IMPROVED STABILITY FOR OPTICAL COMPUTING SYSTEM

• US 20100195105A1
• Filed: 03/27/2008
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: University of South Carolina
• Inventors: Freese, Robert P., Myrick, Michael L., Perkins, David L., Soltmann, William, Zheleznyak, Leonard
• Granted Patent: US 8,213,012 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/433
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/31 Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry G01N21/72 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/021 having a flexible chain, e.g. "cartridge belt", conveyor for reaction cells or cuvettes

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. Temperature within the analysis system is monitored and the output signals of the optical detectors are compensated or corrections are made within the analysis calculations to compensate or correct for the system temperature. 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 using an analysis system, 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;

measuring and recording the temperature of the system;

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,

wherein the detector outputs are compensated or corrected based on the system temperature.

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.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a light sensitive detector comprises:

providing a first light sensitive detector and a second light sensitive detector,

wherein the first light sensitive detector receives light carrying information about the product portion, wherein the second light sensitive detector receives light passing through the reference optical element, and wherein signals from both the first and second light sensitive detectors are compensated or corrected based on the system temperature.