Thermedics Inc.

Thermedics Detection, Inc.

Ain A Sonin

Eugene K Achter

Gabor Miskolczy

Edward J Burke

Gianfranco D Zaccai

Edward E Bromberg

Michel D Arney

George B Jarvis

Karen E LeBlanc

Gregory J Wendel

Carlton Wong

In a contact-type vapor and particle sampling apparatus for collecting vapor or particles from a moving subject, a wand having a plurality of sampling holes is oriented so that the holes extend in the direction of movement of the subject. The external width of the wand is less than a characteristic dimension of the contour of the surface of the subject being sampled, and a central fluid flow passage in the wand is sufficiently wide to prevent substantially all particles of on the order of about 10 microns in diameter from colliding with the wall of the wand as they enter the passage. A collector for use with the apparatus includes a gas impermeable material having a high binding affinity for explosives vapor exposed on a surface of a filter woven to trap explosives particles.

Vapor and particle sampling

Disclosed is a walk-in inspection apparatus for active production of air samples containing vapors of explosives, drugs, or other substances carried by a person. The apparatus includes a U-shaped booth with an open end through which a person walks past walls which may contain a metal detector, then stands facing a vertical end wall. In the collection of an air sample a blower outside the booth sucks a large volume of air around the person and horizontally through a vertical array of shaped funnels in the end wall and through ducts connected to a collection manifold for subsequent analysis. Infrared heaters in the end wall heat the clothing and skin of the person during sampling, and many small nozzles extending through the end wall direct low volume, high momentum pulsed jets of puffs of air at the person to dislodge vapors, expel air from beneath clothing, and disrupt stagnant boundary layers of air near the person. Curved shapes of portions of the booth and funnels provide smooth, low loss airflow, and height and distance sensors facilitate automatic operation of the inspection apparatus.

Walk-in inspection apparatus for producing air samples

Disclosed is a walk-in inspection apparatus for active production of air samples containing vapors of explosives, drugs, or other substances carried by a person. The apparatus includes a U-shaped booth with an open end through which a person walks past walls which may contain a metal detector, then stands in front of a mesh screen facing a vertical end wall containing a vertical array of shaped funnels. Light-transmissive wall sections near the end wall help encourage entry of the person into the booth, and the light colored mesh screen draws attention of a person in the booth away from the darker funnels. In the collection of an air sample a blower outside the booth sucks a large volume of air around the person and horizontally through the funnels in the end wall and through ducts into a collection manifold for subsequent analysis. During sampling, infrared heaters in the end wall heat the clothing and skin of the person and many small nozzles extending through the end wall direct pulsed jets or puffs of air at the person to dislodge vapors, expel air from beneath clothing, and disrupt stagnant boundary layers of air near the person. Substantially all of the air drawn around the person is collected, and curved shapes of portions of the booth, funnels, and ducts provide smooth, low loss airflow to the collection manifold.

Air-sampling apparatus with easy walk-in access

Growing community of inventors

Lexington, MA, United States of America

Ain A Sonin