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US 10,197,487 B2Granted
Systems and methods for isolating condensate in a condensation particle counter
AssigneeParticle Measuring Systems, Inc.
InventorsBrian Knollenberg, Stephen Pavone, Cliff Ketcham, Rebecca Thompson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The systems and methods provided herein relate generally to the prevention of migration of condensate in a condensation particle counter between components designed to handle condensate (e.g. saturator, condenser, condensate reservoir) and components which may be damaged by the condensate (e.g. detection and flow control devices).
Claims17
A condensation particle counter system comprising:
- an inlet for introducing a sample stream to be analyzed;
- a saturator for introducing a condensate into said sample stream;
- wherein said saturator is in fluid communication with a condensate reservoir;
- a condenser in fluid communication with said saturator for condensing said condensate onto particles contained in said sample stream;
- a particle counter in fluid communication with said condenser for detecting or characterizing said particles in said sample stream;
- and
- a valve positioned between said particle counter and said condenser for isolating said particle counter from said condenser, said saturator and said condensate reservoir.
4 more elements
A method for isolating condensate in a condensation particle counter comprising:
- providing a condensation particle counter comprising:
- an inlet with a flow control orifice;
- a saturator for introducing condensate in fluid communication with a condensate reservoir;
- a condenser for condensing said condensate onto particles;
- an particle counter for detecting and characterizing said particles;
- and
- isolating said saturator, said condenser and said condensate reservoir from said inlet and said particle counter, thereby preventing condensate from contaminating said particle counter or said flow control orifice;
- wherein said step of isolating said saturator, said condenser and said particle counter is performed by a first valve positioned between said saturator and said inlet and a second valve positioned between said condenser and said particle counter.
5 more elements
A condensation particle counter system comprising:
- an inlet with a flow control orifice for introducing a sample stream to be analyzed;
- a saturator for introducing a condensate into said sample stream;
- wherein said saturator is in fluid communication with a condensate reservoir;
- a condenser in fluid communication with said saturator for condensing said condensate onto particles contained in said sample stream;
- a particle counter in fluid communication with said condenser for detecting or characterizing said particles in said sample stream;
- a first valve positioned between said particle counter and said condenser for isolating said particle counter from said condenser, said saturator and said condensate reservoir;
- and
- a second valve positioned between said inlet and said saturator for isolating said flow control orifice from said condenser, said saturator and said condensate reservoir;
- wherein said first valve and said second valve are configured to automatically close when said particle counter is not operational, said particle counter is powered off and/or there is no flow through said flow orifice.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.