Abstract
An apparatus includes (i) a test chamber having an inlet and an outlet; (ii) an introduction system configured to introduce a test pollutant into the test chamber such that the test pollutant is entrained in air flowing from the inlet to the outlet; (iii) a support configured to retain the test article, wherein the support defines a passageway downstream of a location of the test article such that air flowing from the inlet to the outlet passes through the filter medium prior to entering the passageway; (iv) an air flow apparatus configured to draw air from within the test chamber through the passageway and the outlet; and (v) a respiratory conditions simulation system configured to simulate an aspect of respiration, an external environment simulation system configured to simulate an aspect of an external environment, or both the respiratory conditions simulation system and the external environment simulation system.
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. An apparatus for assessing a filter medium of a test article, comprising: a test chamber comprising an introduction opening on a surface of the test chamber, an inlet, and an outlet; an introduction system configured to introduce a test pollutant through the introduction opening into the test chamber such that the test pollutant is entrained in air flowing from the inlet to the outlet; a support configured to retain the test article, wherein the support defines a passageway downstream of a location of the test article such that air flowing from the inlet to the outlet passes through the filter medium prior to entering the passageway; an air flow apparatus configured to draw air from within the test chamber through the passageway and the outlet, and also configured to introduce air through the outlet and the passageway into the test chamber a test pollutant collector positioned in an airflow path within the passageway such that air drawn from the test chamber through the passageway contacts the test pollutant collector and a respiratory conditions simulation system configured to simulate an aspect of respiration, or an external environment simulation system configured to simulate an aspect of an external environment, or both the respiratory conditions simulation system and the external environment simulation system.
17. The apparatus according to claim 16, comprising a guide comprising an interior surface to direct air flow from the introduction opening towards the passageway of the support.
18. The apparatus according to claim 17, comprising a test pollutant inlet tube surrounding the introduction opening and extending from the surface of the test chamber into an interior volume of the guide.
19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the guide has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is sealed relative to the surface of the test chamber around the introduction opening, and wherein the second end is sealed relative to a surface of the support.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the guide comprises a guide air inlet in proximity to the first end of the guide.
21. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the guide comprises a guide air inlet in proximity to the first end of the guide, and wherein the test pollutant inlet tube extends into the interior volume of the guide towards the second end of the guide, beyond the first guide air inlet.
22. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the respiratory conditions simulation system comprises an air flow apparatus controller operably coupled to the air flow apparatus, wherein the air flow apparatus controller is configured to cause the air flow apparatus to alternate between drawing air from the test chamber through the passageway and the outlet and introducing air through the outlet and the passageway into the test chamber.
23. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the respiratory conditions simulation system comprises a humidifier, wherein the humidifier is operably coupled to the air flow apparatus and configured to cause air that is introduced through the outlet and the passageway into the test chamber to have a regulated humidity.
24. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the respiratory conditions simulation system comprises a heating system arranged and configured to cause air that is introduced by the air flow apparatus through the outlet and the passageway into the test chamber to have a regulated temperature when in the passageway.
25. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the respiratory conditions simulation system comprises a carbon dioxide concentration controller system configured to introduce carbon dioxide to air that is introduced through the outlet and the passageway into the test chamber such that the percentage of carbon dioxide in the air in the passageway may be regulated to a desired range.
26. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the respiratory conditions simulation system comprises a pH controller system, wherein the pH controller system comprises a pH controller apparatus configured to control the pH of air caused by the air flow apparatus to be introduced through the outlet and the passageway into the test chamber.
27. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus comprises the external environment simulation system, wherein the external environment simulation system comprises one or more of an external temperature control system configured to cause temperature regulated air to enter the test chamber via the inlet, an external humidity control system configured to cause humidity-regulated air to enter the test chamber via the inlet, and an ultraviolet light source configured to cause ultraviolet light to pass through an interior of the test chamber.
28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the external environment simulation system comprises a dilution valve operably coupled to the inlet, wherein the dilution valve is configured to introduce an environmental air pollutant into the test chamber through the inlet.
29. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the test chamber is electrically grounded.
Description
[0351] Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:
[0352] FIG. 1 is schematic perspective view of a test chamber;
[0353] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for assessing a filter medium of a test article;
[0354] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an apparatus having a test pollutant inlet tube and guide;
[0355] FIG. 4 is a schematic cut away view of a support and test pollutant collector;
[0356] FIG. 5 is a schematic cut away view of a support and test pollutant collector, showing some components illustrated in FIG. 4;
[0357] FIG. 6 is a schematic cut away view of a test pollutant collector;
[0358] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a test pollutant collector;
[0359] FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a test pollutant collector;
[0360] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of some components of air flow apparatus and respiratory conditions simulation system;
[0361] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of some components of air flow apparatus and respiratory conditions simulation system;
[0362] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of some components of an apparatus comprising a respiratory humidifier system;
[0363] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of some components of an apparatus comprising a respiratory temperature control system;
[0364] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of some components of an apparatus comprising a carbon dioxide control system;
[0365] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of some components of an apparatus comprising a pH control system;
[0366] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of some components of an external system temperature control system;
[0367] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of some components of an external system humidity control system;
[0368] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of some components of an external system UV light control system; and
[0369] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of some components of an environmental air pollutant control system.
[0370] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a test chamber 100. The test chamber comprises an inlet 110, an outlet 120, and an introduction opening 130. When the outlet is coupled to a negative pressure source or pump, air may flow through the inlet into the test chamber 100. A device for introducing an aerosol may be operably coupled to introduction opening 130 to introduce the aerosol into the test chamber. The introduced aerosol may be entrained in air that flows from the inlet 110 through the test chamber 100 through the outlet 120.
[0371] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an apparatus 900 for assessing a filter medium of a test article. The apparatus 900 comprises a test chamber 100, such as the test chamber 100 of FIG. 1; an introduction system 200, a support 300, an air flow apparatus 400, a respiratory conditions simulation system 500, and an external environment simulation system 600. The introduction system 200 includes an aerosol generator mounted on the test chamber 100 and configured to introduce an aerosol comprising a test pollutant into the test chamber 100. The support 300 is configured to define a passageway in communication with the interior of the test chamber 100 and the outlet of the test chamber (such as outlet 120 depicted in FIG. 1). The support 300 is configured to retain the test article such that air that passes from the test chamber 100 through the passageway and outlet passes through the filter media of the test article.
[0372] The air flow apparatus 400 is configured to draw air from the test chamber 100 through the passageway of the support 300 and the outlet, and to force air through the outlet of the test chamber 100, the passageway of the support 300, and into the test chamber 100. The test chamber 100 may comprise a filtered vent (not shown) to allow air forced into the test chamber 100 from the air flow apparatus 400 to escape the interior of the test chamber 100.
[0373] The respiratory conditions simulation system 500 may control, work cooperatively with, or control and work cooperatively with the air flow apparatus 400 to simulation one or more aspect of respiration, such as rate, volume, duration, and periodicity of air flow, humidity, temperature, pH, and carbon dioxide concentration.
[0374] The environment simulation system 600, or components of the environment simulation system 600, may be operably coupled to the inlet to control the content of air that enters the inlet (such as inlet 110 of FIG. 1) of the test chamber 100. The environment simulation system 600 comprises a valve 610 operably coupled to the inlet of the test chamber. The valve 610 may be a check valve that allows air to flow from outside the test chamber 100 to the interior of the test chamber 100 but prevent air from flowing from inside the test chamber 100 to the exterior of the test chamber 100. The valve 610 may be a dilution valve to introduce controlled amounts of environmental air pollutants into the test chamber 100.
[0375] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of some components of an apparatus having a test pollutant inlet tube 2000 and a guide 2100. Dashed lines illustrate air flow through inlets 110 of a test chamber 100 through the guide 2100 and a passageway 320 of the support 300 and out of the outlet 120 of the test chamber 100. A first end 2102 of the guide 2100 is sealed to an upper surface 150 of the test chamber 100 that comprises the introduction opening 130. A second end 2104 of the guide is sealed to a surface of the support 300. The guide 2100 has axially arranged guide inlets 2106 to allow air that flows through the inlets 110 of the test chamber 100 to flow into the interior volume of the guide 2100 and through the passageway 320 of the support 300 and out of the outlet 120 of the test chamber 100. The test pollutant inlet tube 2000 surrounds the introduction opening 130 and extends into the guide 2100 a distance beyond the guide inlets 2106. Aerosol 2200 comprising test pollutant is introduced by introduction system 200 through the introduction opening 130 and the test pollutant inlet tube 2000 and flows into the guide 2100, which directs the aerosol 2200 comprising the test pollutant to the passageway 320 of the support 300. The air (shown by dashed lines) that comes through guide inlets 2106 flows along an exterior surface of the test pollutant inlet tube 2000, which introduces more laminar, and less turbulent flow, of the air. At least some of the laminar aspects of the air flow are maintained as the air flows towards the second end 2104 of the guide 2100, which reduces interaction of the aerosol 2200 with interior surfaces of the guide 2100. This may reduce loss of test pollutant to sorption, which may improve experimental accuracy, reliability, or accuracy and reliability of the apparatus.
[0376] FIGS. 4-8 illustrate an example of a support 300 and a test pollutant collector 700. The support 300 comprises a housing 310 that may be mounted to a test chamber around an outlet (such as outlet 120 of FIG. 1) with bolts 311. The support 300 comprises an insert 360 configured to be inserted through the outlet of the test chamber. The insert 360 is configured to reversibly couple to the housing 310 through, for example, a thread engagement or a twist and lock engagement. O-rings 365 may facilitate sealing between the housing 310 and the insert 360.
[0377] The housing 310 and the insert 360 together define a passageway 320 through the support 300. Air from the test chamber may flow through the passageway 320 through the outlet. The insert 360 comprises a coupling 380 for connecting to conduit 410, such as tubing, to connect with the air flow apparatus, which may draw air from the test chamber through the passageway 320.
[0378] The support 300 comprises a retention assembly 350 that may be mounted to the housing 310 with bolts 351. The retention assembly 350 retains a test article 999 comprising filter medium such that when air flows from the test chamber through the passageway 320, the air passes through the filter medium. The retention assembly 350 comprises a clamping disc 355 comprising apertures through which bolts 351 extend, a top test article sealing disc 330, a bottom test article sealing disc 335, a height adjustment disc 340, and O-ring sealing disc 333. The test article 999 may be placed on the bottom test article sealing disc 335, the height adjustment disc 340 may be placed on the test article 999, the top test article sealing disc 330 may be placed on the height adjustment disc 340, the clamping disc 355 may be placed on the top test article sealing disc 330, and the assembly may be tightened relative to the housing 310 with bolts 351 to retain the test article 999.
[0379] A handle 370 is coupled to the insert 360 to facilitate grasping and twisting of insert 360 to engage or disengage the insert 360 from the housing 310. The insert 360 may be removed through the outlet (such as outlet 120 in FIG. 1) of the test chamber. The test pollutant collector 700 is retained on the insert 360. When the insert 360 is removed through the outlet of the test chamber, the test pollutant collector 700 is also removed. Accordingly, the test pollutant collector 700 may be removed from test chamber without accessing the interior of the test chamber.
[0380] The test pollutant collector 700 includes a cup 710 and a holder 730. The holder 730 comprises a receptacle 737 for receiving and retaining the cup 710. Material 720 configured to trap a test pollutant is disposed in the cup 710. The material 720 may comprise a hydrogel when the test pollutant comprises a biological material such as a virus. A funnel element 800, such as cascade impactor ring, directs air flowing through the passageway 320 to the material 720 such that the air impacts the material 720. After the air impacts the material 720, the air may flow through lateral apertures 735 of the holder 730 so that the air may continue to flow through the passageway 320 to exit the test chamber.
[0381] FIG. 9 illustrates some components of an example of air flow apparatus and respiratory conditions simulation system. The airflow apparatus comprises a piston pump 420 comprising a piston 425. The pump 420 is operably coupled to conduit 410 that is coupled to the insert of the support (for example, as shown in FIG. 8) so that movement of the piston 425 causes air to be withdrawn from the test chamber through the passageway of the support to conduit 410 or be introduced through conduit 410 and passageway of the support and into the test chamber, depending on which direction the piston 425 moves.
[0382] The piston 425 is operably coupled to a motor 430. The motor 430 may be configured to provide linear movement or rotary movement. If the motor 430 provides rotary movement, the motor 430 may comprise a movement translator 435 to convert rotary movement to linear movement. The motor 435 comprises a coder 437 for controlling the motor. The coder 437 is operably coupled to a motion controller 510 that provides instructions to the motor 430 to cause the piston 425 to move in a manner that simulates one or more aspects of inhalation or exhalation, such as rate, volume, duration, and periodicity. The motion controller 510 may be operably coupled to a system controller 1000, which may be operably coupled to a user interface.
[0383] FIG. 10 illustrates some components of an example of air flow apparatus and respiratory conditions simulation system. The airflow apparatus comprises a positive pressure pump 450, a vacuum pump 460, a first valve 442, a second valve 444, and a differential flow controller 440, coupled to conduit 410 that is coupled to the insert of the support (for example, as shown in FIG. 8). A controller 520 is operably coupled to the first valve 442, the second valve 444, and the differential flow controller 440, and may be operably coupled to the positive pressure pump 450 and the vacuum pump 460. The controller 520 may cause the first 442 and second 444 valves to open or close based on input from the differential flow controller 440 to cause air to flow from the positive pressure pump 450 through the conduit 410 to the passageway of the support and into the test chamber or from the test chamber through the passageway of the support, through the conduit and towards the vacuum pump 460. The controller 520 may be operably coupled to a system controller 1000, which may be operably coupled to a user interface.
[0384] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of an apparatus comprising a respiratory humidifier system. The apparatus includes a humidifier 570 positioned and configured to humidify air that flow from the air flow apparatus through the conduit 410, through the passageway of the support 300, and into the test chamber 100. A humidity sensor 572 is positioned in the passageway of the support 300. The humidity sensor 572 is operably coupled to humidity controller 574, which is operably coupled to the humidifier 570. The controller 574 causes the humidifier 570 to increase or decrease the humidity of the air based on input from the sensor 572. The humidity controller 574 may be operably coupled to a system controller 1000, which may be operably coupled to a user interface.
[0385] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of an apparatus comprising a respiratory temperature control system. The system is configured to control the temperature of air in the passageway of the support 300 so that air that flowing from the passageway into the test chamber 100 is temperature regulated. The system comprises a heater 560 positioned and configured to heat air in the passageway, a temperature sensor 562 positioned and configured to detect temperature in the passageway, and a temperature controller 564 operably coupled to the temperature sensor 562 and the heater 560. The temperature controller 562 is configured to control the heater 560 to regulate the temperature of the air based on input from the temperature sensor 562. The temperature controller 564 may be operably coupled to a system controller 1000, which may be operably coupled to a user interface.
[0386] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an apparatus comprising a carbon dioxide control system. The system comprises a source of pressurized 100% carbon dioxide 550 operably coupled to a first valve 552, a positive pressure pump 450 operably coupled to a second valve 554, and an in-line mixer 559 upstream of the valves 552, 554. The system also comprises a carbon dioxide sensor 558 upstream of the mixer 559, a carbon dioxide controller 556 operably coupled to the carbon dioxide sensor 558 and the first 552 and second 554 valves. The controller 556 is configured to cause the first 552 and second 554 valves to open and close based on input from the sensor 558 to maintain a desired carbon dioxide concentration in air flowing through the conduit 410 into the passageway of the support and into the test chamber. The carbon dioxide controller 556 may be operably coupled to a system controller 1000, which may be operably coupled to a user interface.
[0387] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of an apparatus comprising a pH control system. The system comprises a humidifier 570 having a reservoir containing water, a mixer 586 in the reservoir of the humidifier 570, an acid pump 582 coupled to an acid source 581 and configured to pump acid from the source 581 into the reservoir of the humidifier 470. The system also comprises an base pump 584 coupled to an base source 583 and configured to pump base from the source 583 into the reservoir of the humidifier 470, a pH sensor 588 upstream of the reservoir 570, and a pH controller 580. The pH controller 580 is operably coupled to the pH sensor 588, the acid pump 582, the base pump 584, and the mixer 586. The pH controller 580 may cause the acid pump 582 or the base pump 584 to pump acid or base into the reservoir of the humidifier 570 and to activate the mixer 586 based on input from the pH sensor 588. The pH controller 580 may be operably coupled to a system controller 1000, which may be operably coupled to a user interface.
[0388] FIG. 15 illustrates an example of some components of an external environment simulation system having a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes a temperature control unit 620 operably coupled to a valve 610 that is operably coupled to an inlet of the test chamber 100. The temperature control unit 620 may include a heater, a cooler, or a heater and a cooler. The system includes a temperature sensor 624 positioned and configured to measure the temperature of air entering the test chamber 100 through the inlet. The temperature sensor 624 is operably coupled to a temperature controller 622, which is operably coupled to the temperature control unit 620. The temperature controller 622 is configured to cause the temperature control unit 620 to adjust the temperature of air entering the test chamber based on input from the temperature sensor 624. The temperature controller 622 may be operably coupled to a system controller 1000, which may be operably coupled to a user interface.
[0389] FIG. 16 illustrates an example of some components of an external environment simulation system having a humidity control system. The humidity control system includes a humidity control unit 630 operably coupled to a valve 610 that is operably coupled to an inlet of the test chamber 100. The humidity control unit 630 may include a humidifier, a dehumidifier, or a humidifier and a dehumidifier. The system includes a humidity sensor 634 positioned and configured to measure the humidity of air entering the test chamber 100 through the inlet. The humidity sensor 634 is operably coupled to a humidity controller 632, which is operably coupled to the humidity control unit 630. The humidity controller 632 is configured to cause the humidity control unit 630 to adjust the humidity of air entering the test chamber based on input from the humidity sensor 634. The humidity controller 632 may be operably coupled to a system controller 1000, which may be operably coupled to a user interface.
[0390] FIG. 17 illustrates an example of some components of an external environment simulation system having a UV light control system. The UV light control system includes a UV light source 640 positioned external to the test chamber 100. The test chamber 100 or portions of the test chamber 100 are UV transparent to allow UV light from the source to pass through the interior of the test chamber 100. The UV source 640 may be positioned over the test pollutant introducer 200. The UV system includes a UV sensor 644 positioned in the test chamber 100 and a UV controller 642. The UV sensor 644 may detect UV light intensity, wavelength, or intensity and wavelength. The UV controller 642 is operably coupled to the UV light source 640 and the UV sensor 644 and is configured to cause the UV light source to adjust intensity, spectral output, or intensity and spectral output based on input from the UV sensor 644. The UV controller 642 may be operably coupled to a system controller 1000, which may be operably coupled to a user interface.
[0391] FIG. 18 illustrates an example of some components of an environmental air pollutant control system. The system includes a pollutant introducer 650, which may comprise an aerosol generator such as a nebulizer. The pollutant introducer 650 is operably coupled to a dilution valve 611 that may control the amount of pollutant that enters the inlet of the test chamber 100. The system includes a pollution sensor 654 positioned and configured to detect the amount of environmental pollutant entering the test chamber 100 through the inlet. The system includes a pollutant controller 652 operably coupled to the pollutant introducer 650, the dilution valve 611, and the pollutant sensor 654. The pollutant controller 650 controls the pollutant introducer 650 and the dilution valve 611 to control the amount of pollutant that enters the test chamber through the inlet based on input from the pollutant sensor 654. The pollutant controller 652 may be operably coupled to a system controller 1000, which may be operably coupled to a user interface.
[0392] It will be understood that one or more of, or all, the systems depicted in FIGS. 9-18 may be included in a test apparatus as described in the present disclosure.
[0393] For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A±2% of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.
