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US 11,598,710 B2Granted
Methods and apparatus for determining the spatial distribution of materials using electromagnetic radiation
AssigneePERM Inc.
InventorsIlia Kuznetcov, Steven I. Bryant, Apostolos Kantzas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for determining the spatial distribution of materials within a sample using electromagnetic waves. The apparatus probes a sample with electromagnetic waves, measures the response, and determines the spatial configuration based on the measured response.
Claims18
An apparatus for determining the spatial distribution of materials, the apparatus comprising:
- an elongate tubular conducting channel, and a central elongate conducting electrode aligned within the channel such that the channel and the electrode comprises a waveguide for transverse electromagnetic (TEM) modes;
- a source of electromagnetic waves across a range of frequencies, wherein the source is configured to emit electromagnetic waves into a sample along an axis;
- a detector configured to detect the electromagnetic waves across the range of frequencies emitted by the source, wherein the detector is positioned to receive electromagnetic waves after the electromagnetic waves have interacted with the sample by at least one of:
- reflection and transmission, and wherein the detector is configured to detect a frequency response of the received electromagnetic waves;
- and
- a controller configured to process the frequency response of the received electromagnetic waves to determine an axial spatial distribution of materials within the sample.
3 more elements
A tank comprising:
- an elongate tubular conducting channel, and a central elongate conducting electrode aligned within the channel such that the channel and the electrode comprises a waveguide for transverse electromagnetic (TEM) modes;
- a source of electromagnetic waves across a range of frequencies, wherein the source is configured to emit electromagnetic waves into a sample along an axis;
- a detector configured to detect the electromagnetic waves across the range of frequencies emitted by the source, wherein the detector is positioned to receive electromagnetic waves after the electromagnetic waves have interacted with the sample by at least one of:
- reflection and transmission, and wherein the detector is configured to detect a frequency response of the received electromagnetic waves;
- and
- a controller configured to process the frequency response of the received electromagnetic waves to determine an axial spatial distribution of materials within the sample;
- and,
- wherein the apparatus is arranged such to determine a spatial distribution of materials within the tank along a vertical axis.
5 more elements
A method of determining the spatial distribution of materials, the method comprising:
- emitting electromagnetic waves across a range of frequencies into a sample along an axis;
- pumping fluid comprising nanoparticles through the sample;
- detecting electromagnetic waves across the range of frequencies emitted by a source, wherein the detected electromagnetic waves have interacted with the sample by at least one of:
- reflection and transmission, and wherein a detector is configured to detect a frequency response of the detected electromagnetic waves;
- and
- processing the frequency response of the detected electromagnetic waves to determine an axial spatial distribution of materials within the sample.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.