Explosive detection system
First Claim
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1. An explosive detection system, comprising:
- a sampling orifice that receives a sampled gas flow therethrough toward the sampling orifice;
a fluid rotator that creates a cyclonic gas flow beyond the sampling orifice about the sampled gas flow as the sampled gas flow flows toward the sampling orifice;
an ion source, coupled to the sampling orifice, that generates ions corresponding to the sampled gas flow;
a drift tube having the ion source coupled to a first end thereof; and
a detector coupled to an other end of the drift tube, wherein the detector detects in the sampled gas flow the presence of ions associated with explosives.
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Abstract
An explosive detection system detects the presence of trace molecules in air. The sensitivity of such instruments is dependent on the concentration of target gas in the sample. The sampling efficiency can be greatly improved when the target object is warmed, even by only a few degrees. A directed emission of photons, typically infrared or visible light, can be used to significantly enhance vapor emission. The sensitivity of such instruments is also dependent on the method of gas sampling utilized. A cyclone sampling nozzle can greatly improve the sampling efficiency, particularly when the sampling needs to be performed at a distance from the air intake.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. An explosive detection system, comprising:
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a sampling orifice that receives a sampled gas flow therethrough toward the sampling orifice;
a fluid rotator that creates a cyclonic gas flow beyond the sampling orifice about the sampled gas flow as the sampled gas flow flows toward the sampling orifice;
an ion source, coupled to the sampling orifice, that generates ions corresponding to the sampled gas flow;
a drift tube having the ion source coupled to a first end thereof; and
a detector coupled to an other end of the drift tube, wherein the detector detects in the sampled gas flow the presence of ions associated with explosives. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An explosive detection system, comprising:
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a sampling orifice that receives sampled gas;
a fluid rotator that creates a cyclonic gas flow beyond the sampling orifice, wherein the fluid rotator includes a rotation-inducing orifice surrounding the sampling orifice;
an ion source, coupled to the sampling orifice, that generates ions corresponding to the sampled gas;
a drift tube having the ion source coupled to a first end thereof; and
a detector coupled to an other end of the drift tube, wherein the detector detects in the sampled gas the presence of ions associated with explosives, wherein the inside surface of the rotation-inducing orifice deflects a gas flow into a cyclonic gas flow. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An explosive detection system, comprising:
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a sampling orifice that receives sampled gas;
a fluid rotator that creates a cyclonic gas flow beyond the sampling orifice, wherein the fluid rotator includes a rotation-inducing orifice surrounding the sampling orifice;
an ion source, coupled to the sampling orifice, that generates ions corresponding to the sampled gas;
a drift tube having the ion source coupled to a first end thereof;
a detector coupled to an other end of the drift tube, wherein the detector detects in the sampled gas the presence of ions associated with explosives; and
a gas pump connected to the rotation-inducing orifice that creates a cyclonic gas flow. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An explosive detection system, comprising:
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a sampling orifice that receives sampled gas;
a fluid rotator that creates a cyclonic gas flow beyond the sampling orifice;
a drift tube having the ion source coupled to a first end thereof;
a detector coupled to an other end of the drift tube, wherein the detector detects in the sampled gas the presence of ions associated with explosives; and
a precipitator that removes at least a portion of any entrained particles within the gas flow into the sampling orifice. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An explosive detection system, comprising:
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a sampling inlet that receives sampled gas;
a heat source, mounted proximal to the gas sampling inlet, the heat source providing photonic emissions to one side of a target proximal to the sampling inlet to heat the target while the sampling inlet receives sampled gas;
an ion source, coupled to the sampling orifice, that generates ions corresponding to the sampled gas;
a drift tube having the ion source coupled to a first end thereof; and
a detector coupled to an other end of the drift tube, wherein the detector detects in the sampled gas the presence of ions associated with explosives. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
a precipitator that removes at least a portion of any entrained particles within the gas flow into the sampling inlet.
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42. An explosive detection system, according to claim 41, wherein the precipitator is an electrostatic precipitator.
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43. An explosive detection system, according to claim 42, wherein the electrostatic precipitator includes a cathode disposed on or near the drift tube, the cathode applying a voltage greater than 3000 Volts.
Specification