Femtometrics, Inc.

Enigma Science, LLC

Other

Brunswick Corporation

William D Bowers

Raymond L Chuan

Gregory F Quinn

Michael F Steele

John Tran

Frank Bahrami

Scott R Langer

An active sampler for detecting contaminants in liquids comprises an inlet, an outlet and a sampling unit positioned such that the liquid flows along a path from the inlet, through the sampling unit, to the outlet. The sampling unit has a plurality of sampling chambers that are substantially fluidly sealed relative to one another, wherein one of the sampling chambers is selectively positioned in the flow path. The active sampler also comprises an actuator, which relatively moves the sampling unit and the inlet and outlet such that one sampling chamber is positioned out of the flow path while another of the sampling chambers is positioned in the flow path.

Active sampler for detecting contaminants in liquids

An active sampler for detecting contaminants in liquids comprises an inlet tube, and outlet tube and a sampling unit positioned between said paths such that the liquid flows along a path from the inlet, through the sampling unit, to the outlet. The sampling unit has a plurality of sampling chambers that are substantially fluidly sealed relative to one another, wherein one of the sampling chambers is selectively positioned in the flow path. The active sampler also comprises an actuator, which relatively moves the sampling unit and the inlet and outlet tubes such that said one sampling chamber is positioned out of the flow path while another of the sampling chambers is positioned in the flow path.

Pulsed air sampler

A real time nonvolatile residue (NVR) monitor operates to efficiently detect molecular contamination in a given environment. The present NVR monitor utilizes surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators in a controlled environment which efficiently promotes deposition of NVR on the sensor surface. The SAW resonators preferably operate at a resonant frequency of approximately 200 MHz-2,000 MHz which enables the NVR monitor to detect molecular contamination on the order of 10 g-cm to 10 g-cm . The NVR monitor utilizes active temperature control of (SAW) resonators to achieve a stable resonant frequency and to thermally separate NVR from a sample fluid contacting the SAW. The temperature control system of the NVR monitor is able to directly heat and cool the SAW resonators utilizing a thermoelectric element to maintain the resonators at a preset temperature in accordance with optimal environmental conditions for separating NVR from the sample fluid. The sample fluid, comprising a carrier fluid and NVR, is furthermore processed to provide conditions, such as pre-cooling and/or pressurization, which enhance condensation of NVR on the sensor surface. Increasing the collection efficiency allows the NVR monitor to operate faster at a desired level of accuracy and provides more quantitative information for trace contaminant analysis.

High-sensitivity instrument to measure NVR in fluids

A device for detecting chemical substances includes a plurality of sensors arranged in an array. The sensors are connected to respective oscillator circuits which drive the sensors, and the oscillator circuits are coupled to a power multiplexer which provides the circuits with power according to a timing pattern such that not all of the oscillator circuits are activated at any one time. Preferably, only one oscillator circuit is activated at any given time. This multiplexing arrangement saves power and substantially eliminates cross talk between the oscillator circuits. The oscillator circuits are preferably application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and the sensors are preferably surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. In use, the SAW sensors are exposed to a gas, such as air, containing the chemical substance to be detected. Signals from the SAW sensors are analyzed to identify the chemical substance.

Chemical sensor array

A real time nonvolatile residue (NVR) monitor operates to efficiently detect molecular contamination in a given environment. The present NVR monitor utilizes surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators in a controlled environment which efficiently promotes deposition of NVR on the sensor surface. The SAW resonators preferably operate at a resonant frequency of approximately 200 MHz-2,000 MHz which enables the NVR monitor to detect molecular contamination on the order of 10.sup.-11 g-cm.sup.-2 to 10.sup.-13 g-cm.sup.-2. The NVR monitor utilizes active temperature control of (SAW) resonators to achieve a stable resonant frequency and to thermally separate NVR from a sample fluid contacting the SAW. The temperature control system of the NVR monitor is able to directly heat and cool the SAW resonators utilizing a thermoelectric element to maintain the resonators at a preset temperature in accordance with optimal environmental conditions for separating NVR from the sample fluid. The sample fluid, comprising a carrier fluid and NVR, is furthermore processed to provide conditions, such as pre-cooling and/or pressurization, which enhance condensation of NVR on the sensor surface. Increasing the collection efficiency allows the NVR monitor to operate faster at a desired level of accuracy and provides more quantitative information for trace contaminant analysis.

High sensitivity instrument to measure NVR in fluid

A real time non-volatile residue (NVR) monitor, which utilizes surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators to detect molecular contamination in a given environment. The SAW resonators operate at a resonant frequency of approximately 200 MHz-2,000 MHz which enables the NVR monitor to detect molecular contamination on the order of 10.sup.-11 g-cm.sup.-2 to 10.sup.-13 g-cm.sup.2. The NVR monitor utilizes active temperature control of (SAW) resonators to achieve a stable resonant frequency. The temperature control system of the NVR monitor is able to directly heat and cool the SAW resonators utilizing a thermoelectric element to maintain the resonators at a present temperature independent of the environmental conditions. In order to enable the direct heating and cooling of the SAW resonators, the SAW resonators are operatively mounted to a heat sink. In one embodiment, the heat sink is located in between the SAW resonators and an electronic circuit board which contains at least a portion of the SAW control electronics. The electrical leads of the SAW resonators are connected through the heat sink to the circuit board via an electronic path which prevents inaccurate frequency measurement.

High sensitivity real-time NVR monitor

A real time non-volatile residue (NVR) monitor, which utilizes surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators to detect molecular contamination in a given environment. The SAW resonators operate at a resonant frequency of approximately 200 MHz-2,000 MHz which enables the NVR monitor to detect molecular contamination on the order of 10.sup.-11 g-cm.sup.-2 to 10.sup.-13 g-cm.sup.-2. The NVR monitor utilizes active temperature control of (SAW) resonators to achieve a stable resonant frequency. The temperature control system of the NVR monitor is able to directly heat and cool the SAW resonators utilizing a thermoelectric element to maintain the resonators at a preset temperature independent of the environmental conditions. In order to enable the direct heating and cooling of the SAW resonators, the SAW resonators are operatively mounted to a heat sink. In one embodiment, the heat sink is located in between the SAW resonators and an electronic circuit board which contains at least a portion of the SAW control electronics. The electrical leads of the SAW resonators are connected through the heat sink to the circuit board via an electronic path which prevents inaccurate frequency measurement.

A device for gas detection through ion mobility segregation by mobility ranges includes a flow tube through which a sample of atmospheric air with possible contaminant gases flow. Ions formed of gases in the air and the possible contaminant gases are segregated by ion mobility range in either a first, second or subsequent electric field positioned along the flow tube. The ions are collected on an anode or cathode of each electric field. The ions of the gases striking an anode or cathode by charge transfer induce a detection current, the measure of which indicates the presence of gases of interest. A method for detecting a gas by ion mobility segregation is also described.

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Newport Beach, CA, United States of America

William D Bowers