Explosive detection screening system

An automated sampling chamber with automatic baggage/parcel sampling means for obtaining an air sample having vapors or particulates entrained therein for use in a portable detection and screening system for detecting molecular vapor from a target material or particulates containing a target material on a baggage/parcel object, said target material including explosives, chemical agents, drugs or narcotics, said chamber comprising

• (a) a plurality of sampling heads for gathering sample volumes of air, said plurality of sampling heads having brushes for sweeping and collecting vapor from the environment surrounding the object and particulates attached to said object, said plurality including:
• (i) a first sampling head located at an entrance end of said automated baggage/parcel sampling means which spatially extends the entire width of said sampling means, said first sampling head mounted in the base portion of said automatic baggage/parcel sampling means to sweep and draw vapors and particulates from the bottom of said object;
• (ii) a second sampling head connected to a roof of said automated baggage/parcel sampling means, said second sampling head adapted to sweep and draw vapors and particulates from the top of said object;
• and
• (iii) third and fourth sampling heads hinged to opposite sides of said automated baggage/parcel sampling means, said third and fourth sampling heads each adapted to sweep and draw vapors and particulates from the sides of said object.
• (b) a means for automatically moving said object through said automated baggage/parcel sampling chamber;
• (c) a control system which controls the operation of said automated baggage/parcel sampling chamber;
• and
• (d) a detection and screening system with a target material detector for collection and detection of any molecular vapors of a target material present in said sample volumes of air.

An automated baggage/parcel sampling means for obtaining sequential air samples from a plurality of baggage/parcel objects for use in a detection and screening system for detecting molecular vapor from a target material or particulates containing a target material, said target material including explosives, chemical agents, drugs or narcotics, said chamber comprising:

• (a) a plurality of sampling heads containing rotating brushes for sweeping and collecting vapor from the environment surrounding the object and particulate matter attached to said object;
• (b) a means for automatically moving said object through said automated baggage/parcel sampling chamber;
• (c) a first sample collection and analysis subsystem for collecting target particulates contained in said sample volume of air and converting said target particulates into a first vapor sample for analysis;
• (d) a second sample collection and analysis subsystem for concentrating target vapors contained in said sample volume of air, said second subsystem having first means for selectively concentrating said target vapors into a second vapor sample for analysis;
• (e) detection means responsive to said target materials to generate a signal in response to the presence of said target materials in either said first or second vapor sample;
• and
• (f) a control system which controls the operation of said automated baggage/parcel sampling chamber with said sample collection and analysis subsystem.

A detection and screening system for baggage/parcel objects to detect target vapors or target particulates associated with a defined class of target materials such as explosives, chemical agents, drugs or narcotics that may be associated with said baggage/parcel object, said system comprising:

• (a) an automated baggage/parcel sampling chamber, said chamber having a plurality of movable sampling heads for collecting vapor from the environment surrounding the object and any particulate matter attached to said object;
• (b) a means for automatically moving said object through said automated baggage/parcel sampling chamber;
• (c) means for collecting said target vapors or vapors emanating from said target particulates contained in said sample volume of air, at a first location;
• (d) means for transporting said collected target vapors or particulate emissions to a second location;
• (e) means for desorbing said target vapor or particulate emissions at said second location;
• and
• (f) detection means responsive to said target vapors or particulate emissions desorbed at said second location to generate a signal in response to the presence of said target materials in said sample volume.

A high duty cycle system for screening baggage/parcel objects to detect molecules of interest that may be in a sample value of air associated with said baggage/parcel object at rapid sampling periods, said system comprising:

• (a) a baggage/parcel sampling chamber, said chamber having a plurality of sampling heads containing rotating brushes for sweeping and collecting vapor from the environment surrounding the object and particulate matter attached to said object;
• (b) a means for automatically moving said object through said baggage/parcel sampling chamber;
• (c) a reusable filter means for reciprocal movement between a first and a second position, said reusable filter means selectively collecting particulate matter containing said molecules of interest in a collection chamber which receives said sample volume of air when said reusable filter means is in said first position;
• (d) means for flash heating said collected particulate matter in a vaporization chamber which receives said reusable filter means when said reusable filter means is in said second position, said particulates being vaporized into a stream of carrier gas to thereby entrain said molecules of interest therein;
• (e) an ion mobility spectrometer for receiving said stream of carrier gas and said entrained molecules of interest, said ion mobility spectrometer generating an output signal in response to said molecules of interest;
• and
• (f) control means for synchronizing said baggage/parcel sampling chamber, said means for flash heating, and a means for collecting data from said output signal.

A high duty cycle system for screening baggage/parcel objects to detect target molecules of interest that may be in a sample volume of air associated with a baggage/parcel object at a predetermined frequency, said system comprising:

• (a) a sampling chamber having a plurality of movable sampling heads collecting a sample volume of air from the environment surrounding the object and particulate matter attached to said object;
• (b) a means for automatically moving said object through said sampling chamber at said predetermined frequency;
• (c) a first sample collection and analysis subsystem operating to collect target particulates contained in said sample volume of air and convert said target particulates into a first vapor sample for analysis;
• (d) a second sample collection and analysis subsystem operating to collect and concentrate target vapors contained in said sample volume of air, and including means to selectively concentrate said target vapors into a second vapor sample for analysis;
• (e) detection means responsive to said target materials contained in said first and second vapor samples and generating respective first and second signals in response to the presence of said target molecules of interest;
• and
• (f) control means for synchronizing of said sampling chamber with said sample collection and analysis subsystems and enabling concurrent operation of said first and second sample collection and analysis subsystems at said predetermined frequency.