Measuring and testing – Gas analysis – With compensation detail
Patent
1992-08-06
1994-09-13
Williams, Hezron E.
Measuring and testing
Gas analysis
With compensation detail
7386312, G01N 122, G01N 3322
Patent
active
053458095
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to systems for the detection of explosives and other controlled substances such as drugs or narcotics. More particularly, the present invention relates to an integrated system consisting of a sampling chamber, a detection system, and a control and data processing system, for the detection of the vapor emissions and particulates associated with explosives and controlled substances in a non-invasive manner.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
In recent years there has been a steady increase in the illegal use of explosives as well as an increase in the transportation of contraband substances such as drugs or narcotics. It is impossible to detect the existence or prevent all of the cases of bombings and drug smuggling going on; however, it is possible to detect explosives and contraband substances in particular areas where high visibility and/or vulnerability exists such as in airports or airplanes. There are numerous ways in which an individual can place drugs or explosives on an airplane, and even more places an individual can hide the drugs or explosives once on the airplane. The illegal substances can be brought on the airplane by a knowing or unknowing individual by concealing the substance on his/her person or by placing the substances in baggage to be placed in the cargo section of the aircraft.
The methods for detecting substances such as explosives and drugs or narcotics have been studied for many years, and various techniques have been developed which range from explosives/drug sniffing dogs to highly sophisticated vapor detection devices. Basically, the detection of the aforementioned substances is accomplished in one of two ways; namely, non-vapor detection and vapor detection. Non-vapor detection methods include x-ray detection, gamma-ray detection, neutron activation detection and nuclear magnetic resonance detection. These methods of detection are more applicable to the detection of the various substances when the substances are concealed and are carried or associated with non-living items such as baggage to be carried onto an aircraft in that the detection techniques might pose a threat to living items. Vapor detection methods include electron capture detection, gas chromatography detection, mass spectroscopy detection, plasma chromatography detection, bio-sensor detection and laser photoacoustic detection. These methods of detection are more applicable to the detection of substances that are concealed and associated with living items such as those that can be carried by individuals including the residuals left on the individual who handled the various substances. All of the above methods are presently utilized, including explosive and drug sniffing dogs.
Today, there are many private and government research studies devoted to the development of systems and methods for the detection of explosives and drugs or narcotics. With the advances in explosives technology, such as the advent of the plastique explosives, which can be disguised as common items, it is becoming increasingly difficult to detect these substances. The problems that must be overcome in the detection of these substances as well as others, include low vapor pressure of the particular vapors escaping from the particular substance, the search time and the throughput of the various systems, the low concentration of vapor or particulate emissions from the particular substance, isolation of the particular substance with a high degree of reliability, and maintaining the integrity of the systems environment.
There is substantial prior art dealing with the technology of explosive and drug detection devices. The article "Air Flow Studies For Personnel Explosive Screening Portals" authored by R.L. Schellenbaum of Scandia National Laboratories, which was published in 1987 as part of the Carnahan Conference on Securities Technology in Atlanta, Ga. (Jul. 15, 1987), discloses a study on various types of integrated systems for the detection of contraband explosives. The st
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Corrigan Colin
Haley Lawrence
Research Corporation Technologies Inc.
Roskos Joseph W.
Williams Hezron E.
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