# US 2019/0226965 A1 · Method and system for particle characterization in harsh environments > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0226965 A1 - Document ID: US20190226965A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/878,117 - Filed: 2018-01-23 - Published: 2019-07-25 - Earliest claimed: 2018-01-23 - Assignees: Hal Technology, LLC - Inventors: Hai Lin; Gregor Arthur Waldherr - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190226965A1 ## CPC - G01N 15/0211: {Investigating a scatter or diffraction pattern} - G01N 15/06: Investigating concentration of particle suspensions (by weighing G01N5/00; investigating sedimentation of particle suspensions G01N15/04; investigating individual particles G01N15/10) - G01N 15/1434: Optical arrangements - G01N 15/1456: {without spatial resolution of the texture or inner structure of the particle, e.g. processing of pulse signals} - G01N 15/1459: {the analysis being performed on a sample stream} - G01N 21/532: {with measurement of scattering and transmission} - G01N 15/075: by optical means - G01N 2015/0046: {in gas, e.g. smoke} - G01N 2015/0049: {of filaments in gas} - G01N 2015/0096: {Investigating consistence of powders, dustability, dustiness} - G01N 2015/0238: {Single particle scatter} - G01N 2015/1493: {Particle size} - 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 Disclosed herein is a novel optical particle characterization system and method of use that can be applied to harsh environments. By separating the sensing components from the electronics unit and using optical fibers for interconnection, only the sensing components need to endure harsh environmental conditions. This reduces the design constraints on the electronics unit and permits the incorporation of optical components into the sensing probe that can withstand high-temperature and high-pressure environments. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for optically detecting particles and measuring the size distributions and mass concentrations of particulate matter in a gas or a liquid, the system comprising: one or more sensing probes each consisting of at least one or more light source pathways and at least one or more sensing pathways, where the source pathways direct a plurality of light beams through optional beam-shaping optics and into one or more detection zones and the sensing pathways have a plurality of optics that collects light scattered from particles in the detection zones and relays those optical signals to the electronics unit; one or more electronics units that houses a plurality of light sources, a plurality of detectors which convert the optical light scattering signal generated by particles passing through the detection zones into pulsed electrical signals whose amplitudes depend on the particle size, particle shape, and particle composition, corresponding light source and detector control electronics, a signal classifier which provides a plurality of size channels into which the measured pulsed signals are classified, and signal processing hardware to convert the classified pulsed signals into particle statistics including particle distribution, total particle volume, average particle size, average particle surface area, and particle mass concentration; and a plurality of optical fiber connections between the sensing probes and electronics units. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 where only one sensing probe and one electronics unit are used. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 where only one light source and/or one detector is included. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 where the signal classifier is a multichannel pulse height discriminator or signal analyzer which provides a plurality of size channels numbering from 1 to 16,777,216 channels. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 where the interconnecting optical fibers for one sensor probe are all contained within one optical fiber cable. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 where one light source and one detector are coupled on two separate optical fibers or only one optical fiber with the use of a fiber coupler. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 where only one light source and two or more detectors are included. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 where light along the optical paths in the sensing probe is spatially beam shaped to achieve a defined performance at the sensing location. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 where each optical path has its own set of optical elements to shape the beam. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 where optical elements are shared on multiple optical paths. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 where the sensing probe is capable of withstanding pressures between 0 psia (0 MPa) and 250 psia (1.7 MPa) or more. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 where the sensing probe is capable of withstanding elevated temperatures as high as 570° F. (300° C.) or higher and reduced temperatures as low as −100° F. (−73° C.) or lower. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 where the outer housing of a sensor probe comprises a predetermined shape, wherein this predetermined shape is generally cylindrical and may include one end threaded to secure the sensor probe to a mounting location. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 deployed with multiple light sources which may have same or different emission wavelengths. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 wherein the signals from two or more detectors are summed, differenced, or ratioed to provide noise cancellation or other signal processing and interpretation. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The particle measurement system described in claim 1 deployed multiply or in a distributed fashion where the system could share common light sources or multiple detectors. ### Claim 17 A method for optically detecting particles and measuring the size distributions and mass concentrations of particulate matter in a gas or a liquid, the method comprising: providing a sensing probe in one or more locations, wherein each sensor probe consists of at least one light source pathway and at least one sensing pathway, where the source pathway directs a plurality of light beams through optional beam-shaping optics and into one or more detection zones and the sensing pathway has a plurality of optics that collect light scattered from particles in the detection zones and relays those optical signals to the electronics unit; providing one or more electronics units in one or more locations, wherein each electronics unit houses a plurality of light sources, a plurality of detectors which convert the optical light scattering signal generated by particles passing through the detection zones into pulsed electrical signals whose amplitudes depend on the particle size, particle shape, and particle composition, corresponding light source and detector control electronics, a signal classifier which provides a plurality of size channels into which the measured pulsed signals are classified, and signal processing hardware to convert the classified pulsed signals into particle statistics including particle distribution, total particle volume, average particle size, average particle surface area, and particle mass concentration; and providing a plurality of optical fiber connections between the sensing probes and electronics units. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 applied to monitoring a gas turbine engine to provide early warning and protection from excessive particle ingestion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 applied to monitoring the effectiveness of a filtration system by measuring the particle concentration before and after filtration. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 applied to liquid media for water, oil, or lubricant contamination monitoring.