Shipping container interrogation apparatus and methods
First Claim
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1. A shipping container interrogation apparatus;
- wherein said interrogation apparatus comprises a shipping container; and
wherein said shipping container comprises;
a frame operable to provide structural rigidity and shape for said shipping container, wherein said frame comprises an air transfer tubular frame member; and
an interior;
wherein said air transfer tubular frame member is operable to either receive input air and deliver said input air to said interior of said shipping container, or is operable to receive sample air from said interior of said shipping container and deliver said sample air to a location outside of said shipping container.
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Abstract
A shipping container interrogation apparatus and method that utilizes the tubular frame members of the container to deliver input air to the interior of the container, and to receive sample air from the interior of the container. A detection apparatus may be used to detect an unauthorized material in the sample air that is received from the interior of the container. Sample air from the detection apparatus may be recycled back into the container by use of a tubular frame member of the container. Input air may be delivered to the interior of the container with turbulence and in any desired direction or pattern for better interrogation of the interior of the container.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A shipping container interrogation apparatus;
- wherein said interrogation apparatus comprises a shipping container; and
wherein said shipping container comprises;
a frame operable to provide structural rigidity and shape for said shipping container, wherein said frame comprises an air transfer tubular frame member; andan interior;
wherein said air transfer tubular frame member is operable to either receive input air and deliver said input air to said interior of said shipping container, or is operable to receive sample air from said interior of said shipping container and deliver said sample air to a location outside of said shipping container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- wherein said interrogation apparatus comprises a shipping container; and
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17. A method for interrogating a shipping container;
- wherein said shipping container comprises a frame operable to provide structural rigidity and shape for said shipping container, wherein said frame comprises an air transfer tubular frame member; and
an interior; and
wherein said method comprises the step of interrogating said shipping container by using said air transfer tubular frame member for at least one of receiving input air and delivering said input air to said interior of said shipping container, and receiving sample air from said interior of said shipping container and delivering said sample air to a location outside of said shipping container. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
- wherein said shipping container comprises a frame operable to provide structural rigidity and shape for said shipping container, wherein said frame comprises an air transfer tubular frame member; and
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25. A shipping container interrogation apparatus;
- wherein said interrogation apparatus comprises a shipping container; and
wherein said shipping container comprises;an interior; and
an air transfer tubular frame member;wherein said air transfer tubular frame member is operable to either receive input air and deliver said input air to said interior of said shipping container, or is operable to receive sample air from said interior of said shipping container and deliver said sample air to a location outside of said shipping container; wherein said air transfer tubular frame member comprises an air input tubular frame member; wherein said air input tubular frame member comprises an air input exterior port that is operable to receive said input air; and wherein said air input tubular frame member further comprises an air input interior port that is operable to deliver said input air from said air input tubular frame member to said interior of said shipping container; wherein said air input interior port comprises an air discharge opening having a width and a height;
wherein said air discharge opening comprises a shape that is least generally rectangular; and
wherein said shape has an aspect ratio of at least about 3;
1.
- wherein said interrogation apparatus comprises a shipping container; and
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26. A shipping container interrogation apparatus;
- wherein said interrogation apparatus comprises a shipping container; and
wherein said shipping container comprises;an interior; and
an air transfer tubular frame member;wherein said air transfer tubular frame member is operable to either receive input air and deliver said input air to said interior of said shipping container, or is operable to receive sample air from said interior of said shipping container and deliver said sample air to a location outside of said shipping container; wherein said air transfer tubular frame member comprises an air input tubular frame member; wherein said air input tubular frame member comprises an air input exterior port that is operable to receive said input air; and wherein said air input tubular frame member further comprises an air input interior port that is operable to deliver said input air from said air input tubular frame member to said interior of said shipping container; wherein said air input interior port comprises a nozzle;
wherein said nozzle comprises an air discharge opening having a width and a height;
wherein said air discharge opening comprises a shape that is least generally rectangular; and
wherein said shape has an aspect ratio of at least about 3;
1.
- wherein said interrogation apparatus comprises a shipping container; and
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27. A shipping container interrogation apparatus;
- wherein said interrogation apparatus comprises a shipping container; and
wherein said shipping container comprises;an interior; and
an air transfer tubular frame member;wherein said air transfer tubular frame member is operable to either receive input air and deliver said input air to said interior of said shipping container, or is operable to receive sample air from said interior of said shipping container and deliver said sample air to a location outside of said shipping container; wherein said shipping container comprises first and second said air transfer tubular frame members; wherein said first air transfer tubular frame member comprises an air input tubular frame member;
wherein said air input tubular frame member comprises an air input exterior port that is operable to receive said input air;
wherein said air input tubular frame member further comprises an air input interior port that is operable to deliver said input air from said air input tubular frame member to said interior of said shipping container;wherein said second air transfer tubular frame member comprises a sample air output tubular frame member, wherein said sample air output tubular frame member comprises a sample air output interior port that is operable to receive said sample air from said interior of said shipping container;
wherein said sample air output tubular frame member further comprises a sample air output exterior port that is operable to receive said sample air from said sample air output tubular frame member and deliver said sample air to said location outside of said shipping container; andwherein said interrogation apparatus further comprises a detection apparatus that is operable to receive said sample air from said sample air output exterior port, and a sample air recycling conduit that is operable to convey said sample air from said detection apparatus to said air input tubular frame member.
- wherein said interrogation apparatus comprises a shipping container; and
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28. A shipping container interrogation apparatus;
- wherein said interrogation apparatus comprises a shipping container; and
wherein said shipping container comprises;an interior; and
an air transfer tubular frame member;wherein said air transfer tubular frame member is operable to either receive input air and deliver said input air to said interior of said shipping container, or is operable to receive sample air from said interior of said shipping container and deliver said sample air to a location outside of said shipping container; wherein said shipping container further comprises a pair of sidewalls and a top wall;
wherein said top wall has a longitudinal centerline that is situated halfway between said pair of sidewalls;
wherein said interrogation apparatus further comprises a vibration apparatus that is operable to apply a time-periodic lateral rocking motion to said top wall with respect to said longitudinal centerline; andwherein said time-periodic lateral rocking motion is used to excite even harmonics of said top wall of said shipping container in a direction that is at least generally at about a right angle with respect to said longitudinal centerline.
- wherein said interrogation apparatus comprises a shipping container; and
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29. A method for interrogating a shipping container;
- wherein said shipping container comprises an interior, an air transfer tubular frame member, a pair of sidewalls, and a top wall; and
wherein said method comprises the steps of;(a) using said air transfer tubular frame member for at least one of receiving input air and delivering said input air to said interior of said shipping container, and receiving sample air from said interior of said shipping container and delivering said sample air to a location outside of said shipping container; (b) applying a time-periodic lateral rocking motion to said top wall with respect to said longitudinal centerline; and (c) using said time-periodic lateral rocking motion for exciting even harmonics of said top wall of said shipping container in a direction that is at least generally at about a right angle with respect to said longitudinal centerline.
- wherein said shipping container comprises an interior, an air transfer tubular frame member, a pair of sidewalls, and a top wall; and
Specification