Abstract
An apparatus for studying aerosol includes a test chamber having panels defining an enclosed interior volume. The panels have (i) a first wall having a surface defining an interior of the test chamber, (ii) a second wall defining an exterior of the test chamber, (iii) a void space between the first and second walls, (iv) a panel inlet in communication with the void space, and (v) a panel outlet in communication with the void space. The apparatus includes a chamber inlet port and a chamber outlet port, each extending through one of the panels and in communication with the enclosed interior volume. The apparatus includes a fan disposed in, and positioned and configured to mix air in, the enclosed interior volume. The apparatus includes a trap port extending through one of panels and includes a valve to permit sampling of the contents in the enclosed interior volume.
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. An apparatus for studying aerosol, comprising: a test chamber comprising one or more panels defining an enclosed interior volume, each of the one or more panels having a first wall having a surface defining an interior of the test chamber and having a second wall defining an exterior of the test chamber, wherein a void space is defined between the first and second walls, wherein each of the panels comprises a panel inlet in communication with the void space and a panel outlet in communication with the void space, wherein air flowed through the void space has a temperature greater than the temperature in the enclosed interior volume of the test chamber; a frame configured to retain the one or more panels, wherein one or both of the panel inlet and the panel outlet are defined through the frame; a chamber inlet port extending through one of the one or more panels and defining an air inlet conduit in communication with the enclosed interior volume of the test chamber; a chamber outlet port extending though one of the one or more panels and defining an air outlet conduit in communication with the enclosed interior volume of the test chamber; a fan disposed in the enclosed interior volume of the test chamber, the fan positioned and configured to mix air in the enclosed interior volume; and a trap port for sampling contents from the enclosed interior volume, the trap port extending through one of the one or more panels and comprising a valve to permit sampling of the contents in the enclosed interior volume.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the chamber inlet port is structured to extend through the first and second walls of a first panel of the one or more panels such that air flowing through the inlet port does not flow through the void space of the panel, and wherein the chamber outlet port is structured to extend through the first and second walls of a second panel of the one or more panels such that air flowing through the inlet port and outlet port does not flow through the void space of the panel.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first and second panels are substantially parallel to one another.
19. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising: an antechamber extending from one of the one or more panels, the antechamber defining a sealed antechamber port extending through the first and second walls of the panel; and a tray disposed in the antechamber, the tray being slidable from a first position to a second position, the tray comprising a first wall and a second wall, wherein in the first position, the first wall seals the antechamber port from the interior of the test chamber, and wherein in the second position, the second wall seals the antechamber port from the exterior of the test chamber.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the antechamber comprises a pivotable lid moveable from an open position to a closed position, wherein in the closed position the lid prevents access to the antechamber, and wherein the lid in the open position provides access to the antechamber.
21. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the trap port is one of a plurality of trap ports positioned at a variety of positions about the test chamber.
22. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the surface of the first wall that defines the enclosed interior volume of the test chamber is inert.
23. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a dilution valve operably coupled to the chamber inlet port.
24. The apparatus according to claim 16, comprising an exposure panel port through which at least a portion of an exposure panel may be inserted into the enclosed interior volume of the test chamber.
25. A system comprising: the apparatus according to claim 16; air moving apparatus operably coupled to one or both of the panel inlet and the panel outlet of the one or more panels of the test chamber, wherein the air moving apparatus is configured to cause air to flow through the void space between the first and second walls of the one or more panels of the test chamber.
26. The system according to claim 25, wherein the test chamber comprises more than one panel, and wherein the system further comprises a manifold operably coupled to each panel inlet, each panel outlet, or each panel inlet and each panel outlet, wherein the manifold is operably coupled to the air moving apparatus such that the air moving apparatus and the manifold causes air to flow through void space of each panel.
27. The system according to claim 25, further comprising a heater positioned and adapted to heat air that enters the panel inlet.
28. The system according to claim 25, further comprising a humidifier operably coupled to the chamber inlet port, the humidifier configured to provide conditioned air to the enclosed interior volume of the test chamber.
29. The system according to claim 28, comprising a controller operably coupled to the humidifier, wherein the controller is configured and adapted to control the humidifier to control one or more of the air flow rate, temperature, and humidity of the conditioned air provided by the humidifier to the enclosed interior volume of the test chamber.
Description
[0113] Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:
[0114] FIG. 1 is schematic perspective view of a test chamber;
[0115] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective sectional view of panels and a frame of a test chamber;
[0116] FIG. 3 is a schematic top plan view of a panel;
[0117] FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom plan view of a panel;
[0118] FIG. 5 is a schematic top plan view of an apparatus including a test chamber;
[0119] FIG. 6 is a schematic bottom plan view of an apparatus including a test chamber;
[0120] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a test chamber showing a partially opened panel;
[0121] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a side panel of a test chamber and antechambers extending from the side panel;
[0122] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of an antechamber and a tray;
[0123] FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of an apparatus showing a panel and an antechamber;
[0124] FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of a bottom panel showing a chamber inlet port and a humidifier;
[0125] FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of a top panel showing a chamber outlet port and a trap port;
[0126] FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view of a top panel and an exposure panel port;
[0127] FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view of a side panel and a fan;
[0128] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a test chamber on a cart and a hot air blower and manifold on a shelf of the cart;
[0129] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of components of a system on a cart; and
[0130] FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of components of a system.
[0131] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a test chamber 100. The test chamber 100 comprises a frame 120 configured to retain multiple panels (panels 110A and 110B are labelled). The test chamber 100 includes a top panel 110A, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, a left panel, and a right panel 110B. The panels define an enclosed interior volume 130 in which an aerosol may be tested. The panels 110A, 110B are transparent to allow the enclosed interior volume 130 of the test chamber 100 to be visually observed.
[0132] The test chamber 100 has a length L, width W, and height H. As an example, the length L may be 1000 millimetres, the width W may be 500 millimetres, and the height H may be 450 millimetres.
[0133] FIG. 2 illustrates a section of a portion of the frame 120 and panels (panel 110B is labelled). The panel 110B comprises a first wall 112 that defines a portion of the enclosed interior volume of the test chamber. The panel 110B comprises a second wall 114 that defines a portion of an exterior surface of the test chamber. The first 112 and second 114 walls are transparent and may be formed from glass. The first 112 and second 114 walls may have a thickness of 5 mm. A void space 116 is defined between the first 112 and second 114 walls of the panel 110B. Heated air may flow through the void space 116 when the test chamber is in use. The frame 120 may comprise grooves for receiving the first 112 and second 114 walls of the panel 110B to retain the walls 112, 114. Sealing elements (not shown) such as Viton strips may seal the walls 112, 114 within the grooves of the frame 120.
[0134] FIG. 3 is a schematic example of a top plan view of a panel 110B. The panel 110B includes a panel inlet 113 formed through the frame 120. The panel inlet 113 may be operably coupled to a hot air blower to allow heated air to flow through the void space between the first and second walls of the panel 110B.
[0135] FIG. 4 is a schematic example of a bottom plan view of a panel 110B. The panel 110B includes a panel outlet 115 formed through the frame 120. The panel outlet 115 may be vented directly to ambient atmosphere.
[0136] FIG. 5 is a schematic top plan view of an apparatus including a test chamber showing a top panel 110A, antechambers 160A, 160B extending from a side panel of the test chamber, a plurality of trap ports (trap port 150A is labelled), a chamber outlet port 140, and two exposure panel ports 170.
[0137] FIG. 6 is a schematic bottom plan view of an apparatus including a test chamber showing a bottom panel 110C, antechambers 160A, 160B extending from a side panel of the test chamber, and a chamber inlet port 180.
[0138] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a test chamber 100 showing a partially opened front panel 110D. The front panel 110D opens to allow access to the interior volume of the test chamber 100. When the front panel 110D is opened, the interior of the test chamber 100 may be cleaned and components, such as the fan 300, may be serviced. The front panel 110D is connected to the frame 120 by hinges 200. The front panel 110D includes a handle 210 to facilitate opening. When closed, the front panel 110D may be secured relative to the frame 120 via magnetic forces. A sealing element (not shown) may be disposed between the frame 120 and the front panel 110D when the front panel 110D is closed.
[0139] Antechambers 160A, 160B extend from the left side panel 110E.
[0140] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of antechambers 160A, 160B extending from the left side panel 110E. The antechambers 160A, 160B include a rectangular box 162 and a lid 164. The lid 164 has a handle 166 to facilitate opening.
[0141] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of an antechamber 160 and a tray 250 slidable within the antechamber 160. The antechamber 160 comprises a rectangular box 162 and a lid 164 pivotably attached to the box 162. The tray 250 includes a base 260, a first wall 270 attached to the base 260 at one end, and a second wall 280 attached to the base 260 at an opposing end. A pushing element (not shown), such as a rod, may be used to slide the tray 250 relative to the antechamber 160.
[0142] FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of an apparatus showing a side panel 110E, an antechamber 160 and a tray 250 slidable within the antechamber 160. The panel 110E comprises a first wall 112 that defines a portion of the interior volume of the test chamber. The panel 110E comprises a second wall 114 that defined a portion of the exterior surface of the test chamber. The antechamber lid 164 is shown as open to allow access to the interior of the antechamber box 162. An object 300 may be placed on the tray 250 of the base 260, and the tray 250 may be slid so that the object 300 may be placed in communication with the interior volume of the test chamber. When the tray 250 is fully slid to the right in the orientation depicted in FIG. 10, the second wall 280 of the tray 250 sealingly engages the second wall 114 of the panel 110E. When the tray 250 is fully slid to the left in the orientation depicted in FIG. 10, the first wall 270 of the tray 250 sealingly engages the first wall 112 of the panel 110E.
[0143] FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of a bottom panel 110C showing a chamber inlet port 180 and a humidifier 400. The chamber inlet port 180 extends across the first 112 and second 114 walls of the panel 110C. The first wall 112 of the panel 110C defines a portion of the interior volume of the test chamber. The second wall 114 of the panel 110C defines a portion of the exterior surface of the test chamber. The chamber inlet port 180 is operably coupled to the humidifier 400 via a conduit.
[0144] FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of a top panel 110A showing a chamber outlet port 140 and trap ports 150. The chamber outlet port 180 and the trap ports 150 extend across the first 112 and second 114 walls of the panel 110A. The first wall 112 of the panel 110A defines a portion of the interior volume of the test chamber. The second wall 114 of the panel 110A defines a portion of the exterior surface of the test chamber. The trap ports 150 comprise a valve 155 that may be opened to extract an air sample from the interior volume of the test chamber and may be closed to enclose the interior volume of the test chamber. The chamber outlet port 140 may also include, or may be operably coupled to, a valve (not shown).
[0145] FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view of a top panel 110A and an exposure panel port 190. The exposure panel port 190 extends across the first 112 and second 114 walls of the panel 110A. The first wall 112 of the panel 110A defines a portion of the interior volume of the test chamber. The second wall 114 of the panel 110A defines a portion of the exterior surface of the test chamber. The exposure panel port 190 includes a sidewall 192. A plug 195 is disposed in the exposure panel port 190. A sealing element 197, such as Viton strip or O-ring, seals the plug 195 relative to the sidewall 192 of the exposure panel port 190.
[0146] FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view of a side panel 110B and a fan 300. The panel 110B comprises a first wall 112 and a second wall 114. The first wall 112 of the panel 110B defines a portion of the interior volume of the test chamber. The second wall 114 of the panel 110B defines a portion of the exterior surface of the test chamber. The fan 300 includes a blade 310 operably coupled to a motor 330. The motor 330 is positioned outside the test chamber, and the blades 310 are within the test chamber between the first wall 112 and a fan shield 320, which is part of a housing of the fan 300. Support elements 340 are connected to the shield 320 to retain the fan 300 relative to the panel 110B.
[0147] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a test chamber 100 on a cart 600 and a hot air blower 500 and manifold 550 on a shelf 610 of the cart 600. The hot air blower 500 is operably coupled to the manifold 550. Conduits 560 operably couple panel inlets of each panel of the test chamber 100 to the manifold 550 so that heated air may move through the void space of the panels to prevent condensation on the inner surface of the first wall of the panels when the test chamber is in use.
[0148] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of components of a system on a cart 600. A test chamber 100 is placed on top of the cart 100. Components, such as the humidifier 400, heated air blower 500 and manifold 550 are placed on a shelf 610 of the cart 600. The cart 600 includes wheels and is configured to be pushed or pulled by a user so that the system is portable.
[0149] FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of components of a system. The system includes a test chamber 100 having an enclosed interior volume 130, a chamber inlet port 180, and a chamber outlet port 145 comprising a valve. The system also comprises a motor 800, a pressure sensor 900, a humidifier 400, a hot air blower 500, and a controller 700. The controller 700 is operably coupled to the motor 800, the pressure sensor 900, the humidifier 400, and the hot air blower 500. The valve of the chamber outlet port 145 is operably coupled to the motor 800.
[0150] The hot air blower 500 is coupled to panel inlets of panels of the test chamber 100 to cause heated air to flow through void spaces of the panels to reduce or prevent condensation on the interior surface of the test chamber 100. The panel inlets are formed through the frame. The controller 700 is configured to control the temperature of the air blown by the hot air blower 500. The temperature of the air blown by the hot air blower 500 may be greater than the temperature of the air provided by the humidifier 400.
[0151] The humidifier 400 is operably coupled to the chamber inlet port 180 and is configured to provide conditioned air to the enclosed interior volume 130 of the test chamber 100 via the chamber inlet 180. The controller is configured to control the temperature, humidity, and flow rate of the conditioned air provided by the humidifier 400.
[0152] The pressure sensor 900 senses pressure in the enclosed interior volume 130 of the test chamber 100. The pressure sensor 900 may send data regarding pressure to the controller 700. The controller 700 may adjust the flow rate of conditioned air from the humidifier 400 to adjust pressure within the enclosed interior volume 130 of the test chamber 100 based on the data regarding pressure received from the sensor 900. The controller 700 may cause the motor 800 to adjust the valve of the chamber outlet port 145 to adjust pressure within the enclosed interior volume 130 of the test chamber 100 based on the data regarding pressure received from the sensor 900.
[0153] The system in FIG. 17 also includes a dilution valve 499 operably coupled to the chamber inlet port 180. The dilution valve 499 may permit aerosol, gases, or other components to be mixed with conditioned air directed through the chamber inlet port 499. The dilution valve 499 may mix the aerosol, gases, or other components with the conditioned air prior to entry into the enclosed interior volume 130 of the test chamber 100. The provision of a dilution valve 499 may advantageously enable the test chamber 100 to simulate a wide range of specific environmental situations for the aerosol study.
[0154] 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.
