Electro-optical analyzer for measuring percentage by weight of fat, protein and lactose in milk
First Claim
1. Apparatus for quantitative analysis of optical characteristics of fluent materials comprising a source of radiation in the infrared spectrum, first means for splitting radiation from said source into first and second convergent beams, a drum disposed to rotate about a fixed axis and having a circumferential rim portion disposed to intersect one of said beams as said drum is rotated and an axial disc portion disposed to intersect the other of said beams as said drum is rotated, an optically transparent cell aligned with said first beam for holding a test sample, chopper means disposed between said drum and said cell and adapted to alternate between a first position in which said first beam is directed through said cell and a second position in which said second beam is directed through said cell, optical filter means disposed in said disc and rim portions of said drum as to intersect respective ones of said beams such that said chopper means alternately directs first and second beams through said cell at wavelengths corresponding to said filter means in said first and second positions of said chopper means, and energy responsive means disposed to be responsive to radiation transmitted through said cell for indicating an optical characteristic of a test sample within said cell.
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Abstract
Electro-optical apparatus for measurement of fat, protein, lactose and water or solids in milk wherein a milk sample is pumped by a homogenizer into an optical measurement cell. The specimen in the cell is then irradiated with reference and measurement beams at differing wavelengths for fat, protein, lactose and water respectively, and signals are stored indicative of uncorrected concentrations. A scaling and correction circuit includes cross-correction circuitry for compensating the effects on each reading caused by the other constituents. The signals so corrected are then provided in percentage by weight or weight over volume on suitable digital displays.
37 Citations
28 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for quantitative analysis of optical characteristics of fluent materials comprising a source of radiation in the infrared spectrum, first means for splitting radiation from said source into first and second convergent beams, a drum disposed to rotate about a fixed axis and having a circumferential rim portion disposed to intersect one of said beams as said drum is rotated and an axial disc portion disposed to intersect the other of said beams as said drum is rotated, an optically transparent cell aligned with said first beam for holding a test sample, chopper means disposed between said drum and said cell and adapted to alternate between a first position in which said first beam is directed through said cell and a second position in which said second beam is directed through said cell, optical filter means disposed in said disc and rim portions of said drum as to intersect respective ones of said beams such that said chopper means alternately directs first and second beams through said cell at wavelengths corresponding to said filter means in said first and second positions of said chopper means, and energy responsive means disposed to be responsive to radiation transmitted through said cell for indicating an optical characteristic of a test sample within said cell.
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11. In an apparatus for quantitative analysis of optical characteristics of materials comprising an infrared source, an optically transparent cell for holding a test sample, means for splitting energy from said source into first and second beams, means for alternately directing said first and second beams through said cell, energy responsive means disposed to receive radiation transmitted through said cell alternately in said first and second beams, and radiation filter means disposed to intersect said first and second beams such that radiation incident on said energy responsive means in said first and second beams exhibit differing wavelength characteristics, the improvement wherein said beam splitting means comprises means for splitting said beam into a said first beam on a first axis which intersects said cell and energy responsive means, and a said second beam on a second axis orthogonally intersecting said first axis, wherein said filter means comprises rotatable means having first and second series of filters disposed in orthogonal pairs and means for stepwise rotation of said rotatable means such that selected ones of said first and second filter series comprising said pairs are alternately positioned to intersect said first and second beams, and wherein said means for alternately directing said beams through said cell comprises a chopper having a transparent portion and a reflective portion, means positioning said chopper at the area of intersection of said first and second axes at an orientation of 45°
- with respect to both said axes, and means for rotating said chopper such that, in alternation, said first beam is transmitted by said transparent portion to said cell and said second beam is reflected by said second portion to said cell.
- View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. Apparatus for spectrophotometric absorption analysis of material comprising a source of infrared radiation means including means for generating first and second divergent beams from said source, a cell for holding a test sample of material, first reflective means disposed in the path of said first beam for focusing said first beam at said cell on an optical axis, detection means, ellipsoidal reflective means having a first focus at said cell and a second focus at said detection means, second reflective means disposed in the path of said second beam for redirecting said second beam to intersect said first beam orthogonally to said axis and to focus said second beam, means disposed at the zone of intersection of said first and second beams for alternately and sequentially directing said first and second beams through said cell such that said second beam is substantially confocal with said first beam when directed through said cell, filter means having a first portion disposed to intersect said first beam between said first reflective means and said means for alternately directing said beams through said cell, a second portion orthogonal to said first portion and disposed to intersect said second beam between said second reflective means and said means for alternately directing said beams, first and second series of optical filters respectively disposed on said first and second portions in coordinated pairs such that filters in said pairs simultaneously intersect said first and second beams and means for alternately locating selected one of said filter pairs in said beams, and means coupled to said detection means and responsive to differing intensity of beams passing through each said filter pair and through said cell for measuring optical characteristics of the test sample.
- 17. Apparatus for optically analyzing fluid emulsions such as milk which comprises an optically transparent cell for holding a sample of said emulsion of predetermined quantity, means including a homogenizer having an inlet to receive said fluid emulsion and an outlet for providing a quantity of homogenized fluid substantially in excess of said predetermined quantity, first conduit means for directing fluid from said homogenizer through said sample cell, second conduit means operatively connected to said first conduit means upstream of said cell for routing fluid to bypass said cell, control means coupled to said homogenizer means, said first conduit means and said second conduit means for directing a first measured quantity of homogenized fluid through said first conduit means and said second conduit means bypassing said cell so as to purge said homogenizer and said first conduit means and then for directing a second measured quantity of homogenized fluid through said first conduit means to said cell, and means responsive to said control means for directing an optical beam through said cell so as to analyze fluid in said cell for a selected optical characteristic.
Specification