Richard K Ludwick

US Patent:

8196479, Jun 12, 2012

Filed:

Oct 20, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/582038

Inventors:

Richard K. Ludwick - Overland Park KS, US
Keith D. Wilson - Lee's Summit MO, US

Assignee:

Midwest Research Institute, Inc. - Kansas City MO

International Classification:

G01N 1/24
G01N 1/34
G01N 1/40
G01N 1/44
G01N 30/20

US Classification:

7386331, 73 2341, 73 3102, 73 3107, 7386301, 7386302, 7386311, 7386312, 7386321, 7386323, 7386325, 7386333, 73 8671, 7386434

Abstract:

A portable multi-tube air sampler device for capturing samples of trace elements in a suspected contaminated environment which includes a plurality of sample tubes for collecting sample trace elements, parallel inlet and outlet manifolds which minimize the length of the sample inlet path while utilizing short straight sample tubes, a hinged retainer bar mechanism which allows for easy removal and replacement of the various sample tubes, and a removably attachable controller unit which can be installed on the exterior portion of the carrying case for controlling the operation of the sampling protocol. Other embodiments include heated inlet manifold and sample intake paths to prevent contamination accumulation and carryover, a clean cycle option with a filter valved into the inlet flow path to enhance the purging cycle, and a mechanism for converting the present device to a desorbing auto sampler configuration. The present system likewise incorporates a purging cycle prior to each sampling cycle.