Substance detection device and method of removing blockages

An apparatus, comprising:

• a particle collection device having a collection chamber containing a first fluid and including an outlet, wherein the first fluid is a sample fluid containing particles collected by the particle collection device;
• a first fluid distribution system adapted to direct the first fluid from the particle collection device through the outlet to flow along a first flow path in a first flow direction;
• a detector adapted to detect a change in a flow rate of the first fluid directed in the first flow direction indicative of a blockage at the first flow path, wherein
• the apparatus is adapted to automatically direct an unblocking fluid to flow along the first flow path in a second flow direction opposite the first flow direction upon the detection of the change in the flow rate indicative of a blockage at the first flow path to remove the blockage at the first flow path.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a particle collection device containing a first fluid and including an outlet;
• a first fluid distribution system adapted to direct the first fluid from the particle collection device through the outlet to flow along a first flow path in a first flow direction, the first flow path including the outlet;
• a detector adapted to detect a change in a flow rate of the first fluid directed in the first flow direction indicative of a blockage at the first flow path;
• and
• an unblocking means for automatically unblocking a blockage at the first flow path.

A method of operating a particle collection apparatus, comprising:

• during a first temporal period, collecting particles utilizing a cyclone particle collector in a first fluid, the first fluid being located in a collection chamber of the cyclone particle collector including an outlet;
• during the first temporal period, directing the first fluid through the outlet to flow along a first flow path in a first flow direction, the first flow path including the outlet;
• during the first temporal period, automatically detecting a change in a flow rate of the first fluid directed in the first flow direction indicative of a blockage at the first flow path;
• during a second temporal period after the first temporal period, automatically direct unblocking fluid to flow along the first flow path in a second flow direction opposite the first flow direction upon the detection of the change in the flow rate indicative of a blockage at the first flow path to remove the blockage at the first flow path;
• and
• during a third temporal period after the second temporal period, automatically directing the first fluid through the outlet to flow along the first flow path in the first flow direction.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a particle collection device containing a first fluid and including an outlet;
• a first pump adapted to pump the first fluid from the particle collection device through the outlet in a first direction along a first flow path in fluid communication with the outlet;
• a detector adapted to detect a change in a flow rate of the first fluid pumped in the first direction from the outlet indicative of a blockage at the first flow path, wherein
• the apparatus is adapted to change the direction along the first flow path of the first fluid upon the detection of the change in the flow rate indicative of a blockage at the first flow path.