US20230122346A1 - Air sampling actuator and associated method - Google Patents

Abstract

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.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• This disclosure relates generally to sampling air, and particularly to an air sampling actuator deployable on a canister for sampling air, and a method of sampling air.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• The present application is a divisional of U.S. Non-Provisional Pat. Application No. 17/495,516, filed Oct. 6, 2021 by Justin Cyrus, et al., entitled “AIR SAMPLING ACTUATOR AND ASSOCIATED METHOD”, which is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional Pat. Application No. 17/217,979 (also known as U.S. Pat. No. 11,150,167 which was issued on 19 October, 2021) entitled “AIR SAMPLING ACTUATOR AND ASSOCIATED METHOD”, and filed 30 Mar. 2021 by Justin Cyrus, et al., which application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/005,057 entitled “CANARY - AUTOMATIC CANISTER EQUIPMENT (ACE)”, and filed 03 April, 2020 by Justin Cyrus, et al. The entirety of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
• Monitoring and reducing air pollution is critical to our ecosystem. Historically, air monitoring has been performed using visual diagnostics or other human senses (e.g., hearing, smelling, etc.). The capturing and preservation of a sample of air from a location (e.g., an oil facility) is an important part of air sampling, for a variety of reasons, such as corporate sustainability commitments, quality of environment, regulatory requirements, etc. For example, an oil facility removing natural gas and/or oil from an underground reservoir utilizes equipment like pumpjacks, holding tanks, valves, pipes, etc. Occasionally, this equipment releases pollution into the atmosphere. This release into the atmosphere (air) is called ‘fugitive gas emission’ or generically ‘pollution’ that should be collected for measurement at a later time and/or at an offsite location.
• In order to monitor the air, a sample of air is obtained in a canister which may be under vacuum. This process is generally performed manually, i.e., a user manually operates a valve of the canister to allow atmospheric air to be sucked inside the canister (due to the canister vacuum).
SUMMARY
• An air sampling actuator deployable on a canister is disclosed, in accordance with an embodiment. In some embodiments, the air sampling actuator may include a housing configured to mount on the canister. The housing may include a hook portion configured to engage with the canister. The air sampling actuator may include a motor configured to be accommodated in the housing. The motor may be powered by an external electrical supply. Further, the motor may be configured to generate a mechanical action, in response to a control signal received by the motor. The air sampling actuator may further include an adaptor coupled to the motor. The adaptor may be 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, to transfer the mechanical action generated by the motor to the valve-controlling knob of the canister, to thereby reconfigure the valve-controlling knob of the canister. Further, in the second configuration of the air sampling actuator, the hook portion may be engaged with the canister.
• A method of sampling air by an air sampling actuator is disclosed, in accordance with another embodiment. The method may include aligning and interfacing an adaptor of the air sampling actuator with a valve-controlling knob of a canister. The adaptor may be coupled to a motor. The motor may be configured to be accommodated in a housing of the air sampling actuator. The motor may be powered by an external electrical supply. Further, the motor may be configured to generate one or more mechanical actions, in response to a control signal received by the motor. Upon interfacing the adaptor with the valve-controlling knob of the canister, the method may further include engaging a hook portion of the housing with the canister. The method may further include triggering the motor to generate a first mechanical action, upon transmitting a first control signal to the motor, to perform sampling of air by the air sampling actuator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The accompanying figures of the drawing, which are included to provide a further understanding of general aspects of the system/method, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. These illustrative aspects of the system/method, and together with the detailed description, explain the principles of the system. No attempt is made to show structural details in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the system and various ways in which it is practiced. The following figures of the drawing include:
• FIG.1 illustrates a perspective view of an air sampling actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG.2 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of a canister and the air sampling actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG.3 illustrates a perspective view of an unassembled air sampling actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG.4 illustrates a perspective view of an adaptor of the air sampling actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG.5 illustrates a front perspective view of a housing of the air sampling actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG.6 illustrates a back perspective view of the housing ofFIG.8;
• FIG.7 is a flowchart of a method of sampling air by the air sampling actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
• FIG.8 illustrates a process of engaging a hook portion of the housing with the canister.
• In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same numerical reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a letter. If only the first numerical reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components and/or features having the same first numerical reference label irrespective of the suffix.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Illustrative embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
• It should be noted that while the following description is configured for an oil and gas facility, other areas that may be configured with the present air sampling actuator (or simply, a device) deployable on a canister. For example, the disclosed device may be utilized at locations ranging from rural marshlands to urban industrial facilities. Other examples of monitored areas include, but are not limited to: beaches (for red-tide blooms), gas stations, painting facilities, parking lots, cattle feed lots, rendering facilities, propane refilling stations, truck servicing bays, etc. As used herein, the term ‘monitored area’ may mean any location where pollution presence (in or around) is monitored. The monitored site may be relatively large or, in one example configured as a wellsite, relatively small of about 0.2 to 2 acres. One application for the present pollution monitor is at/in/near ‘oil facilities’ such as: well sites, drilling rigs, service rigs, offshore platforms, refineries, petrochemical plants, gas plants, pipelines, tank farms, wellheads, pump jacks, etc.
• In some application, one or more canisters may be deployed on a monitored site, and it may be desirable to obtain multiple samples at different times of day. Therefore, manually operating these numerous canisters repeatedly may be cumbersome, and involve excessive manual labor and labor cost. Moreover, manual operation may be prone to errors and it may not be possible to precisely control the amount of air sample to be received in the canister.
• Some electrically controlled valves, for example, solenoid valves are known to be used on the canisters. However, these solenoid valves require the flow control to be modified for integration. Further, the solenoid valves require continuous human observation, and are prone to losing vacuum over time, especially in inclement weather. Moreover, the solenoid valves may introduce contaminants in the canisters. Some other existing solutions for automatically opening valves exist, that require integrating the valve with sensors. However, triggering a valve to open using these sensors (e.g. when a sensor reading exceeds a certain value) can be an arduous task.
• Therefore, an adaptable device that can be installed on existing valves without requiring modification, is capable of accurately sampling air in an automated manner, and minimizes human intervention and errors resulting from the manual operation is desired.
• FIG.1 is a perspective view of anair sampling actuator100 in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure. Theair sampling actuator100 may be configured to be deployed on a canister (not shown inFIG.1).
• FIG.2 illustrates an assembly of acanister200 and theair sampling actuator100 shown as deployed on thecannister200 in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure. Thecanister200 may be used to obtain and store a sample of atmospheric air which is to be monitored. At initial deployment, thecanister200 may be under vacuum. Thecanister200 may include avalve204 which may be configured to maintain or release the vacuum inside thecanister200. For example, when thevalve204 is in closed position, thevalve204 may maintain the vacuum inside thecanister200. In other words, when thevalve204 is in closed position, thevalve204 may not allow atmospheric air to be inhaled (i.e. ‘sucked’) inside thecanister200 through thevalve204. However, when thevalve204 is in an open position, thevalve204 may allow the vacuum to be released, i.e., allow the atmospheric air to be sucked inside thecanister200 through thevalve204.
• To operate thevalve204, i.e., reconfigure thevalve204 between the closed and the open position, thecanister200 may include a valve-controllingknob202. This valve-controllingknob202 may be used to operate thevalve204. For example, the valve-controllingknob202 may be configured to be rotated in clockwise or anticlockwise direction to reconfigure thevalve204 between the closed and the open position. By configuring thevalve204 in the open position, a sample of atmospheric air may be sucked and collected inside thecanister200. This sample of air may later be monitored using an air monitoring system, for example, for determining the composition of the sampled air and therefore estimate the extent of polluting gases in the atmosphere of the monitored site.
• With reference again toFIG.1, theair sampling actuator100 may include ahousing102 which may be configured to mount on thecanister200. Thehousing102 may be made of any rigid material, including, but not limited to, a metal, an alloy, a plastic, etc. Thehousing102 may include ahook portion102A which may be configured to engage with thecanister200, as shown inFIG.2. In particular, thehook portion102A of thehousing102 may be configured to engage with aprotective rim206 of thecanister200. As it will be understood by those skilled in the art, theprotective rim206 may be provided on thecanister200 to protect thevalve204, the valve-controllingknob202, and other accessories attached to thecanister200. By way of an example, as shown in theFIG.2, theprotective rim206 may be circular shaped. In some embodiments, the shape of thehook portion102A of thehousing102 may have a curvature matching with the circular shape of theprotective rim206 of thecanister200, to allow thehook portion102A to engage with theprotective rim206 of thecanister200.
• In order to reconfigure the valve-controllingknob202 between the closed and the open position, theair sampling actuator100 may further include a motor104 (FIG.1). Themotor104 may be configured to be accommodated in thehousing102. In some embodiments, themotor104 may include a motor body which may be so shaped to allow themotor104 to be accommodated in thehousing102 of theair sampling actuator100.
• In some embodiments, themotor104 may be any kind of actuator working on mechanical or electro-mechanical principles used in machine automation. One such actuator may be a radio-control (RC) servo that converts rotational force of an electric rotary motor into rotary or linear movement to generate the requested movement. These electromechanical actuators provide high level of accuracy, have long lifecycle, and are low maintenance. Further, these electromechanical actuators are capable of developing high force, in the order of 100 kilonewtons (kN). For example, “Hiwonder LD-20MG” is one such servo. Themotor104 may be connected through a lead 105 (e.g. standard three-wire connection having two wires for a DC power supply and one wire for control carrying a pulse-width modulation PWM signal). This signal may be generated by simple electronics, or by microcontrollers.
• One or more air sampling actuator(s)100 along with canister(s)200 may be provided in the monitored area to obtain samples of the atmospheric air. Eachair sampling actuator100 may be controlled by an individual or a common controller that may operate theair sampling actuator100 to cause to collect samples of air. Further, these controller(s) may be handled manually at the time of sampling air, or may be programmed to automatically operate theair sampling actuator100, at predetermined time slots, when air sampling is required to be performed. Further, in some embodiments, these controller(s) may operate theair sampling actuator100 based on sensors inputs. The controller(s) may be coupled to one or more sensors installed in monitored area, that may provide data to the controller(s) based on which the controller(s) may cause theair sampling actuator100 to perform sampling of air. For example, the sensors may include gas-leakage sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc. that may provide indication of a gas accumulation, thereby triggering air monitoring and thus air sampling.
• With continued reference toFIG.1, themotor104 may be configured to generate a mechanical action in response to a control signal received by themotor104. This mechanical action may be transferred to the valve-controllingknob202 to reconfigure the valve-controlling knob202 (FIG.2) between the closed and the open position. Themotor104 may receive the control signal via a control wire carrying pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals.
• Themotor104 may include a feedback control that allows the motor to perform controlled opening and accurate closing position of the valve-controllingknob202, and therefore of thevalve204. In some embodiments, the feedback control may be achieved using an optical encoder implemented along with the motor. As it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, an optical encoder is an angular position sensor that may monitor parameters like speed and distance, to provide closed-loop feedback to the motor. Alternately, themotor104 may be manually operated, such that the operator (a user) may control the motor to accurately to perform opening and closing of the valve-controlling knob202 (without feedback).
• To transfer the mechanical action generated by themotor104 to the valve-controllingknob202, theair sampling actuator100 may include anadaptor106. Theadaptor106 may be made of any rigid material, including, but not limited to, a metal, an alloy, a plastic, etc. Theadaptor106 may be coupled to themotor104. As such, the mechanical action generated by themotor104 may be transferred to theadaptor106. For example, themotor104 may cause theadaptor106 to rotate in clockwise or anticlockwise direction, corresponding to the mechanical action generated by themotor104. Theadaptor106 may be further configured to interface with the valve-controllingknob202 of thecanister200. By way of interfacing with the valve-controllingknob202, theadaptor106 may transfer the mechanical action generated by themotor104 to the valve-controllingknob202 of thecanister200. Therefore, theadaptor106 may cause the valve-controllingknob202 to rotate in clockwise or anticlockwise direction, corresponding to the mechanical action generated by themotor104.
• In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.1, theadaptor106 may be cup-shaped and may include aweb106A and aflange106B. For example, in some embodiments, as shown inFIG.1, theweb106A may be a flat and circular part, and theflange106B may be built along the circular periphery of theweb106A extending out from theweb106A, to form a cup shape. As such, theflange106B may have an inner surface and an outer surface. In some embodiments, the inner surface of theflange106B may include one ormore detents106C configured to engage with an outer surface203 (FIG.2) of the valve-controllingknob202. Theouter surface203 of the valve-controllingknob202 of thecanister200 may also include detents similar to thedetents106C, or any other profile which allows thedetents106C on the inner surface of theflange106B to engage therewith. In general, theflange106B of theadaptor106 may include a profile with possible textured inner surface to create necessary friction force with or is able to snuggly fit on the valve-controllingknob202, to transfer the mechanical to the valve-controllingknob202.
• It may be noted that theair sampling actuator100 may be configured to assume a first configuration or a second configuration (e.g. as shown inFIG.8). Theair sampling actuator100 may be in the first configuration, when theair sampling actuator100 is not deployed on thecanister200. However, when deployed on thecanister200, theair sampling actuator100 may be reconfigured into the second configuration. As such, in the first configuration of theair sampling actuator100, theadaptor106 may be uncoupled from the valve-controllingknob202 of thecanister200. Further, in the first configuration of theair sampling actuator100, thehook portion102A may be unengaged from thecanister200.
• In the second configuration of theair sampling actuator100, theadaptor106 may be coupled with the valve-controllingknob202 of thecanister200. As a result of this coupling, theadaptor106 is able to transfer the mechanical action generated by themotor104 to the valve-controllingknob202 of thecanister200, to thereby reconfigure the valve-controllingknob202 of thecanister200 between open and closed position. Further, in the second configuration of theair sampling actuator100, thehook portion102A may be engaged with thecanister200.
• During operation, in order to deploy the air sampling actuator100 (in its first configuration) on thecanister200, theadaptor106 may have to be aligned and interfaced with the valve-controllingknob202 of acanister200. Theadaptor106 may be first aligned with the valve-controllingknob202 and then pushed on to the valve-controllingknob202 to thereby interface theadaptor106 with the valve-controllingknob202. In particular, the one ormore detents106C on the inner surface of aflange106B of theadaptor106 may be aligned with the outer surface of the valve-controllingknob202. Then, theadaptor106 may be pushed on to the valve-controllingknob202 to interface theadaptor106 with the valve-controllingknob202.
• In some embodiments, theair sampling actuator100 may further include an integration mount. The integration mount may bring themotor104 and theadaptor106 in alignment for proper transfer of motion (torque) from themotor104 to thevalve204. The integration mount may therefore mount on both themotor104 and thecanister200. Further, the integration mount may provide weather protection, especially when theair sampling actuator100 is installed in the outside environment.
• Once theadaptor106 is interfaced with the valve-controllingknob202, in order to deploy theair sampling actuator100 on the canister, theadaptor106 may have to be locked with the valve-controllingknob202. To this end, in some embodiments, theadaptor106 may include ananchor hole106D on theflange106B of theadaptor106. Correspondingly, the valve-controllingknob202 may also have a hole to match withanchor hole106D. Theadaptor106 may be configured to be locked with the valve-controllingknob202, by fitting an anchoring fastener (not shown inFIGS.1-2) through theanchor hole106D and the hole of the valve-controllingknob202. By way of an example, the anchoring fastener may be a bolt, a screw, a pin, a cotter, or the like.
• Further, once theadaptor106 is interfaced with the valve-controllingknob202, thehook portion102A of thehousing102 may be engaged with theprotective rim206 of thecanister200, to thereby mount thehousing102 on thecanister200. To this end, as mentioned earlier, the shape of thehook portion102A may have a curvature matching with the circular shape of theprotective rim206 of thecanister200, to allow thehook portion102A to engage with theprotective rim206 of thecanister200.
• In some embodiments, thehousing102 may be configured to slide relative to themotor104. In some embodiments, in the first configuration of theair sampling actuator100, thehousing102 may be positioned vertically upwards relative to themotor104. Once theadaptor106 is interfaced with the valve-controllingknob202, in order to engage thehook portion102A with theprotective rim206, thehousing102 may have to be moved vertically downwards relative to themotor104. This may be done by sliding thehousing102 downwards, so as to reposition thehousing102 relative to themotor104. By way of sliding and repositioning thehousing102, thehook portion102A of the housing may be caused to engage with theprotective rim206 of thecanister200, to thereby engage thehousing102 with thecanister200.
• Additionally, in some embodiments, in order to deploy theair sampling actuator100 on thecanister200, thehousing102 may be locked with thecanister200 using one or more locking fasteners. To this end, thehousing102 may include one or more locking holes102B on thehook portion102A of thehousing102. Thehousing102 may be locked with thecanister200, by using one or more locking fasteners (not shown inFIGS.1-2) through the one or more locking holes102B on thehook portion102A of thehousing102. By way of an example, the one or more locking fasteners may include bolts, or nut-bolt assembles, or screws, etc. As shown inFIG.1, the one or more locking holes102B may allow the one or more locking fasteners to pass across thehook portion102A of thehousing102 to thereby fasten thehousing102 with theprotective rim206 of thecanister200.
• Further, additionally, in some embodiments, in order to deploy theair sampling actuator100 on the canister, thehousing102 may be fastened with themotor104 using one or more securing fasteners. To this end, thehousing102 may include one or more slots (not shown inFIGS.1-2), to secure thehousing102 with thecanister200. Thehousing102 may be fastened with thecanister200, by using one or more securing fasteners (not shown inFIGS.1-2) passing through the one or more slots. This is explained in detail in conjunction withFIG.8.
• Referring now toFIG.3, a perspective view of an unassembledair sampling actuator100 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment. The samplingvalve actuator device100 may include thehousing102, themotor104, and theadaptor106. Themotor104 may be configured to be accommodated in thehousing102. Further, theadaptor106 may be coupled to themotor104.
• In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.3, theadaptor106 may be coupled to themotor104 via abracket108. For example, an output shaft of themotor104 may include one or more splines. Further, a central region of thebracket108 may include acenter hole108A with one or more indentations to fit on the output shaft with the one or more splines. Theadaptor106 may be configured to be fitted to thebracket108. To this end, thebracket108 may include one or more periphery holes108B. Correspondingly, the adaptor may include one or morefitting holes106E. Theadaptor106 may, therefore, be fitted to thebracket108 via the one or more periphery holes108B and the one or morefitting holes106E, using one or more fastening members. These fastening members may include bolts, screws, pins, etc.
• FIG.4 illustrates a magnified perspective view of theadaptor106, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As mentioned before, theadaptor106 may be cup-shaped having theweb106A and theflange106B. Further, the inner surface of theflange106B may include one ormore detents106C configured to engage with anouter surface203 of the valve-controllingknob202. Furthermore, theadaptor106 may include theanchor hole106D on theflange106B. Theanchor hole106D may allow theadaptor106 to be locked with the valve-controllingknob202 of thecanister200, by fastening an anchoring fastener (not shown inFIG.4) through theanchor hole106D. As mentioned above, theadaptor106 may further include one or morefitting holes106E to allow theadaptor106 to be fitted to thebracket108.
• FIGS.5-6 illustrate a front perspective view and a rear perspective view, respectively, of thehousing102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIGS.5-6, thehousing102 may include thehook portion102A. Further, thehousing102 may include one or more locking holes102B on thehook portion102A. Thehousing102 may be locked with thecanister200, by using one or more locking fasteners (not shown inFIGS.5-6) through the one or more locking holes102B.
• Referring now toFIG.7, a flowchart of a method400 of sampling air by theair sampling actuator100 is disclosed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method400 may be performed by theair sampling actuator100 deployed on thecanister200. As mentioned earlier, thecanister200 may be may be under vacuum and capable of receiving and storing atmospheric air. Further, thecanister200 may include thevalve204 configured to maintain or release the vacuum inside thecanister200. Thevalve204 may be operated by the valve-controllingknob202.
• Atstep402, theadaptor106 of theair sampling actuator100 may be aligned and interfaced with the valve-controllingknob202 of thecanister200. As explained in conjunction withFIGS.1-3, theadaptor106 may be coupled to themotor104 of theair sampling actuator100. Themotor104 may be configured to be accommodated in thehousing102 of theair sampling actuator100. Further, themotor104 may be powered by an external electrical supply. Furthermore, themotor104 may be configured to generate one or more mechanical actions, in response to a control signal received by themotor104.
• In some embodiments, in order to align theadaptor106 with the valve-controllingknob202, the one ormore detents106C on the inner surface of aflange106B of theadaptor106 may be aligned with theouter surface203 of the valve-controllingknob202. Once the one ormore detents106C are aligned with theouter surface203 of the valve-controllingknob202, theadaptor106 may be pushed on to the valve-controllingknob202 to interface theadaptor106 with the valve-controllingknob202. It should be noted that the valve-controllingknob202 may be positioned in a preferred angular position, at the time of interfacing theadaptor106 with the valve-controllingknob202. For example, the valve-controllingknob202 may be fully closed (i.e. angular position of the valve-controllingknob202 corresponding to the valve-controllingknob202 being fully closed), when interfacing (i.e. fitting) theadaptor106 with the valve-controllingknob202.
• Additionally, in some embodiments, atstep404, theadaptor106 may be locked with the valve-controllingknob202 of thecanister200, by fastening the anchoring fastener through theanchor hole106D of theflange106B of theadaptor106. By way of an example, the anchoring fastener may be a bolt, a screw, a pin, a cotter, or the like.
• At step406, upon interfacing theadaptor106 with the valve-controllingknob202, thehook portion102A of thehousing102 may be engaged with thecanister200. In other words, thehook portion102A of thehousing102 may be engaged with theprotective rim206 of thecanister200, to thereby mount thehousing102 on thecanister200. The shape of thehook portion102A may have a curvature matching with the circular shape of theprotective rim206 of thecanister200, to allow thehook portion102A to engage with theprotective rim206 of thecanister200.
• In some embodiments, in order to engage thehook portion102A of thehousing102 with thecanister200, thehousing102 may be repositioned relative to themotor104, for example, by sliding thehousing102 relative to themotor104. This is further explained in detail, in conjunction withFIG.8.
• Referring now toFIG.8, aprocess500 of engaging thehook portion102A of thehousing102 with thecanister200 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Atstep502, theair sampling actuator100 is in its first configuration. In this configuration, thehousing102 may be positioned vertically upwards relative to themotor104. As such, thehousing102 may be positioned vertically upwards relative to theprotective rim206 of thecanister200, and therefore, unengaged with theprotective rim206. One ormore securing fasteners110 may be loosely engaged with themotor104 through the one ormore slots102C of thehousing102.
• In order to engage thehook portion102A with theprotective rim206 of thecanister200, thehousing102 may have to be moved vertically downwards relative to themotor104 by sliding thehousing102, so as to reposition thehousing102 relative to themotor104, to thereby engage thehook portion102A with theprotective rim206.
• Therefore, atstep504, thehousing102 is repositioned relative to themotor104, upon sliding thehousing102 vertically downwards relative to themotor104. As a result, thehook portion102A is engaged with theprotective rim206. Once thehook portion102A is engaged with theprotective rim206, the one ormore securing fasteners110 may be later tightened to fix the position of thehousing102 with the motor104 (at step410).
• With reference again toFIG.7, in some embodiments, at step408, thehousing102 may be locked with thecanister200, by using one or more locking fasteners through one or more locking holes102B on thehook portion102A of thehousing102. For example, the one or more locking fasteners may include bolts, or nut-bolt assembles, or screws, etc.
• In some embodiments, at step410, thehousing102 may be fastened with themotor104 using the one ormore securing fasteners110 via the one ormore slots102C of thehousing102, to secure thehousing102 with thecanister200. As already explained in conjunction withFIG.8, once thehook portion102A is engaged with theprotective rim206, the one ormore securing fasteners110 may be tightened to fix the position of thehousing102 with themotor104.
• Atstep412, themotor104 may be triggered to generate a first mechanical action, upon transmitting a first control signal to themotor104, to perform sampling of air by theair sampling actuator100.
• By way of an example, the first mechanical action may be an action of rotation. This first mechanical action may be transferred to the valve-controllingknob202 to reconfigure the valve-controllingknob202 between the closed and the open position. Further, the first mechanical action generated by themotor104 may be transferred to the valve-controllingknob202 through theadaptor106. For example, the first mechanical action generated by themotor104 may be to cause theadaptor106 to rotate in clockwise or anticlockwise direction, and further rotate the valve-controllingknob202 of thecanister200 in the rotate in clockwise or anticlockwise direction. The action of rotation may be for a predetermined time and a predetermined extent. In other words, the action of rotation is to cause the rotation of the valve-controllingknob202 to configure the valve-controllingknob202 in the open position for a predetermined time and a predetermined extent, before reconfiguring the valve-controllingknob202 back in the closed position. As such, the action of rotation is to cause thevalve204 to open for a predetermined time and a predetermined extent, before closing back thevalve204, to suck a required amount of atmospheric air in thecanister200, during that predetermined time.
• As such, thevalve204 may be biased in the closed position, e.g., by a spring. The action of rotation may rotate the valve204 (to cause thevalve204 to open) for a predetermined time, before stopping the action of rotation. Once the action of rotation is stopped, thevalve204 may fall back into the closed position by the action of the spring. Therefore, in such embodiments, the first mechanical action may be only to cause and hold the rotation of thevalve204 for a predetermined time.
• As it will be understood, the action of rotation is to obtain a sample of the required amount of atmospheric air inside thecanister200. The required amount of air can be obtained by controlling the duration of time for which the valve is opened and the extent to which thevalve204 is opened. In some embodiments, the extent to which thevalve204 can be opened may be fixed. Therefore, in such embodiments, the action of rotation is to cause thevalve204 to open only for a predetermined time, before closing back thevalve204, to suck a required amount of atmospheric air in thecanister200.
• Alternately, first mechanical action may be an action of rotation in a first direction to start sampling of air by theair sampling actuator100. Therefore, the first mechanical action generated by themotor104 may cause theadaptor106 to rotate in one of a clockwise or anticlockwise direction, and further rotate the valve-controllingknob202 of thecanister200 in clockwise or anticlockwise direction. For example, once the action of rotation through the first mechanical action is performed, the valve-controllingknob202 is rotated in the first direction, to open thevalve204. In order to close thevalve204, an action of rotation in a second direction (i.e., opposite direction) is required.
• To this end, additionally, themotor104 may be triggered to generate a second mechanical action, upon transmitting a second control signal to the motor. The second control action may be directed at stopping sampling of air by theair sampling actuator100. The second mechanical action may be an action of rotation in the second direction (opposite to the action of rotation in the first direction). This action of rotation in the second direction may rotate theadaptor106, and therefore the valve-controllingknob202 of thecanister200 in opposite direction, to thereby close thevalve204.
• The above disclosure describes an air and fluid sampling valve actuator device deployable on an air/fluid collection reservoir (e.g., a canister) for collecting a sample of air from the atmosphere. The air sampling actuator provides for a modular assembly with the canister, and is therefore, adaptable with a variety of pre-existing canisters with pre-existing flow valves. Further, the air sampling actuator can be fitted (retro-fitted) to any pre-existing canister without requiring substantial modifications in the pre-existing canisters. Electrical interface allows integration into a variety of platforms. Furthermore, the air sampling actuator is able to collect a sample air in an automated manner with minimum human intervention, based on set parameters, user-input, and sensor input. The air sampling actuator can be triggered remotely or automatically using sensor control. By employing automated techniques, errors of incorrect amount of air samples are also minimized. Further, by providing a motor with feedback control, variable collection opening area (of the flow valve) and accurate closing of the valve is ensured. Moreover, by providing for physical actuation of the valve, the air sampling actuator ensures that there is no unintended loss of vacuum inside the canister over time. Inclement weather has minimum affect due to the mechanical process of the device.
• It is intended that the disclosure and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of disclosed embodiments being indicated by the following claims.

Claims (24)

What is claimed is:

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 ofclaim 1, wherein the motor is configured as a servo motor.

3. The air sampling actuator ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 20, further comprising:

operating a valve by the valve-controlling knob to maintain or release the vacuum inside the canister.

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