Pumped Air Relative Humidity and Temperature Sensing System with Optional Gas Assay Functionality
First Claim
1. A pumped air relative humidity and temperature sensing system with optional gas assay functionality, comprising:
- a. a sample collection system comprising a single length of tubular sample collection main line with a gas permeable, dirt impervious filter at one end;
b. a sample head with enclosing walls and an open lumen, further comprising;
i. a sample collection main line adapter attached to one end of said sample head wherein said sample collection main line adapter further comprises a coupling suitable for attachment with the end of said sample collection main line opposite the end with said gas permeable, dirt impervious filter;
ii. an air evacuating means at the opposite end of said sample head capable of withdrawing air from said open lumen of said sample head, thence from;
said sample collection line adapter;
said sample collection line; and
the area beyond said gas permeable, dirt impervious filter;
iii. a relative humidity sensor extending through the wall of said sample head and into said open lumen of said sample head capable of sampling the relative humidity of air passing through the open lumen of said sample head;
iv. a temperature sensor extending through the wall of said sample head and into said open lumen of said sample head capable of sampling the temperature of the air passing through said open lumen of said sample head; and
v. a sample tube for the attachment of a gas assay apparatus providing an open passageway from the outside of said sample head to said open lumen of said sample head such that said gas assay apparatus may sample the air passing through said sample head.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A distributed relative humidity and temperature sensing system with optional gas assay functionality, comprising a sample head internally equipped with: 1) A relative humidity sensor; 2) A temperature sensor; 3) A gas sample port for the attachment of a gas assay device, or, an integral gas assay device; and, 4) A fan. The sample head is attached to a semi-rigid sample tube embedded in a stored mass of agricultural product and the aforementioned fan causes air from within the stored mass to be drawn through the sample head where its relative humidity, temperature, and optionally, chemical composition may be studied. An alternative embodiment allows for the deployment of a complex network of sample tubes so that samples may be drawn as required from a number of points within the stored mass.
18 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A pumped air relative humidity and temperature sensing system with optional gas assay functionality, comprising:
-
a. a sample collection system comprising a single length of tubular sample collection main line with a gas permeable, dirt impervious filter at one end; b. a sample head with enclosing walls and an open lumen, further comprising; i. a sample collection main line adapter attached to one end of said sample head wherein said sample collection main line adapter further comprises a coupling suitable for attachment with the end of said sample collection main line opposite the end with said gas permeable, dirt impervious filter; ii. an air evacuating means at the opposite end of said sample head capable of withdrawing air from said open lumen of said sample head, thence from;
said sample collection line adapter;
said sample collection line; and
the area beyond said gas permeable, dirt impervious filter;iii. a relative humidity sensor extending through the wall of said sample head and into said open lumen of said sample head capable of sampling the relative humidity of air passing through the open lumen of said sample head; iv. a temperature sensor extending through the wall of said sample head and into said open lumen of said sample head capable of sampling the temperature of the air passing through said open lumen of said sample head; and v. a sample tube for the attachment of a gas assay apparatus providing an open passageway from the outside of said sample head to said open lumen of said sample head such that said gas assay apparatus may sample the air passing through said sample head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A pumped air relative humidity and temperature sensing system with optional gas assay functionality, comprising:
-
a. a sample collection system comprising a single length of tubular sample collection main line with a gas permeable, dirt impervious filter at one end; b. a sample head with enclosing walls and an open lumen, further comprising; i. a sample collection main line adapter attached to one end of said sample head wherein said sample collection main line adapter further comprises a coupling suitable for attachment with the end of said sample collection main line opposite the end with said gas permeable, dirt impervious filter; ii. an air evacuating means at the opposite end of said sample head capable of withdrawing air from said open lumen of said sample head, thence from;
said sample collection line adapter;
said sample collection line; and
the area beyond said gas permeable, dirt impervious filter;iii. a relative humidity sensor extending through the wall of said sample head and into said open lumen of said sample head capable of sampling the relative humidity of air passing through the open lumen of said sample head; iv. a temperature sensor extending through the wall of said sample head and into said open lumen of said sample head capable of sampling the temperature of the air passing through said open lumen of said sample head; v. a gas assay device extending through the wall of said sample head and into said open lumen of said sample head capable of determining the presence and concentration of a chemical substance in the air passing through said open lumen of said sample head wherein said chemical substance is a selection from the group consisting of; (1) carbon dioxide; (2) oxygen; (3) nitrogen; (4) ethylene; (5) hydrogen peroxide; and (6) isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A pumped air relative humidity and temperature sensing system with optional gas assay functionality, comprising:
-
a. a sample collection system comprising at least two sub-lengths of sample collection main line, each of which is connected linearly in succession to the preceding one by means of a “
T”
coupling to form a continuous sample collection main line;i. wherein an terminating solenoid valve is connected to one end of said continuous sample collection main line; (1) wherein a further sub-length of sample collection main line is connected to the open coupling of said terminating solenoid valve; (2) wherein a gas permeable, dirt impervious filter covers the terminal end of said further sub-length of sample collection main line; ii. wherein a sub-length of sample collection lateral line is connected to the open coupling of each of said “
T”
couplings;iii. wherein a lateral solenoid valve is connected to the terminal end of each of said sub-lengths of sample collection lateral lines; (1) wherein a further sub-length of sample collection lateral line is connected to the open coupling of each of said terminating solenoid valves; (2) wherein a gas permeable, dirt impervious filter covers the terminal end of each of said further sub-lengths of sample collection lateral line; iv. wherein said terminating solenoid valve and each of said lateral solenoid valves are connected to a valve selecting means capable of remotely opening and closing said terminating solenoid valve and each of said lateral solenoid valves; b. a sample head with enclosing walls and an open lumen, further comprising; i. a sample collection main line adapter attached to one end of said sample head wherein said sample collection main line adapter further comprises a coupling suitable for attachment with the end of said sample collection main line opposite the end with said gas permeable, dirt impervious filter; ii. an air evacuating means at the opposite end of said sample head capable of withdrawing air from said open lumen of said sample head, thence from;
said sample collection line adapter;
said sample collection line; and
the area beyond said gas permeable, dirt impervious filter;iii. a relative humidity sensor extending through the wall of said sample head and into said open lumen of said sample head capable of sampling the relative humidity of air passing through the open lumen of said sample head; iv. a temperature sensor extending through the wall of said sample head and into said open lumen of said sample head capable of sampling the temperature of the air passing through said open lumen of said sample head; v. at least one gas assay device extending through the wall of said sample head and into said open lumen of said sample head capable of determining the presence and concentration of a chemical substance in the air passing through said open lumen of said sample head wherein said chemical substance is a selection from the group consisting of; (1) carbon dioxide; (2) oxygen; (3) nitrogen; (4) ethylene; (5) hydrogen peroxide; and (6) isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
Specification