface of the base. When the lower engagement portion is passed through the socket and aligned with a locking portion, the biasing force causes the upper and lower engagement portions to clamp together around the base and lock the pole to the base.

Abstract: A mouth guard includes a pair of spaced-apart molar receiving members with an inner wall extending therebetween. The inner wall is configured for insertion between a user's lips and teeth. An outer wall is configured to confront an exterior surface of the user's lips. A conduit extends between the inner and outer walls and includes a passage formed therethrough. The passage extends through the inner wall between the molar receiving members and extends through the outer wall whereby a user may breathe or drink through the passage.

Abstract: A snowboard assembly is disclosed that includes a deck supported above a pair of longitudinally spaced apart blades. The deck has an upper surface for supporting a rider thereon and each blade has a lower surface for contacting ice or snow upon which the snowboard assembly is ridden. The deck is supported above the blades by mounts that are interposed between each blade and the deck. The deck is torsionally rigid between the mounts such that, in use, rider induced weight transfer forces are able to be transferred from the deck through one or both mounts and into one or both blades in order to steer the assembly. The mounts may be truck assemblies which enable the blades to move independently with respect to the deck.

Abstract: Sliding device (1) for sliding on snow, whereby the sliding device (1) includes at least two skis (2) that extend in a longitudinal direction (L), whereby the at least two skis (2) are mounted next to one another and parallel to one another, whereby the at least two skis (2) are tiltable around separate horizontal axes of rotation (H) that are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the skis (2), whereby the sliding device (1) includes at least one support (7) that is rotatable around a vertical shaft (9), whereby the sliding device (1) is provided with a transmission (10, 11, 12) to convert a rotation movement of the support (7) around the vertical shaft (9) into a tilting movement of the skis (2) around their respective axes of rotation (H).

Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may be mounted to the board and configured to propel the electric vehicle using the wheel assembly. At least one orientation sensor may be configured to measure orientation information of the board, and at least one pressure-sensing transducer may be configured to determine rider presence information. A motor controller may be configured to receive the orientation information and the rider presence information, and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation and presence information.

Abstract: Card handling devices comprise a card handling zone. A card infeed tray is configured to pass cards to the card handling zone and a separate card output tray is configured to receive cards from the card handling zone. A control system of the card handling device comprises at least one electronic signal processor, at least one memory device in electrical communication with the electronic signal processor, and a computer program stored in the memory of the memory device. The computer program is programmed to cause the control system to selectively control at least one of a card infeed system, the card handling zone, and a card output system of the card handling device and to receive an input from a user input to selectively perform at least one of a shuffling operation, a sorting operation, and a dealing operation using the card handling device.

Abstract: In a first aspect, there is described an optical system for monitoring a ball play volume of a roulette wheel. The optical system comprises an electronic image detector and a reflector arranged to reflect light from a ball play volume of a roulette wheel onto the electronic image detector. The electronic image detector is configured to form an image of the ball play volume from the reflected light. In a second aspect, there is described a method of monitoring a ball play volume of a roulette wheel. The method comprises the steps of using a reflector to reflect light from the ball play volume, and forming an image of the ball play volume from the reflected light. In a third aspect, there is described a method of manufacturing an optical system for monitoring a ball play volume of a roulette wheel. The method comprises the steps of providing an electronic image detector, and providing a reflector arranged to reflect light from a ball play volume of a roulette wheel onto the electronic image detector.

Abstract: Augmented reality and physical game techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an indication is received by a computing device of a location of a physical gaming piece of a game. An augmentation is computed based on the indication by the computing device to be displayed as part of the game. The augmentation is displayed by the computing device on a display device that is at least partially transparent such that a physical portion of the game is viewable through the display device concurrently with the augmentation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention split game processing and rendering between a client and a game server. A rendered video game image is received from a game server and combined with a rendered image generated by the game client to form a single video game image that is presented to a user. Game play may be controlled using a rich sensory input, such as three-dimensional image data and audio data. The three-dimensional image data describes the shape, size and orientation of objects present in a play space. The rich sensory input is communicated to a game server, potentially with some preprocessing, and is also consumed locally on the client, at least in part. In one embodiment, latency sensitive features are the only features processed on the client and rendered on the client.

Abstract: A race management system is described. In one aspect, a race is chosen and an interested/committed selection is made. If “interested” is selected, the race management system prioritizes races, updates and displays a race menu, and updates and displays an interested/committed list. A TEL (Tentative Entry List) database can notify trainers when they have horses that are interested in a race that has made the TEL. Updates are sent to and/or received from the TEL database. If “committed” is selected, the race management system executes similar steps as if “interested” was selected. In another aspect, a one-day TEL template is uploaded, protocol races are inserted into the template, and prioritized races are transferred from the TEL database to the template. Based on this prioritization, the one-day TEL is constructed.

Abstract: The subject matter discloses in a virtual location in an interactive multiplayer game of an online or mobile environment, modeling a real world area of real estate, wherein operations by players of the interactive game influence development of the real estate, a method comprising: receiving from a plurality of players of the interactive game a plurality of requests for modifying the virtual location; The requests include operation; selecting an operation from the operations included in the requests according to a rule and processing the selected operation for modifying the virtual location.

Abstract: Technology for decomposing an application into fragments and streaming the application in fragments is disclosed herein. According to at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes steps of sending one or more messages to cause a plurality of computing devices that can be used to execute the compute task to be identified, sending at least one message to initiate execution of the compute task to determine the plurality of application fragments including a first application fragment and a second application fragment, collecting fragment information associated with the application fragments from one or more of the plurality of computing devices, storing the fragment information at a storage device, determining that the second application fragment follows the first application fragment based on a fragments relationship data structure, and streaming the second application fragment to a mobile game computing device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a quest from a probability item bundle in an online game. The system and method include executing an instance of an online game. The system and method include maintaining inventories of virtual items, and presenting offers to sell probability item bundles. The system and method include associating potential awards in sets of potential awards with different award distribution probabilities. The system and method include receiving activation requests from users for purchased probability item bundles. The system and method include stochastically selecting one of the potential awards in accordance with the award distribution probabilities and providing access to a first quest in an online game in accordance with the selected award.

Abstract: A frame storage stores an image obtained by imaging a region of at least part of the body of a user. A vital sign signal detector detects a signal sequence of a vital sign that cyclically varies from plural imaged regions of the body of the user by using captured images of a predetermined number of frames stored in the frame storage. A correlation calculator obtains the correlation between the signal sequences of the vital sign detected from the respective imaged regions of the body. An identity determining section determines whether or not the respective imaged regions of the body belong to the same user based on the correlation between the signal sequences of the vital sign detected from the respective imaged regions of the body.

Abstract: Rendering processing of a screen to be displayed is divided and performed between a first device and a second device. The first device generates a first screen, on which some rendering objects of rendering objects to be rendered on the screen to be displayed are rendered, based on information for determining rendered contents of the screen to be displayed. The second device generates a second screen on which rendering objects, excepting the some rendering objects from the rendering objects to be rendered on the screen to be displayed, are rendered. The first device receives the second screen from the second device, and generates the screen to be displayed by compositing the first and second screens.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe the addition of a haptic response to legacy games that were not originally programed to support haptics. The haptic capabilities may be added to the legacy game while it is being emulated by an emulator. The emulator is designed to generate a haptic stimulus that may be sent to the client device platform when a haptic trigger is present in the legacy game. The client device platform may then use the haptic stimulus to generate a haptic response. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A network game system includes a server apparatus and a plurality of video game apparatuses connected to the server apparatus. A party includes player characters of a plurality of players. When the party battles with an opponent character, the server apparatus simultaneously transmits movie playback information to each video game apparatus for starting playback of a movie. Each of the players can skip the movie at a desired timing. A screen is displayed on each video game apparatus that has skipped the movie until the battle starts. When information is received from each video game apparatus that indicates playback of the movie has ended, the server apparatus simultaneously transmits battle start information to each video game apparatus.

Abstract: Technologies and implementations for managing an experience during play of an interactive electronic game are generally disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for passively validating network game users is provided. Data indicative of game behavior and actions at one or more nodes interacting with a network game in a network game community are monitored. The data is evaluated to determine whether the one or more nodes are adhering to one or more rules associated with the network game. Data indicative of illicit game behavior may trigger various responses including invalidation of the node engaged in the illicit behavior. Alternatively, a query may be generated to further identify the nature and/or actual existence of illicit behavior at the node. Monitoring of game data may occur at a server, a peer, as part of a peer group or combinations thereof, which may be based on routine schedule or part of constant game behavior monitoring.

Abstract: An invention that provides discovery and transfer of assets in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is an asset transfer utility, including an inventory component configured to display to a user within a virtual universe an inventory containing a plurality of assets owned by other users within the virtual universe, each of the plurality of assets listed anonymously. A search component is configured to search the inventory containing the plurality of assets. A selection component is configured to select a set of assets from the plurality of assets based on the search. A transfer component is configured to transfer the set of assets between the user and an owner of each of the set of assets.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated screen baseball platform may include: a mobile character promotion game module that generates ability score information of a character, which has been promoted through a mobile character promotion game, by improving an ability score of the character; a PC management game module that generates management information of a baseball team by executing a PC management game through a user PC; and a screen baseball system that receives management the character ability score information and the management information of the baseball team and adjusts the level of difficulty of a screen baseball game by using any one thereof.

Abstract: One embodiment of an adjustable aiming aid device for first-person video games, video simulators, and similar video-based human-computer interactions in which the protagonist launches projectiles on targets. The device comprises an attachment unit and a sighting unit. The attachment unit is utilized to attach the device to a monitor, the monitor having a screen on which the software-generated visual environment is displayed. The sighting unit is utilized to position a sight at a predetermined location between the user and the screen, in a plane approximately parallel to the screen. The sight assists the user in aligning one's line of vision with the location on the screen towards which the software-simulated projectiles are launched. The sight is positioned in a different plane of focus than the screen, thus creating a new user experience. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A single-side-clamped slide has a slide body and a fixing assembly. The fixing assembly has a connecting rod mounted on the slide body, and at least one clamping unit. Each clamping unit has a hook and an abutter mounted through and screwed with the hook. When in use, the clamping unit is mounted around a rear side of a tread of an open riser stairway, and abuts downward against a top surface of the tread. Then, the abutter is rotated until tightly abutting upward against a bottom of the tread, such that the clamping unit and the abutter securely clamp the tread. Therefore, the fixing assembly can be stably connected to the tread even though only clamping the rear side of the tread. In addition, the slide can be adapted to treads with different front-rear lengths since the fixing assembly only clamps one single side of the tread.

Abstract: In order to generate force feedback data for a haptic device for providing simulated six degrees of freedom movement, a three dimensional acceleration component corresponding to the movement to be simulated is determined, a three dimensional velocity component corresponding to the movement to be simulated is determined and control signals for controlling at least three force feedback devices are determined, wherein each of the three force feedback devices provides three dimensional force effects to a fixation point associated to each of it, the three force feedback devices being arranged at defined positions with regard to each other, and the three fixation points define a geometric plane.

Abstract: A double-sided toy vehicle comprises a vehicle body, a driving mechanism, a transmission mechanism, a driven wheel set, a first driving wheel set and a second driving wheel set, in which the transmission mechanism comprises a reverse gear, a double gear, a transition gear, a first output gear and a second output gear; the reverse gear meshes with a rotating shaft gear of an electrical motor of the driving mechanism, and provided with an axial gear protruding axially and meshing with a first gear of the double gear; the double gear is provided at a position between the first output gear and the second output gear, achieving transmission of power of the electrical motor; the first output gear meshes with a second gear of the double gear through the transition gear, and the second output gear directly meshes with the second gear of the double gear to achieve the transmission.

Abstract: An infant entertainment apparatus is disclosed. The infant entertainment apparatus includes a housing with an internal cavity and a lens mechanism disposed within the internal cavity. The lens mechanism is configured to project light from the housing in a first direction when the housing is coupled to a mobile arm and the lens mechanism is configured to project light from the housing in a second direction when the housing is decoupled from the mobile arm. Thus, the infant entertainment apparatus may project light downwards into a crib or upwards away from a crib.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the material treatment of raw materials. The apparatus has a heating system, a distillation unit and a reaction unit to be loaded with the raw materials for treatment. The heating system can be opened and closed to be fitted with the reaction unit. The heating system comprises a top element and a jacket element firmly connected to the top element, and supporting elements. The length of the support elements can be varied in the vertical direction, between two end positions, the heating system can be opened and closed in the vertical direction of movement. The invention further relates to a method for operating an apparatus for the material treatment of raw materials.

Abstract: A biomass fractionation apparatus includes a vessel having a processing chamber, an inlet configured to receive a biomass into the processing chamber, and an outlet configured to discharge processed biomass from the chamber. A bed plate is movably positioned within the processing chamber and includes a plurality of elongated fins extending outwardly therefrom in substantially parallel spaced-apart relationship. A cylindrical rotor is rotatably secured within the processing chamber in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship with the bed plate. The rotor has a plurality of elongated blades extending radially outwardly therefrom in circumferentially spaced-apart relationship. Upon rotation of the rotor, the blades are configured to accelerate a biomass within the processing chamber against the fins of the bed plate and to cause the bed plate to pulsate against the rotor.

Abstract: Used water-in-oil emulsified drilling muds are prepared for reuse by removing excess water. The excess water is removed by passing the used mud through a cavitation device, under controlled conditions, along with injected air. While the emulsion is heated in the cavitation device, the air is finely dispersed in it, so is able to absorb water evaporated from the discrete, discontinuous phase aqueous droplets in the emulsion. A mixture of incoming and aerated emulsion is maintained at an optimal temperature in a process tank while a steady state continuous process is controlled to utilize the heat input, after compensating for radiant heat losses and other system losses, substantially exclusively for the evaporation of water in the emulsion. The process is applicable to any water-in-oil emulsion.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube assembly which allows for a single centrifuge cycle and which permits the aspiration of fluids from multiple levels with the centrifuge tube assembly. A modified centrifuge assembly is described wherein the inner tube has an externally threaded portion at its upper end. The method of using the centrifuge tube assembly is also described wherein the centrifuge tube assembly may be used for the aspiration, separation, isolation and extracting of discrete layer in a liquid suspension.

Abstract: A filter medium layer includes filter media configured to capture suspended solids contained in a liquid to be treated and filtering aids configured to allow the suspended solids contained in the liquid to be treated to pass through the filtering aids. The filter media and the filtering aids are mixed together and the liquid to be treated is filtered by being passed through the filter media and the filtering aids as mixed together. A filter device includes the filter medium layer and a filter tank configured to accommodate the filter medium layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel filter (10) for fuel, in particular diesel fuel, of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, and to a filter element of such a fuel filter. A housing (12) has at least one fuel inlet (26) for the fuel to be cleaned, at least one fuel outlet (18) for cleaned fuel, and at least one water outlet (30) for water which has been separated from the fuel. The filter element (36) is arranged in the housing (12), said filter element sealingly separating the fuel inlet (26) from the fuel outlet (18). The filter element (36) has a filter medium (38) which is designed as a hollow body and which can be permeated from the inside to the outside or from the outside to the inside in order to filter the fuel. The filter element (36) has a coalescing medium (58) designed as a hollow body for separating water contained in the fuel.

Abstract: A multi-zoned screening apparatus is disclosed for separating fiber from a liquid medium during, for example, a grain wet mill or dry grind process. The apparatus can include a housing having a first and second zone and situated adjacent one another along a length of the housing. A cylindrical screen having a plurality of openings is situated lengthwise within the housing to correspond with the first and second zones. A conveyor is situated lengthwise within the screen and includes an elongated shaft having a first and second conveyor section and along a length of the conveyor that corresponds with the first and second zones, respectively. Each conveyor section is configured to move material in a direction along a length of the screen. In one example, the first conveyor section includes vanes and a ribbon flight helically winding about the vanes, and the second conveyor section includes a plurality of paddles.

Abstract: A modular drainage filtration apparatus comprising a filtration container having an open-ended structure with a shape determined by the number of walls used during assembly, each wall being formed from a generally flat sheet of a rigid material and comprising a flat body portion with a plurality of formed tabs and an upper and lower overhanging portion, the walls being assembled to form a filtration container enclose an interior region and having open and opposite upper and lower faces and a plurality of filtration units each comprising a flat filter stage configured to be placed within a filtration container.

Abstract: An example nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention provides a flow divider that includes a slurry receiving compartment and a discharge arrangement having a plurality of discharge apertures. The slurry receiving compartment is arranged to relatively uniformly flow a portion of a slurry into each of the discharge apertures. The discharge apertures may be arranged linearly and/or horizontally such that the portions of the slurry exits each of the discharge apertures at a relatively even flow rate and feed feed boxes connected to vertically tiered screening surfaces of a screening machine.

Abstract: A fluid filter having a filter canister, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, filter media, and a pressure sensitive valve assembly is described. The pressure sensitive valve assembly comprises an orifice surround, a pressure relief spring, and a valve plug comprising a valve head and first and second retention legs. The first and second retention legs of the valve plug are spaced apart from one another, extend from a leg base positioned at the sealing side of the valve head to a distal end of the retention leg, and comprise respective seating regions, tapered transition regions, and clearance regions. Each of the respective seating regions comprises a spring engaging hook structurally configured to receive a seating portion of the pressure relief spring. The pressure relief spring is compressed between the orifice surround and the spring engaging hooks to bias the pressure sensitive valve assembly towards the closed state.

Abstract: An oil filter module may include a casing and a filter therein. The oil filter module may also include a cap coupled to the casing, and including a drain nipple protruding downward from a portion of the cap corresponding to a bottom support plate of the filter with a drain hole formed in the drain nipple. The oil filter module may further include a drain pin coupled to the drain nipple so as to be removable so that the drain hole is open or closed by the drain pin. A rotation groove having a rotating axis of the casing may be formed in a lower surface of the bottom support plate. The drain hole may be formed at a position corresponding to the rotation groove, and the drain pin may be seated at one end thereof onto a bottom of the rotation groove when the drain pin is coupled to the drain nipple.

Abstract: A coalescing filter element provides an integrated filter element with a three stage design with a hydrophobic or hydrophilic coalescing layer. A coalescing filter element comprises: a) At least one particulate filtration layer; b) A coalescing layer promoting coalescing of water particles, wherein the coalescing layer is downstream of the at least one particulate filtration layer relative to the flow of fluid through the element; c) An annular coalescing space downstream of the coalescing layer; d) A sump in a lower portion of the filter element in fluid communication with the annular coalescing space; and e) A hydrophobic layer downstream of the annular coalescing space, wherein fluid being cleaned by the element flows through the hydrophobic layer. The coalescing layer may be a hydrophobic or a hydrophilic coalescing layer. A filter assembly will include the coalescing filter element of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved polymer materials. Also disclosed are fine fiber materials that can be made from the improved polymeric materials in the form of microfiber and nanofiber structures. The microfiber and nanofiber structures can be used in a variety of useful applications including the formation of filter materials.

Abstract: A method for forming and immobilizing small particles on a filter substrate using a first and second polymer solution, a solution of sodium bromide and a solution of a metal salt. The method adjusts the pH of at least one of the first and second polymer solutions, immersing the filter substrate in the first polymer solution and immersing the filter substrate in the second polymer solution. The method includes repeating the steps of immersing the filter substrate in the first solution and the second solution alternately until desired number of layers is achieved. The method allows for the filter substrate to be immersed in the solution of the metal salt and subsequently in the solution of sodium bromide.

Abstract: A device configured for cleaning bag filters with compressed air comprises a frame having a hollow interior defining a wall of the frame and openings formed through a thickness of the wall so that the hollow interior is in open communication with an environment external to the frame. A mounting member is configured to be releaseably or permanently attached to one end of the frame and is further configured to be releaseably or permanently attached to a member configured to pass air flow therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning air filters utilizes a pressurized fluid flow, preferably air, to rotate a set of air spraying jets inside a hollow interior of a filter in order to remove particles from the filter. To ensure proper positioning of the jets in relation to the filter the present invention uses a set of plates with slots and pins, wherein the pins secure the apparatus on one end of the filter. The set of plates also at least partially blocks the flow of air out of the ends to more efficiently direct the flow of air from the jets to the filter. The jets then may be moved reciprocated along the length of the filter for cleaning purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to extract radioactive solid particles. An extracting nozzle is used to extract radioactive solid particles. Then, a separator is used to separate out the radioactive solid particles into a storing container. The radioactive solid particles are avoided from entering a suction pump. Not only the suction pump is not polluted, but also the secondary waste is not increased. By designing a falling inlet of a suction channel at a position having a specific height, the amount of the radioactive solid particles being extracted is under control. There is a radiation-protection device outside of the storing container to minimize radiation dose. The separator and the storing container can be rapidly detached by remote operation, so that operators are avoided from receiving over-dose radiation. Hence, the present invention improves the level of technology and automation for handling radioactive waste.

Abstract: A multi-filter chemical speciation sampler and a virtual impaction particle separation inlet therefore are provided. The inlet includes a housing having a bottom, a collection tube that extends through the bottom, and collection apertures formed in the bottom, arranged around the collection tube; a first plate disposed on top of the housing, having acceleration nozzles disposed at the perimeter thereof; a second plate disposed in the housing below the first plate, having a central aperture and separation apertures disposed around the central aperture. The sampler includes: an inlet; a virtual impaction separator to further fractionate the PM into a course fraction and a fine fraction; a first separation assembly to divide the course fraction into coarse aliquots, comprising first filters to collect the coarse aliquots; a second separation assembly to divide the fine fraction into fine aliquots, comprising second filters to collect the fine aliquots.