Trace chemical particle release nozzle
AssigneeImplant Sciences Corporation
InventorsStephen N. Bunker, Keith A. Richards
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An explosive and narcotics detection system detects the presence of trace particles of those materials that are adhering to surfaces. In order to detect such particles, it is necessary to first dislodge or release them from the surface, next to transport them to the detection instrument, and last to accumulate them on or in a particle collection device associated with the instrument. Narcotics and explosive particles are often bound tenaciously to the surface, and simple techniques, such as blowing air, will either remove only the largest particles or none at all. A nozzle to release particles of narcotics and explosives employs a coaxial configuration that permits particle release at an increased distance from the nozzle compared to existing devices.
Claims22
A device for dislodging and releasing trace particles of explosives or narcotics from a target surface, comprising:
- at least one nozzle, the nozzle including:
- a first orifice for the emission of a first jet of pressurized gas directed towards said target surface;
- and
- at least one second orifice for the emission of a second jet of pressurized gas directed towards said target surface, wherein a velocity of gas emitted by said second jet is equal to or greater than a velocity of gas emitted in said first jet, and wherein said at least one second orifice is at least one of:
- a single orifice coaxial to said first orifice and a plurality of orifices arrayed concentric to said first orifice, and wherein the second jet is aimed to focus or defocus gas flow of the pressurized gas of the second jet in order to modify a resultant spot size on the target surface;
- and at least one electronic controller that controls at least one of the first jet and the second jet, wherein the pulse of said second jet is emitted less than one second prior to the emission of the pulse from said first jet, and the pulse of said second jet is maintained during the pulse of said first jet.
A device for dislodging and releasing trace particles of explosives or narcotics from a target surface, comprising:
- at least one nozzle, the at least one nozzle including:
- a first orifice for the emission of a first jet of an aerosol directed towards said target surface, wherein the aerosol includes a mixture of pressurized gas and solid particles;
- and
- at least one second orifice for the emission of a second jet of pressurized gas directed towards said target surface, wherein a velocity of gas emitted by said second jet is equal to or greater than a velocity of gas and solid particles emitted in said first jet, and wherein said at least one second orifice is at least one of:
- a single orifice coaxial to said first orifice and a plurality of orifices arrayed concentric to said first orifice, and wherein the second jet is aimed to focus or defocus gas flow of the pressurized gas of the second jet in order to modify a resultant spot size on the target surface;
- and
- at least one electronic controller that controls at least one of the first jet and the second jet, wherein the pulse of said second jet is emitted less than one second prior to the emission of the pulse from said first jet, and the pulse of said second jet is on during the pulse of said first jet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.