Particulate Sampling With Moving Surface and Flow 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, often failing to achieve ideal sampling conditions and providing inaccurate data.
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, ensuring laminar and isokinetic fluid flow, and an angular control system for optimal inlet orientation.
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 the surface and sampling accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The collection arrangement uses a moveable surface that continuously moves through the collection position rather than remaining static. This dynamic approach prevents particulate overcrowding by constantly refreshing the collection surface, thereby maintaining sampling accuracy without requiring complex multiple surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection surface is divided into multiple segments or portions that can be independently positioned. By selectively moving different segments through the collection position, the system maintains accurate sampling while managing structural complexity through modular design.
2Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to transport and check sampling devices, then the device complexity is low, but human labor requirements and contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling device performs self-monitoring through integrated sensors that detect particulate collection status and surface position. This self-service capability reduces the need for manual checking and transportation while maintaining operational simplicity, as the system autonomously manages its own sampling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors monitor collection status and provide information to control the moveable surface. This feedback loop enables automated operation without requiring complex external control systems, as the device self-regulates based on sensor input.
3Reliability
If the collection surface remains stationary, then the device structure is simple, but contamination risk increases due to frequent handling
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable collection surface continuously moves through the collection position, reducing the need for frequent handling and repositioning by users. This dynamic operation minimizes contamination risk while the movement mechanism remains relatively simple, requiring only basic actuation to move the surface in and out of position.
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 particulate collection efficiency, reduces contamination, and automates data collection, enabling more accurate and precise monitoring of airborne particles while minimizing human intervention and processing time.
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
ensuring laminar and isokinetic fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
ensuring laminar and isokinetic fluid flow
Implementation Method 4
the device further comprises a sensor to determine the speed of the surface portions
Implementation Method 5
an angular control system for optimal inlet orientation
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.