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:
Apr. 24, 2007
Filed:
Jun. 24, 2002
Brian A. Knollenberg, Superior, CO (US);
Daniel Rodier, Louisville, CO (US);
Scott Waisanen, Louisville, CO (US);
Brian A. Knollenberg, Superior, CO (US);
Daniel Rodier, Louisville, CO (US);
Scott Waisanen, Louisville, CO (US);
Particle Measuring Systems, Inc., Boulder, CO (US);
Abstract
A flow-through monitor for detecting molecular contamination (MC) within a fluid flow. The monitor has a diffusion chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a structure for supporting a fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port. The structure includes a flow gap causing a diffusion of molecular contaminants into the diffusion chamber, while substantially preventing, for a rate of the fluid flow above a predetermined magnitude, particulate contaminants within the fluid from entering the diffusion chamber. A SAW device detects molecular contamination interior to the diffusion chamber. Fluid input to the flow-through monitor may be diluted by a pure fluid for extended monitor life. A system for aggregate sampling connects an ensemble manifold upstream of the flow-through monitor. A system for triggered sampling connects a sample preconcentrator downstream of the flow-through monitor. A chemically selective membrane may be located between the flow gap and the SAW. A test surface adapted to collect MC and located to sample the same fluid as the SAW may also be combined with the monitor. A chemical filter and/or heater may be located upstream of the flow-through monitor and valved to the monitor alternately to the unfiltered and unheated sample.