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US 12,222,274 B2Granted
Calibrated aerosol source and related methods
AssigneeHamilton Associates, Inc.
InventorSylvain Masset
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A calibrated aerosol source (“CAS”) and related methods for parameterizing, testing, troubleshooting and/or calibrating an instrument (e.g., photometers) or a system. Preferably, the CAS allows for generation of multiple concentrations while maintaining constant particle size distribution (PSD) for all aerosol concentrations, so that the aerosol response at other points in a particular range can be verified and linearity that was previously assumed can be proved.
Claims20
A method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a calibrated aerosol source for generating at least one test aerosol at a plurality of different aerosol concentrations, the calibrated aerosol source including at least one aerosol generator, a primary mixing chamber and a secondary mixing chamber, a first test port being operably connected to said primary mixing chamber, said first test port being configured such that an instrument or system to be evaluated can be connected to said first test port and a second test port being operably connected to said secondary mixing chamber, said second test port being configured such that an instrument or system to be evaluated can be connected to said second test port;
- and,
- (b) providing the calibrated aerosol source with at least one of the following:
- (i) a liquid flow control assembly configured to maintain a liquid level in the at least one aerosol generator at a predetermined height;
- (ii) a pressure controller configured for controlling pressure of compressed air supplied to said at least one aerosol generator;
- and,
- (iii) one or more back pressure plates configured for maintaining a positive pressure in one or both of said primary mixing chamber and said secondary mixing chamber.
4 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- (a) a calibrated aerosol source configured for generating at least one test aerosol at a plurality of different aerosol concentrations, the calibrated aerosol source including at least one aerosol generator, a primary mixing chamber and a secondary mixing chamber, a first test port being operably connected to said primary mixing chamber, said first test port being configured such that an instrument or system to be evaluated can be connected to said first test port and a second test port being operably connected to said secondary mixing chamber, said second test port being configured such that an instrument or system to be evaluated can be connected to said second test port;
- and,
- (b) the calibrated aerosol source having at least one of the following:
- (i) a liquid flow control assembly configured to maintain a liquid level in the at least one aerosol generator at a predetermined height;
- (ii) a pressure controller configured for controlling pressure of compressed air supplied to said at least one aerosol generator;
- and,
- (iii) at least one of the primary mixing chamber and the secondary mixing chamber having a back pressure plate configured for maintaining a positive pressure in a corresponding mixing chamber.
4 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- (a) a calibrated aerosol source configured for generating at least one test aerosol at a plurality of different aerosol concentrations, the calibrated aerosol source including at least one aerosol generator, a primary mixing chamber and a secondary mixing chamber, a first test port being operably connected to said primary mixing chamber, said first test port being configured such that an instrument or system to be evaluated can be connected to said first test port and a second test port being operably connected to said secondary mixing chamber, said second test port being configured such that an instrument or system to be evaluated can be connected to said second test port;
- and,
- (b) the calibrated aerosol test source having each of the following:
- (i) a liquid flow control assembly configured to maintain a liquid level in the at least one aerosol generator at one inch above an upper surface of an annular collar of a Laskin nozzle;
- (ii) a pressure controller configured for controlling pressure of compressed air supplied to said at least one aerosol generator so that when using Poly Alfa Olefin (PAO) compressed air pressure is maintained at 23 psi and when using Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP) compressed air pressure is maintained at 20 psi;
- and,
- (iii) at least one of the primary mixing chamber and the secondary mixing chamber having a back pressure plate for maintaining a positive pressure in a corresponding mixing chamber.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.