US 8,011,258 B2Granted

Explosive residue sampling

AssigneeL-3 Communications CyTerra Corporation

InventorsDavid H. Fine, Ravi K. Konduri, Freeman W. Fraim, George Jarvis

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

In one aspect, an apparatus includes a head configured to receive a pad for sampling explosive residue on a surface and a feedback system coupled to the head. The feedback system is configured to indicate when a pressure applied by the head is greater than a minimum threshold value. In another aspect, an apparatus includes a head configured to receive a pad and rotate to apply a shear force to the pad for sampling explosive residue on a surface. The apparatus includes a feedback system coupled to the head, which is configured to restrict the shear force applied by the head to be within a predetermined range. In another aspect, a method includes applying pressure to a pad to sample explosive residue on a surface, sensing the pressure applied to the pad, and providing an indication of when the pressure applied to the pad is greater than a threshold value.

Claims36

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

a head configured to receive a pad and rotate to apply a shear force to the pad for sampling explosive residue on a surface;
a feedback system coupled to the head, the feedback system configured to restrict the shear force applied by the head to be within a predetermined range, wherein the head is configured to apply pressure to the pad, and the feedback system includes a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure applied by the head to the surface;
and
a processor coupled to the pressure sensor, the processor configured to:
determine that a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor is greater than a minimum threshold value and less than a maximum threshold value,
activate a motor to rotate the head based on the determination,
determine a duration of time during which the head applies pressure to the pad,
compare the determined duration to a preset length of time, and
deactivate the motor if the determined duration is equal to or greater than the preset length of time.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/928,730Filed 30 Aug 2004 · us provisional application
Priority: 28 Aug 2003
Published: US 2005/0081655 A121 Apr 2005
Granted: 6 Sep 2011
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

G01N 1/02
Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation: devices for withdrawing samples
G01N 2001/024
Sampling for security purposes, e.g. contraband, warfare agents: passengers or luggage
G01N 2001/028
Devices for withdrawing samples: sampling from a surface, swabbing, vaporising
G01N
Investigating or analysing materials by determining their chemical or physical properties