Surface contamination sensor
AssigneeSpectral Sciences, Inc.
InventorsSteven Adler-Golden, Michael W. Matthew
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ambient surface contamination sensor including a source for supplying gas, which is energized before it reaches the surface being sensed so that it is capable of transferring energy to the contaminants on the surface or vapor originating therefrom. The sensor then detects the optical emission from the gas passed over the surface within a selected wavelength band characteristic of the presence on the surface of the contaminant, and indicates the presence of the contaminant on the surface when such an emission is detected.
Claims23
An ambient surface contamination sensor, comprising:
- means for supplying a gas to a surface being sensed;
- means for energizing the gas before it reaches the surface for transferring energy to surface contaminants;
- means for detecting the optical emission from the gas passed over the surface within a selected wavelength band characteristic of the presence on the surface of the contaminant;
- and
- means, responsive to said means for detecting, for indicating the presence of the contaminant on the surface.
An ambient surface contamination sensor, comprising:
- means for supplying a gas stream to a surface being sensed;
- means for energizing the gas before it reaches the surface to create an active gas for transferring energy to the surface contaminants;
- means for detecting the optical emission from the gas after it contacts the surface at both a first wavelength band characteristic of the gas and a second wavelength band characteristic of the presence on the surface of the contaminant;
- means, responsive to said means for detecting, for resolving the relative strengths of the emissions at the first and second bands;
- and
- means, responsive to said means for resolving, for indicating the presence on the surface of the contaminant.
An ambient surface contamination sensor, comprising:
- means for supplying a gas stream to a surface being sensed;
- means for energizing the gas before it reaches the surface to create an active gas for transferring energy to the contaminants;
- means for vaporizing the contaminant from the surface into the active gas;
- means for detecting the optical emission from the gas after the contaminant is vaporized at a wavelength band characteristic of the presence on the surface of the contaminant;
- means, responsive to said means for detecting, for resolving the strength of the emission;
- and
- means, responsive to said means for resolving, for determining the quantity of contamination on the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.