Aerosol Collection Device Gravity Particle Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aerosol collection devices face issues with clogging due to the ingestion of large particles, which affects the efficiency and cleanliness of the detection process, as these devices are unable to effectively prevent the ingestion of particles with diameters larger than those of interest.

Innovation Solution

The device is designed with a vertically oriented air supply duct that allows large-diameter particles to be evacuated by gravity, preventing clogging of the filter and ensuring that only particles of interest are suctioned through controlled suction means, while maintaining a configuration that limits pressure drop and filter fouling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional aerosol collection devices are used with suction means, then particles of interest can be collected on the filter, but large-diameter particles are ingested and cause filter clogging and device contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle collection efficiencyVSAvoidfilter clogging and device contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments particle handling into two distinct pathways: a first air inlet for particles of interest that flows through the filter to the detector, and a second air inlet for large particles that bypasses the filter entirely. This segmentation allows selective collection of target particles while excluding larger particles that would cause clogging, resolving the contradiction between collection efficiency and filter reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary gravitational separation mechanism before the filter. Large particles enter through the second air inlet and are separated by gravity in a collection chamber, preventing them from reaching the filter. This intermediary step protects the filter from clogging while maintaining the ability to collect smaller particles of interest through the first inlet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If suction flow rate is increased to improve particle collection, then detection sensitivity improves, but pressure loss and filter fouling increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidpressure loss and filter fouling
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful function of high suction flow rate by separating it from the detection function. A first suction device operates at controlled flow rates for particle detection, while a second suction device handles large particle removal independently. This extraction allows the detection system to operate at optimal sensitivity without承受ing the full burden of high flow rates that cause pressure loss and filter fouling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively prevents the internal pollution of the device, maintains measurement accuracy, and simplifies the cleaning process by ensuring that large particles are not ingested, thereby enhancing the device's operational efficiency and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

The air supply duct (40) is configured so that, when arranged vertically (i.e., along the direction of Earth's gravity), large-diameter particles can flow from the first air inlet (40a) to the second air inlet (40b)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

suction means arranged to generate a gas flow in the flow channel from the first and second air inlets of the supply duct to an outlet of the exhaust duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3662248B1Device for collection and detection of aerosols
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 BERTIN TECHNOLOGIES
  • EP3662248B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3662248B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3662248B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10, 11) for collecting and detecting aerosols, comprising a flow channel for the aerosol-containing air and an active portion (44) of an aerosol collection filter disposed across the flow channel and separating a gas supply line (40) from a gas discharge line. According to the invention, the air supply line includes a first air inlet (40a) and a second inlet (40b). In addition, the air supply line (40) is shaped such that at least one straight line can pass through the first air inlet and through the second air inlet while extending entirely inside the air supply line.