Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US6828795B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-08-21 00:51:07
Document Index: 51472387

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60']

US6828795B2 - Explosive detection system - Google Patents
Explosive detection system Download PDF
US6828795B2
US6828795B2 US10/349,491 US34949103A US6828795B2 US 6828795 B2 US6828795 B2 US 6828795B2 US 34949103 A US34949103 A US 34949103A US 6828795 B2 US6828795 B2 US 6828795B2
US10/349,491
US20030193338A1 (en
Vyacheslav S. Persenkov
Vladimir V. Belyakov
Vladimir B. Kekukh
2002-02-15 Priority to US35761802P priority Critical
2002-02-15 Priority to US35739402P priority
2002-03-12 Priority to US36348502P priority
2002-11-14 Priority to US10/295,039 priority patent/US20030155504A1/en
2002-11-14 Priority to US10/295,010 priority patent/US6861646B2/en
2003-01-22 Priority to US10/349,491 priority patent/US6828795B2/en
2003-01-22 Application filed by Implant Sciences Corp filed Critical Implant Sciences Corp
2003-04-22 Assigned to IMPLANT SCIENCES CORPORATION reassignment IMPLANT SCIENCES CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PERSENKOV, VYACHESLAV S., BELYAKOV, VLADIMIR V., BUNKER, STEPHEN N., KEKUKH, VLADIMIR B., KRASNOBAEV, LEONID YA.
2003-10-16 Publication of US20030193338A1 publication Critical patent/US20030193338A1/en
2004-04-05 Priority claimed from US10/818,434 external-priority patent/US6870155B2/en
2004-07-14 Priority claimed from US10/890,820 external-priority patent/US7098672B2/en
2004-12-07 Publication of US6828795B2 publication Critical patent/US6828795B2/en
2005-10-12 Priority claimed from US11/248,603 external-priority patent/US7576320B2/en
2005-10-25 Priority claimed from US11/258,477 external-priority patent/US8122756B2/en
2007-01-17 Priority claimed from US11/654,394 external-priority patent/US7574930B2/en
2007-01-18 Priority claimed from US11/654,900 external-priority patent/US8469295B2/en
2009-01-13 Assigned to DMRJ GROUP, LLC reassignment DMRJ GROUP, LLC SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: ACCUREL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
2009-12-03 Assigned to DMRJ GROUP, LLC reassignment DMRJ GROUP, LLC SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: ACCUREL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, C-ACQUISITION CORP., IMPLANT SCIENCES CORPORATION, IMX ACQUISITION CORPORATION
2016-01-26 Assigned to BAM ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES LLC reassignment BAM ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES LLC SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ACCUREL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, C ACQUISITION CORP., IMPLANT SCIENCES CORPORATION, IMX ACQUISITION CORP.
An explosive detection system detects the presence of trace molecules in air. The sensitivity of such instruments is dependent on the concentration of target gas in the sample. The sampling efficiency can be greatly improved when the target object is warmed, even by only a few degrees. A directed emission of photons, typically infrared or visible light, can be used to significantly enhance vapor emission. The sensitivity of such instruments is also dependent on the method of gas sampling utilized. A cyclone sampling nozzle can greatly improve the sampling efficiency, particularly when the sampling needs to be performed at a distance from the air intake.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/295,010, filed on Nov. 14, 2002 (pending), and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/295,039, filed on Nov. 14, 2002 (pending), and claims benefit and priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/357,394, filed Feb. 15, 2002, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/357,618, filed Feb. 15, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/363,485, filed Mar. 12, 2002, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
This invention relates to detection of explosives and more particularly to an ion mobility spectrometry instrument that detects chemicals present as vapors in air or other gases, or liberated as vapors from condensed phases such as particles or solutions.
According to the present invention, an explosive detection system includes a sampling orifice that receives sampled gas, a fluid rotator that creates a cyclonic gas flow beyond the sampling orifice, an ion source, coupled to the sampling orifice, that generates ions corresponding to the sampled gas, a drift tube having the ion source coupled to a first end thereof, and a detector coupled to an other end of the drift tube, where the detector detects in the sampled gas the presence of ions associated with explosives. The cyclonic gas flow may have an outer rotary flow about an axis substantially parallel to the central axis of the sampling orifice and an inner flow substantially parallel to the central axis of the sampling orifice. The drift tube may operate at substantially ambient gas pressure. A gas pump may draw a gas flow through the sampling orifice and generate a vacuum within 50 millimeters of mercury (50 Torr) of the substantially ambient gas pressure. The fluid rotator may include at least one vane. The fluid rotator may include a rotation-inducing orifice surrounding the sampling orifice. The inside surface of the rotation-inducing orifice may deflect a gas flow into a cyclonic gas flow. The explosive detection system may further include a gas pump connected to the rotation-inducing orifice that creates a cyclonic gas flow. The explosive detection system may include a precipitator that removes at least a portion of any entrained particles within the gas flow into the sampling orifice. The precipitator may be an electrostatic precipitator. The electrostatic precipitator may include a cathode disposed on or near the drift tube, the cathode applying a voltage greater than 3000 Volts. The axis of the cyclonic gas flow may rotate about a rotation axis perpendicular to its central axis. The axis of the cyclonic gas flow may rotate about a plurality of rotation axes perpendicular to its central axis.
According further to the present invention, an explosive detection system includes a sampling inlet that receives sampled gas, a heat source, mounted proximal to the gas sampling inlet, the heat source providing photonic emissions to one side of a target proximal to the sampling inlet, an ion source, coupled to the sampling orifice, that generates ions corresponding to the sampled gas, a drift tube having the ion source coupled to a first end thereof, and a detector coupled to an other end of the drift tube, where the detector detects in the sampled gas the presence of ions associated with explosives. The photonic emissions may be substantially in the infrared portion of the spectrum. The source of photon emission may be made to be substantially in the infrared using at least one of a filter, coating, and covering. The source of photon emission may have enhanced emission substantially in the infrared by means of conversion of visible light photons to infrared photons. The photonic emissions may be substantially in the combined visible and infrared portion of the spectrum. The photonic emissions may be substantially in the visible portion of the spectrum. The source of photon emission may be made to be substantially in the visible using at least one of a filter, coating, and covering. The photonic emissions may be provided by at least one of a thermally heated surface, a laser, a light emitting diode, and an electrical discharge in a gas. The source of photon emission may be at least one of: pulsed, keyed in a long pulse, and continuous. The source of photon emission may be separated from the target surface by at least one of a window and a semi-transparent grid.
According further to the present invention, a target sample heating system for an ion mobility spectrometer includes a source of photon emission substantially in the infrared portion of the spectrum, means for concentrating the photon emission into a beam, and means for guiding the photon emission towards a target surface. The source of photon emission may be at least one of: a thermally heated surface, laser, light emitting diode, and an electrical discharge in a gas. The source of photon emission may be at least one of: pulsed, keyed in a long pulse, and continuous. The means for concentrating the photon emission may be at least one of a mirror, lens, and fiber optic wave guide. The means for guiding the photon emission towards a target surface may be at least one of a mirror, lens, and fiber optic wave guide. The means for guiding the photon emission may be moved or tilted while guiding the photon emission. The source of photon emission may be made to be substantially in the infrared using at least one of a filter, coating, and covering. The source of photon emission may have enhanced emission substantially in the infrared by means of conversion of visible light photons to infrared photons. The source of photon emission may be separated from the target surface by at least one of a window and a semi-transparent grid.
According further to the present invention, a target sample heating system for an ion mobility spectrometer includes a source of photon emission substantially in the visible portion of the spectrum, means for concentrating the photon emission into a beam, and means for guiding the photon emission towards a target surface. The source of photon emission may be at least one of a thermally heated surface, a laser, light emitting diode, and an electrical discharge in a gas. The source of photon emission may be at least one of: pulsed, keyed in a long pulse, and continuous. The means for concentrating the photon emission may be at least one of mirror, lens, and fiber optic wave guide. The means for guiding the photon emission towards a target surface may be at least one of a mirror, lens, and fiber optic wave guide. The means for guiding the photon emission may be moved or tilted while guiding the photon emission. The source of photon emission may be made to be substantially in the visible using at least one of a filter, coating, and covering. The source of photon emission may be separated from the target surface by at least one of a window and a semi-transparent grid.
According further to the present invention, a gas sampling system for an ion mobility spectrometer includes a first gas pump providing a gas flow at a partial gas vacuum compared to ambient gas pressure, a second gas pump providing a gas flow at a partial gas pressure compared to the ambient gas pressure, a first orifice for the partial gas vacuum which is external to the ion mobility spectrometer, tubulation means connecting the first orifice to the ion mobility spectrometer, a second orifice for the partial gas pressure which is concentric and external to the first orifice, and gas deflection means for inducing a rotational cyclonic motion of the gas flow from the second orifice. The partial gas vacuum may be within 50 millimeters of mercury (50 Torr) of the ambient gas pressure. The partial gas pressure may be within 50 millimeters of mercury (50 Torr) of the ambient gas pressure. The gas deflection may be provided by vanes or by the inside surface of the second orifice.
According further to the present invention, a gas sampling system for an ion mobility spectrometer includes a first gas pump providing a gas flow at a partial gas vacuum compared to ambient gas pressure, a second gas pump providing a gas flow at a partial gas pressure compared to the ambient gas pressure, a first orifice for the partial gas vacuum which is external to the ion mobility spectrometer, tubulation means connecting the first orifice to the ion mobility spectrometer, a second orifice for the partial gas pressure which is concentric and external to the first orifice, gas deflection means for inducing a rotational cyclonic motion of the gas flow from the second orifice; and electrostatic field means for precipitating particles inside the tubulation means. The partial gas vacuum may be within 50 millimeters of mercury (50 Torr) of the ambient gas pressure. The partial gas pressure may be within 50 millimeters of mercury (50 Torr) of the ambient gas pressure. Gas deflection may be provided by vanes or by the inside surface of the second orifice. The electrostatic means may be provided by a cathode disposed substantially on the axis of the tubulation with an applied voltage greater than 3000 Volts.
It is preferable to utilize means for guiding and concentrating the photon beam from the light source towards the place on the target surface where gas sampling is most efficiently being performed in order to minimize the power consumption, heat primarily the target surface of interest, and maximize the lifetime of the light source. The means may be in the form of one or more lenses, one or more mirrors, fiber optic cable, or some combination of these. An example would consist of a parabolic mirror combined with a nearly point source of infrared light. With the point source situated near to the focal point of the mirror, a substantially parallel infrared beam results, which can then be directed at the desired location on the target surface.
The invention applies to an ion mobility spectrometer that uses an external sampling orifice to draw in vapors to be analyzed. In addition to this existing orifice, a coaxial orifice is provided which emits gas towards the object to be sampled. The emitted gas is further deflected such that it is induced to move in a circular flow about the axis of the external sampling orifice. A further component of the motion is a net velocity away from the external sampling orifice. This type of flow is often referred to as a cyclone. The spinning motion results in a radially-outward directed centrifugal force that restrains the emitted gas flow from immediately being drawn radially inward into the partial vacuum of the external sampling orifice. Eventually, friction with the surrounding ambient gas will slow the emitted gas sufficiently that it will be drawn into the partial vacuum at some distance from the external sampling orifice. Depending on the flow of the emitted gas, this distance can be varied from near the external sampling orifice (low flow) to far from the external sampling orifice (high flow). The cyclonic motion in effect creates a tube consisting of a wall of moving gas that behaves like an extension of the tube that formed the external sampling orifice.
FIG. 6A is a schematic showing gas flow in a conventional gas sampling system not using a cyclonic flow;
FIG. 6B is a schematic showing a cyclone gas sampling system with a cone-shaped nozzle using deflection vanes;
FIG. 6C is a schematic showing a cyclone gas sampling system with a cone-shaped nozzle using tangential gas flow;
FIG. 7 shows a plurality of cyclones arranged in a rectilinear grid;
FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a cyclone nozzle that may be scanned on at least one axis; and
FIG. 9 shows partial vacuum measured on an axis of an external gas sampling orifice for no cyclone, for a 0.6 Watt cyclone with 2.3 cfm air flow, and for a 1.2 Watt cyclone with 4.6 cfm air flow.
An explosive detection system that uses an IMS is illustrated in FIG. 1. While various embodiments may differ in details, FIG. 1 shows basic features of an explosive detection system that may be used in connection with the system described herein. The explosive detection system includes an ion source 1, a drift tube 2, a current collector 3, a source of operating voltage 4 and a source of purified drift gas 5, possibly with it own gas pump 6. An explosive detection system may already include a gas pump for gas sampling 10 and a tubular connection 11 between the ion source 1 and an external gas sampling inlet 20 that includes an orifice. Gas flow for the drift gas 7 moves through the drift tube 2. Sampling gas flow 12 moves from the external gas sampling inlet 20 through the tubular connection 11 and ion source 1 to the gas sampling pump 10.
In practice, the explosive detection system of FIG. 1 may be used to sample gas proximal to different areas of a person without having any part of the explosive detection system touch the person. The explosive detection system of FIG. 1 may also be used to sample gas proximal to packages, luggage, etc. As described herein, features of the explosive detection system facilitate detection of chemicals associated with explosives in an unobtrusive manner.
Conventional ion spectrometer systems may use an oven-like chamber that heats the target on all sides. In contrast, the system described herein uses various types of lamps and/or radiative elements to project radiation that heats one side of the target. Heating one side of the target provides advantages over the conventional oven-type systems, including eliminating the inconvenience of having to place the entire target in a chamber that is heated.
FIGS. 2A-2D show a selection of possible embodiments for a radiative heating element, provided proximal to the gas sampling inlet 20, that heats the target surface in conjunction with the gas sampling system of the explosive detection system. In FIG. 2A, the technique for heating combines a continuous electrically heated wire 30, which emits substantially in the infrared, with a parabolic reflector 70. The coil of heated wire is disposed at or near the focal point of the reflector in order to form a beam of photons that is substantially parallel. The electrically heated wire 30 (e.g., a coil) may also be disposed slightly offset of the focal point of the reflector in order to form a beam cross section that is either slightly converging or diverging, depending on the target area of interest. The electrically heated wire 30 is electrically insulated from the reflector 70 by means of insulators 31. The reflector 70 may optionally be polished and optionally coated with a reflective material 71. The electrically heated wire may also be optionally disposed within a sealed enclosure, such as an evacuated transparent glass bulb.
In FIG. 2B, the light source is provided by a miniature pulsed xenon gas-filled lamp 40. A parabolic reflector 70 is shown with a coating of a reflective material 71. In FIG. 2C, a conical reflector 52 is employed which may also be a component of the gas sampling system of the explosive detection system, such as a cyclone nozzle. The infrared radiation is produced by a toroidally-shaped coil of electrically heated wire 50, which is mounted on insulators 51. In FIG. 2D, the reflector is similar to that for FIG. 2C, but the light is provided by a toroidally-shaped pulsed xenon lamp 80 mounted on wires 81.
FIG. 3 shows a possible embodiment in the form of two pulsed visible light lamp modules 61 mounted proximal to the tubular connection 11 to the explosive detection system and to the gas sampling inlet 20. The lamp modules 61 focus their photon beams 18 onto the target surface 15, heating target particles 16 and causing the enhanced emission of target molecule vapors 17. The target molecule vapors 17 are entrained in the gas flow 12 entering the gas sampling inlet 20. Different numbers of the same or different types of heating modules may be used.
FIGS. 4A and 4B show other possible embodiments for transmitting the photon beam or beams to the target surface 15. In FIG. 4A, fiber optic light guides 90 are disposed proximal to the tubular connection 11 to the explosive detection system and to the gas sampling inlet 20. In the embodiment shown, a lens 91 is employed to minimize the divergence of the photon beam 18 being emitted by the fiber optic cable 90. The photon beams 18 are aimed at positions on the target surface 15 to enhance the emission of target molecule vapor. The positions may optionally be selected to overlap and reinforce one another or to illuminate separate locations. In FIG. 4B, a cold mirror 19 may be employed together with the light module of FIG. 2A in order to enhance the infrared fraction of the photon beam 18.
FIG. 5 show a possible embodiment for transmitting the photon beam or beams to the target surface 15 when a conical nozzle 52 for a cyclone is employed, such as the disclosed in U.S. provisional patent application 60/357,394. In this embodiment, hot mirrors 93 reflect the photon beam 18 emitted from fiber optic cables 90. A lens 91 is employed to focus the photon beam 18, although in an alternate embodiment the hot mirror 93 could have a concave surface to accomplish similar focusing control. The hot mirrors 93 may also be optionally tilted about axis 94 in order to scan the photon beam 18 across the target surface 15.
In some circumstances, such as explosive detection, it is desirable for IMS instruments to be able to sample vapors at a distance from the external sampling orifice. Examples may include, but are not limited to, sampling of vapor from complex surfaces that contain many holes, crevices, or deep depressions, people and animals that prefer not to be rubbed by absorbent material, large three dimensional objects, textured materials such as cloth, surfaces that must be sampled in a short time, and surfaces in which surface rubbing by human operators is inconvenient or expensive.
For purposes of comparison, a conventional gas sampling system is shown in FIG. 6A. The gas pump for vacuum 10 may be disposed elsewhere and is not shown in the figure. The portion of the tubular connection 11 nearest the external gas sampling orifice 20 is shown. The sampling gas flow 12 shows that the volume of gas being sampled is disposed near to the external gas sampling orifice 20, and gas is being drawn into the orifice 20 over an angular range between substantially perpendicular to the axis of the orifice to on the axis of the orifice 20. When a target surface 15 is disposed at a distance greater than 1-2 times the diameter of the external gas sampling orifice 20, the quantity of sampled gas is either very small or highly diluted by the more abundant gas sampled from nearer the external gas sampling orifice 20.
A cyclone gas sampling system includes the following components as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. A partial vacuum relative to ambient gas pressure is supplied by a gas pump (not shown). The gas pump may be disposed at some distance from the cyclone gas sampling system with the vacuum being guided to the cyclone gas sampling system by means of a tubulation or conduit 11. The gas pump and corresponding tubulation 11 may already be part of an existing IMS. A partial pressure relative to ambient gas pressure is supplied by a gas pump 25. The gas pump 25 may be disposed at some distance from the cyclone gas sampling system with the pressure being guided to the cyclone gas sampling system by means of a tubulation or conduit 21. It is preferable that the pressure gas pump is separate from the vacuum gas pump to avoid cross-contamination of the sample gas between the two gas flows. The pressure gas flow 26 is induced to move in a circular, cyclonic motion away from the cyclone gas sampling system by a fluid rotator. The fluid rotator may include, for example, gas deflection vanes (shown in FIG. 6B), or a hollow, cylindrically or conically shaped orifice 23 concentric with the orifice for the partial vacuum 20. An alternate embodiment is to introduce the pressure gas flow through an orifice 24, which is oriented tangential to the hollow cylindrically or conically shaped orifice 23 and is deflected into a circular flow by means of the curvature of the inside wall. The pressure gas flow orifice 24 may be singular or a plurality of such orifices. The gas pump 25 may also be singular or a plurality of such pumps. Other means for inducing rotary flow of a gas, such as a turbine, are known in the art and are also included within the scope of the invention.
The axis of the emitted cyclonic gas flow defines the axis for guiding the partial vacuum from the external sampling orifice. If the axis of the emitted cyclonic flow is tilted over a small angular range, the partial vacuum due to the flow at the external sampling orifice follows this tilting motion, effectively scanning the position of the virtual gas sampling location. This characteristic is useful for sampling over a one dimensional stripe or a two dimensional surface area without moving the IMS (explosive detection system) from a fixed location. FIG. 7 shows one possible embodiment of a tilted cyclone in which the gas sampling tubulation 11 is flexible. Other possible embodiments would include, but not be limited to a ball joint within tubulation 11, a tilting cylindrical or conical surface 23 with the tubulation 11 fixed, and dynamic control of the relative velocities of a plurality of gas flows 26. As an alternative embodiment, one of the two axes of a two dimensional surface area could be scanned by mechanical movement of the object being scanned, perhaps along a track or moving belt. The second scan axis, perpendicular to the mechanically scanned axis, would be provided by tilting the cyclone orifice. This method is useful for minimizing the number of IMS instruments required to fully sample a given surface.
Another advantage of the cyclone gas sampling method for explosive detection is that the system is light in weight, which is important for handheld sampling devices. Compared to existing sampling methods, one or more extra gas pumps are needed, but the power requirements are only a few Watts or less for most applications. An extra pump may also serve other functions in the explosive detection system, such as drawing cooling air from over a heated surface.
The cyclone sampling system may be utilized singly or by means of a plurality of cyclone sampling systems. The external gas orifice may be a single tubulation connected to a single ion source and IMS or there may be tubular branches leading from a single ion source to greater than one cyclone sampling system. Alternately, multiple ion sources plus IMS's plus cyclone sampling systems may be disposed proximally in order to more efficiently sample a larger surface area in a shorter period of time. FIG. 8 shows one possible layout of a plurality of IMS instruments (explosive detection systems). In this case a two dimensional grid is used in which the crossing points of the centering lines 27 is the location of an IMS instrument. The external gas sampling orifice 20 is indicated for each instrument. The circular direction of cyclone gas flow 26 is also indicated as preferably alternating clockwise and counterclockwise for neighboring instruments in order for the neighboring gas flows 26 to always be in the same direction.
FIG. 9 shows the measured vacuum below ambient gas pressure for three different flow rates of the cyclone gas. The external sampling gas orifice is 1.6 centimeters in diameter, and the greatest possible value for vacuum for the gas pump used in this measurement is about 1 Torr (1 millimeter of mercury) less than the ambient gas pressure. When no cyclone flow is present, 10% of maximum vacuum (0.1 Torr) occurs at a distance equal to about 0.25 times the external sampling gas orifice diameter. With a cyclone gas flow equal to 2.3 cubic feet per minute (cfm), the corresponding distance for 10% of maximum vacuum equals about 3.0 times the external sampling gas orifice diameter. With a cyclone gas flow equal to 4.6 cfm, the corresponding distance for 10% of maximum vacuum equals about 5.9 times the external sampling gas orifice diameter. This demonstrates that the length of the virtual extension of the gas sampling tubulation is proportional to the gas flow of the cyclone.
The explosive detection systems described herein may incorporate other novel features, such as features described in copending and commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/357,394, filed Feb. 15, 2002, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/357,618, filed Feb. 15, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/363,485, filed Mar. 12, 2002.
1. An explosive detection system, comprising:
a sampling orifice that receives a sampled gas flow therethrough toward the sampling orifice;
a fluid rotator that creates a cyclonic gas flow beyond the sampling orifice about the sampled gas flow as the sampled gas flow flows toward the sampling orifice;
an ion source, coupled to the sampling orifice, that generates ions corresponding to the sampled gas flow;
a drift tube having the ion source coupled to a first end thereof; and
a detector coupled to an other end of the drift tube, wherein the detector detects in the sampled gas flow the presence of ions associated with explosives.
2. An explosive detection system, according to claim 1, wherein the cyclonic gas flow has an outer rotary flow about an axis substantially parallel to the central axis of the sampled gas flow and an inner flow substantially parallel to the central axis of the sampled gas flow.
3. An explosive detection system, according to claim 1, wherein the drift tube operates at substantially ambient gas pressure.
4. An explosive detection system, according to claim 1, wherein a gas pump draws a gas flow through the sampling orifice and generates a vacuum within 50 millimeters of mercury (50 Torr) of the substantially ambient gas pressure.
5. An explosive detection system, according to claim 1, wherein the fluid rotator comprises at least one vane.
6. An explosive detection system, according to claim 1, wherein the fluid rotator includes a rotation-inducing orifice surrounding the sampling orifice.
7. An explosive detection system, according to claim 1, wherein the cyclonic gas flow is tilted.
8. An explosive detection system, comprising:
a sampling orifice that receives sampled gas;
a fluid rotator that creates a cyclonic gas flow beyond the sampling orifice, wherein the fluid rotator includes a rotation-inducing orifice surrounding the sampling orifice;
an ion source, coupled to the sampling orifice, that generates ions corresponding to the sampled gas;
a detector coupled to an other end of the drift tube, wherein the detector detects in the sampled gas the presence of ions associated with explosives, wherein the inside surface of the rotation-inducing orifice deflects a gas flow into a cyclonic gas flow.
9. An explosive detection system, according to claim 8, wherein the cyclonic gas flow has an outer rotary flow about an axis substantially parallel to the central axis of the sampling orifice and an inner flow substantially parallel to the central axis of the sampling orifice.
10. An explosive detection system, according to claim 8, wherein the drift tube operates at substantially ambient gas pressure.
11. An explosive detection system, according to claim 8, wherein a gas pump draws a gas flow through the sampling orifice and generates a vacuum within 50 millimeters of mercury (50 Torr) of the substantially ambient gas pressure.
12. An explosive detection system, according to claim 8, wherein the fluid rotator comprises at least one vane.
13. An explosive detection system, according to claim 8, wherein the fluid rotator includes a rotation-inducing orifice surrounding the sampling orifice.
14. An explosive detection system, according to claim 8, wherein the cyclonic gas flow is tilted.
15. An explosive detection system, comprising:
a drift tube having the ion source coupled to a first end thereof;
a detector coupled to an other end of the drift tube, wherein the detector detects in the sampled gas the presence of ions associated with explosives; and
a gas pump connected to the rotation-inducing orifice that creates a cyclonic gas flow.
16. An explosive detection system, according to claim 15, wherein the cyclonic gas flow has an outer rotary flow about an axis substantially parallel to the central axis of the sampling orifice and an inner flow substantially parallel to the central axis of the sampling orifice.
17. An explosive detection system, according to claim 15, wherein the drift tube operates at substantially ambient gas pressure.
18. An explosive detection system, according to claim 15, wherein a gas pump draws a gas flow through the sampling orifice and generates a vacuum within 50 millimeters of mercury (50 Torr) of the substantially ambient gas pressure.
19. An explosive detection system, according to claim 15, wherein the fluid rotator comprises at least one vane.
20. An explosive detection system, according to claim 15, wherein the fluid rotator includes a rotation-inducing orifice surrounding the sampling orifice.
21. An explosive detection system, according to claim 15, wherein the cyclonic gas flow is tilted.
22. An explosive detection system, comprising:
a fluid rotator that creates a cyclonic gas flow beyond the sampling orifice;
a precipitator that removes at least a portion of any entrained particles within the gas flow into the sampling orifice.
23. An explosive detection system, according to claim 22, wherein the precipitator is an electrostatic precipitator.
24. An explosive detection system, according to claim 23, wherein the electrostatic precipitator includes a cathode disposed on or near the drift tube, the cathode applying a voltage greater than 3000 Volts.
25. An explosive detection system, according to claim 22, wherein the cyclonic gas flow has an outer rotary flow about an axis substantially parallel to the central axis of the sampling orifice and an inner flow substantially parallel to the central axis of the sampling orifice.
26. An explosive detection system, according to claim 22, wherein the drift tube operates at substantially ambient gas pressure.
27. An explosive detection system, according to claim 22, wherein a gas pump draws a gas flow through the sampling orifice and generates a vacuum within 50 millimeters of mercury (50 Torr) of the substantially ambient gas pressure.
28. An explosive detection system, according to claim 22, wherein the fluid rotator comprises at least one vane.
29. An explosive detection system, according to claim 22, wherein the fluid rotator includes a rotation-inducing orifice surrounding the sampling orifice.
30. An explosive detection system, according to claim 22, wherein the cyclonic gas flow is tilted.
31. An explosive detection system, comprising:
a sampling inlet that receives sampled gas;
a heat source, mounted proximal to the gas sampling inlet, the heat source providing photonic emissions to one side of a target proximal to the sampling inlet to heat the target while the sampling inlet receives sampled gas;
a detector coupled to an other end of the drift tube, wherein the detector detects in the sampled gas the presence of ions associated with explosives.
32. An explosive detection system, according to claim 31, wherein the photonic emissions are substantially in the infrared portion of the spectrum.
33. An explosive detection system, according to claim 32, wherein the source of photon emission is made to be substantially in the infrared using at least one of a filter, coating, and covering.
34. An explosive detection system, according to claim 32, wherein the source of photon emission has enhanced emission substantially in the infrared by means of conversion of visible light photons to infrared photons.
35. An explosive detection system, according to claim 31, wherein the photonic emissions are substantially in the combined visible and infrared portion of the spectrum.
36. An explosive detection system, according to claim 31, wherein the photonic emissions are substantially in the visible portion of the spectrum.
37. An explosive detection system, according to claim 36, wherein the source of photon emission is made to be substantially in the visible using at least one of a filter, coating, and covering.
38. An explosive detection system, according to claim 31, wherein the photonic emissions are provided by at least one of a thermally heated surface, a laser, a light emitting diode, and an electrical discharge in a gas.
39. An explosive detection system, according to claim 31, wherein the source of photon emission is at least one of: pulsed, keyed in a long pulse, and continuous.
40. An explosive detection system, according to claim 31, wherein the source of photon emission is separated from the target surface by at least one of a window and a semi-transparent grid.
41. An explosive detection system, according to claim 31, further comprising:
a precipitator that removes at least a portion of any entrained particles within the gas flow into the sampling inlet.
42. An explosive detection system, according to claim 41, wherein the precipitator is an electrostatic precipitator.
43. An explosive detection system, according to claim 42, wherein the electrostatic precipitator includes a cathode disposed on or near the drift tube, the cathode applying a voltage greater than 3000 Volts.
US10/349,491 2002-02-15 2003-01-22 Explosive detection system Active 2023-01-06 US6828795B2 (en)
US35761802P true 2002-02-15 2002-02-15
US35739402P true 2002-02-15 2002-02-15
US36348502P true 2002-03-12 2002-03-12
US10/295,010 US6861646B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2002-11-14 Cyclone sampling nozzle for an ion mobility spectrometer
US10/295,039 US20030155504A1 (en) 2002-02-15 2002-11-14 Radiative sample warming for an ion mobility spectrometer
US10/349,491 US6828795B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2003-01-22 Explosive detection system
US10/818,434 US6870155B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2004-04-05 Modified vortex for an ion mobility spectrometer
US10/890,820 US7098672B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2004-07-14 Flash vapor sampling for a trace chemical detector
US11/248,603 US7576320B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2005-10-12 Photoelectric ion source photocathode regeneration system
US11/258,477 US8122756B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2005-10-25 Narcotics and explosives particle removal system
US11/654,394 US7574930B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2007-01-17 Trace chemical sensing
US11/654,900 US8469295B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2007-01-18 Trace chemical particle release nozzle
US13/898,617 US9067219B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2013-05-21 Trace chemical particle release nozzle
US10/295,010 Continuation-In-Part US6861646B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2002-11-14 Cyclone sampling nozzle for an ion mobility spectrometer
US10/295,039 Continuation-In-Part US20030155504A1 (en) 2002-02-15 2002-11-14 Radiative sample warming for an ion mobility spectrometer
US10/754,088 Continuation-In-Part US6888128B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2004-01-07 Virtual wall gas sampling for an ion mobility spectrometer
US10/853,563 Continuation-In-Part US7244288B2 (en) 2003-05-28 2004-05-25 Pulsed vapor desorber
US10/818,434 Continuation-In-Part US6870155B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2004-04-05 Modified vortex for an ion mobility spectrometer
US10/890,820 Continuation-In-Part US7098672B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2004-07-14 Flash vapor sampling for a trace chemical detector
US20030193338A1 US20030193338A1 (en) 2003-10-16
US6828795B2 true US6828795B2 (en) 2004-12-07
ID=28795336
US10/349,491 Active 2023-01-06 US6828795B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2003-01-22 Explosive detection system
US (1) US6828795B2 (en)
US20080060455A1 (en) * 2004-12-17 2008-03-13 Sarnoff Corporation Autonomous rapid facility chemical agent monitor via smith-purcell terahertz spectrometry
US20080314166A1 (en) * 2007-06-19 2008-12-25 The Penn State Research Foundation Aerodynamic Sampler For Chemical/Biological Trace Detection
US20090166524A1 (en) * 2007-12-31 2009-07-02 Edward Geraghty Chemical calibration method and system
US20100044570A1 (en) * 2007-10-24 2010-02-25 Mcgill R Andrew Detection of chemicals with infrared light
US20140289997A1 (en) * 2011-02-09 2014-10-02 Jeffrey S. Marshall Aeroacoustic Duster
US20160334309A1 (en) * 2015-05-11 2016-11-17 Airbus Defence and Space GmbH Device and method for examining layer material for contamination
US10175198B2 (en) * 2016-02-16 2019-01-08 Inficon, Inc. System and method for optimal chemical analysis
US10274404B1 (en) * 2017-02-15 2019-04-30 SpecTree LLC Pulsed jet sampling of particles and vapors from substrates
US7352461B2 (en) * 2004-11-30 2008-04-01 Tokyo Electron Limited Particle detecting method and storage medium storing program for implementing the method
CN103245712A (en) * 2012-02-02 2013-08-14 上海新漫传感技术研究发展有限公司 Ion mobility spectrometry based chemical warfare agent and industrial toxic gas detector, and use method thereof
CN104345086B (en) * 2013-08-01 2017-02-08 同方威视技术股份有限公司 Methods for textiles volatile substances of high concern for rapid detection
US5300773A (en) 1993-02-18 1994-04-05 Thermo King Corporation Pulsed ionization ion mobility sensor
US5968837A (en) 1996-03-12 1999-10-19 Bruker-Saxonia Analytik Gmbh Photo-ionization ion mobility spectrometry
2003-01-22 US US10/349,491 patent/US6828795B2/en active Active
US8101915B2 (en) 2007-10-24 2012-01-24 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Detection of chemicals with infrared light
US9480375B2 (en) * 2011-02-09 2016-11-01 The University Of Vermont & State Agricultural College Aeroacoustic duster
US20030193338A1 (en) 2003-10-16
JP5410958B2 (en) 2014-02-05 Of the laser drive source
CA2551647C (en) 2014-07-08 Color sensing for laser decoating
EP0201013A2 (en) 1986-11-12 Infrared floodlight assembly
US4710638A (en) 1987-12-01 Apparatus for treating coatings
EP0610033B1 (en) 1997-05-02 Collection optics for high brightness discharge light source
JP3725218B2 (en) 2005-12-07 Spectrometer with selectable radiation from inductive plasma source
US7460234B2 (en) 2008-12-02 Light scattering detector
EP1269240A2 (en) 2003-01-02 Coupling of light from a light source to a target using dual ellipsoidal reflectors
CA2677450C (en) 2014-10-07 Dome gas sensor
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KRASNOBAEV, LEONID YA.;PERSENKOV, VYACHESLAV S.;BELYAKOV, VLADIMIR V.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:013973/0739;SIGNING DATES FROM 20030226 TO 20030228