Frank H Conrad

US Patent:

RE38797, Sep 20, 2005

Filed:

Jul 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/189093

Inventors:

Kevin L. Linker - Albuquerque NM, US
Frank J. Conrad - Russellville SC, US
Chad A. Custer - Albuquerque NM, US

Assignee:

Sandia National Laboratories - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

G01N001/00

US Classification:

7386312, 7386323

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for preconcentrating particles and vapors. The preconcentrator apparatus permits detection of highly diluted amounts of particles in a main gas stream, such as a stream of ambient air. A main gas stream having airborne particles entrained therein is passed through a pervious screen. The particles accumulate upon the screen, as the screen acts as a sort of selective particle filter. The flow of the main gas stream is then interrupted by diaphragm shutter valves, whereupon a cross-flow of carrier gas stream is blown parallel past the faces of the screen to dislodge the accumulated particles and carry them to a particle or vapor detector, such as an ion mobility spectrometer. The screen may be heated, such as by passing an electrical current there through, to promote desorption of particles therefrom during the flow of the carrier gas. Various types of screens are disclosed.

US Patent:

59152680, Jun 22, 1999

Filed:

Dec 22, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/995777

Inventors:

Kevin L. Linker - Albuquerque NM
David W. Hannum - Albuquerque NM
Frank James Conrad - Russellville SC

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

G01N 3100
G01N 114

US Classification:

73 232

Abstract:

A portal apparatus for screening objects or persons for the presence of trace amounts of chemical substances such as illicit drugs or explosives. The apparatus has a test space, in which a person may stand, defined by two generally upright sides spanned by a horizontal transom. One or more fans in the transom generate a downward air flow (uni-directional) within the test space. The air flows downwardly from a high pressure upper zone, past the object or person to be screened. Air moving past the object dislodges from the surface thereof both volatile and nonvolatile particles of the target substance. The particles are entrained into the air flow which continues flowing downward to a lower zone of reduced pressure, where the particle-bearing air stream is directed out of the test space and toward preconcentrator and detection components. The sides of the portal are specially configured to partially contain and maintain the air flow.

US Patent:

60856017, Jul 11, 2000

Filed:

Oct 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/170865

Inventors:

Kevin L. Linker - Albuquerque NM
Frank J. Conrad - Russellville SC
Chad A. Custer - Albuquerque NM
Charles L. Rhykerd - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

G01N 100

US Classification:

7386312

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for preconcentrating particles and vapors. The preconcentrator apparatus permits detection of highly diluted amounts of particles in a main gas stream, such as a stream of ambient air. A main gas stream having airborne particles entrained therein is passed through a pervious screen. The particles accumulate upon the screen, as the screen acts as a sort of selective particle filter. The flow of the main gas stream is then interrupted by diaphragm shutter valves, whereupon a cross-flow of carrier gas stream is blown parallel past the faces of the screen to dislodge the accumulated particles and carry them to a particle or vapor detector, such as an ion mobility spectrometer. The screen may be heated, such as by passing an electrical current there through, to promote desorption of particles therefrom during the flow of the carrier gas. Various types of screens are disclosed.

US Patent:

51388898, Aug 18, 1992

Filed:

Oct 11, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/596104

Inventors:

Frank J. Conrad - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01N 122

US Classification:

7386312

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a sensitive hand-held explosives detection device capable of detecting the presence of extremely low quantities of high explosives molecules, and which is applicable to sampling vapors from personnel, baggage, cargo, etc. , as part of an explosives detection system.

US Patent:

54526000, Sep 26, 1995

Filed:

Sep 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/129635

Inventors:

John P. Davies - Idaho Falls ID
Ronald A. Larson - Idaho Falls ID
Lorenzo D. Goodrich - Shelley ID
Harold J. Hall - Idaho Falls ID
Billy D. Stoddard - Idaho Falls ID
Sean G. Davis - Idaho Falls ID
Timothy G. Kaser - Idaho Falls ID
Frank J. Conrad - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company - Idaho Falls ID

International Classification:

G01D 1800

US Classification:

73 1G

Abstract:

A portable vapor generator is disclosed that can provide a controlled source of chemical vapors, such as, narcotic or explosive vapors. This source can be used to test and calibrate various types of vapor detection systems by providing a known amount of vapors to the system. The vapor generator is calibrated using a reference ion mobility spectrometer. A method of providing this vapor is described, as follows: explosive or narcotic is deposited on quartz wool, placed in a chamber that can be heated or cooled (depending on the vapor pressure of the material) to control the concentration of vapors in the reservoir. A controlled flow of air is pulsed over the quartz wool releasing a preset quantity of vapors at the outlet.