Detection system assembly, dryer cartridge, and regenerator and methods for making and using the same
View Patent ↗A detection system assembly is provided. The detection system assembly includes a detector system including a housing having a sample port configured to receive a sample of an unknown substance, a detector assembly in flow communication with the sample port, and a pump in flow communication with the detector assembly. The detection system assembly further includes a dryer cartridge removably coupled to an outer surface of the housing of the detector system. The dryer cartridge is in flow communication with the pump and the detector assembly.
1. A detection system assembly comprising:
a detector system including a housing comprising:
a sample port configured to receive a sample of an unknown substance;
a detector assembly in flow communication with the sample port; and
a pump in flow communication with the detector assembly; and
a dryer cartridge removably coupled to an outer surface of the housing of the detector system, the dryer cartridge in flow communication with the pump and the detector assembly.
2. A detection system assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the detector assembly comprises a desorber configured to heat the sample.
3. A detection system assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the detector assembly comprises at least one of an ion mobility spectrometer and an ion trap mobility spectrometer.
4. A detection system assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the dryer cartridge comprises a coupling portion configured to removably couple the dryer cartridge to the housing.
5. A detection system assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the dryer cartridge comprises:
an inlet configured to receive air flow from the pump;
an outlet configured to discharge air that is directed to the detector assembly; and
a capture portion positioned between the inlet and the outlet, the capture portion configured to capture at least one of liquid particles and liquid vapors from the air flow.
6. A detection system assembly in accordance with claim 5 , wherein the dryer cartridge further comprises a coupling plate configured to couple to the capture portion of the dryer cartridge to the housing of the detector system to secure the dryer cartridge to the housing.
7. A detection system assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the detector system having the dryer cartridge coupled thereto forms a portable, handheld device weighing less than 10 pounds.
8. A dryer cartridge for use with a detector system, the dryer cartridge comprising:
an inlet configured to receive an air flow;
an outlet configured to discharge air;
a capture portion between the inlet and the outlet, the capture portion configured to capture at least one of liquid particles and liquid vapors from the air flow through the inlet; and
a coupling plate configured to removably couple the dryer cartridge to an outer surface of a housing of the detector system, the dryer cartridge configured to receive the air flow from a first component of the detector system and discharge the air into at least a second component of the detector system when the dryer cartridge is coupled to the detector system.
9. A dryer cartridge in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the capture portion comprises sieve material and a housing, the housing coupled to the coupling plate such that the sieve material is enclosed by the housing and the coupling plate.
10. A dryer cartridge in accordance with claim 8 further comprising a gasket coupled between the capture portion and the coupling plate, the gasket configured to isolate a cavity of the capture portion from ambient conditions.
11. A dryer cartridge in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the capture portion comprises a housing having a plurality of baffles adjacent a first side of the gasket.
12. A dryer cartridge in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the coupling plate is positioned adjacent a second side of the gasket opposite the first side of the gasket.
13. A dryer cartridge in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the coupling plate comprises at least one aperture defined therethrough, the at least one aperture configured to receive a fastener therethrough, the fastener configured to couple to the detector system.
14. A method for assembling a detection system assembly including a detector system and a dryer cartridge, the method comprising:
providing the detector system including a housing;
providing the dryer cartridge; and
removably coupling the dryer cartridge to an outer surface of the housing of the detector system to form the detection system assembly.
15. A method in accordance with claim 14 , wherein providing the dryer cartridge further comprises assembling the dryer cartridge by:
providing a housing, sieve material, a gasket, and a coupling plate;
positioning the sieve material within the housing;
positioning the gasket adjacent the housing; and
coupling the coupling plate to the housing to secure the gasket between the coupling plate and the housing.
16. A method in accordance with claim 14 , wherein removably coupling the dryer cartridge to the housing of the detector system further comprises:
inserting a fastener at least partially through the dryer cartridge; and
securing the fastener to the outer surface of the detector system housing.
17. A method for operating a detection system assembly that includes a detector system and a dryer cartridge removably coupled to the detector system, the method comprising:
inserting a sample of a substance into a detector assembly of the detection system assembly;
directing an air flow through the detector assembly to transport the substance through the detector assembly;
directing the air flow through the dryer cartridge to remove at least one of liquid particles and liquid vapors from the air flow; and
identifying at least one of a chemical and a biological material of the substance using an output of the detector assembly.
18. A method in accordance with claim 17 , further comprising:
determining whether the dryer cartridge has been wetted; and
removing the dryer cartridge from a housing of the detector system when the dryer cartridge is determined to be wetted.
19. A method in accordance with claim 18 , wherein determining whether the dryer cartridge has been wetted further comprises determining that the dryer cartridge has been wetted when the dryer cartridge has a concentration of liquid that is more than a liquid concentration threshold.
20. A method in accordance with claim 18 , wherein determining whether the dryer cartridge has been wetted further comprises determining that the dryer cartridge has been wetted when at the dryer cartridge has been used to perform a predetermined number of analyses.
21. A method in accordance with claim 18 , wherein determining whether the dryer cartridge has been wetted further comprises determining that the dryer cartridge has been wetted when at the dryer cartridge has been used for a predetermined length of time.