METHODS TO OBTAIN A BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE REPRESENTATIVE OF A PASSENGER CABIN ON AN AIRCRAFT AUTOMATICALLY FROM THE COLLECTOR DEVICE

Abstract

A system for monitoring aircraft air including a collector for collecting particulate samples positioned within at least one of an outlet flow path or a recirculation flow path of an environmental control system of an aircraft, wherein the collector is accessible to a user within the cabin of the aircraft.

Claims

1. A method for collecting particulates from aircraft air of an aircraft comprising: capturing particulates in an outlet flow path with a collector for a period of time, wherein the period of time is a duration of a flight and wherein capturing the particulates is unaided by a pump in order to move the aircraft air to the collector; removing the collector from the outlet flow path for testing, wherein the collector is configured to be removed from the outlet flow path to conduct a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test on at least one particulate captured in the collector on-board the aircraft after the duration of the flight to determine whether the aircraft is virus free upon arrival; and inserting a clean collector into the outlet flow path for use during another period of time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the collector is out of line-of-sight view of cabin crew while in a collecting position.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the collector is accessible by a lift, an access gate, or a roller to a user within a cabin of the aircraft.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the particulates include droplets exhaled from passengers throughout the duration of the flight.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: relaying a result of the PCR test to a central data center.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the collector includes an adaptor and a filter material operatively connected to the adaptor and wherein the method further comprises: removing the filter material from the adaptor.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: cleaning the adaptor in isopropyl alcohol.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:

[0011] FIGS. 1a and 1b show an embodiment of a system for monitoring aircraft air constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, showing a roller or lift placement to bring the collector to the users.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a system monitoring aircraft air in accordance with the disclosure showing a collector within a cabin of an aircraft is shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b and is designated generally by reference character 100. The systems and methods described herein can be used to provide access to air monitors that are located within the cargo bay. The embodiments of the system for monitoring aircraft air of the present disclosure provide a means for testing air in any enclosed space such as inside an aircraft, and allows for the detection of a virus or other contaminant.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, a system 100 for monitoring aircraft air is disclosed. The system 100 includes a collector 102 for collecting particulate samples positioned within at least one of an outlet flow path 104 or a recirculation flow path of an environmental control system of an aircraft. The collector 102 is accessible to a user within the cabin of the aircraft, but is out of line-of-sight view of cabin crew while in a collecting position. The collector 102 becomes accessible and visible by a lift, an access gate, or a roller to the user within the cabin of the aircraft, for example, through a trap door 106 on the floor of the galley area that would give access to a receiving box with the sample. Different systems can be used for that transport ranging from a traditional mechanical belt, a vacuum powered transport pipe or a magnetic sling to bring the sample from below the floor to the testing area.

[0014] The particulate samples include droplets exhaled from passengers throughout a duration of a flight. The collector 102 includes a filter material which can be scrubbed to remove the collected samples from the collector, alternatively the collector can be removed and replaced by a clean collector prior to the next flight. The collector can include an adaptor and a filter material operatively connected to the adaptor. The adapter can include a frame and the filter material is mounted to the frame.

[0015] The system can also include a mounting slot in the outlet flow path upstream from the outflow valve, wherein the collector is positioned within the mounting slot. The collector 102 can be configured and adapted to be removed from the mounting slot for testing by using a lift or roller.

[0016] A method of collecting particulates from aircraft air is also disclosed. The method includes capturing particulates in an outlet flow path with a collector for a period of time, wherein capturing particulates is unaided by a pump in order to move the air to the collector, removing the collector from at least one of the outlet flow path or the recirculation flow path for testing, inserting a clean collector into at least one of the outlet flow path or the recirculation flow path for use during another period of time, wherein the collector is located below the cabin area of the aircraft and is brought up via a hatch or rollers at the conclusion of the flight by the cabin crew or other specialty personnel for testing and replacement. The recirculation flow path can be based on inherent pressure differences within the aircraft cabin, galleys, and cargo bay.

[0017] The method can include doing a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test on at least one particulate captured in the collector, and relaying a result of the PCR test to a central data center, wherein the period of time is a duration of a flight, and wherein the PCR test is done on-board an aircraft after the duration of the flight to determine if the aircraft is virus free upon arrival. The collector can include an adaptor and a filter material operatively connected to the adaptor, the method further comprising removing the filter material from the adaptor. The adapter can be cleaned using isopropyl alcohol.

[0018] The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for a method of operating, using, and replacing a sample collector for testing the air quality and pathogen presence on an aircraft. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure.