Air sample collector

Abstract

The invention describes an air sample collector which radially surrounds a through-flow channel having a flow inlet and a flow outlet, and has an air volume sensor arranged along the through-flow channel, a flow generator in operative connection with the flow channel, and an air sample filter unit. The invention is characterized by a housing which encloses the flow outlet and part of the through-flow channel and in which the air volume sensor and the flow generator are arranged. At an end of the housing opposite the flow outlet along the part of the through-flow channel radially surrounded by the housing, a first connection flange is attached for the detachably secure attachment of a first adapter model. In a state joined to the end of the housing, the first adapter module delimits the part of the through-flow channel radially enclosed by the housing on one side with the exception of an opening, arranged centrally with respect to the through-flow channel, within the first adapter module. A second connection flange is also attached at the opening for the detachably secure, indirect or direct attachment of a second adapter module which radially surrounds the air sample filter unit and the flow inlet.

Description

[0001] Air sampler

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to an air sample collector comprising a flow channel with a flow inlet and a flow outlet radially arranged along the flow channel, an air volume sensor arranged along the flow channel, a flow generator operatively connected to the flow channel, and an air sample filter unit. State of the art

[0004] Air samplers are devices that draw in ambient air samples and filter and collect the constituents, primarily particulate matter but also chemicals, contained therein. Such devices typically comprise a flow-through housing with a pump and a filter or, more generally, a collection device located therein. The pump draws air through the filter or collection device, capturing particles, gases, or vapors. The collected samples are typically analyzed in the laboratory to identify and quantify various air pollutants such as particulate matter, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and pollen. Air samplers are used in a variety of applications, including air quality monitoring, indoor air testing, and monitoring pollutant emissions in industry.

[0005] Depending on the location and measurement task, air sample collectors are pre-assembled for a specific measurement target task by using a suitably selected, substance-sensitive collection device.Pre-assembly is carried out by integrating or adapting one of the following collection devices in or onto the air sampler: a) Particle filters, used to collect fine dust, pollen and other particles in the air, b) Gas and vapor absorbers, used to collect volatile organic compounds (VOCs), industrial pollutants and other gaseous pollutants, c) Impactors, used to collect particles from the air and separate them according to their size and inertia, d) Bioaerosol collectors, used to collect bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms in the air, e) Dust collectors, used to collect coarse dust in the air that can be harmful to human health, and f) Indoor air samplers are specially designed for sampling indoors and are used to detect pollutants such as formaldehyde, asbestos and mold.

[0006] It is important that a fluid-tight connection is ensured when integrating or adapting the collection device into or onto the sampler of the air sample collector so that the air sample is not falsified and the pollutants that are to be detected are actually contained in the sample.

[0007] Description of the invention

[0008] The invention is based on the object of developing an air sample collector which comprises a flow channel with a flow inlet and a flow outlet radially, as well as an air volume sensor arranged along the flow channel, a flow generator which is operatively connected to the flow channel and an air sample filter unit, in such a way that the air sample collector can be easily and safely adapted to a specific measuring task on site without the need for specialist personnel which would otherwise be required for this purpose.

[0009] The solution to the problem underlying the invention is defined in claim 1. Advantageous features further developing the inventive concept can be found in the subclaims and the further description.

[0010] According to the solution, an air sample collector comprising a flow channel with a flow inlet and a flow outlet radially, as well as an air volume sensor arranged along the flow channel, a flow generator operatively connected to the flow channel, and an air sample filter unit, is further developed such that a housing is provided which encloses the flow outlet and a portion of the flow channel and in which the air volume sensor and the flow generator are arranged. Furthermore, a first connecting flange for the fluid-tight, releasably fixed attachment of a first adapter module is attached to an end of the housing opposite the flow outlet along the portion of the flow channel radially surrounded by the housing.

[0011] When attached to the end of the housing, the first adapter module defines the portion of the flow channel radially enclosed by the housing on one side, with the exception of an opening located centrally to the flow channel within the first adapter module. A second connecting flange is attached to the opening of the first adapter module for the fluid-tight, releasably fixed, direct or indirect attachment of a second adapter module, which contains the air sample filter unit and the flow inlet and radially surrounds them.

[0012] The solution's provision of the first adapter module between the housing and the second adapter module opens up the possibility of a simple replacement of the second adapter module, within which the air sample filter unit is located. Depending on the measurement task, a specially configured second adapter module must be selected, the filter function of which is determined by the air sample filter unit, for example, in the form of a spore trap filter, a virus filter, a HEPA filter, a gelatin membrane filter, an adsorption sphere filter, or an impactor filter with a stationary or rotating culture medium, to name just a few.The large number of different air sample filter units opens up the possibility of providing a large number of different second adapter modules in a modular manner in order to be able to solve a required measuring task on site by suitable selection and attachment of a specific second adapter module via the first adapter module to the housing of the air sampler.

[0013] For a quick, reliable and safe exchange between two second adapter modules, it is preferably recommended to design the second connecting flange for the fluid-tight, detachably fixed attachment of the second adapter module to the first adapter module in the form of a threaded flange or a bayonet lock.

[0014] Likewise, it is advantageous to design the first connecting flange between the end of the housing and the first adapter module in the manner of a threaded flange or a bayonet closure. In a preferred embodiment, it is also advisable to arrange a third adapter module between the first and second adapter modules, which can be joined to both the first and the second adapter module in such a way that, in the joined state, the housing is indirectly connected or joined to the second adapter module in a fluid-tight manner. For this purpose, a third connecting flange is provided for the releasably and firmly joining of the third adapter module to the second adapter module, which third connecting flange is designed in the manner of one of the following joining mechanisms: Luer lock connection, elastic hose nozzle connection, screw connection, bayonet connection, plug-in screw connection, plug-in connection, or snap-in connection.

[0015] By providing the third adapter module between the first and second adapter modules, the possibilities for connecting differently designed air sample filter units to the housing are increased, as the further explanations show with reference to concrete embodiments.

[0016] In order to make the air sampler as user-friendly as possible and suitable for use in many locations, a control unit for activating and controlling the flow generator is also arranged in the housing. This control unit can be operated wired or wirelessly via a communication unit in order to activate or deactivate the air sampler from an external communication unit.

[0017] In addition, a further preferred embodiment provides an additional measuring sensor arranged in the housing and / or in the second adapter module, which is capable of detecting at least one of the following measuring parameters: CO2 concentration, temperature, air humidity, particulate matter concentration, volatile organic compounds (TVOC).

[0018] Brief description of the invention

[0019] The invention is described below, without limiting the general inventive concept, using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an air sample collector designed according to the solution, in individual component representation.

[0020] Fig. 2 View of an air sampler,

[0021] Fig. 3 Side view of the first adapter module,

[0022] Fig. 4 Oblique view of a first adapter module into which a third adapter module is inserted,

[0023] Fig. 5 Ensemble representation consisting of a top view of the first adapter module with a plurality of differently designed second and third adapter modules,

[0024] Fig. 6 second adapter module in the form of a HEPA filter,

[0025] Fig. 7a, b Side view and top view of a second adapter module in the form of a holder for adsorption spheres,

[0026] Fig. 8 perspective half-section through a second adapter module in the form of an impactor,

[0027] Fig. 9 combined representation of the second adapter module in the form of an impactor and the first adapter module, as well as

[0028] Fig. 10 Illustration of a measuring probe as an attachment to an air sampler. Ways of implementing the invention, industrial applicability

[0029] Figure 1 shows, in a schematic representation and for the sake of clarity, the individual components which, when assembled, result in an air sample collector 1 designed according to the solution. In the simplest embodiment, an air sample collector 1 designed according to the solution consists of a housing 2 in which a flow generator 3, preferably in the form of a suction pump, and an air volume sensor 4 are arranged. The housing 2 radially surrounds a flow channel 5, the flow outlet 6 of which is preferably arranged in the lower region of the housing 2. The flow outlet 6 does not necessarily open at the housing base 2, as shown in Figure 1, but opens via an outlet opening arranged on the side of the housing 2.Optionally, a control unit 28 for activating and controlling the flow generator 3 is also arranged in the housing 2. This control unit can be operated wired or wirelessly via a communication unit, thereby activating or deactivating the air sample collector 1 from an external communication unit. Furthermore, a measuring sensor 29 is optionally arranged in the housing, which can detect at least one of the following measurement parameters: CO2 concentration, temperature, air humidity, particulate matter concentration, volatile organic compounds (TVOC).

[0030] At the upper end 7 of the housing 2, which is opposite the flow outlet 6 along the part of the flow channel 5 radially surrounded by the housing 2, a first connecting flange 8 is arranged, for example in the form of a thread, into which the first adapter module 9, which has a corresponding mating thread, can be releasably and firmly inserted in a fluid-tight manner. In the illustration shown in Figure 1, the first adapter module 9 is shown spatially separated from the housing 2 solely for reasons of clarity.

[0031] Instead of forming the first connecting flange 8 for the fluid-tight connection between the first adapter module 9 and the housing 2 in the form of a threaded connection, alternative connecting structures can be provided, such as a bayonet lock or the like.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a concrete embodiment of a first adapter module 9 in a partial side view. The first adapter module 9 is plate- or disc-shaped and has an external thread 8' on its side facing the housing 2, which, in engagement with an internal thread provided with a correspondingly counter-contoured end 7 of the housing 2, serves to fluid-tightly join the first adapter module 9 to the housing 2. A corresponding view of the first adapter module 9 can also be seen in Figures 4 and 5.

[0033] The first adapter module 9 also has an opening 10 arranged centrally to the flow channel 5, on or in which a second connecting flange 11, preferably in the form of an internal thread, is mounted. A second adapter module 12 can be connected to the first adapter module 9 in a fluid-tight manner via the second connecting flange 11, either directly or indirectly via a third adapter module 13 (see Figure 1).

[0034] The second adapter module 12 individualizes the type and nature of the air samples to be extracted and collected from the air and includes an air sample filter unit 14. Air enters the air sample collector 1 via the flow inlet 15 located on the second adapter module 12. This air is sucked in along the flow channel 5 by the flow generator 3, which is preferably designed as a suction pump, and passes through the air sample filter unit 14 within the second adapter module 12, where a selective separation of air components takes place.

[0035] The optionally provided third adapter module 13 is used to simplify or improve the combinability of a wide variety of second adapter modules 12 with the first adapter module 9. This third adapter module can be connected in a fluid-tight and releasably manner both to the first adapter module 9 via the second connecting flange 11 and to the second adapter module 12 via a third connecting flange 16. Figure 5 illustrates four differently designed third adapter modules 13, all of which have a uniformly designed second connecting flange 11 in the form of an external thread, which can be joined to the internal thread arranged in the opening 10 of the first adapter module 9 for a fluid-tight, releasably secure connection. The third connecting flanges 16 differ from one another in type and / or dimensions.Thus, the third connecting flanges 16 of the first three third adapter modules 13 seen from the left in Figure 5 are designed as hose nozzle connections, whereas the third connecting flange 16 of the third adapter module 13, which is arranged on the far right in Figure 5, is designed as a plug-in snap-in connection, see also Figure 3.

[0036] Figure 4 shows a third adapter module 13 in the joined state with the first adapter module 9. In this case, the third adapter module 13 has a third connecting flange 16 designed as a hose nozzle connection.

[0037] In addition, three differently designed air sample filter units 14 are shown in Figure 5. The left-hand air sample filter unit 14 represents a virus filter which can be connected in a fluid-tight manner to the third connecting flange 16 designed as a hose nozzle via an elastic hose piece 17. The middle air sample filter unit 14 in Figure 5 represents a so-called spore trap, which can be used to detect spores in the room air. The air sample filter unit 14 shown on the right-hand side in Figure 5 illustrates a gelatin membrane filter, which can be used to detect mycotoxins or endotoxins. All of the air pore filter units 14 shown in Figure 5 can each be connected in a fluid-tight manner to the third connecting flanges 16 designed as hose nozzles, each with a third adapter module 13, via an elastic hose piece 17.

[0038] Figure 6 shows a second adapter module 12, in which a HEPA filter is inserted, for the detection of endotoxins and mycrotoxins. The second adapter module 12 has the flow inlet 15 and is connected via an elastic hose piece 17 to the third connecting flange 16 of the third adapter module 13, which in turn can be fluid-tightly connected to the first adapter module 9 (not shown in Figure 6) via the second connecting flange 11, which is designed as a screw thread.

[0039] Figures 7a, b show a second adapter module 12, which is designed as a basket-like holder for receiving and accommodating adsorption spheres. Figure 7a shows a side view, Figure 7b a top view. To prevent the loss of adsorption spheres along the flow channel, which, according to Figure 7a, passes through the holder from the upper flow inlet towards the lower flow outlet, the basket-like holder has a corresponding retaining grid that is attached in the region of the taper along the flow channel; see top view in Figure 7b. Depending on the type of material and surface quality of the adsorption spheres (not shown in Figures 7a, b) that can be introduced into the basket-like second adsorption module 12, certain, preferably chemical, air components can be captured and collected.At the otherwise preferably open flow inlet, one embodiment provides a lid-like superstructure over the basket-like holder. This superstructure is penetrated by at least one opening that allows air flow to pass through, but encloses the filter material, which is introduced as bulk material into the basket-like holder, within the holder. In addition to adsorption spheres, particulate adsorption bodies deviating from the spherical shape, usually prefabricated with an adsorption layer, are also conceivable, for example in the form of granules, fleece, textile materials, etc.

[0040] Figure 8 shows a second adapter module 12, which is composed of several components. A funnel-shaped, widening air supply attachment 18 encloses the flow inlet 15 and sits fluid-tight on a perforated plate arrangement 19 via an O-ring 24. A culture medium 20, preferably in the form of a Petri dish, is arranged below the perforated plate arrangement 19 in the flow direction. The perforated plate arrangement 19 and the culture medium 20 are supported on a flow attachment 21, which has a central passage opening 22, to which a threaded collar 23 is connected. The threaded collar 23 is designed to fit precisely onto the internal thread of the opening 10, in order to thus enable a direct, fluid-tight, detachably secure connection between the illustrated second adapter module 12 and the first adapter module 9.

[0041] Figure 9 shows the second adapter module 12 according to Figure 8 in the assembled state. To enable quick and uncomplicated replacement of the culture medium 20 stored in a Petri dish, the air inlet attachment 18, the perforated plate assembly 19, and the flow-through attachment 21 are joined fluid-tight to one another by means of spring-loaded clamps 25. O-ring seals 24 ensure fluid-tight mounting (see Figure 8), which are arranged between the air inlet attachment 18 and the perforated plate assembly 19, as well as between the perforated plate assembly 19 and the flow-through attachment 21.

[0042] Figure 10 shows the second adapter module 12 described in Figure 9 in direct connection with the first adapter module 9, which is attached to the housing 2. Additionally, a measuring probe 27 is fluid-tightly connected to the flow inlet 15 via a connecting sleeve 26. The measuring probe 27 can be of any size and shape and is used for taking air samples from an otherwise difficult-to-access area of ​​the room.

[0043] List of reference symbols

[0044] Air sampler housing flow generator air volume sensor flow channel flow outlet end of the housing first connecting flange ' external thread first adapter module 0 opening 1 second connecting flange 2 second adapter module 3 third adapter module 4 air sample filter unit 5 flow inlet 6 third connecting flange 7 elastic hose section 8 supply air attachment 9 perforated plate arrangement 0 culture medium 1 flow attachment 2 passage opening 3 threaded collar 4 O-ring seal 5 clamp force bracket 6 connecting sleeve 7 measuring lance 8 control unit 9 measuring sensors

Claims

Patent claims 1. An air sampler comprising a flow channel with a flow inlet and a flow outlet radially, as well as an air volume sensor arranged along the flow channel, a flow generator operatively connected to the flow channel, and an air sample filter unit, characterized in that a housing is provided which encloses the flow outlet and a part of the flow channel and in which the air volume sensor and the flow generator are arranged, that a first connecting flange for fluid-tight, detachably fixed attachment of a first adapter module is provided at an end of the housing opposite the flow outlet along the part of the flow channel radially surrounded by the housing, and that the first adapter module, in a state attached to the end of the housing,the part of the flow channel radially enclosed by the housing is limited on one side with the exception of an opening arranged centrally to the flow channel within the first adapter module, and that a second connecting flange for the fluid-tight, detachably fixed, medium- or direct attachment of a second adapter module is attached directly or indirectly to the opening, which radially surrounds the air sample filter unit and the flow inlet.

2. Air sampler according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second connecting flanges are designed in the form of a threaded flange or bayonet closure.

3. Air sampler according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a third adapter module is arranged between the first and second adapter modules, and that the third adapter module can be joined to both the first and the second adapter modules in such a way that, in the joined state, the housing is indirectly fluid-tightly joined to the second adapter module.

4. Air sampler according to claim 3, characterized in that a third connecting flange is provided for the detachably fixed joining of the third adapter module to the second adapter module.

5. Air sampler according to claim 4, characterized in that the third connecting flange is designed in the manner of one of the following joining mechanisms: Luer-lock connection, elastic hose barb connection, screw connection, bayonet connection, plug screw connection, plug connection, snap connection.

6. Air sampler according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first adapter module is plate-shaped and has a structured peripheral plate edge which is part of the first connecting flange.

7. Air sampler according to claim 6, characterized in that the end of the housing is designed to be open, and that the plate-shaped first adapter module is designed in shape and size to fit precisely into the open end of the housing.

8. Air sampler according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one of the following air sample filter units is arranged in the second adapter module: spore trap filter, virus filter, HEPA filter, gelatin membrane filter, adsorption ball filter, impactor filter with stationary or rotating nutrient medium.

9. Air sampler according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a connecting flange is arranged at the flow inlet, which serves to detachably and securely attach a measuring lance in the form of a straight and / or bent hollow tube.

10. Air sampler according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a control unit for activating and controlling the flow generator is arranged in the housing, and that the control unit has a wired or wireless communication unit via which at least control signals from an external communication unit can be received.

11. Air sampler according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a measuring sensor is arranged in the housing and / or in the second adapter module, which detects at least one of the following measurement parameters: CO2 concentration, temperature, humidity, particulate matter concentration, volatile organic compounds (TVOC).

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