Eric B Harris

US Patent:

49671871, Oct 30, 1990

Filed:

May 15, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/352149

Inventors:

Jerome E. Dumas - Johns Island SC
Eric W. Harris - Moncks Corner SC
John G. MacDougal - Charleston SC

Assignee:

Research Equipment Corporation - North Charleston SC

International Classification:

G08B 2100
G08B 1710

US Classification:

340628

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for sampling the gaseous medium of a zone or area to determine the concentration, or changes in concentration, of submicron particles suspended in the gaseous medium of that area or zone using an elongated cloud chamber. A light source and a phototransistor are disposed in the cloud chamber and spaced apart so as to be electronically responsive to varying levels of light. A microprocessor is connected to a programmable memory EPROM and has pre-programmed data instructions on particle concentration levels. The EPROM sequences the microprocessor to operate the valves that sequentially sample the gaseous medium in the cloud chamber, and opens the exhaust valve in the cloud chamber to create a condition of reduced gas pressure therein. The sample of gaseous medium containing submicron particles then precipitates or condenses a portion of the cloud in the chamber in proportion to the concentration of the particles. The phototransistor measures the change in light intensity due to the concentration of the particles.

US Patent:

50112813, Apr 30, 1991

Filed:

Sep 18, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/408880

Inventors:

Eric W. Harris - Moncks Corner SC

Assignee:

Research Equipment Corporation - North Charleston SC

International Classification:

G01N 100

US Classification:

356 37

Abstract:

A device consisting of a monolithic block of material that is used as a housing of an apparatus for determining the density, or changes in density, of small particles, that contains an elongated chamber formed within the block that serves as a cloud chamber, and a trough formed in said block and defining a humidification chamber. The block includes passageways that connect the cloud chamber to the humidification chamber and inlet and exhaust passageways, as well as providing mountings for various valves, such as a humidity valve, by-pass valve, and vacuum valve used in the apparatus.