Method and apparatus for collecting atmospheric samples in atmospheric geochemical prospecting
AssigneeBarringer Research Limited
InventorAnthony Rene Barringer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for airborne prospecting in which samples of atmospheric gases, vapors or particulates are collected and contemporaneously the atmosphere near where the samples are collected is monitored to determine whether the respective samples were uplifted by an updraft of air. Samples respectively collected during periods of updrafts are separated from the remainder of said samples, and the samples respectively collected during periods of updrafts are analyzed separately from the remainder of said samples.
Claims10
In a method of airborne geochemical prospecting wherein samples of atmospheric gases, vapours or particulates are collected and analyzed for content of predetermined elements or compounds, the improvement wherein contemporaneously with the collection of said samples, the atmosphere in the vicinity of the place of collection of said samples is monitored to determine whether the respective samples were uplifted by an updraft of air, and wherein samples respectively collected during periods of updrafts are separated from the remainder of said samples and are analyzed separately.
In an apparatus for airborne prospecting including means for collecting samples of atmospheric particulates, means for depositing said particulates on an elongated movable strip, and means for analyzing said stored particulates for content of predetermined elements or compounds, the improvement wherein there is provided means for deriving an electronic signal which is responsive in amplitude to at least one of the following parameters of the atmosphere near the place at which said particulates were collected:
- temperature;
- humidity;
- vertical acceleration;
- particulate density;
- conductivity;
- radon concentration;
- and vertical atmospheric electric potential gradient and wherein means controllable by said signal is provided for respectively directing particulates collected during periods of updrafts to positions on said strip which respectively are spaced-apart from the positions at which others of said samples are deposited.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.