# US 12,111,247 B2 · Flow cell for fiber optic spectrometers and photometers

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- Number: US 12,111,247 B2
- Document ID: US12111247B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/386,229
- Filed: 2021-07-27
- Published: 2022-04-07
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2020-07-27
- Assignees: Custom Sensors and Technology
- Applicants: Custom Sensors & Technology
- Inventors: Richard Nordman; Mike Ponstingl
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111247B2

## CPC

- G01N 21/01: Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
- G01N 21/05: Flow-through cuvettes (G01N21/09 takes precedence; handling fluid samples G01N1/10)
- G01N 21/0303: {Optical path conditioning in cuvettes, e.g. windows; adapted optical elements or systems; path modifying or adjustment (G01N21/031 - G01N21/15 take precedence)}
- G01N 21/278: {Constitution of standards}
- G01N 2021/036: {transformable, modifiable}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A flow cell and flow cell system which allows for calibration of an attached sensor to be performed in place. Specifically, the ability to utilize standard addition techniques of calibration without the need to take a test sample from the process stream or remove the sensor from operating on the flow cell.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A flow cell comprising:
a first stream coupler, said first stream coupler comprising a first main body having a first hollow internal volume therein and a first connector having a first orifice therein, wherein fluid flows from said first orifice into said first hollow internal volume and vice-versa;
a second stream coupler, said second stream coupler comprising a second main body having a second hollow internal volume therein and a second connector having a second orifice therein, wherein fluid flows from said second orifice into said second hollow internal volume and vice-versa;
a first seal positioned on an end of said first hollow internal volume and including a first light window capable of transmitting light into and out of said first hollow internal volume;
a second seal positioned on an end of said second hollow internal volume and including a second light window capable of transmitting light into and out of said second hollow internal volume;
a hollow spacer between said first hollow internal volume and said second hollow internal volume;
an input, for directing light into said first hollow internal volume; and a detector, for detecting light exiting from said second hollow internal volume, said input and said detector together forming a sensor;
wherein, said first stream coupler is arranged adjacent to said second stream coupler so such that fluid flows from said first orifice through said first hollow internal volume and through said hollow spacer, to said second hollow internal volume and to said second orifice; and
wherein light passes from said input, through said first light window, through said first hollow internal volume and said hollow spacer, through said second hollow internal volume, and through said second light window before being detected by said detector.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The flow cell of claim 1 wherein a length of said hollow spacer is variably selected to define a desired path length of light penetration through the flow cell.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The flow cell of claim 1 further comprising a hole in said detector into which a holder may be placed.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The flow cell of claim 3 wherein said holder comprises a material standard.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The flow cell of claim 4 wherein said standard is a solid material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The flow cell of claim 5 wherein said solid material comprises glass.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The flow cell of claim 3 wherein said holder comprises a cuvette.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The flow cell of claim 7 wherein said cuvette is filled with a liquid and said liquid comprises a material standard.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The flow cell of claim 8 wherein said cuvette is sealed.

### Claim 10 (depends on 3)

The flow cell of claim 3 wherein said holder facilitates calibration of said sensor without removing said input or said detector from said flow cell.

### Claim 11 (depends on 3)

The flow cell of claim 3 wherein said holder facilitates in situ testing of said sensor.

### Claim 12 (depends on 3)

The flow cell of claim 3 wherein said holder positions a material standard next to a process stream flowing through said flow cell such that light may penetrate both the process stream and the material standard sequentially.