Trace sampling

Abstract

A trace sampling detection system includes a gathering device configured to gather particles through a handle-bar, a gate and an air-stream gatherer. The handle-bar includes collection holes positioned to be adjacent to a user's hand when the user grips the handle-bar, and is configured to dislodge and capture particles from the user's hand when the user grips and moves the handle-bar. The gate includes a series of collection holes, is positioned to be adjacent to the user's clothing when the user traverses the gate, and is configured to dislodge and capture particles from the user's clothing in response to pressure applied from the user. The air-stream gatherer includes an outward vent and an in-drawing vent, and is positioned to enable objects, such as the user's feet, to be placed between the outward and in-drawing vents. The air stream is configured to dislodge and capture particles from objects, such as the user's feet, that block the air-stream between the vents. A collection tube is configured to deposit gathered particles from the gathering device onto a portion of a sample media. A carousel wheel that includes the sample media is configured to rotate the sample wheel such that the portion of the sample media including the gathered particles is presented to an exothermic decomposition detector that detects, through an infrared sensor, the decomposition of the gathered particles.

1 . A trace sampling detection system comprising:
 a gathering device configured to gather particles through each of:
 a handle-bar including collection holes positioned to be adjacent to a user's hand when the user grips the handle bar, wherein the handle-bar is configured to release particles in response to a grip and motion of the user, 
 a gate including a series of collection holes positioned to be adjacent to the user's clothing when the user traverses the gate, wherein the gate is configured to release particles in response to pressure applied from the user, 
 an air-stream gatherer including an outward vent and an in-drawing vent positioned to enable objects to be placed between the outward and in-drawing vents, wherein the air-stream is configured to release particles from objects that block the air-stream between the outward and in-drawing vent; 
   a collection tube configured to deposit gathered particles from the gathering device onto a portion of a sample media;   a carousel wheel that includes the sample media and is configured to rotate the sample wheel such that the portion of the sample media including the gathered particles is presented to an exothermic decomposition detector; and   an exothermic decomposition detector configured to detect, through an infrared sensor, the decomposition of the gathered particles.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the collection holes are tapered. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the collection holes have edges configured to scrape a surface that contacts the edges. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the handle-bar is configured to move in a radial motion. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the handle-bar includes a conductivity sensor configured to detect the presence of skin. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the gate is shaped with a curve that is designed to conform to the shape of part of a human body. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the gate will swing out only when the handle-bar is moved. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the movement of the gate presents a path for the user to traverse. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the gathering device is configured to gather particles concurrently from the handle-bar, gate, and the air-stream gatherer. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the analyzing system is configured to detect particles other than explosive particles. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a blower to create the vacuum in the collection holes and the in-drawing vent. 
     
     
         12 . A trace sampling detection system comprising:
 a gathering device configured to gather particles through two or more of:
 a handle-bar including collection holes positioned to be adjacent to a user's hand when the user grips the handle bar, 
 a gate including a series of collection holes positioned to be adjacent to the user's clothing when the user traverses the gate, 
 an air-stream gatherer including an outward vent and an in-drawing vent positioned to enable objects to be placed between the outward and in-drawing vents; and 
   an analyzing device configured to analyze gathered particles from the gathering device for properties that are indicative of the presence of particles of explosive materials.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the collection holes are tapered. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the collection holes have edges configured to scrape a surface that contacts the edges. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the handle-bar is configured to move in a radial motion. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the handle-bar includes a conductivity sensor configured to detect the presence of skin. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the gate will swing out only when the handle-bar is moved. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the movement of the gate presents a path for the user to traverse. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12  wherein either the gate or the handle-bar employs less resistance to movement for slow movements than for quick movements. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the gathering device is configured to gather particles concurrently from two or more of the handle-bar, gate, and the air-stream gatherer. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the analyzing system is configured to detect particles other than explosive particles. 
     
     
         22 . A method of trace sampling detection comprising:
 gathering particles through two or more of:
 a handle-bar including collection holes positioned to be adjacent to a user's hand when the user grips the handle bar, 
 a gate including a series of collection holes positioned to be adjacent to the user's clothing when the user traverses the gate, 
 an air-stream gatherer including an outward vent and an in-drawing vent positioned to enable objects to be placed between the outward and in-drawing vents; and 
   analyzing the gathered particles for properties that are indicative of the presence of particles of explosive materials.   
     
     
         23 . A trace sampling detection system, comprising
 a gathering device configured to gather particles through one or more collection holes;   an impact collector configured to deposit gathered particles onto a portion of a sample media;   a carousel wheel which includes the sample media wherein the carousel wheel is configured to rotate the sample wheel such that the portion of the sample media including the deposited gathered particles is presented to an exothermic decomposition detector;   an exothermic decomposition detector configured to detect, through an infrared sensor, decomposition of heated materials.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the carousel wheel is configured to heat the sample media resistively. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the sample media is configured to be resistively heated by running a current through the sample media. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the sample media is configured such that the same portion of the sample media may be reused through multiple exposures to the impact collector and the exothermic decomposition detector. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the exothermic decomposition detector is configured to heat the sample media radiatively. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the carousel wheel is configured to direct the sample media through a reel-to-reel mechanism. 
     
     
         29 . A transportation mechanism for a trace sampling particle detection system which includes a gathering device, an impact collector configured to deposit gathered particles, and an exothermic decomposition detector configured to detect decomposition of a deposited material, the transportation mechanism comprising:
 a carousel wheel which includes a sample media configured to accept a deposit of material from the impact collector, wherein the carousel wheel is configured to rotate the sample wheel such that the portion of the sample media including the deposited gathered particles is presented to the exothermic decomposition detector.