초록 ▼

A portal is provided for use with a detector for detecting trace amounts of contraband that may be retained on skin or clothing of the human subject. The portal relies upon the continuous process by which microscopic flakes of skin continuously separate from human subjects. The portal further relies

A portal is provided for use with a detector for detecting trace amounts of contraband that may be retained on skin or clothing of the human subject. The portal relies upon the continuous process by which microscopic flakes of skin continuously separate from human subjects. The portal further relies upon the existence of a human thermal plume consisting of a layer of warm air adjacent the all human subject. The warm air rises in the cooler surrounding air and transports the microscopic flakes of skin upwardly. The portal capitalizes on this phenomenon by providing at least a partial enclosure with a funnel-shaped collector above the human subject. A low speed flow of relatively dense cool air may be introduced into the portal to buoyantly lift the warmer air of the human thermal plume upwardly. The air stream defined by the human thermal plume and the skin particles therein moves to a trap in the funnel-shaped collector above the portal. The trap cooperates with a detector for detecting the presence of molecules of interest.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A portal for collecting substances of interest from a human subject passing therethrough, said portal comprising a plurality of sidewalls spaced from one another sufficiently to define a passage extending therebetween, said sidewalls defining an entry to said passage and

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A portal for collecting substances of interest from a human subject passing therethrough, said portal comprising a plurality of sidewalls spaced from one another sufficiently to define a passage extending therebetween, said sidewalls defining an entry to said passage and an exit therefrom, said entry, said exit and said passage being dimensioned for accommodating passage of the human subject through said portal, a ceiling extending across and connecting top portions of said sidewalls and covering said passage, portions of said ceiling adjacent said passage defining a collector, said collector comprising fan means for collecting air heated by body heat of the human subject and rising upwardly adjacent the human subject as a human thermal plume of heated air at a flow rate on the order of approximately 30-50 liter/sec, said fan means being operative for accommodating the air in the human thermal plume without substantial dilution of air in the human thermal plume by extraneous air. [14.] A portal for collecting substances of interest from a human subject passing therethrough, said portal comprising a plurality of sidewalls spaced from one another sufficiently to define a passage extending therebetween, said sidewalls defining an entry to said passage and an exit therefrom, said entry, said exit and said passage being dimensioned for accommodating passage of the human subject through said portal, a ceiling extending across and connecting top portions of said sidewalls and covering said passage, portions of said ceiling adjacent said passage defining a collector, said collector comprising means for collecting airflow generated by body heat of the human subject without substantial dilution by extraneous air, a plenum disposed beneath said passage, a perforated floor between said plenum and said passage for permitting a flow of air from said plenum into said passage, said plenum further being in communication with a supply of cool air at a temperature cooler than ambient air, a blower for directing said cool air from said plenum into said passage, said cool air from said plenum buoyantly enabling warm air adjacent said human subject to rise toward said collector. The portal of claim 14, wherein said blower is operative to direct said cool air at a speed of no more than approximately 0.5 meter/sec. The portal of claim 15, wherein the cool air has a temperature of about 60.degree. F. [17.] A portal for collecting substances of interest from a human subject passing therethrough, said portal comprising a plurality of sidewalls spaced from one another sufficiently to define a passage extending therebetween, said sidewalls defining an entry to said passage and an exit therefrom, said entry, said exit and said passage being dimensioned for accommodating passage of the human subject through said portal, a ceiling extending across and connecting top portions of said sidewalls and covering said passage, portions of said ceiling adjacent said passage defining a collector, said collector comprising means for collecting airflow generated by body heat of the human subject without substantial dilution by extraneous air, wherein the sidewalls of the portal are substantially cylindrically generated about a common axis, said door being a revolving door disposed between said sidewalls, the collector being between the central axis of said sidewalls and one of said sidewalls. [18.] A portal for collecting substances of interest from a human subject passing therethrough, said portal comprising a plurality of sidewalls spaced from one another sufficiently to define a passage extending therebetween, said sidewalls defining an entry to said passage and an exit therefrom, said entry, said exit and said passage being dimensioned for accommodating passage of the human subject through said portal, a ceiling extending across and connecting top portions of said sidewalls and covering said passage, portions of said ceiling adjacent said passage defining a collector, said collector comprising means for collecting airflow generated by body heat of the human subject without substantial dilution by extraneous air, at least one vortex tube mounted to at least one said wall of said portal, said vortex tube having a first end communicating with said passage through said portal and a second end spaced from said passage, a supply of compressed air communicating with said second end of said vortex tube for selectively producing a vortex ring for delivering airborne kinetic energy to the human subject passing through said portal sufficient to agitate clothing of said human subject and remove trace solids of substances adsorbed thereto without significantly altering the natural airflow adjacent said human subject.