Means and method for testing the homogeneity of a solution

A method for testing the homogeneity of a solution comprising the steps of:

• providing a test solution,
• providing a reference solution,
• receiving the reference solution in a first chamber of a housing,
• receiving the test solution in a second chamber of the housing,
• providing a first signal with a first signal means spatially related to the first chamber in accordance with incident light on the first signal means,
• providing a second signal with a second signal means spatially related to the second chamber in accordance with incident light on the second signal means,
• providing light equally to both chambers in a manner so that the light passes through the solutions in both chambers to be incident upon the first and second signal means,
• polarizing the light from the light means prior to the light being incident on the first and second signal means,
• said polarizing step including:
• polarizing the light with a rotatable polarizing filter, and
• polarizing the light with a fixed polarizing filter,
• arranging the rotatable polarizing filter and the fixed polarizing filter with both chambers so that both chambers are between the two polarizing filters;
• and
• further comprising the step of rotating the rotatable polarizing filter,
• providing an output signal related to the quality of the test solution in accordance with the first and second signals.

A system controlling the application of a solution to a well comprising:

• solution means for providing a solution;
• reference means for providing a reference solution;
• housing means including:
• first chamber means for receiving the reference solution and for returning the reference solution to the reference means,
• second chamber means for receiving the solution and providing the solution,
• first signal means spatially related to the first chamber means for providing a first signal in accordance with incident light,
• second signal means spatially related to the second chamber means for providing a second signal in accordance with incident light,
• light means for providing light equally to both chamber means in a manner so that the light passes through the solutions in both chamber means to be incident upon the first and second signal means, and
• polarizing means located in the housing means for polarizing the light from the light means prior to the light being incident on the first and second signal means,
• said polarizing means includes:
• a rotatable polarizing filter means for polarizing the light, and
• a fixed polarizing filter means for polarizing light, and said rotatable polarizing filter means and said fixed polarizing filter means being spatially arranged with both chamber means so that both chamber means are between the two polarizing filter means, and
• further comprising means for rotating the rotatable polarizing filter means;
• and
• control means connected to the well, to the solution means and to the second chamber means for providing the solution from the second chamber means either to the well or to the solution means in accordance with a control signal;
• and
• control signal means connected to both signal means and to the control means for providing the control signal to the control means in accordance with the first and second signals from the first and second signal means, respectively.

A method controlling the application of a solution to a well comprising the steps of:

• providing a solution from a source;
• providing a reference solution;
• receiving the reference solution in a first chamber;
• returning the reference solution from the first chamber to the reference means;
• means for receiving the solution in a second chamber, providing the solution from the second chamber;
• providing a first signal in accordance with incident light, on a first signal means spatially related to the first chamber;
• providing a second signal in accordance with incident light, on a second signal means spatially related to the second chamber;
• providing light equally to both chambers in a manner so that the light passes through the solutions in both chambers to be incident upon the first and second signal means;
• polarizing the light prior to the light being incident on the first and second signal means,
• said polarizing step includes:
• polarizing the light with a rotatable polarizing filter, and
• polarizing the light with a fixed polarizing filter and said rotatable polarizing filter and said fixed polarizing filter being spatially arranged with both chambers so that both chambers are between the two polarizing filters, and
• further comprising the step of rotating the rotatable polarizing filter;
• using control means connected to the well, to the solution means and to the second chamber means to provide the solution from the second chamber either to the well or to the solution source in accordance with a control signal, and
• providing the control signal to the control means in accordance with the first and second signals from the first and second signal means, respectively.