Apparatus for mobile collection of atmospheric sample for chemical analysis

• US 20090000404A1
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teledyne FLIR Defense Incorporated (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Griffin Analytical Technologies, LLC (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Briscoe, Matthew, Barket, Dennis JR., Rardin, Brent
• Granted Patent: US 8,146,448 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/864.340
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2273 Atmospheric sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0004 Gaseous mixtures, e.g. polluted air

Abstract

Portable devices and related methods for collecting and storing atmospheric samples for subsequent chemical analysis are provided. A sample cartridge according to one implementation includes self-sealing inlet and outlet ports configured to close automatically when not in use, and a sample retention portion between the inlet and outlet ports that is adapted to trap an atmospheric sample. The sample cartridge may also include a memory device for recording data regarding the sample. Another embodiment provides a portable sampler configured to removably secure a self-sealing sample cartridge. A portable sampling device may also be used with an analytical instrument. The analytical instrument may analyze the sample and read the data recorded on the sample cartridge'"'"'s memory.

Claims

1. A sample cartridge for storing an atmospheric sample, the sample cartridge comprising:

a self-sealing inlet port configured to automatically close when the inlet port is not in use;

a self-sealing outlet port configured to automatically close when the outlet port is not in use; and

a sample retention portion in fluid communication with and disposed between the inlet port and outlet port and adapted to trap an atmospheric sample.

2. The sample cartridge of claim 1, wherein the self-sealing inlet port and the self-sealing outlet port are spring actuated.

3. The sample cartridge of claim 2, further comprising:

a first spring and a first ball bearing operably arranged within the inlet port, the inlet port having a first seat;

a second spring and a second ball bearing operably arranged within the outlet port, the outlet port having a second seat;

wherein the first spring is configured to seal the first ball bearing within the inlet port on the first seat, thereby keeping the inlet port closed when the inlet port is not in use; and

wherein the second spring is configured to seal the second ball bearing within the outlet port on the second seat, thereby keeping the outlet port closed when the outlet port is not in use.

4. The sample cartridge of claim 1, wherein the self-sealing inlet port and the self-sealing outlet port are magnetically actuated.

5. The sample cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a memory device configured to store data.

6. The sample cartridge of claim 5, wherein the memory device is configured to store at least one parameter identifying a sample.

7. The sample cartridge of claim 6, wherein the at least one parameter is selected from the group consisting of GPS location when a sample is collected, volume of a sample collected, the time a sample was collected, and the date a sample was collected.

8. The sample cartridge of claim 5, wherein the memory device is further configured to store voice data.

9. The sample cartridge of claim 5, wherein the memory device is further configured to store image data.

10. The sample cartridge of claim 1, wherein the sample retention portion is selected from the group consisting of sorbent tubes, Tedlar bags, disc filters, SPME fibers, and evacuated cylinders.

11. A portable sampler for collecting a sample, the portable sampler comprising:

a portable housing having an interior portion, wherein the portable housing is configured to removably secure a sample cartridge within the interior portion, the sample cartridge having a self-sealing inlet port and a self-sealing outlet port, the portable housing further configured to open the self-sealing inlet port and the self-sealing outlet port when the sample cartridge is secured therein;

a sample inlet in communication with an area outside the housing and configured to establish fluid communication with the sample cartridge when the sample cartridge is secured;

a pump configured to draw a sample into the sample cartridge through the sample inlet when the sample cartridge is secured;

a processor configured to operate the sampler; and

an input/output interface.

12. The sampler of claim 11, further comprising a sample cartridge, the sample cartridge further comprising:

an inlet port in fluid communication with the sample inlet and configured to self-close when the inlet port is not in use;

an outlet port configured to self-close when the outlet port is not in use; and

a sample retention portion in fluid communication with and disposed between the inlet port and outlet port and adapted to trap an atmospheric sample.

13. The sampler of claim 11, wherein the input/output interface further comprises a keypad.

14. The sampler of claim 11, wherein the input/output interface further comprises a display.

15. The sampler of claim 12, further comprising a filter configured to filter the sample before the sample is drawn into the sample cartridge.

16. The sampler of claim 11, further comprising a flow sensor.

17. The sampler of claim 11, further comprising a connector for communicating information with a computer.

18. The sampler of claim 11, wherein the portable housing is further configured to removably secure a plurality of sample cartridges within the interior portion.

19. The sampler of claim 18, wherein the sampler defines a plurality of separate and independent flowpaths between the sample inlet and each of the plurality of sample cartridges when the plurality of sample cartridges is inserted.

20. The sampler of claim 11, further comprising a chemical detection trigger configured to detect the presence of at least one predetermined chemical.

21. The sampler of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to take a sample when the chemical detection trigger detects the presence of the at least one predetermined chemical.

22. A system for collecting a sample, the system comprising:

a sampler;

an analytical instrument; and

a sample cartridge configured to be removably inserted within the sampler, the sample cartridge comprising;

a first port including a first valve configured to self-close automatically when the sample cartridge is not inserted within the sampler;

a second port including a second valve configured to self-close automatically when the sample cartridge is not inserted within the sampler; and

a sample trap in fluid communication with the first port and the second port.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the sample cartridge is further configured to be removably inserted within the analytical instrument, and wherein the first valve and second valve are further configured to self-close when the sample cartridge is not inserted within the analytical instrument.

24. The system of claim 22, further comprising a calibration cartridge.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the sample cartridge further comprises a data storing device.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the analytical instrument is configured to read the data stored on the data storing device.

27. A method of collecting and analyzing a sample, comprising:

providing a sample cartridge, the sample cartridge comprising;

a self-sealing inlet port configured to automatically close when the inlet port is not in use;

a self-sealing outlet port configured to automatically close when the outlet port is not in use; and

a sample trap in fluid communication with and disposed between the inlet port and outlet port and adapted to trap a sample;

providing a sampler having a sampler inlet and a dock, the dock being configured to releasably receive the sample cartridge;

inserting the sample cartridge into the dock, whereby at least one of the self-sealing inlet port and self-sealing outlet port is opened; and

collecting a sample through the sampler inlet and into the sample trap.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the sample cartridge includes a memory device for storing data, further comprising storing data identifying the sample on the memory device.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

providing an analytical device;

inserting the sample cartridge into the analytical device;

analyzing the sample with the analytical device; and

transferring the data from the memory device to the analytical device.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

removing the sample cartridge from the sampler; and

decontaminating the sample cartridge.

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

removing the sample cartridge from the sampler; and

decontaminating the sampler.