Bulbless spectrometer

• US 8,582,103 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2010
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OASE GmbH
• Original Assignee: Ife Innovative Forschungs- Und Entwicklungs Gmbh & Co. Kg
• Inventors: Willuweit, Thomas, Sack, Achim, Griesbach, Ralf
• Primary Examiner(s): Chowdhury, Tarifur
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gray, Sunghee Y
• Application Number:
  US13/375,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20120140227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,244 Days
• Field of Search: 356432-343, 356/326, 356436-442
• US Class Current: 356/413
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0218 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0237 Adjustable, e.g. focussing
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0256 Compact construction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0264 Electrical interface; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0272 Handheld
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0291 Housings; Spectrometer accessories; Spatial arrangement of elements, e.g. folded path arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/3181 using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/255 Details, e.g. use of specially adapted sources, lighting or optical systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8507 Probe photometers, i.e. with optical measuring part dipped into fluid sample
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0221 Portable; cableless; compact; hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0627 Use of several LED's for spectral resolution

Abstract

The present invention creates a spectrometer (1; 1′) for measuring the concentration of at least one analyte in a fluid sample (2; 2′), with a light source (3; 3′) to generate a light beam (4; 4′), with a photosensor (5; 5′) to receive the light beam (4; 4′), and with a measurement length (6; 6′), in which the fluid sample (2; 2′) can be placed, in the beam path of the light beam (4; 4′), the measurement length (6; 6′) being provided in changeable form.

Claims

1. A bulbless spectrometer for measuring the concentration of at least one analyte in a fluid sample,

with a light source to generate a light beam,

with a photosensor to receive the light beam, and

with a measurement length, in which the fluid sample can be placed, in the beam path of the light beam,

the measurement length being provided in changeable form, wherein

the light source and the photodetector are provided so that they can move relative to each other in order to change the measurement length, and

the measurement length is formed between the light source or the photosensor and an optical waveguide arranged in the beam path,

and the light source and the optical waveguide and/or the photosensor and the optical waveguide are provided so that they can move relative to each other in order to change the measurement length, wherein

the optical waveguide extends into a sleeve, the measurement length is formed between one face of the optical waveguide and an end piece, which seals the sleeve, and the measurement length is changeable by moving the sleeve and the optical waveguide relative to each other.

2. The spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein

the sleeve has at least one opening, which makes it possible to place the fluid sample in the measurement length.

3. The spectrometer according to claim 2, wherein

along the beam path two of the openings are provided in the sleeve at a distance from each other.

4. The spectrometer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

the optical waveguide is attached permanently to a handling part of the spectrometer, and/or the sleeve extends in sections in a receiving region in the handling part, and the sleeve is provided so that it can move within the receiving region.

5. The spectrometer according to claim 4, wherein the end piece of the sleeve, which seals the sleeve, has a lens and/or the photosensor.

6. The spectrometer according to claim 4, wherein

the light source couples in the light beam on the other face of the optical waveguide.

7. The spectrometer according to claim 4, wherein

the optical waveguide is in the form of an acrylic bar, Macrolon bar, glass bar or glass fibre cable.

8. The spectrometer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

the end piece of the sleeve, which seals the sleeve, has a lens and/or the photosensor.

9. The spectrometer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

the light source couples in the light beam on the other face of the optical waveguide.

10. The spectrometer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

the optical waveguide is in the form of an acrylic bar, Macrolon bar, glass bar or glass fibre cable.

11. The spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein

a first light source and at least one second light source are provided, so that the light beam can be generated with a first or at least a second wavelength or a wavelength range according to choice.

12. The spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein

the one or more light sources are in the form of LEDs.

13. The spectrometer according to claim 12, wherein the one or more light sources are in the form of laser diodes.

14. The spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein

a controller is provided, and said controller, controls the one or more light sources and the photosensor so as to determine a characteristic of the fluid sample;

selects one of multiple analysis modes, which are stored in a memory of the spectrometer, depending on the characteristic; and

controls the one or more light sources and the photosensor depending on the selected analysis mode.

15. The spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein

the spectrometer is in portable and/or mains-independent form.

16. The spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein

the optical waveguide is attached permanently to a handling part of the spectrometer.

17. A method for determining a volume of a fluid in a vessel, the method comprising using a spectrometer, the spectrometer being a bulbless spectrometer for measuring the concentration of at least one analyte in a fluid sample, with a light source to generate a light beam, with a photosensor to receive the light beam, and with a measurement length, in which the fluid sample can be placed, in the beam path of the light beam, the measurement length being provided in changeable form;

wherein

(a) the light source and the photodetector are provided so that they can move relative to each other in order to change the measurement length; and

(b) the measurement length is formed between the light source or the photosensor and an optical waveguide arranged in the beam path, and the light source and the optical waveguide and/or the photosensor and the optical waveguide are provided so that they can move relative to each other in order to change the measurement length; and

(c) the optical waveguide extends into a sleeve, the measurement length is formed between one face of the optical waveguide and an end piece, which seals the sleeve, and the measurement length is changeable by moving the sleeve and the optical waveguide relative to each other.