Flow timer for a sampling apparatus
AssigneeNextteq LLC
InventorsGueorgui M. Mihaylov, Bryan I. Truex
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Sampling systems provide apparatuses for obtaining and assessing the composition of a fluid, typically air. Sampling systems allow industrial hygienists to assess the risks and determine the protective equipment that should be worn by personnel entering a specific environment. In one embodiment, a sampling system comprises a sampling container that draws air into its inner volume and the sampling periods are controlled by an automatic timer valve. The automatic timer valve may comprise a rotating disk or plate that provides fluid communication from the area to be sampled to the inner volume of the sample bag when apertures are aligned with inlet tube.
Claims14
A sampling system for sampling gasses, comprising:
- a sampling container;
- wherein the sampling container comprises an inner volume and an inlet tube;
- an inflating mechanism capable of increasing the inner volume of the sample container to create a negative pressure within the inner volume to draw in a gas to be sampled into the inner volume;
- and
- an automatic timer valve connected to the inlet tube, wherein the automatic timer valve comprises:
- a rotational device with a rotation mechanism capable of rotating an axle, wherein the axle has an axis of rotation;
- and
- a first replaceable rotational component and a second replaceable rotational component interchangeably connected to the axle, wherein the first replaceable rotational component comprises at least one first sampling aperture at a distance from the axis of rotation and the second replaceable rotational component comprises at least one second sampling aperture at a distance from the axis of rotation;
- wherein the inlet tube comprises at least one sealing device having a sliding seal in contact with a surface of either the first replaceable rotational component or the second replaceable rotational component interchangeably connected to the axle and an opening, wherein the inlet tube is located at the same distance from the axis of rotation as the aperture such that the inlet tube can align with the opening, wherein the first replaceable rotational component comprises an initial delay period, wherein the rotational device begins rotating the axle and the sealing device is in sealing contact with the first replaceable rotational component, a sampling period wherein the first sampling aperture or the second sampling aperture is aligned with the opening providing fluid communication between the inner volume of the sample container and an environment to be sampled, and an end period after the sampling period, wherein the sealing device is in sealing contact with the first replaceable rotational component or the second replaceable rotational component;
- and wherein the first sampling aperture is different in length than the second sampling aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.