Aerosol hazard characterization and early warning network
First Claim
1. An aerosol hazard characterization and early warning network comprisingA) a plurality of detector stations positioned throughout the physical region to be protected thereby where each detector station is comprised of i) a light scattering chamber module containing (a) an aerosol sampling and handling module;
- (b) a plurality of scattered light detectors;
(c) a light source producing a monochromatic collimated beam of light traversing a central plane of said chamber;
ii) electronic circuitry converting analog signals produced by said detectors into digital representations thereof;
iii) a central processing unit containing memory and processing means together with controlling and processing software that (a) controls said aerosol sampling and handling system;
(b) stores digital data produced from each particle light scattering event occurring as said aerosol particle crosses said collimated beam of light;
(c) analyzes said data to characterize each aerosol particle from said particle'"'"'s set of stored digitized light scattering signals;
(d) processes and stores the ensemble of said analyses of said characterized particles for subsequent transmission;
iv) a telemetry communication system that (a) sends processed data analyses to a central station;
(b) receives modifying control, processing, and transmission instructions from a central station;
B) a central station that receives processed data from each of the detector stations, sends, if deemed necessary, each detector station modified sampling instructions based on said central station analysis of data received therefrom, analyzes data received from said detector stations to establish aerosol source cloud extent and movement, and communicates by telemetric means early warnings of threats posed by said cloud through said region to be protected, said central station is comprised of i) a telemetric transmitting and receiving module;
ii) a central processing unit, CPU, containing switching and buffering means permitting data transmitted from all detector stations to be received and stored;
iii) analytical software permitting said CPU to analyze and process data so-received and to modify, as required, the sampling and analytical processes performed by each said detector station;
iv) separate telemetric module to transmit appropriate warnings to said protected region of immanent threats based on said analyses and suitable measures suggested to mitigate said threat.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An aerosol hazard classification and early warning network is composed of a large number of detector and analysis units, called “detector stations,” which are deployed throughout a region to be warned of a potentially hazardous aerosol intrusion. Such aerosol threats may originate from fires, volcanic eruptions, or overt releases of biological and chemical agents dispersed in aerosol form. Among the former are the characteristic toxic aerosols released during refinery fires or explosions. The latter biological agents include bacterial spores, lyophilized bacterial cells, and virus preparations, whereas chemical agents might include various forms of nerve gasses and other anti-personnel gasses such as mustard, all commonly deployed in aerosol form. Each detector station contains an aerosol handling unit that samples and transfers ambient aerosol particles one-at-a-time through a light scattering chamber where each such particle is constrained to pass through a fine laser beam producing, thereby, an outgoing scattered light wave. The scattering chamber contains a plurality of scattered light detectors arranged to accept light scattered into different angular locations. The signals detected at each detector position are processed by a corresponding digital signal processing chip with the resulting set of digitized signals being transferred to an on-board central processing unit. The CPU analyzes the set of light scattering signals and identifies or otherwise characterizes each particle. The classification/identification data are then stored and, on preprogrammed command, telemetered to a remote “central station” by means of an on-board telemetry unit. The central station analyzes the sets of data received from all the detector stations and then instructs, as necessary, selected detector stations via telemetric means to change their sampling and telemetry rates. As soon as sufficient data are available, the central determines the presence, threat, extent, and progress of the aerosol cloud. These factors are then telemetrically transmitted by means of alarms and warnings sent to potentially threatened regions.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. An aerosol hazard characterization and early warning network comprising
A) a plurality of detector stations positioned throughout the physical region to be protected thereby where each detector station is comprised of i) a light scattering chamber module containing (a) an aerosol sampling and handling module; -
(b) a plurality of scattered light detectors;
(c) a light source producing a monochromatic collimated beam of light traversing a central plane of said chamber;
ii) electronic circuitry converting analog signals produced by said detectors into digital representations thereof;
iii) a central processing unit containing memory and processing means together with controlling and processing software that (a) controls said aerosol sampling and handling system;
(b) stores digital data produced from each particle light scattering event occurring as said aerosol particle crosses said collimated beam of light;
(c) analyzes said data to characterize each aerosol particle from said particle'"'"'s set of stored digitized light scattering signals;
(d) processes and stores the ensemble of said analyses of said characterized particles for subsequent transmission;
iv) a telemetry communication system that (a) sends processed data analyses to a central station;
(b) receives modifying control, processing, and transmission instructions from a central station;
B) a central station that receives processed data from each of the detector stations, sends, if deemed necessary, each detector station modified sampling instructions based on said central station analysis of data received therefrom, analyzes data received from said detector stations to establish aerosol source cloud extent and movement, and communicates by telemetric means early warnings of threats posed by said cloud through said region to be protected, said central station is comprised of i) a telemetric transmitting and receiving module;
ii) a central processing unit, CPU, containing switching and buffering means permitting data transmitted from all detector stations to be received and stored;
iii) analytical software permitting said CPU to analyze and process data so-received and to modify, as required, the sampling and analytical processes performed by each said detector station;
iv) separate telemetric module to transmit appropriate warnings to said protected region of immanent threats based on said analyses and suitable measures suggested to mitigate said threat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 45)
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23. A method for providing early warning of an impending aerosol threat to a designated physical region comprising the steps of
a. placing throughout said physical region a plurality of detector stations where each detector station contains i. a light scattering chamber module means comprised of an aerosol sampling and handling means;-
2. a plurality of scattered light detector means;
3. a light source producing a monochromatic collimated beam of light traversing a central plane of said chamber;
ii. electronic circuitry means converting analog signals produced by said detectors into digital representations thereof;
iii. central processing unit means containing memory and processing means together with controlling and processing software that 1. controls said aerosol sampling and handling system;
2. stores digital data produced from each particle light scattering event occurring as said aerosol particle crosses said light beam;
3. analyzes said data to characterize each aerosol particle from said particle'"'"'s set of stored digitized light scattering signals;
4. processes and stores the ensemble of said analyses of said characterized particles for subsequent transmission;
iv. a telemetry communication means to 1. send processed data analyses to a central station;
2. receive modifying control, processing, and transmission instructions from a central station;
b. receiving processed data from each of said detector station means at a central station means that would send, if deemed necessary, to each detector station means modified sampling instructions based on said central station means analysis of data received therefrom, to analyze data received from said detector station means to establish aerosol source cloud extent and movement, and to communicate by telemetric means early warnings of threats posed by said cloud through said region to be protected, said central station consists of i. a telemetric transmitting and receiving means;
ii. a central processing unit means, CPU, containing switching and buffering means permitting data transmitted from all detector stations to be received and stored;
iii. analytical software means permitting said CPU to analyze and process data so-received and to modify, as required, the sampling and analytical processes performed by each said detector station;
iv. separate telemetric means to transmit appropriate warnings to said protected region of immanent threats based on said analyses and suitable measures suggested to mitigate said threat. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46)
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Specification