Wick moisture sensor for airborne particle condensational growth systems
AssigneeAerosol Dynamics Inc.
InventorsSusanne Vera Hering, Steven Russel Spielman, Gregory Stephen Lewis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wick liquid sensor suitable for use in a particle condensation device is provided. The sensor includes a light source configured to illuminate a surface of the wick. A detector is configured to detect wick reflected light from the light source and determine the intensity of reflected light. The wick is formed from a porous media that is wettable by the liquid, and becomes translucent when filled with the liquid. The amount of reflectivity decreases as the saturation content of the liquid in the wick increases.
Claims20
A wick liquid sensor in a particle condensation system, comprising:
- a particle growth tube of the particle condensation system containing a wick, the wick comprised of a microporous material which reflects light when dry and becomes translucent as pores in the wick fill with liquid;
- a light source configured to illuminate a surface of the wick in the growth tube;
- and
- a detector configured to detect an intensity of light which is reflected by the wick and determine the intensity of reflected light;
- the detector is configured to measure an amount of liquid in the wick is based on the intensity of the wick reflected light.
A particle condensation system, comprising:
- a growth tube of the particle condensation system containing a wick, the wick comprised of a microporous material which reflects light when dry and becomes translucent as pores in the wick fills with liquid;
- a wick sensor configured to determine liquid saturation of the wick, the wick sensor comprising
- an illumination source positioned to illuminate the wick;
- a light absorbing material placed under one or more layers of the wick opposite of the illumination source;
- and
- a detector configured to measure the saturation of the wick based on an intensity of light which is reflected by the wick.
A particle condensation system, comprising:
- a growth tube of the particle condensation system including a wick formed from multiple layers of a microporous material which reflects light when dry and becomes translucent as pores in the wick fill with a liquid;
- and
- a wick sensor comprising a light source configured to illuminate a surface of the wick and a detector configured to measure an amount of the liquid in the wick based on a determination of an intensity of light which is reflected by the wick.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.