AIR SAMPLING ACTUATOR AND ASSOCIATED METHOD
An air sampling actuator and associated method are disclosed. The air sampling actuator may include a housing configured to mount on a canister, a motor configured to be accommodated in the housing, and an adaptor. The motor may generate a mechanical action, in response to a control signal received by the motor. The adaptor may be coupled to the motor and configured to interface with a valve-controlling knob of the canister. In a first configuration of the air sampling actuator, the adaptor may be uncoupled from the valve-controlling knob of the canister, and the hook portion may be unengaged with the canister. In a second configuration of the air sampling actuator, the adaptor may be coupled with the valve-controlling knob of the canister, and the hook portion may be engaged with the canister.
1 . An air sampling actuator deployable on a canister, the air sampling actuator comprising:
a housing configured to mount on the canister;
a motor configured to be accommodated in the housing, and powered by an electrical supply, wherein the motor is configured to generate a mechanical action in response to a control signal received by the motor;
a bracket configured to attach the motor with a structure adjoining a valve-controlling knob; and
an adaptor coupled to the motor, wherein the adaptor is configured to engage with the valve-controlling knob;
wherein in a first configuration of the air sampling actuator:
the adaptor is uncoupled from the valve-controlling knob; and
wherein in a second configuration of the air sampling actuator:
the adaptor is coupled with the valve-controlling knob and configured to:
transfer the mechanical action generated by the motor to the valve-controlling knob;
reconfigure the valve-controlling knob in response to the mechanical action transferred; and
release vacuum inside the canister to allow intake of atmospheric air inside the canister for sampling.
2 . The air sampling actuator of claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured as a servo motor.
3 . The air sampling actuator of claim 1 , wherein an action of rotation or the action of linear displacement is for at least one of a predetermined time or a predetermined extent.
4 . The air sampling actuator of claim 3 , wherein reconfiguring the valve-controlling knob of the canister comprises rotary displacement or linear displacement of the valve-controlling knob for the predetermined time or the predetermined extent corresponding to the action of rotation.
5 . The air sampling actuator of claim 1 , further comprising:
a hook portion defined on the bracket;
wherein the hook portion is configured to engage with the structure to attach the motor with the structure.
6 . The air sampling actuator of claim 5 , further comprising:
a hook portion defined on the bracket;
wherein the hook portion is configured to engage with the structure to attach the motor with the structure.
7 . The air sampling actuator of claim 6 , wherein the hook portion comprises:
one or more locking holes to allow the bracket to be locked with the structure using one or more locking fasteners.
8 . The air sampling actuator of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises:
one or more slots, each of the one or more slots configured to receive a securing fastener to fasten the housing with the motor, to secure the housing with the canister; and
wherein the housing is configured to slide relative to the motor via the one or more slots.
9 . The air sampling actuator of claim 1 ,
wherein the canister comprises a valve configured to maintain or release the vacuum inside the canister; and
wherein the valve is operated by the valve-controlling knob.
10 . The air sampling actuator of claim 1 , wherein the motor comprises:
a feedback control to allow the motor to perform controlled opening and controlled closing position of the valve-controlling knob, and
wherein the feedback control comprises:
an optical encoder that provides closed-loop feedback to the motor.
11 . An air sampling actuator for actuating a valve-controlling knob, the air sampling actuator comprising:
a motor powered by an electrical supply, wherein the motor is configured to generate a mechanical action in response to a control signal received by the motor;
a bracket configured to attach the motor with a structure adjoining a valve-controlling knob; and
an adaptor coupled to the motor, wherein the adaptor is configured to engage with the valve-controlling knob;
wherein in a first configuration of the air sampling actuator:
the adaptor is uncoupled from the valve-controlling knob; and
wherein in a second configuration of the air sampling actuator:
the adaptor is coupled with the valve-controlling knob and configured to:
transfer the mechanical action generated by the motor to the valve-controlling knob;
reconfigure the valve-controlling knob in response to the mechanical action transferred.
12 . The air sampling actuator of claim 11 , further comprising:
a hook portion defined on the bracket;
wherein the hook portion is configured to engage with the structure to attach the motor with the structure.
13 . The air sampling actuator of claim 12 , wherein the hook portion comprises:
one or more locking holes to allow the bracket to be locked with the structure using one or more locking fasteners.
14 . The air sampling actuator of claim 11 , wherein the bracket comprises:
one or more slots, each of the one or more slots configured to receive a securing fastener to fasten the bracket with the motor;
wherein the bracket is configured to slide relative to the motor via the one or more slots.
15 . The air sampling actuator of claim 11 , wherein the motor comprises:
a feedback control to allow the motor to perform controlled opening and controlled closing position of the valve-controlling knob, and
wherein the feedback control comprises:
an optical encoder that provides closed-loop feedback to the motor.
16 . A method of deploying an air sampling actuator on a valve-controlling knob, the method comprising:
providing the air sampling actuator comprising:
a housing configured to mount on a canister;
a motor configured to be accommodated in the housing, and powered by an electrical supply, wherein the motor is configured to generate a mechanical action, and wherein the mechanical action is generated in response to a control signal received by the motor; and
a bracket;
attaching the motor with a structure adjoining the valve-controlling knob though the bracket;
engaging an adaptor to the valve-controlling knob, wherein the adaptor is coupled to the motor,
wherein upon engaging, the adaptor is configured between:
a first configuration,
wherein in the adaptor is uncoupled from the valve-controlling knob; and
a second configuration,
wherein the adaptor is coupled with the valve-controlling knob.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein attaching the bracket to the structure comprises:
engaging a hook portion defined on the bracket with the structure;
wherein the hook portion comprises:
one or more locking holes to allow the bracket to be locked with the structure using one or more locking fasteners; and
upon engaging, locking the bracket with the structure.
18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
fastening the bracket to the motor,
wherein the bracket comprises:
one or more slots, each of the one or more slots configured to receive a securing fastener to fasten the bracket with the motor; and
wherein the bracket is configured to slide relative to the motor via the one or more slots.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
controlling the motor to perform a mechanical action or a second mechanical action in a controlled manner using a feedback control embedded in the motor, wherein the feedback control comprises:
an optical encoder that provides closed-loop feedback to the motor.
20 . A method of sampling, the method comprising:
providing an air sampling actuator comprising:
a housing configured to mount on a canister;
a motor configured to be accommodated in the housing, and powered by an electrical supply, wherein the motor is configured to generate a mechanical action, and wherein the mechanical action is generated in response to a control signal received by the motor; and
a bracket;
attaching the motor with a structure adjoining a valve-controlling knob though the bracket;
engaging an adaptor to the valve-controlling knob, wherein the adaptor is coupled to the motor,
wherein upon engaging, the adaptor is configured between:
a first configuration,
wherein in the adaptor is uncoupled from the valve-controlling knob; and
a second configuration,
wherein the adaptor is coupled with the valve-controlling knob and configured to:
transfer the mechanical action generated by the motor to the valve-controlling knob;
reconfigure the valve-controlling knob in response to the mechanical action transferred; and
release a vacuum inside the canister to allow intake of atmospheric air inside the canister for sampling.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein attaching the bracket to the structure comprises:
engaging a hook portion defined on the bracket with the structure;
wherein the hook portion comprises:
one or more locking holes to allow the bracket to be locked with the structure using one or more locking fasteners; and
upon engaging, locking the bracket with the structure.
22 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising:
fastening the bracket to the motor,
wherein the bracket comprises:
one or more slots, each of the one or more slots configured to receive a securing fastener to fasten the bracket with the motor; and
wherein the bracket is configured to slide relative to the motor via the one or more slots.
23 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising:
controlling the motor to perform a mechanical action or a second mechanical action in a controlled manner using a feedback control embedded in the motor, wherein the feedback control comprises:
an optical encoder that provides closed-loop feedback to the motor.
24 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising:
operating a valve by the valve-controlling knob to maintain or release the vacuum inside the canister.