Instrument and method for testing fluid characteristics
First Claim
1. A device for optically measuring qualities of a substance in ambient light comprising:
- at least one translucent wall defining a sample chamber for receiving therein the substance to be measured and defining an axis;
a first channel defining a first meridional plane and including thereon;
at least one radiation source mounted adjacent to the sample chamber, wherein the at least one radiation source includes a first radiation source and a second radiation source, the first radiation source and the second radiation source being axially spaced relative to each other, the first radiation source emits a modulated beam of radiation distinguishable from the ambient light based on said modulation and the second radiation source emits a modulated beam of radiation distinguishable from the ambient light based on said modulation; and
at least one detector angularly spaced about the axis of the sample chamber relative to the first and second radiation sources, wherein the at least one detector includes a first detector, the first radiation source is positioned so that a principle ray emitting therefrom substantially passes onto the first detector, the second radiation source is positioned so that a principle ray emitting therefrom substantially passes onto the first detector, the first detector receives the modulated beams of radiation after passage through the sample chamber and substance to be measured therein, and generates a modulated output signal indicative of the intensity of the radiation of the beams impinging thereon;
a second channel defining a second meridional plane and including thereon;
at least one radiation source mounted adjacent to the sample chamber, wherein the at least one radiation source of the second channel includes a third radiation source that emits a modulated beam of radiation distinguishable hum the ambient light based on said modulation; and
at least one detector annularly spaced about the axis of the sample chamber relative to the third radiation source, wherein the at least one detector of the second channel receives the modulated beam of radiation emitted by the third radiation source after passage through the sample chamber and substance to be measured therein, and generates a modulated output signal indicative of the intensity of the radiation of the beam of the third radiation source impinging thereon;
a controller coupled to the first radiation source and the first detector for activating the first radiation solute and processing the output signal of the first detector; and
a display coupled to the controller.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An instrument for testing fluid characteristics has a vial and a housing. The vial defines a chamber for receiving a sample of the fluid and has a cap for sealing the fluid therein. The housing defines a recess for receiving the vial. Multiple light emitting diodes and photovoltaic detectors are arranged on multiple meridional planes within the housing. The meridional planes each intersect approximately at a central axis of the chamber when the vial is placed within the recess. Modulation of the light emitting diodes and tuned processing electronics allow for simultaneous evaluation of sample characteristics such as spectral transmittance, turbidity and fluorescence. The user selects particular tests via a keypad and a display indicates the results of the chosen analysis.
47 Citations
62 Claims
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1. A device for optically measuring qualities of a substance in ambient light comprising:
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at least one translucent wall defining a sample chamber for receiving therein the substance to be measured and defining an axis;
a first channel defining a first meridional plane and including thereon;
at least one radiation source mounted adjacent to the sample chamber, wherein the at least one radiation source includes a first radiation source and a second radiation source, the first radiation source and the second radiation source being axially spaced relative to each other, the first radiation source emits a modulated beam of radiation distinguishable from the ambient light based on said modulation and the second radiation source emits a modulated beam of radiation distinguishable from the ambient light based on said modulation; and
at least one detector angularly spaced about the axis of the sample chamber relative to the first and second radiation sources, wherein the at least one detector includes a first detector, the first radiation source is positioned so that a principle ray emitting therefrom substantially passes onto the first detector, the second radiation source is positioned so that a principle ray emitting therefrom substantially passes onto the first detector, the first detector receives the modulated beams of radiation after passage through the sample chamber and substance to be measured therein, and generates a modulated output signal indicative of the intensity of the radiation of the beams impinging thereon;
a second channel defining a second meridional plane and including thereon;
at least one radiation source mounted adjacent to the sample chamber, wherein the at least one radiation source of the second channel includes a third radiation source that emits a modulated beam of radiation distinguishable hum the ambient light based on said modulation; and
at least one detector annularly spaced about the axis of the sample chamber relative to the third radiation source, wherein the at least one detector of the second channel receives the modulated beam of radiation emitted by the third radiation source after passage through the sample chamber and substance to be measured therein, and generates a modulated output signal indicative of the intensity of the radiation of the beam of the third radiation source impinging thereon;
a controller coupled to the first radiation source and the first detector for activating the first radiation solute and processing the output signal of the first detector; and
a display coupled to the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
data including a plurality of reference measurements based upon a plurality of different reference samples, each reference sample having a different concentration of an impurity, and wherein the controller comprises a controller for (i) automatically comparing the modulated output signal from the first detector to at least a portion of the plurality of reference measurements to determine a concentration of an impurity in the substance and (ii) generating an output signal indicative of the concentration of the impurity in the substance.
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18. A device for analyzing radiant transmission and scattering of an longated sample, wherein the elongated sample defines art axis, the device comprising:
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a first channel defining a first meridional plane having the axis extending therethrough and including thereon at least one radiation source mounted adjacent to the sample, the at least one radiation source including a first radiation source for emitting a first beam of radiation through the sample and a second radiation source for emitting a second beam of radiation through the sample, the first radiation source and the second radiation source being axially spaced relative to each other, and at least one sensor angularly spaced about the axis of the sample relative to the first radiation source for generating a first output signal indicative of the intensity radiation impinging thereon, the at least one sensor including at first sensor for detecting radiation impinging thereon, the first radiation source being positioned so that a principle ray emitting therefrom substantially passes onto the first sensor, the second radiation source being positioned so that a principle ray emitting therefrom substantially passes onto the first sensor; and
a second channel defining a second meridional plane having the axis extending therethrough and including thereon at least one radiation source mounted adjacent to the sample, the at least one radiation source of the second channel including a third radiation source for emitting a third beam of radiation through the sample, and at least one second sensor angularly spaced about the axis of the sample relative to the third radiation source for generating a second output signal indicative of the intensity of radiation impinging thereon. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
a controller coupled to the first sensor; and
a display for converting an output of the controller into a human readable form.
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31. A device as recited in claim 28, wherein the first radiation source comprises a light emitting diode.
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32. A device as recited in claim 18 further comprising electronics for activating each of the channels and processing the first and second output signals generated thereby.
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33. A device as recited in claim 18, wherein the at least one sensor of the first channel further detects radiation that is emitted from the at least one radiation source of the second channel and scattered through the sample.
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34. A device as recited in claim 28, wherein the translucent cell is a conduit for receiving the sample therethrough.
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35. A device as recited in claim 28, further comprising a beam-splitter positioned in front of the first radiation source for directing a portion of the first beam of radiation and for indicating an output power of the first radiation source to thereby monitor performance of the first radiation source.
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36. A device as recited in claim 28, further comprising an amplifier operatively associated with the at least one sensor of the first channel for boosting the first output signal of the at least one sensor of the first channel.
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37. A device as recited in claim 28, further comprising an oscillator operatively associated with the first radiation source for modulation the first beam of the first radiation source at a first modulated frequency.
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38. A device as recited in claim 28, further comprising a reagent contained within the translucent cell for mixing with the sample and creating particles which scatter the light.
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39. A device as recited in claim 28, further comprising a reagent contained within the translucent cell for mixing with the sample and creating fluorescence.
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40. A device as recited in claim 28, further comprising a reagent contained within the translucent cell for mixing with the sample and creating an optical absorption hand which reduces a transmissivity of the material.
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41. A device as recited in claim 28, further comprising a controller operatively coupled to the first radiation source and first sensor, and wherein the translucent cell includes an electrical circuit mounted thereon and operatively associated with the controller to provide instructions for use in analyzing the radiant transmission and scattering of the sample.
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42. A device as recited in claim 28, wherein the translucent cell includes a cap attachable thereto for sealing the sample within the cell.
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43. A device as recited in claim 18, further comprising:
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(a) a housing defining a recess for receiving a sample chamber that has at least one memory and is adapted to receive the sample; and
(b) at least one processor to communicate with the at least one memory.
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44. A device as recited in claim 43, wherein the first radiation source is a light emitting diode.
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45. A device as recited in claim 43, wherein the first sensor is a photovoltaic detector.
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46. A device as recited in claim 43, further comprising:
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at least one oscillator within the housing and operatively connected to the first radiation source; and
a power cell within the housing for driving the at least one oscillator.
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47. A device as recited in claim 46, further comprising said sample chamber and wherein said sample chamber further includes a base having a printed circuit board that supports the at least one memory.
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48. A device for optically measuring qualities of a substance in ambient light comprising:
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first means defining a sample chamber for receiving therein the substance to be measured and defining an axis;
a first channel defining a first meridional plane and including thereon;
second means mounted adjacent to the sample chamber for emitting a modulated beam of radiation distinguishable from the ambient light based on said modulation;
third means mounted adjacent to the sample chamber for emitting a modulated beam of radiation distinguishable from the ambient light and the modulated beam of the second means based on said modulation, the second means and the third means being axially spaced relative to each other; and
fourth means angularly spaced about the axis of the sample chamber relative to the second means for receiving the modulated beam of radiation of the second means after passage through the sample chamber and substance to be measured therein, and for generating a modulated output signal indicative of the intensity of radiation impinging thereon, wherein the fourth means includes a first detector for detecting radiation, the second means is positioned so that a principle ray emitting therefrom substantially passes onto the first detector, and the third means is positioned so that a principle ray emitting therefrom substantially passes onto the first detector;
a second channel defining a second meridional plane and including thereon;
fifth means mounted adjacent to the sample chamber for emitting a modulated beam of radiation; and
sixth means angularly spaced about the axis of the sample chamber relative to the fifth means for receiving the modulated beam of radiation of the fifth means after passage through the sample chamber and substance to be measured therein, and for generating a modulated output signal indicative of the intensity of radiation impinging thereon; and
seventh means coupled to the second and fourth means for activating the second means and processing the output signal of the fourth means. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
wherein the seventh means is in communication with the at least one memory.
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54. A device as recited in claim 53, wherein the first means comprises a vial.
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55. A device as recited in claim 53, wherein the second means comprises a light emitting diode and the first detector comprises a photovoltaic detector.
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56. A device as recited in claim 53, wherein the at least one memory comprises random access memory and read only memory.
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57. A device an recited in claim 53, wherein the seventh means comprises a microprocessor and a software program.
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58. A method for optically measuring qualities of a substance in ambient light comprising the steps of:
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providing a sample chamber defining an axis for receiving therein the substance to be measured;
providing a first channel defining a first meridional plane and including thereon at least two radiation sources mounted adjacent to the sample chamber and at least lone detector angularly spaced about the axis of the sample relative to the first radiation source for generating a first output signal indicative of the intensity of radiation impinging thereon, the at least two radiation sources including a first radiation source and a second radiation source, the at least one detector including a first detector, the first and second radiation sources being axially speed relative to each other, the first radiation source being positioned so that a principle ray emitting therefrom substantially passes onto first detector, the second radiation source being positioned so that a principle ray emitting therefrom substantially passes onto the first detector;
emitting modulated beams of radiation from the first and second radiation sources, each of the first and second radiation sources being modulated at a different frequency and, therefore, distinguishable from the ambient light and each other based on said modulation;
providing a second channel defining a second meridional plane and including thereon at least one radiation source mounted adjacent to the sample chamber and at least one detector angularly-spaced about the axis of the sample chamber relative to the at least one radiation source of the second channel;
receiving the modulated beams of radiation by the first detector after passage through the sample chamber and substance to be measured therein;
generating a modulated output signal indicative of the intensity of the radiation of the modulated beams impinging on the first detector;
activating by a controller the first radiation source and the first detector;
processing the modulated output signal; and
providing a display for providing measurement readings based on the modulated output signal. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60)
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61. An instrument for analyzing color and scattering of a sample, wherein the sample defines an axis, the instrument comprising:
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first means for defining a first meridional plane and including thereon second means for emitting a beam of radiation modulated at a first frequency, the second means mounted adjacent to the sample for emitting said beam of radiation through the sample, third means for emitting a beam of radiation modulated at a second frequency that is different than the first frequency, the third means mounted adjacent to the sample for emitting said beam of radiation through the sample, the second means and the third means being axially spaced relative to each other, and fourth means for sensing angularly spaced about the axis of the sample relative to the second means and including a detector for sensing radiation, the second means being positioned so that a principle ray emitting therefrom substantially passes onto the detector, the third means being positioned so that a principle ray emitting therefrom substantially passes onto detector, the fourth means generating a first output signal indicative of the intensity of radiation impinging thereon;
fifth means for defining a second meridional plane and including thereon sixth means for emitting a beam of radiation, the sixth means mounted adjacent to the sample for emitting said beam of radiation through the sample, and seventh means for sensing angularly spaced about the axis of the sample relative to the sixth means for generating a second output signal indicative of the intensity of radiation impinging thereon; and
eighth means for activating the first and fifth means and processing said output signals generated thereby. - View Dependent Claims (62)
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Specification