MULTI-ANALYTE OPTICAL COMPUTING SYSTEM

• US 20100141952A1
• Filed: 11/01/2007
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Soltmann, William, Teague, Terrell, Freese, Robert P., Myrick, Michael L., Perkins, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,182,282 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/451
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/1213 Filters in general, e.g. dichroic, band
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/021 using plane or convex mirrors, parallel phase plates, or particular reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0229 using masks, aperture plates, spatial light modulators or spatial filters, e.g. reflective filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0232 using shutters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0235 using means for replacing an element by another, for replacing a filter or a grating
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0243 having a through-hole enabling the optical element to fulfil an additional optical function, e.g. a mirror or grating having a throughhole for a light collecting or light injecting optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/08 Beam switching arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/28 Investigating the spectrum using colour filters G01J3/51
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/42 Absorption spectrometry; Double beam spectrometry; Flicker spectrometry; Reflection spectrometry beam switching arrangements G01J3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/128 Alternating sample and standard or reference part in one path
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/1293 resolving multicomponent spectra

Abstract

The present subject matter relates to methods of high-speed analysis of product samples. Light is directed to a portion of a product under analysis and reflected from or transmitted through the product toward an optical detector. Signals for the detector are compared with reference signals based on a portion of the illuminating light passing through a reference element to determine characteristics of the product under analysis. The products under analysis may be stationary, moved by an inspection point by conveyor or other means, or may be contained within a container, the container including a window portion through which the product illuminating light may pass.

Claims

1. A method for high-speed analysis of product samples, comprising:

illuminating at least a portion of a product with light at an inspection point;

providing a light sensitive detector, the detector producing an output based on received light;

directing light from the product portion toward the light sensitive detector through at least one multivariate optical element, the light from the product portion carrying information about the product portion;

directing at least a portion of the product illuminating light toward the light sensitive detector through a reference optical element; and

analyzing the signals produced by the detector, the analysis being based on a comparison of the signal produced from light passing through the at least one multivariate optical element and the signal produced from light passing through the reference optical element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the product is at least one of a pharmaceutical tablet, a pharmaceutical powder, a food material, a chemical, a liquid, a gas, an emulsion, a solution, or a mixture thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the product is a powder mixture in a closed container, the container being at least partially transparent to the illuminating light.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

moving the product past the inspection point.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein directing light from the product portion comprises directing light reflected from the product portion.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein directing light from the product portion comprises directing light transmitted through the product portion.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein illuminating comprises illuminating the product with a spectral-specific light.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

illuminating the product through an optic window, the optic window being configured to focus the spectral-specific light onto a product portion at the inspection point.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the product comprises a plurality of discrete portions.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of discrete portions are disposed in closed containers, the containers at least partially transparent to the spectral-specific light.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein directing light toward the light sensitive detector comprises directing light through a plurality of multivariate optical elements, and wherein directing a portion of the product illuminating light comprises directing a portion of the product illuminating light through a plurality of reference optical elements.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein directing light comprises directing light alternately through differing multivariate optical elements and corresponding reference elements in sequence.