OPTO-MECHANICAL SWITCH

• US 20110273703A1
• Filed: 05/06/2011
• Published: 11/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Buerkert Werke GmbH, Karlsruher Institut Fur Technologie
• Original Assignee: Buerkert Werke GmbH, Karlsruher Institut Fur Technologie
• Inventors: Brammer, Marko, Mappes, Timo
• Granted Patent: US 8,687,278 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/72
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/015 Apparatus with interchangeable optical heads or interchangeable block of optics and detector
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0187 Mechanical sequence of operations
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6463 Optics
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/51 inside a container, e.g. in an ampoule G01N21/53 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/645 Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0636 Reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/066 Modifiable path; multiple paths in one sample

Abstract

An opto-mechanical switch produces different optical paths from two optical path sections out of a plurality of optical path sections that are oriented in different spatial directions. The switch has an optical component on which one end of each optical path section impinges, and which is adapted to be moved linearly in a direction of movement at right angles to the optical path sections between different switching positions, in which it selectively couples different optical path sections optically with each other. Further provided is a measuring system for the analysis of fluids, having such an opto-mechanical switch.

Claims

1. An opto-mechanical switch for producing different optical paths from two optical path sections out of a plurality of optical path sections that are oriented in different spatial directions, comprising:

an optical component on which one end of each optical path section impinges and which is adapted to be moved linearly in a direction of movement at right angles to the optical path sections between different switching positions in which the optical component selectively couples different optical path sections optically with each other.

2. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 1, wherein at least three switching positions of the optical component are provided and each switching position has a discrete position of the optical component in the direction of movement assigned to the optical component, the optical path sections impinging on different portions of the optical component at different positions in the direction of movement in the different switching positions, and the different portions including optical functional elements that bring about an optical function between the optical path sections connected with each other, the optical function comprising transmission or reflection.

3. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 1, wherein at least two optical path sections lie in a first plane, the first plane extending perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the optical component.

4. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 3, wherein at least four optical path sections are arranged in a cross shape in the first plane at an angle of 90 degrees in relation to each other.

5. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 3, wherein at least one further optical path section is arranged in a second plane which is perpendicular to the first plane and intersects the optical component.

6. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 2, wherein portions of the optical component that are formed as optical functional elements have a square base, and wherein at least one of these portions is formed as a transparent body for the transmission of light and optically coupling opposite optical path sections with each other.

7. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 2, wherein at least one portion of the optical component is formed to have a reflective surface for the reflection of light and optically coupling optical path sections with each other that are arranged at an angle to each other.

8. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 7, wherein the optical component comprises at least two portions for reflection which include reflecting surfaces located one above the other in the direction of movement and together forming an angle of 90 degrees.

9. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 7, wherein a portion of the optical component includes a reflective surface which is formed by metal-coated hypotenuse faces of two triangular prisms assembled at these faces, the hypotenuse faces being arranged at an angle of 45 degrees and 135 degrees relative to first and second optical path sections, respectively, which are perpendicular to each other, and the portion of the optical component optically coupling the one optical path section with another optical path section.

10. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 1, wherein the optical component has a portion for reflection of light which optically couples at least one optical path section extending sideways relative to the direction of movement with an optical path section extending in the direction of movement.

11. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 1, wherein the optical component includes a portion for reflection of light which is formed as a pyramid having metal-coated triangular surfaces and optically couples optical path sections that are perpendicular to each other.

12. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 2, wherein the optical component is coupled to a linear motor, and wherein the optical component includes a holder that is coupled to the linear motor with a spindle.

13. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 12, including a housing in which the optical component and the linear motor are arranged, the housing allowing an adjustment of the optical component, and the linear motor being rotatably arranged in the housing.

14. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 13, wherein the housing allows an adjustment of the optical component by a unit made up of the optical component.

15. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 14, wherein the housing is configured to accommodate the optical path sections, the optical path sections and portions of the optical component being fixed relative to each other in a defined spatial arrangement in the respective switching positions.

16. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 1, wherein the optical path sections are formed by optical fiber ends.

17. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 1, wherein the optical component comprises a portion which is configured as an optical functional element and includes one or more of the following optical elements:

diffractive optical elements, diffraction gratings, refractive optical elements comprising lenses or prisms, polarization elements, beam splitters.

19. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 3, wherein the at least two optical path sections lying in the first plane are arranged opposite of each other.

20. The opto-mechanical switch according to claim 6, wherein the portions of the optical component having a square base are formed in a cube shape.

18. A measuring system for the analysis of fluids, comprising:

valves;

pumps;

mixing chambers for fluids and reagents;

measuring stations including sensors for detection of transmission, absorption, turbidity or fluorescence, which are spatially arranged side by side and on top of each other and to which optical path sections lead; and

an opto-mechanical switch for producing different optical paths from two optical path sections out of a plurality of optical path sections that are oriented in different spatial directions, the opto-mechanical switch comprising an optical component on which one end of each optical path section impinges and which is adapted to be moved linearly in a direction of movement at right angles to the optical path sections between different switching positions in which the optical component selectively couples different optical path sections optically with each other, and wherein optical path sections are selectively coupled optically with each other and measuring stations selected thereby are optically addressed.