US 5,554,846 AGranted

Apparatus and a method for detecting alarm molecules in an air sample

AssigneeEnvironmental Technologies Group, Inc.

InventorsKenneth B. Regiec, Peter C. Stroosnyder, Stephen D. Kubicsko, Charles H. Ward, II

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Abstract

In an apparatus for detecting alarm molecules, residual alarm molecules are automatically removed during a clear-down mode before a subsequent air sample is to be introduced. The apparatus comprises a detector unit, a sensor unit and a filtering sub-unit including a pump and a filter. During a challenge, the pump in the sub-unit is turned off, and the air sample passes from the inlet port of the first unit through the second unit to the output port of the first unit, thereby depositing alarm molecules in the first unit and the second unit. During the clear-down mode, the pump in the sub-unit is turned on, and outside air enters through the output port of the first unit, mixes with air flow from the output of the second unit, and passes through the sub-unit. Filtered air from the sub-unit exhausts the first unit through the inlet port of the first unit and passes into the second unit, thereby cleaning the first unit and the second unit from the alarm molecules deposited therein during the challenge mode.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An apparatus for detecting alarm molecules in an air sample during an alarm mode, wherein residual alarm molecules are removed during a clear-down mode before a subsequent air sample is introduced, the apparatus comprising:

a first unit and a second unit, each of said first and second units having an inlet port and an output port, respectively, the inlet port of the first unit being connected to the inlet port of the second unit, the output port of the first unit being connected to the output port of the second unit,
wherein the first unit includes a sub-unit comprising a pump and a filter, the sub-unit having an inlet port and an output port,
wherein the inlet ports of the first unit and the second unit are connected to the output port of the sub-unit,
wherein the output ports of the first unit and the second unit are connected to the inlet port of the sub-unit,
wherein, during the alarm mode, the pump in the sub-unit is turned off, and the air sample passes from the inlet port of the first unit through the second unit to the output port of the first unit, thereby depositing alarm molecules in the first unit and the second unit, and
wherein, during the clear-down mode, the pump in the sub-unit is turned on, outside air passes from the output port of the first unit and, being mixed with an air flow from the output port of the second unit, passes through the sub-unit, and exhausts the first unit through the inlet port of the first unit, and enters the inlet port of the second unit, thereby cleaning the first unit and the second unit from the alarm molecules deposited therein during the alarm mode.

3 more elements

In an apparatus detecting alarm molecules in an air sample during an alarm mode, a method for residual alarm molecules removal during a clear-down mode before a subsequent air sample is to be introduced, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first unit and a second unit, each of said first and second units having an inlet port and an output port, respectively,
connecting the inlet port of the first unit to the inlet port of the second unit,
connecting the output port of the first unit to the output port of the second unit,
providing the first unit with a sub-unit, the sub-unit comprising a pump and a filter, and the sub-unit having an inlet port and an output port,
connecting the inlet ports of the first unit and the second unit to the output port of the sub-unit,
connecting the output ports of the first unit and the second unit to the inlet port of the sub-unit,
during the alarm mode, turning off the pump in the sub-unit, such that the air sample passes from the inlet port of the first unit through the second unit to the output port of the first unit, thereby depositing alarm molecules in the first unit and the second unit, and
during the clear-down mode, turning on the pump in the sub-unit, such that outside air passes from the output port of the first unit, mixes with an air flow from the output port of the second unit, passes through the sub-unit, exhausts the first unit through the inlet port of the first unit, and enters the inlet port of the second unit, thereby cleaning the first unit and the second unit from the alarm molecules deposited therein during the alarm mode.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.