Venturi-based gas sampling manifold

• US 6,427,543 B1
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eric Torrison
• Original Assignee: Eric Torrison
• Inventors: Torrison, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): RAEVIS, ROBERT R
• Application Number:
  US09/816,595
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 738/633.3, 738/638.3, 738/643.2, 738/647.3
• US Class Current: 73/863.33
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2226 Sampling from a closed space, e.g. food package, head space
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2273 Atmospheric sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/24 Suction devices G01N1/22 - G01N1/2294 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/26 with provision for intake from several spaces
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2276 Personal monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/242 Injectors or ejectors

Abstract

The present invention comprises a system and method for extracting and conveying sampling gases from a remote location for component and quality testing by a gas-sampling device by use of a venturi-based manifold that moves a volume of motivating gases to create a venturi effect. The venturi-based gas sampling manifold includes an air extractor assembly having an inlet port with an associated inlet valve for selectively interrupting the flow of gas through the inlet port, a venturi connected on one end to a venturi jet and on the other end to a venting horn, and a plenum extending from the inlet port to the available end of the venturi. The present system further includes a sampling manifold assembly having a manifold in which the plenum of the air extractor assembly is carried, one or more manifold ports with associated manifold port valves for selectively adjusting the flow rate through the manifold port, and one or more sampling ports. In operation, the venturi air extractor generates a vacuum according to Bernoulli'"'"'s equations. Selective opening of the manifold ports on the manifold along with the application of vacuum draws sampling gases from remote locations through probes and the associated connecting hoses to the manifold. Once the suspect sampling gases, drawn through the appropriate probe, fill the manifold, the operator eliminates the vacuum and the drawn sample gases are available for testing at the sampling port. After testing, the operator reapplies the vacuum and flushes the sampling gases.

Claims

1. A system for extracting and conveying sampling gases from a remote location for component and quality testing by a gas-sampling device by use of a venturi-based manifold that moves a volume of motivating gases to create a venturi effect, comprising:

an air extractor for creating a vacuum to draw sampling gases for testing, the air extractor comprising;

a venturi having an inlet end and an outlet end;

an inlet port into through which the volume of motivating gases is drawn; and

a plenum extending from the inlet port to the inlet end of the venturi;

a manifold for testing the sampling gases drawn by the air extractor, the manifold comprises;

a housing defining a chamber;

at least one manifold port through which the sampling gases from the remote location are drawn into the housing by the venturi effect created by the air extractor; and

at least one sampling port through which a sample of the sampling gases drawn by the air extractor into the housing of the manifold are drawn by the gas-sampling device; and

a pressure gauge for monitoring and reporting the pressure of the gases within the manifold.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a venturi jet at the inlet end of the venturi through which the volume of motivating gas is drawn to create a venturi effect.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a horn at the outlet end of the venturi through which motivating gases are vented to the atmosphere.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an inlet valve for selectively interrupting the flow of motivating gases through the inlet port into the plenum.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a manifold port valve for selectively interrupting the flow of sampling gases through the manifold port into the manifold.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable manifold plate between the manifold and the manifold port, the manifold plate having a hole that can be aligned between the manifold and the manifold port to allow flow of sampling gases from the manifold port into the manifold.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sampling port valve for selectively controlling the sample of sampling gases from the manifold to the gas-sampling device.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature gauge for monitoring and reporting the temperature of the gases within the manifold.

9. A method for extracting and conveying sampling gases from a remote location for component and quality testing by a gas-sampling device by use of a venturi-based manifold that moves a volume of motivating gases to create a venturi effect, comprising:

feeding high-pressure motivating gases through a venturi to create a venturi effect;

extracting and conveying sampling gases from a remote location by use of the venturi effect created by the venturi;

drawing sampling gases into a manifold through a manifold port;

testing samples of the sampling gases from the manifold using the gas-sampling device;

venting the sampling gases from the manifold; and

monitoring and reporting the volume of the gases flowing through the manifold by use of a flow meter.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the sampling gases are extracted and conveyed from a remote location into the manifold via the manifold port, and wherein the step of extracting and conveying sampling gases from a remote location by use of the venturi effect created by the venturi further comprises selectively interrupting the flow of sampling gases through the manifold port into the manifold using a manifold part valve.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising monitoring and reporting the temperature of the gases within the manifold by use of a temperature gauge.

12. A method for extracting and conveying sampling gases from a remote location for component and quality testing by a gas-sampling device by use of a venturi-based manifold that moves a volume of motivating gases to create a venturi effect, comprising:

feeding high-pressure motivating gases through a venturi to create a venturi effect;

extracting and conveying sampling gases from a remote location by use of the venturi effect created by the venturi;

drawing sampling gases into a manifold through a manifold port;

testing samples of the sampling gases from the manifold using the gas-sampling device; and

venting the sampling gases from the manifold,

wherein feeding high-pressure motivating gases through a venturi to create a venturi effect further comprises controlling the operation of the venturi by positioning a needle piston movably with respect to the venturi to control the volume of motivating gas that flows through the venturi and create the greatest vacuum with the least expenditure of motivating gas.

13. A method for extracting and conveying sampling gases from a remote location for component and quality testing by a gas-sampling device by use of a venturi-based manifold that moves a volume of motivating gases to create a venturi effect, comprising:

feeding high-pressure motivating gases through a venturi to create a venturi effect;

extracting and conveying sampling gases from a remote location by use of the venturi effect created by the venturi;

drawing sampling gases into a manifold through a manifold port;

testing samples of the sampling gases from the manifold using the gas-sampling device;

venting the sampling gases from the manifold; and

monitoring and reporting the pressure of the gases within the manifold by use of a pressure gauge.

14. A system for extracting and conveying sampling gases from a remote location for component and quality testing by a gas-sampling device by use of a venturi-based manifold that moves a volume of motivating gases to create a venturi effect, comprising:

an air extractor for creating a vacuum to draw sampling gases for testing, the air extractor comprising;

a venturi having an inlet end and an outlet end;

an inlet port into through which the volume of motivating gases is drawn; and

a plenum extending from the inlet port to the inlet end of the venturi; and

a manifold for testing the sampling gases drawn by the air extractor, the manifold comprises;

a housing defining a chamber;

at least one manifold port through which the sampling gases from the remote location are drawn into the housing by the venturi effect created by the air extractor; and

at least one sampling port through which a sample of the sampling gases drawn by the air extractor into the housing of the manifold are drawn by the gas-sampling devices, wherein the air extractor further includes a regulator assembly used to control the operation of the venturi, comprising;

a needle piston movably positioned with respect to the venturi that is used to control the volume of motivating gas that flows through the venturi; and

a regulator spring connected to the needle piston for adjusting the needle piston with respect to the venturi to optimize the flow of motivating gas and create the greatest vacuum with the least expenditure of motivating gas.

15. A system for extracting and conveying sampling gases from a remote location for component and quality testing by a gas-sampling device by use of a venturi-based manifold that moves a volume of motivating gases to create a venturi effect, comprising:

an air extractor for creating a vacuum to draw sampling gases for testing, the air extractor comprising;

a venturi having an inlet end and an outlet end;

an inlet port into through which the volume of motivating gases is drawn; and

a plenum extending from the inlet port to the inlet end of the venturi;

a manifold for testing the sampling gases drawn by the air extractor, the manifold comprises;

a housing defining a chamber;

at least one manifold port through which the sampling gases from the remote location are drawn into the housing by the venturi effect created by the air extractor; and

at least one sampling port through which a sample of the sampling gases drawn by the air extractor into the housing of the manifold are drawn by the gas-sampling device; and

a flow meter for monitoring and reporting the volume of the gases flowing into the manifold.