Portable Air Sampler With Closed-Loop Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air sampling devices in clean rooms struggle to maintain consistent airflow rates and efficiently collect and analyze air samples, particularly in environments where contaminants may pose health risks, necessitating improved monitoring and control systems to meet regulatory standards.
Innovation Solution
An air sampling device with a blower assembly and mass flow meter that uses a closed-loop control system to adjust fan speed based on real-time airflow measurements, coupled with a retaining assembly for various media plates and an exhaust system for remote monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a portable air sampler is used in clean rooms, then portability and ease of operation are improved, but airflow consistency and sampling reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a mass flow meter that continuously measures airflow and provides feedback to a controller, which adjusts the blower speed to maintain consistent airflow rates despite the portable design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical flow control with an electronically controlled blower system that uses a mass flow meter and controller to automatically regulate airflow, achieving laboratory-quality consistency in a portable device
2Productivity
If fan speed is increased to improve sample collection efficiency, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption and airflow instability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts blower speed based on real-time airflow measurements from the mass flow meter, allowing the fan to operate at optimal speeds rather than constant high speed, improving both energy efficiency and sampling effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The controller modifies the blower operating parameters (speed) based on feedback from the mass flow meter to maintain the desired airflow rate, enabling efficient sample collection without excessive energy consumption
3Measurement precision
If a closed-loop control system is implemented to maintain consistent airflow, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a mass flow meter to provide continuous feedback on airflow rate to a controller, which automatically adjusts the blower to maintain the desired airflow, achieving precise measurement and control
Solution Approach 2:
The closed-loop control system is self-regulating, automatically adjusting blower speed based on mass flow meter readings without requiring manual intervention, which simplifies operation despite the added control components
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
Ensures consistent airflow rates and efficient sample collection, allowing for reliable analysis of air quality while meeting regulatory requirements and enabling remote monitoring and control of air sampling processes.
Implementation Method 1
A mass flow meter detects a flow rate of air through the mass flow meter
Implementation Method 2
A blower inside the plenum is configured to draw air past the sampler, through the opening, through the plenum, and through the mass flow meter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
There is provided an air sampling device for sampling air in a controlled environment comprising: a housing body having a top and an opening at the top of said housing body; a retaining assembly configured to retain a sampling device, said retaining assembly located at the top of said housing body; a plenum having a wall with a top end and a bottom end and a blower, said top end being coupled to the housing body such that said plenum is in flow communication with said opening; a mass flow meter in flow communication with said plenum and detecting a flow rate; the blower inside said plenum configured to draw air past the sampling device, through the opening of the housing body, through the plenum, and through the mass flow meter; and a processing device configured to receive the detected flow rate from said mass flow meter and to control the blower in response to the detected flow rate.