Apparatus for accessing container security threats and method of use

• US 7,100,424 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2004
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Laura W. Wilson
• Original Assignee: Marshall Wilson
• Inventors: Wilson, Marshall
• Primary Examiner(s): Larkin, Daniel S.
• Application Number:
  US10/896,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20060169025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 73/310.1, 73/310.2, 73/310.3, 73/310.5, 738/63, 738/638.1, 738/638.3, 738/643.4, 738/633.3, 701/2, 901/1, 901/46
• US Class Current: 73/31.05
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2226 Sampling from a closed space, e.g. food package, head space
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/021 Correlating sampling sites with geographical information, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/022 sampling for security purposes, e.g. contraband, warfare agents
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/20 Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects

Abstract

A system and method for accessing the security threat of a cargo container by sampling the air contained therein. The system is capable of analyzing the air disposed within the container for security threats including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high explosive threats, as well as other types of contraband such as illegal substances, embargoed material or stowaways, without requiring the modification of the existing container, the movement of the container to a particular inspection site, and without opening the container. The system generally includes a detection system comprising a detector array, an air-moving device, and one or more air-sampling devices. The entire system is mounted upon a vehicle for mobility.

Claims

1. A portable inspection apparatus for sampling air within a container and contemporaneously analyzing the sampled air for detection of a plurality of different security threats, said apparatus comprising:

a vent cup for withdrawing an air sample from within a container through a container vent having one or more openings, wherein the vent cup comprises a housing that fits over the one or more openings in the container vent, and the housing is mounted upon a telescoping arm that is positioned with a control mechanism;

an air-moving device having a suction port and a discharge port;

a conduit connecting the vent cup to the suction port of the air moving device such that when the air moving device is operating, air is pulled into the vent cup from the container; and

an air distribution manifold connected to the discharge port of the air moving device for receiving the air sample and distributing the air sample to a plurality of sensors, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is adapted for contemporaneously detecting a different security threat during withdrawal of the air sample from within the container.

2. The portable inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portable inspection apparatus is mobile.

3. The portable inspection apparatus of claim 2, wherein the portable inspection apparatus is mounted on a vehicle selected from the group consisting of a truck, a car, an all terrain vehicle (ATV), a wagon, and a cart.

4. The portable inspection apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vehicle provides power to the mobile inspection apparatus.

5. The portable inspection apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a DC power supply for a supplying power to the mobile inspection apparatus.

6. The portable inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a sealing member connected to the housing and disposed between the housing and the container.

7. The portable inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors are selected from the group consisting of sensors for sensing chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-explosive materials.

8. The portable inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors are selected from the group consisting of sensors for sensing illicit drugs, hazardous industrial materials, and chemical vapors and materials.

9. The portable inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors senses the presence of human occupancy within the container.

10. A method for withdrawing an air sample from within a container having a closed aperture with a door defining a small space between the door of the closed aperture and the container wall and contemporaneously analyzing the air sample for a plurality of different security threats, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a portable inspection apparatus comprising an air sampling device having a telescoping arm mounted crevice tool for withdrawing an air sample from within the container, an air-moving device having a suction port and a discharge port, a conduit connecting the air sampling device to the suction port of the air-moving device such that when the air-moving device is operating, the air sample from the container is pulled into the air sampling device through the crevice tool and into an air distribution manifold, wherein the air distribution manifold is connected to the discharge port of the air-moving device for receiving the air sample and distributing the air sample to a plurality of sensors;

positioning with a control mechanism the telescoping arm mounted crevice tool within the small space between the door of the closed aperture and the container wall;

operating the air-moving device to withdraw the air sample from the container and to discharge the air sample into the air distribution manifold; and

having the air sample from the air distribution manifold analyzed contemporaneously for a plurality of different security threats by the plurality of sensors.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the portable inspection apparatus is mobile.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the portable inspection apparatus is mounted on a vehicle selected from the group consisting of a truck, a car, an all terrain vehicle (ATV), a wagon, and a cart.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the vehicle provides power to the portable inspection apparatus.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the portable inspection apparatus further comprises a DC power supply for supplying power.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sensors are selected from the group consisting of sensors for sensing chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-explosive materials.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sensors are selected from the group consisting of sensors for sensing illicit drugs, hazardous industrial materials, and chemical vapors and materials.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors senses the presence of human occupancy within the container.