Particle asymmetry analyzer having sphericity detectors
First Claim
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1. A particle analyser for use in determining the asymmetry of particles, said analyser includes:
- means for providing a sample of airborne particulates in the form of a laminar flow;
means for illuminating the sample with a polarised laser beam;
at least one forward scattering detector and at least three sphericity detectors placed radially symmetrically about a central axis;
means for directing the radiation scattered by individual particles towards said scattering and sphericity detectors; and
means for deriving data from the detectors to describe the particle.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method which provides a measure of the asymmetry as well as the size of individual fluid borne particles. Laser-light scattering techniques are employed to obtain data on the particles, which is then compared to data on known particle shapes to ascribe an asymmetry factor to the particles.
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15 Claims
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1. A particle analyser for use in determining the asymmetry of particles, said analyser includes:
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means for providing a sample of airborne particulates in the form of a laminar flow; means for illuminating the sample with a polarised laser beam; at least one forward scattering detector and at least three sphericity detectors placed radially symmetrically about a central axis; means for directing the radiation scattered by individual particles towards said scattering and sphericity detectors; and means for deriving data from the detectors to describe the particle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15)
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8. A method of determining the asymmetry of particles wherein said method includes the steps of:
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providing a sample of airborne particulates in the form of a laminar flow; illuminating the sample with a polarised beam; reflecting the radiation scattered by individual particles to at least one forward scattering detector and at least three sphericity detectors placed radially symmetrically about a central axis; and deriving from the detectors data describing the particle. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification