Programmable atmospheric sampling systems and methods
First Claim
1. A sampling system for use with a collection chamber module having at least one collection chamber for obtaining a sample of a fluid flow and at least one valve for controlling fluid flow into the chamber, the sampling system comprising:
- a pump for passing the portion of the fluid flow through the collection chamber when the valve is in a first state;
a flow controller for controlling a rate at which the portion of the fluid flow passes into the collection chamber;
an interface for receiving a desired rate at which the portion of the fluid flow should enter the collection chamber; and
a central processor for being programmed to have the desired rate from the interface and for communicating with the flow controller so that the rate at which the portion of the fluid flow passes into the collection chamber is the desired rate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sampling system controller includes a control unit for interfacing with a collection chamber module having a plurality of sampling chambers. The control unit controls the times at which the sampling chambers acquire samples of a fluid flow and control flow rates into the sampling chambers. The timing of the sampling chambers and the flow rates may be programmed by a user and downloaded into the control unit through an interface. The control unit measures the flow rate of the fluid flow to be sampled and controls the flow rate through each sampling chambers in order to achieve a desired and known rate through the sampling chambers. The flow rates through the fluid flow and through the sampling chambers are recorded on a data module. The control unit may be equipped with a portable weather station for monitoring weather conditions and with a global positioning system for determining a geographic position of the sampling chambers. The weather and location information may be recorded on the data module. The flow rates through the sampling chambers are controlled by a flow assembly that is easily removed and replaced. The flow assembly has a set of jumpers which specify the flow range of the assembly and which is read by the control unit. A hand-held service module is used to program the sampling system. The service module has a keypad for receiving inputs from a user and has a switch for toggling between an RS232 output or an RS485 output.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A sampling system for use with a collection chamber module having at least one collection chamber for obtaining a sample of a fluid flow and at least one valve for controlling fluid flow into the chamber, the sampling system comprising:
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a pump for passing the portion of the fluid flow through the collection chamber when the valve is in a first state;
a flow controller for controlling a rate at which the portion of the fluid flow passes into the collection chamber;
an interface for receiving a desired rate at which the portion of the fluid flow should enter the collection chamber; and
a central processor for being programmed to have the desired rate from the interface and for communicating with the flow controller so that the rate at which the portion of the fluid flow passes into the collection chamber is the desired rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A sampling system for use with a collection chamber module having at least one collection chamber for obtaining a sample of a fluid flow, at least one pump for pumping fluid into the collection chamber and at least one valve for controlling fluid flow into the chamber, the sampling system comprising:
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a first interface for receiving an operational command;
a central processor for receiving the operational command from the interface and for placing the operational command in memory, wherein the central processor is for receiving a desired flow rate from the first interface;
a flow controller for regulating fluid flow through the sampling system; and
a second interface for communications between the central processor and flow controller wherein the central processor sends commands to the flow controller to control fluid flow in accordance with the operational command. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A sampling system for use with a collection chamber module having at least one collection chamber for obtaining a sample of a fluid flow, at least one pump for pumping fluid into the collection chamber and at least one valve for controlling fluid flow into the chamber, the sampling system comprising:
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a first interface for receiving an operational command;
a central processor for receiving the operational command from the interface and for placing the operational command in memory;
a flow controller for regulating fluid flow through the sampling system; and
a second interface for communications between the central processor and flow controller; and
a plurality of pumps, wherein each pump is associated with a different flow controller and the central processor independently controls each pump through the second interface;
wherein the central processor sends commands to the flow controller to control fluid flow in accordance with the operational command.
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Specification