Photomicrographic system for flowing fluids

Abstract

A photomicrographic system for measuring the number, size distribution and movement rate of foreign matter, e.g., droplets in a flowing liquid stream comprises a microscope having a field of view and an optical axis, along which lie an objective lens and a viewing lens, said microscope being disposed such that the plane of its optical axis is horizontal; a liquid sample cell disposed within the field of view of said microscope; a solenoid valve located downstream of said sample cell and connected thereto, whereby the liquid flow through the cell may be stopped or started; a standpipe pressure regulator fed by the flowing liquid stream and connected at its low pressure end to said sample cell, whereby a steadily flowing sample stream at essentially constant pressure is provided at the entrance of the sample cell; a flash illuminator disposed such that a flash therefrom illuminates said sample cell; and a camera disposed such that the image of said cell formed at the viewing lens of said microscope forms the film image of said camera, the latter being provided with a motor driven film winder. Using this system, a series of photomicrographs is taken of a sample of the liquid trapped in the cell. From the travel of the droplets depicted on these photomicrographs, the density (via Stokes' Law calculations) of the droplets, and, hence, their composition can be inferred from previous knowledge of the sample.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.