The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 10, 1996
Filed:
Jul. 31, 1995
Kenneth B Regiec, Baltimore, MD (US);
Peter C Stroosnyder, Finksburg, MD (US);
Stephen D Kubicsko, Westminster, MD (US);
Charles H Ward, II, Edgewood, MD (US);
Environmental Technologies Group, Inc., Baltimore, MD (US);
Abstract
In an apparatus for detecting alarm molecules, residual alarm molecules are automatically removed during a clear-down mode before a subsequent air sample is to be introduced. The apparatus comprises a detector unit, a sensor unit and a filtering sub-unit including a pump and a filter. During a challenge, the pump in the sub-unit is turned off, and the air sample passes from the inlet port of the first unit through the second unit to the output port of the first unit, thereby depositing alarm molecules in the first unit and the second unit. During the clear-down mode, the pump in the sub-unit is turned on, and outside air enters through the output port of the first unit, mixes with air flow from the output of the second unit, and passes through the sub-unit. Filtered air from the sub-unit exhausts the first unit through the inlet port of the first unit and passes into the second unit, thereby cleaning the first unit and the second unit from the alarm molecules deposited therein during the challenge mode.