Multiple pathlength sensor for determining small particle size distribution in high particle concentrations
First Claim
1. A sensor used in an apparatus for determining the size distribution of small particles contained in a process stream, said apparatus including a first light delivery arrangement for producing and projecting an anamorphically modified first light energy emission and a second light delivery arrangement for producing and projecting an anamorphically modified second light energy emission, a light collection arrangement for collecting light energy, a detector array receiving the collected light energy and means for translating the detected light energy into particle size distribution, said sensor installed substantially within said process stream and comprising:
- a) a transparent surface receiving said first and said second light energy emissions projected by said first and said second light delivery arrangements, said first and said second light energy emissions penetrating said transparent surface and entering said sensor in a first directional path;
b) a first light deflecting surface receiving said first and said second light energy emissions entering said sensor in said first directional path and modifying the direction of said first and said second light energy emissions received into a second directional path through said sensor;
c) a first passage exposed to said process stream, said first passage sized to receive particles of a first predetermined size range and said first light energy emission in said second directional path is projected through said first passage to irradiate the particle ensemble therein;
d) at least a second passage exposed to said process stream, said second passage sized to receive particles of a second predetermined size range and said second light energy emission in said second directional path is projected through said second passage to irradiate the particle ensemble therein; and
e) a second light deflecting surface receiving said light energy projected through said first and said second passages and the light energy scattered by said particle ensemble in each of said first and said second passages, said second deflecting surface directionally modifying the light energy received into a third directional path through said sensor to said transparent surface, whereby the light energy in said third directional path escapes said sensor and is collected by said light collection arrangement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple pathlength sensor is disclosed that is installed substantially within a process stream containing particles at high concentrations. The sensor includes a transparent surface for receiving the first and the second light energy emissions projected by first and second light delivery arrangements. The first and second light energy emissions penetrate the transparent surface and enter the sensor in a first directional path. A first light deflecting surface modifies the first and second light energy emissions to travel into a second directional path through the sensor. A first passage exposed to the process stream is sized to receive particles of a first predetermined size range. The first light energy emission in the second directional path is projected through the first passage to irradiate the particle ensemble therein. A second passage exposed to the process stream is sized to receive particles of a second predetermined size range. The second light energy emission in the second directional path is projected through the second passage to irradiate the particle ensemble therein. A second light deflecting surface receives the light energy projected through the first and second passages and the light energy scattered by the particle ensemble in each of the first and said second passages. The second deflecting surface directionally modifies the light energy it receives to follow a third directional path through the sensor to the transparent surface, where the light energy escapes the sensor and is collected by a light collection arrangement.
13 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A sensor used in an apparatus for determining the size distribution of small particles contained in a process stream, said apparatus including a first light delivery arrangement for producing and projecting an anamorphically modified first light energy emission and a second light delivery arrangement for producing and projecting an anamorphically modified second light energy emission, a light collection arrangement for collecting light energy, a detector array receiving the collected light energy and means for translating the detected light energy into particle size distribution, said sensor installed substantially within said process stream and comprising:
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a) a transparent surface receiving said first and said second light energy emissions projected by said first and said second light delivery arrangements, said first and said second light energy emissions penetrating said transparent surface and entering said sensor in a first directional path; b) a first light deflecting surface receiving said first and said second light energy emissions entering said sensor in said first directional path and modifying the direction of said first and said second light energy emissions received into a second directional path through said sensor; c) a first passage exposed to said process stream, said first passage sized to receive particles of a first predetermined size range and said first light energy emission in said second directional path is projected through said first passage to irradiate the particle ensemble therein; d) at least a second passage exposed to said process stream, said second passage sized to receive particles of a second predetermined size range and said second light energy emission in said second directional path is projected through said second passage to irradiate the particle ensemble therein; and e) a second light deflecting surface receiving said light energy projected through said first and said second passages and the light energy scattered by said particle ensemble in each of said first and said second passages, said second deflecting surface directionally modifying the light energy received into a third directional path through said sensor to said transparent surface, whereby the light energy in said third directional path escapes said sensor and is collected by said light collection arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification