Moveable Particulate Sampling Surface for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airborne particulate sampling devices, such as the Burkard Spore Trap, face inefficiencies due to manual operation, contamination risks, and the need for extensive human labor, limiting their ability to provide accurate and comprehensive data for monitoring airborne diseases.
Innovation Solution
A sampling device with a moveable collection arrangement and fluid flow control system that adjusts to prevent overcrowding and contamination, featuring a drive arrangement for continuous surface movement and sensors for speed control, along with a fluid flow control system that maintains laminar and isokinetic flow to optimize particulate collection and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a static trapping surface is used to collect particulates, then the device structure is simple, but particulates overcrowd on the surface and collection accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static trapping surface into a moveable one. The collection arrangement includes a moveable collection surface that can be positioned at different locations within the housing, allowing fresh surface areas to be brought into the collection position periodically. This prevents particulate overcrowding and maintains collection accuracy without requiring an overly complex multi-surface structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection surface is segmented into multiple areas that can be sequentially positioned. The moveable collection surface allows different portions of the trapping surface to be brought into the collection position at different times, effectively dividing the collection function across multiple surface segments while using a single physical surface.
2Productivity
If manual operation is used to transport and analyze samples, then the device is simple, but extensive human labor is required and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies self-service by incorporating automated mechanisms for sample collection and analysis. The moveable collection surface can be automatically positioned, and the integrated sensor system automatically detects and analyzes particulates on the collection surface without requiring manual intervention. This reduces human labor and contamination risk while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated sensing and actuation systems. Sensors automatically detect particulates on the collection surface, and motorized mechanisms automatically reposition the collection surface, substituting human labor with automated mechanical and electronic systems.
3Reliability
If the collection surface is stationary, then the device is easy to operate, but the surface becomes contaminated and requires frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The collection surface is made dynamic and moveable rather than stationary. The moveable collection surface can be repositioned to bring clean surface areas into the collection position, preventing contamination accumulation and extending the usable life of the collection surface without complicating operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system effectively discards contaminated surface areas and recovers clean surface areas by moving the collection surface to new positions. Used portions of the collection surface are moved out of the collection position while fresh portions are brought in, allowing continuous operation without frequent replacement of the entire collection surface.
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
The device enhances the efficiency and accuracy of particulate collection, reducing contamination and labor requirements, while enabling real-time data correlation with atmospheric and geospatial information for improved monitoring and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The air borne particles are drawn into the housing and deposited on the trapping surface of the slide by impaction through the airflow
Implementation Method 2
a fluid flow control system that adjusts to prevent overcrowding and contamination, featuring a drive arrangement for continuous surface movement and sensors for speed control, along with a fluid flow control system that maintains laminar and isokinetic flow
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a sampling device, a sampling system and a method of collecting samples of particulates. Also disclosed a sampling device, a sampling system and a method of generating data associated with the collection of the samples of particulates. Also disclosed is a system and method for analysing the sample data to identify the particulates in the collected samples and their one or more characteristics which may be correlated with the surrounding environment.