FORENSIC AIR AND SURFACE SAMPLER TECHNOLOGY (FASST) COLLECTOR

摘要

A particle collector for collecting biological material using electrostatic precipitator (ESP) technology including a removable ESP collection tube having an electrode wire suspended therein, a high voltage power supply coupled to the electrode wire for generating an ionization field within the collection tube causing smaller particles entering the collection tube to precipitate onto the walls of the collection tube, electronics including a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the collector, and a housing assembly for housing the collection tube, the high voltage power supply and the electronics. Some embodiments include an interlock system for disabling high voltage to the electrode wire if certain system parameters are not met, a static discharge mechanism for dissipating excess electrostatic charge which may accumulate on the collection tube during operation, and an altitude adjustment mechanism for adjusting the amount of high voltage supplied to the electrode wire based upon the altitude at which the collector is being used. A portable hand-held embodiment of the particle collector is also disclosed.

主权项

1. A particle collector for collecting biological material comprising:
a removable collection tube assembly having an outer tube, an inner electrostatic precipitator (ESP) tube and an electrode wire suspended within the inner ESP tube; a power connection for providing power to the collector; a high voltage power supply coupled to said electrode wire for generating an ionization field within said inner ESP tube, said ionization field causing smaller particles entering the particle collector to precipitate onto the walls of the inner ESP tube; electronics including a microprocessor for controlling the operation of the particle collector; and a housing assembly for housing said collector tube assembly and said electronics.