초록 ▼

A system and method for detecting hazardous materials inside containers includes an air distribution plate 20 that defines an air plenum AP with a series of openings 22 that function to distribute a flow of air. An air input port 26 and an air output port 28 are provided to allow connection to an ai

A system and method for detecting hazardous materials inside containers includes an air distribution plate 20 that defines an air plenum AP with a series of openings 22 that function to distribute a flow of air. An air input port 26 and an air output port 28 are provided to allow connection to an air recirculation and sensor system 30 including an air mover 32 having an inlet duct 34 that is selectively connectable to the air outlet port 28 and an outlet duct 36 that is selectively connectable to the air inlet port 26 of the semi-trailer 10 . Upon the creation of a recirculation air flow, the air recirculation and sensor system 30 functions to detect the presence of hazardous materials with in the containment.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for detecting hazardous materials in mail and the like, comprising:a. an enclosed chamber in a container which is sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere for containing mail;b. an air plenum associated with one surface of the container and having an air distributor for providing an

1. A system for detecting hazardous materials in mail and the like, comprising:a. an enclosed chamber in a container which is sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere for containing mail;b. an air plenum associated with one surface of the container and having an air distributor for providing an air flow within the chamber;c. air input and output ports for accepting a flow of air for distribution within the container, and through-out the mail contained therein, and for directing the flow of air therefrom for entraining particulates; andd. a hazardous materials detection system for detecting the presence of one or more hazardous materials in the air flow. 2. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said chamber, plenum, ports and detection system are sealed so that air may not escape therefrom into the ambient atmosphere before detecting for the presence of hazardous materials. 3. A system as defined in claim 2, wherein said hazardous materials detection system includes sensors for sensing one or more of biological pathogerts including bacteria, bacterial spores, viruses, rickettsia, toxins, low-volatility chemical particles including chemical warfare agents, VX particles, explosives particles, particles of, or particles associated with, illicit drugs, and other biological particles and materials, and radioactive particles, chemical vapors including chemical warfare agents, explosives and explosives-related compounds, illicit drugs, hazardous industrial materials, other chemical vapors and materials, and other hazardous materials. 4. A system as defined in claim 2 further comprising means for agitating the mail to loosen particles and vapors therefrom to assure that they are entrained in the air flow. 5. A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said agitating means includes an air flow generator to provide air at a sufficient velocity to agitate the mail. 6. A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said container is a semi-trailer, a rail car or a mail container. 7. A system as defined in claim 2 further comprising an air flow generator. 8. A system as defined in claim 7 wherein said air flow generator creates an under-pressure at the air inlet. 9. A system for detecting hazardous materials comprising:a cargo containment for containing a cargo;an air plenum associated with one surface of the interior of the cargo containment and having an air distribution means for distributing an air flow within the containment;air input and output ports for accepting a flow of air for distribution within the containments, and through the mail contained therein, and for directing the flow of air therefrom; anda materials detection system for detecting the presence of one or more materials in the air flow. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein said materials detection system includes sensors for sensing one or more of biological pathogens including backeria, bacterial spores, viruses, rickettsia, toxins, low-volatility chemical particles including chemical warfare agents, VX particles, explosives particles, particles of, or particles associated with, illicit drugs, and other biological particles and materials, and radioactive particles, chemical vapors including chemical warfare agents, explosives and explosives-related compounds, illicit drugs, hazardous industrial materials, other chemical vapors and materials, and other hazardous materials. 11. A method for detecting hazardous materials in mail, comprising the steps of:a. providing an airtight container for holding mail and having at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet;b. moving air through the container and through the mail contained therein between said air inlet and said air outlet;c. providing at least one hazardous material sensor; andd. directing air leaving the container to said sensor. 12. A method as defined in claim 11, further comprising the steps of:e. analyzing the air in or leaving the container for at least trace amounts of hazardous materials; andf. providing an aler t signal when the air being analyzed contains at least trace amounts of hazardous material. 13. A method as defined in claim 12, further comprising the step of:g. agitating the mail in the container sufficiently to dislodge at least a trace amount of any hazardous material contained therein or thereon. 14. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein the step of moving air creates an under-pressure at the air outlet. 15. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein the step of moving air creates an over-pressure at the air inlet. 16. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein the method is carried out in the absence of a heating treatment. 17. The system of claim 1 wherein said air distributor includes a sub-floor having holes throughout for distributing the air flow through the mail contained therein.