# US 12,216,007 B2 · Liquid color, haze, and clarity instrument, and method of measurement > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,216,007 B2 - Document ID: US12216007B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/176,092 - Filed: 2023-02-28 - Published: 2023-09-07 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-25 - Applicants: Ranzy Morgan, III - Inventors: Ranzy Morgan, III - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12216007B2 ## CPC - G01J 3/0294: {Multi-channel spectroscopy} - G01J 3/42: Absorption spectrometry; Double beam spectrometry; Flicker spectrometry; Reflection spectrometry (beam switching arrangements G01J3/08) - G01J 3/2803: {using photoelectric array detector} - G01N 21/01: Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation - G01N 21/251: {Colorimeters; Construction thereof} - G01N 21/51: inside a container, e.g. in an ampoule (G01N21/53 takes precedence) - G01N 21/59: Transmissivity (G01N21/25 takes precedence) - G01J 2003/102: {Plural sources} - G01N 33/22: Fuels; Explosives - G01N 33/2888: {Lubricating oil characteristics, e.g. deterioration (lubricating properties G01N33/30)} - G01N 2021/1744: {either absorption or scatter} - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) - 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 The present disclosure provides for an apparatus for measuring optical properties of liquid samples. The apparatus includes a sample chamber and a spectrometer optically coupled with the sample chamber. One or multiple sources of electromagnetic radiation are positioned relative to the sample chamber to direct electromagnetic radiation through the sample chamber to measure the color, haze, and/or clarity of the sample. Also provided is a method for measuring optical properties of liquid samples, including inserting a cuvette containing a liquid sample into the sample chamber of the apparatus, and directing electromagnetic radiation from the one or more sources and through the sample to measure the color, haze, and/or clarity of the sample. The apparatus and methods may be used to analyze various samples, such as petroleum-based fluids, including fuels and lubricants. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for measuring optical properties of liquids, the apparatus comprising: a sample chamber; a source of electromagnetic radiation positioned relative to the sample chamber to direct electromagnetic radiation through the sample chamber; a first photodetector optically coupled with the sample chamber and positioned to receive at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the sample chamber; and a second photodetector optically coupled with the sample chamber and positioned to receive at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the sample chamber; wherein the apparatus is configured to measure haze of liquid samples to determine an instrument haze rating and a haze clarity index of liquid samples. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lens positioned between the source of electromagnetic radiation and the sample chamber and optically coupled therewith. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lens is configured to collimate the electromagnetic radiation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a chamber window positioned between the source of electromagnetic radiation and the sample chamber and optically coupled thereto. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation comprises a near-infrared light. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation comprises a light emitting diode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation comprises a white light emitting diode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within the wavelength range of from 800 nm to 880 nm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within a wavelength range of from 380 nm to 780 nm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second photodetectors comprises a nephelometer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instrument haze rating is a whole number ranging from 1 to 6. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the haze clarity index is from 50 to 100. ### Claim 13 An apparatus for measuring haze of liquids, the apparatus comprising: a sample chamber; a source of electromagnetic radiation positioned relative to the sample chamber to direct electromagnetic radiation through the sample chamber; a first photodetector optically coupled with the sample chamber and positioned to receive at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the sample chamber; a second photodetector optically coupled with the sample chamber and positioned to receive at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the sample chamber; a lens positioned between the source of electromagnetic radiation and the sample chamber and optically coupled therewith, wherein the lens is configured to collimate the electromagnetic radiation; a chamber window positioned between the source of electromagnetic radiation and the sample chamber and optically coupled thereto; wherein the apparatus is configured to measure haze of liquid samples to determine an instrument haze rating and a haze clarity index of liquid samples. ### Claim 14 A method for measuring optical properties of liquids, the method comprising: providing a liquid sample in a sample chamber; directing electromagnetic radiation from a source of electromagnetic radiation through the liquid sample in the sample chamber; receiving at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the liquid sample with a first photodetector; receiving at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the liquid sample with a second photodetector; and determining a haze of the liquid sample, including determining an instrument haze rating and a haze clarity index of the liquid sample. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the instrument haze rating is a whole number ranging from 1 to 6. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the haze clarity index is from 50 to 100. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the liquid sample comprises a petroleum-based liquid. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the petroleum-based liquid includes a fuel or a lubricant. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the petroleum-based liquid includes a middle distillate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the middle distillate comprises heating oil, distillate fuel oil, gas oil, lighting oil, or cooking oil. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the middle distillate comprises kerosene, jet fuel, diesel fuel, or marine bunker fuel. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the middle distillate has from eleven to eighteen carbons atoms in each molecule thereof. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the liquid sample comprises a contaminate. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the contaminate comprises water, solid particulate, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 25 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the directing electromagnetic radiation comprises collimating the electromagnetic radiation. ### Claim 26 An apparatus for measuring haze of liquids, the apparatus comprising: a source of electromagnetic radiation; a first photodetector positioned to relative to the source of electromagnetic radiation to receive a first portion of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the source of electromagnetic radiation and to measure transmittance of the electromagnetic radiation; a second photodetector positioned to relative to the source of electromagnetic radiation to receive at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the source of electromagnetic radiation and to measure scatter of the electromagnetic radiation; and a computer in data communication with the first and second photodetectors, wherein the computer is configured to receive data signals from the first and second photodetectors that correspond with the electromagnetic radiation detected by the first and second photodetectors, and wherein the computer is configured to process the data signals to determine an instrument haze rating and a haze clarity index. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first photodetector is positioned to receive electromagnetic radiation transmitted along a first detection channel between the source of electromagnetic radiation and the first photodetector; and wherein the second photodetector is positioned to receive electromagnetic radiation scattered along a second detection channel between the source of electromagnetic radiation and the second photodetector. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the instrument haze rating is a whole number ranging from 1 to 6. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the haze clarity index ranges from 50 to 100. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a sample chamber, wherein the first and second detection channels pass through the sample chamber. ### Claim 31 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a lens positioned between the source of electromagnetic radiation and the first and second photodetectors, wherein the lens is configured to collimate the electromagnetic radiation. ### Claim 32 A method for measuring haze of liquids, the method comprising: directing electromagnetic radiation through a liquid; measuring transmission of the electromagnetic radiation through the liquid; measuring scatter of the electromagnetic radiation through the liquid; and determining a haze of the liquid based on the measured transmission and scatter of the electromagnetic radiation, including determining an instrument haze rating and a haze clarity index of the liquid sample. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the instrument haze rating is a whole number ranging from 1 to 6. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the haze clarity index ranging from 50 to 100.