Simultaneous measurement and display of 3-D size distributions of particulate materials in suspensions
First Claim
1. Apparatus for analyzing particles suspended in a fluid medium, comprising:
- an image detector for obtaining at least one still image of a plurality of particles suspended in a fluid medium;
an image analyzing unit for measuring from said at least one still image at least two dimensional characteristics per particle for said plurality of particles appearing in said at least one still image and for determining an occurrence characteristic of particles which is related to the particles having a matching set of dimensional characteristics; and
a display unit for presenting a three dimensional representation of said dimensional and occurrence characteristics and providing information about said plurality of particles in a manner which permits a viewer of said three dimensional representation to determine a shape distribution of said plurality of particles appearing in said at least one still image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method in which a still image, or still images, are obtained of a plurality of particles suspended in a fluid medium. Each still image is transferred to an image analyzing unit that measures a set of dimensional characteristics per particle for particles appearing in the image and determine an occurrence characteristic for particles having a matching set of dimensional characteristics. Preferably, a three dimensional representation of the characteristics is displayed in real time. More preferably, the displayed three-dimensional representation is continuously updated and further entries are accumulated on the display as image analysis is performed. The display provides information to a viewer enabling the viewer to determine a shape distribution of the particles within the suspension even when multiple particle shapes are present.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for analyzing particles suspended in a fluid medium, comprising:
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an image detector for obtaining at least one still image of a plurality of particles suspended in a fluid medium;
an image analyzing unit for measuring from said at least one still image at least two dimensional characteristics per particle for said plurality of particles appearing in said at least one still image and for determining an occurrence characteristic of particles which is related to the particles having a matching set of dimensional characteristics; and
a display unit for presenting a three dimensional representation of said dimensional and occurrence characteristics and providing information about said plurality of particles in a manner which permits a viewer of said three dimensional representation to determine a shape distribution of said plurality of particles appearing in said at least one still image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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3. An apparatus according to cl aim 1, wherein at least one of said dimensional characteristics is selected from a group consisting of particle length, width, depth, diameter, sphericity, and aspect ratio.
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10. Apparatus for analyzing particles suspended in a fluid, comprising:
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a flow cell having a chamber providing a path of flow for particles suspended in a fluid;
a camera for obtaining at least one optical image of a plurality of particles located within said chamber;
a computer system in communication with said camera for enabling said at least one optical image to be analyzed, said computer including at least one image analysis computer program for measuring at least two dimensional characteristics per particle for particles appearing in said image and determining an occurrence characteristic of particles having a matching set of dimensional characteristics; and
a monitor screen for displaying a three dimensional representation in real-time of said dimensional and occurrence characteristics as said characteristics are determined, said three dimensional representation having three coordinates such that two of said coordinates correspond to said dimensional characteristics and a third coordinate corresponds to said occurrence characteristic;
whereby said three dimensional representation provides information of said plurality of particles in a manner which permits ready determination of shape distribution of said plurality of particles appearing in said at least one image. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of analyzing particles suspended in a fluid medium, comprising the steps of:
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obtaining at least one still image of a plurality of particles suspended in a fluid medium;
measuring at least two dimensional characteristics per particle for said plurality of particles appearing in said image;
determining an occurrence characteristic of particles having a matching set of dimensional characteristics; and
displaying a three dimensional representation of said dimensional and occurrence characteristics, said three dimensional representation having three coordinates such that a twp of said coordinates correspond to said dimensional characteristics and a third coordinate corresponds to said occurrence characteristic such that said three dimensional representation provides information of said plurality of particles in a manner which permits a viewer to determine a shape distribution of said plurality of particles appearing in said at least one image. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification