Microorganism monitoring apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for directly monitoring microorganisms present in a liquid, comprising:
- transparent window means, one face of which is adapted to be in contact with the liquid;
a plate member disposed opposite to the one face of said transparent window means so as to form a narrow sample cell between said one face and a surface of said plate member, said sample cell being adapted to be submerged in the liquid to be monitored and having an opening to permit introduction and discharge of a sample from the liquid thereinto;
a tube member, one end of which is connected to said sample cell and the other end of which can be connected to a source for a cleaning fluid to purge the sample held therein;
a light source for directing a light beam onto the sample held in said sample cell;
an optical magnifying system disposed opposite to the other face of said transparent window means to magnify an image of said microorganisms in the sample illuminated by said light beam; and
means for observing the image magnified by said optical magnifying system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for directly monitoring microorganisms present in a liquid crises a window glass with one face in contact with the liquid. Near the other face is disposed a TV camera having an optical magnifying system for monitoring the microorganisms. A sample cell or a narrow space is formed on said one side of the window glass for direct introduction of a sample of the liquid. The sample is statically held in the cell even though the liquid is in movement. The sample is purged from the cell by feeding a cleaning fluid thereinto or by vibrating or otherside exerting physical movement on the cell, whereafter a new sample is introduced into the cell. Purging of the sample cleans the cell and is prevents it from being smudged with dregs, dirt or the like included in the liquid.
17 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An apparatus for directly monitoring microorganisms present in a liquid, comprising:
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transparent window means, one face of which is adapted to be in contact with the liquid; a plate member disposed opposite to the one face of said transparent window means so as to form a narrow sample cell between said one face and a surface of said plate member, said sample cell being adapted to be submerged in the liquid to be monitored and having an opening to permit introduction and discharge of a sample from the liquid thereinto; a tube member, one end of which is connected to said sample cell and the other end of which can be connected to a source for a cleaning fluid to purge the sample held therein; a light source for directing a light beam onto the sample held in said sample cell; an optical magnifying system disposed opposite to the other face of said transparent window means to magnify an image of said microorganisms in the sample illuminated by said light beam; and means for observing the image magnified by said optical magnifying system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for directly monitoring microorganisms present in a liquid, comprising:
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transparent window means, one face of which is adapted to be in contact with the liquid; a plate member with a magnet disposed opposite to the one face of said transparent window means and being movable perpendicularly to said one face; spacer means provided between said plate member and the one face of said transparent window means so as to form a narrow intervening space for introducing a sample from the liquid thereinto; an electromagnetic coil provided on the side of the other face of said transparent window means to move said plate member perpendicularly to the one face of said transparent window means for purging the sample held in said narrow space and for introducing a new sample thereinto; a light source for directing a light beam onto the sample held in said narrow space; an optical magnifying system disposed opposite to the other face of said transparent window means to magnifying an image of the sample illuminated by said light beam; and means for observing the image magnified by said optical magnifying system. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, 34)
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28. An apparatus for directly monitoring microorganisms present in a liquid, comprising:
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an elongate housing including a light guide and an optical image guide therewithin and having a free end face adapted to be in contact with the liquid, said light guide and said optical image guide extending to the free end face of said elongate housing so that respective free end faces of said light guide and said optical image guide are exposed at the free end face of said elongate housing; a plate member formed as an extended portion of the free end of said elongate housing and disposed opposite to the free end face of said elongate housing so as to form a sample cell there between, a part of said sample cell being open to permit introduction of a sample from the liquid thereinto; a refractor means supported by said plate member and having a flat face which is opposed to the free end face of said optical image guide so as to form a narrow space therebetween; a light source provided on the other end face of said light guide; said refractor means being arranged in such a manner that after a light beam emitted from said light source passes through said light guide, it is introduced into said optical image guide through the exposed end face thereof; an optical magnifying system provided on the other end face of said optical image guide to magnifying an image of the sample illuminated has the light beam introduced into said optical image guide; means for observing the image magnified by said optical magnifying system; and means for purging the sample held in said sample cell and for introducing a new sample thereinto. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 33)
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Specification