US 12,352,672 B2
Methods and systems for automated analysis of aerosol sampling filters
John Volckens, Fort Collins, CO (US); Christian L'Orange, Fort Collins, CO (US); Gabriel Neymark, Golden, CO (US); and Ellison Carter, Fort Collins, CO (US)
Assigned to Colorado State University Research Foundation, Fort Collins, CO (US)
Filed by Colorado State University Research Foundation, Fort Collins, CO (US)
Filed on Feb. 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/670,204.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/148,952, filed on Feb. 12, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0260462 A1, Aug. 18, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 1/22 (2006.01); G01N 21/3518 (2014.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 1/2273 (2013.01) [G01N 1/2205 (2013.01); G01N 21/3518 (2013.01); B25J 9/1679 (2013.01)] 31 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated air quality analysis system comprising:
a sealed enclosure;
a filter sample analysis system disposed within the sealed enclosure, the filter sample analysis system comprising:
an automated filter management system including a filter storage rack comprising a plurality of filter samples and an articulating robotic arm configured to select one of the filter samples for analysis,
a filter weighing apparatus configured to determine a weight of the selected filter sample, and
a primary chemical analysis apparatus configured to perform electromagnetic energy spectroscopy measurement on the selected filter sample; and
a controller operably coupled with the filter sample analysis system, the controller configured to:
operate the automated filter management system to transport the selected filter sample to the filter weighing apparatus and the primary chemical analysis apparatus via a transport tray comprising a slot in which the selected filter sample is disposed for transport and a cartridge holder configured to hold a sampling cartridge associated with the selected filter sample for identification,
obtain data from the filter sample analysis system, and
determine type and amount of accumulated mass in the selected sample based on the weight and a result of the electromagnetic energy spectroscopy measurement.