Apparatus and method for calibrating vapor/particle detection devices
AssigneeThermedics Detection Inc.
InventorsDaniel A. Dussault, William A. Curby, Stephen J. MacDonald, Edward E. A. Bromberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for calibrating contraband vapor/particle detection devices is described. The invention includes a desorb site onto which may be deposited solutions containing known concentrations of one or more of the specific compounds to be detected. The desorb site, which may be rapidly heated to vaporize the particles contained in the solution deposited on its surface, is housed in a sealable chamber. The vapor and/or particles become entrained in an air stream forced across the surface of the desorb site, and the airstream is then delivered through a snout to the contraband vapor particle detector.
Claims17
Apparatus for calibrating a detector of contraband compound vapor or particles, comprising:
- a desorb site for receiving a known amount of a solution having a known concentration of said contraband compound;
- a heating element of a first heater for heating said desorb site to produce contraband compound vapors;
- a sealed and resealable chamber for enclosing said desorb site;
- a snout defining a fluid flow passage in communication with said chamber;
- a second heater adapted to heat said snout;
- and
- a gas supply line in communication with said chamber, said gas supply line supplying gas to said chamber to entrain at least a portion of said contraband compound vapors in a gas stream exiting said chamber through said fluid flow passage.
A method for calibrating a detector of contraband compound vapor or particles, comprising:
- preparing a solution having a known concentration of said contraband compound;
- applying a known amount of said solution to a desorb site;
- sealing said desorb site in a chamber;
- heating said desorb site to produce contraband compound vapors;
- supplying gas to said chamber to entrain at least a portion of said contraband compound vapors in a gas stream;
- and
- delivering said gas stream containing contraband compound vapors to said detector of contraband compound vapor.
A method for calibrating a detector of contraband compound vapor or particles, comprising:
- preparing a solution having a known concentration of said contraband compound;
- applying a known amount of said solution to a desorb site;
- sealing said desorb site in a chamber;
- heating said desorb site to produce contraband compound vapors;
- supplying gas to said chamber to entrain at least a portion of said contraband compound vapors in a gas stream;
- delivering said gas stream containing contraband compound vapors to said detector of contraband compound vapor through an interior passage of a hollow snout attached to said chamber, and
- heating said snout to prevent condensation of said contraband compound vapor on a surface of said interior passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.