Pressure activated sampling system
First Claim
1. A system for screening items for contaminants, the system comprising:
- first and second pressure chambers, the first pressure chamber being adapted to contain at least a first item and the second pressure chamber being adapted to contain at least a second item;
at least one pressurized gas source connected to provide pressurized gas to the pressure chambers;
valves connected to vent the pressure chambers to an ambient atmosphere;
a controller operable to control pressurization of the pressure chambers by the at least one pressurized gas source and to control the valves to initiate rapid decompression of the pressure chambers;
at least one sample collector positioned to collect samples of substances removed from the first and second items by the rapid decompression; and
a trace-level contaminant detector operable to detect whether at least one contaminant is sampled by the at least one sample collector.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Screening of items for the presence of contaminants, such as explosives residue, is accomplished by subjecting an item loaded into a pressure chamber to a pressure substantially in excess of atmospheric pressure conditions and rapidly decompressing the item to the ambient atmospheric pressure. The rapid decompression serves to scavenge vapors and particles from the exterior and interior of the item and any objects it contains. A sample of the vapors and particles removed from the item by the rapid decompression is sampled and is tested to determine whether a predetermined contaminant is present in the sample. Depending on the types of contaminants for which the sample is tested, it is possible to detect whether explosives, biological or chemical agents, and/or narcotics residues are present on or in the item being screened.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A system for screening items for contaminants, the system comprising:
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first and second pressure chambers, the first pressure chamber being adapted to contain at least a first item and the second pressure chamber being adapted to contain at least a second item; at least one pressurized gas source connected to provide pressurized gas to the pressure chambers; valves connected to vent the pressure chambers to an ambient atmosphere; a controller operable to control pressurization of the pressure chambers by the at least one pressurized gas source and to control the valves to initiate rapid decompression of the pressure chambers; at least one sample collector positioned to collect samples of substances removed from the first and second items by the rapid decompression; and a trace-level contaminant detector operable to detect whether at least one contaminant is sampled by the at least one sample collector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification