NOVEL MULTI-ANALYTE OPTICAL COMPUTING SYSTEM

• US 20100302539A1
• Filed: 03/27/2008
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Freese, Robert P., Myrick, Michael L., Perkins, David L., Soltmann, William, Zheleznyak, Leonard, Teague, Terrell
• Granted Patent: US 8,213,006 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/326
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0208 using focussing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or mirrors; performing aberration correction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/021 using plane or convex mirrors, parallel phase plates, or particular reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0216 using light concentrators or collectors or condensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0232 using shutters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0237 Adjustable, e.g. focussing
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0294 Multi-channel spectroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/28 Investigating the spectrum using colour filters G01J3/51
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/32 Investigating bands of a spectrum in sequence by a single detector
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/36 Investigating two or more bands of a spectrum by separate detectors
• 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 21/35 using infrared light G01N21/39 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3504 for analysing gases, e.g. multi-gas analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3563 for analysing solids; Preparation of samples therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3577 for analysing liquids, e.g. polluted water
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8806 Specially adapted optical and illumination features
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/9508 Capsules; Tablets
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/1293 resolving multicomponent spectra
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/02 Food

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 a plurality of optical detectors. Signals from the detectors are compared with a reference signal 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 plurality of light sensitive detector, the detectors producing outputs based on received light;

directing light from the product portion toward selected of the plurality of light sensitive detectors 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 one of the plurality of light sensitive detectors through a reference optical element; and

analyzing the signals produced by the detectors, the analysis being based on a comparison of the signals 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 illuminating comprises illuminating the product with a spectral-specific light.

7. The method of claim 6, 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.

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

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of discrete portions are disposed in closed containers, the containers at least partially transparent to the spectral-specific light.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein directing light from the product portion toward selected of the plurality of light sensitive detectors through at least one multivariate optical element comprises directing light from the product portion through a chopper wheel carrying the at least one multivariate optical element.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the illuminating source and the plurality of light sensitive detectors are located on a first side of the chopper wheel and the inspection point is located on the opposite side of the chopper wheel.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein directing light from the product portion toward selected of the plurality of light sensitive detectors comprises directing light through a reflective cone.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

focusing the light directed from the product portion on to selected of the plurality of light sensitive detectors.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein focusing comprises directing the light through a lens.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein focusing comprises directing the light with a focusing mirror.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein illuminating at least a portion of a product with light at an inspection point comprises illuminating at least a portion of a product with focused light.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein illuminating at least a portion of a product with focused light comprises illuminating at least a portion of a product with light reflected from a focusing mirror.