Portable air sampling systems including non-intrusive activity monitor and methods of using same
First Claim
1. A portable air sampling system for sampling air from a breathing zone of a creature, comprising:
- a filter device, comprising;
a housing including an air inlet in communication with the breathing zone, and an air outlet; and
a filter element disposed within the housing that is configured to retain particles entrained within air flowing therethrough;
a pump in fluid communication with the filter device air outlet, wherein the pump is configured to draw a predetermined volume of air into the filter device and through the filter element;
means for intermittently activating the pump to draw the predetermined volume of air through the filter element at predetermined intervals;
means for monitoring performance of the air sampling system; and
means for monitoring physical activity of the creature, comprising;
a transducer configured to change electrical capacitance in response to physical activity of the creature; and
a data logger that records changes in electrical capacitance of the transducer.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Portable air sampling systems and methods are provided for intermittently sampling air in the breathing zone of a person over extended periods of time. Air sampling system performance can be continuously measured and recorded within a data logger. In addition, physical activity levels of a person wearing a portable air sampling system can be continuously monitored and recorded within the data logger. Air sampling system performance monitoring includes measuring pressure drop across a filter and measuring temperature of air flowing through the filter. Physical activity levels of a person can be monitored easily and non-intrusively by measuring changes in electrical capacitance of a transducer maintained in close proximity to the person.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A portable air sampling system for sampling air from a breathing zone of a creature, comprising:
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a filter device, comprising; a housing including an air inlet in communication with the breathing zone, and an air outlet; and a filter element disposed within the housing that is configured to retain particles entrained within air flowing therethrough; a pump in fluid communication with the filter device air outlet, wherein the pump is configured to draw a predetermined volume of air into the filter device and through the filter element; means for intermittently activating the pump to draw the predetermined volume of air through the filter element at predetermined intervals; means for monitoring performance of the air sampling system; and means for monitoring physical activity of the creature, comprising; a transducer configured to change electrical capacitance in response to physical activity of the creature; and a data logger that records changes in electrical capacitance of the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A portable air sampling system for sampling air from a breathing zone of a creature, comprising:
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a pack; means for retaining the pack on the creature; a filter device mounted externally to the pack, comprising; a housing including an air inlet in communication with the breathing zone, and an air outlet; and a filter element disposed within the housing that is configured to retain particles entrained within air flowing therethrough; a pump disposed within the pack and in fluid communication with the filter device air outlet, wherein the pump is configured to draw a predetermined volume of air into the filter device and through the filter element; means for intermittently activating the pump to draw the predetermined volume of air through the filter element at predetermined intervals, wherein the activating means is disposed within the pack; means for monitoring performance of the air sampling system, wherein the performance monitoring means is disposed within the pack; and means for monitoring physical activity of the creature, wherein the activity monitoring means is disposed within the pack, comprising; a transducer configured to change electrical capacitance in response to physical activity of the creature; and a data logger that records changes in electrical capacitance of the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A portable air sampling system for sampling air from a breathing zone of a creature, comprising:
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a pack; means for retaining the pack on the creature; a filter device mounted externally to the pack, comprising; a housing including an air inlet in communication with the breathing zone, and an air outlet; and a filter element disposed within the housing that is configured to retain particles entrained within air flowing therethrough; a pump disposed within the pack and in fluid communication with the filter device air outlet, wherein the pump is configured to draw a predetermined volume of air into the filter device and through the filter element; means for intermittently activating the pump to draw the predetermined volume of air through the filter element at predetermined intervals, wherein the activating means is disposed within the pack, comprising; an electrical motor; a power supply that supplies electrical power to the electrical motor; and a timing circuit that interrupts the supply of electrical power to the electrical motor at the predetermined intervals; means disposed within the pack for monitoring performance of the air sampling system; means for monitoring physical activity of the creature, wherein the activity means is disposed within the pack, comprising; a plurality of capacitor plates configured to change electrical capacitance in response to a change in distance from each plate to a body of the creature wearing the apparatus; and means for recording changes in electrical capacitance of the capacitor plates within a data logger.
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22. A portable air sampling system for sampling air from a breathing zone of a creature, comprising:
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a pack; means for retaining the pack on the creature; a filter device mounted externally to the pack, comprising; a housing including an air inlet in communication with the breathing zone, and an air outlet; and a filter element disposed within the housing that is configured to retain particles entrained within air flowing therethrough; a pump disposed within the pack and in fluid communication with the filter device air outlet, wherein the pump is configured to draw a predetermined volume of air into the filter device and through the filter element; means for intermittently activating the pump to draw the predetermined volume of air through the filter element at predetermined intervals, wherein the activating means is disposed within the pack; means for monitoring performance of the air sampling system, wherein the performance monitoring means is disposed within the pack, comprising; means for continuously measuring pressure drop across the filter; means for recording measured pressure drop data within the data logger; means for continuously measuring temperature of air drawn into the filter device; means for recording air temperature data within the data logger; and means for monitoring physical activity of the creature in real time, wherein the activity monitoring means is disposed within the pack, comprising; a plurality of capacitor plates configured to change electrical capacitance in response to a change in distance from each plate to a body of the creature wearing the apparatus; and means for recording changes in electrical capacitance of the capacitor plates within the data logger. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of sampling air, comprising the steps of:
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intermittently sampling air from a breathing zone of a creature, wherein air from the breathing zone is drawn through a filter via a pump; monitoring pressure drop across the filter during the air sampling step; monitoring physical activity of the creature during the air sampling step, comprising the step of measuring changes in electrical capacitance of a transducer maintained in close proximity to the creature; and recording measured pressure drop data and changes in electrical capacitance of the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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Specification