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US 5,402,241 AGranted
Optical probe for fluid light transmission properties
AssigneeThe Foxboro Company
InventorsAnthony C. Jeannotte, Arthur Colvin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Radiant energy is transmitted to a probe element including an interior conical reflecting surface and a fluid sample chamber. Portions of the light which have been transmitted, partially attenuated, or scattered by a fluid sample in the sample chamber are directed by at least a portion of the interior conical reflecting surface to means for collecting the transmitted, partially attenuated, or scattered light. A stilling valve incorporated into the probe element enables elimination of entrained gas bubbles from the chamber.
Claims40
A probe for optically-based sampling comprising:
- a) an elongated main body having a recessed distal end;
- b) an elongated extension body adapted for attachment to said main body, having an interior conical reflecting surface facing said main body;
- c) a sample chamber disposed between said extension body and said main body in said main body recess, said sample chamber further including an optical entry and an optical exit, and a fluid entry, wherein the sample chamber is adapted to contain a fluid;
- d) means for directing radiant energy from an external source to a first node located within said main body;
- e) means for communicating radiant energy from said first node to a first portion of said interior conical reflecting surface, comprising a first conducting rod;
- f) means for communicating radiant energy from said first portion of said interior conical reflecting surface to a detector;
- and
- g) means for admitting successive samples of such fluid into said sample chamber
- wherein said means for admitting comprises an extension body central chamber which includes a necked-down portion of reduced cross section, and said means for admitting comprises means for closing said chamber at said necked-down portion.
6 more elements
A probe for optically-based sampling comprising:
- a) an elongated main body having a recessed distal end;
- b) an elongated extension body adapted for attachment to said main body, having an interior conical reflecting surface facing said main body;
- c) a sample chamber disposed between said extension body and said main body in said main body recess, said sample chamber further including an optical entry and an optical exit, and a fluid entry, wherein the sample chamber is adapted to contain a fluid;
- d) means for directing radiant energy from an external source to a first node located within said main body;
- e) means for communicating radiant energy from said first node to a first portion of said interior conical reflecting surface, comprising a first conducting rod;
- f) means for communicating radiant energy from said first portion of said interior conical reflecting surface to a detector;
- and
- g) means for admitting successive samples of such fluid into said sample chamber
- wherein said means for closing includes a plunger, further including means for adjustably positioning said plunger within said sample chamber.
6 more elements
A probe for optically-based sampling comprising:
- a) an elongated main body having a recessed distal end;
- b) an elongated extension body adapted for attachment to said main body, having an interior conical reflecting surface facing said main body;
- c) a sample chamber disposed between said extension body and said main body in said main body recess, said sample chamber further including an optical entry and an optical exit, and a fluid entry, wherein the sample chamber is adapted to contain a fluid;
- d) means for directing radiant energy from an external source to a first node located within said main body;
- e) means for communicating radiant energy from said first node to a first portion of said interior conical reflecting surface, comprising a first conducting rod;
- f) means for communicating radiant energy from said first portion of said interior conical reflecting surface to a detector;
- and
- g) means for admitting successive samples of such fluid into said sample chamber
- wherein said means for admitting includes a plunger, further including electromagnetic means for actuating said plunger.
6 more elements
A probe for optically-based sampling comprising:
- a) an elongated main body having a recessed distal end;
- b) an elongated extension body adapted for attachment to said main body, having an interior conical reflecting surface facing said main body;
- c) a sample chamber disposed between said extension body and said main body in said main body recess, said sample chamber further including an optical entry and an optical exit, and a fluid entry, wherein the sample chamber is adapted to contain a fluid;
- d) means for directing radiant energy from an external source to a first node located within said main body;
- e) means for communicating radiant energy from said first node to a first portion of said interior conical reflecting surface, comprising a first conducting rod;
- f) means for communicating radiant energy from said first portion of said interior conical reflecting surface to a detector;
- and
- g) means for admitting successive samples of such fluid into said sample chamber
- wherein said means for admitting includes a plunger, further including pneumatic means for actuating said plunger.
6 more elements
A probe for optically-based sampling comprising:
- a) an elongated main body having a recessed distal end;
- b) an elongated extension body adapted for attachment to said main body, having an interior conical reflecting surface facing said main body;
- c) a sample chamber disposed between said extension body and said main body in said main body recess, said sample chamber further including an optical entry and an optical exit, and a fluid entry, wherein the sample chamber is adapted to contain a fluid;
- d) means for directing radiant energy from an external source to a first node located within said main body;
- e) means for communicating radiant energy from said first node to a first portion of said interior conical reflecting surface, comprising a first conducting rod;
- f) means for communicating radiant energy from said first portion of said interior conical reflecting surface to a detector;
- and
- g) means for admitting successive samples of such fluid into said sample chamber
- wherein said means for admitting comprises an interior central chamber in the extension body which chamber includes a necked-down portion of reduced cross section, and said means for admitting comprises means for closing said chamber at said necked-down portion.
6 more elements
A probe for optically-based sampling comprising:
- a) an elongated main body having a recessed distal end;
- b) an elongated extension body adapted for attachment to said main body, having an interior conical reflecting surface facing said main body;
- c) a sample chamber disposed between said extension body and said main body in said main body recess, said sample chamber further including an optical entry and an optical exit, and a fluid entry, wherein the sample chamber is adapted to contain a fluid;
- d) means for directing radiant energy from an external source to a first node located within said main body;
- e) means for communicating radiant energy from said first node to a first portion of said interior conical reflecting surface, comprising a first conducting rod;
- f) means for communicating radiant energy from said first portion of said interior conical reflecting surface to a detector;
- and
- g) means for admitting successive samples of such fluid into said sample chamber;
- wherein said means for admitting includes a plunger, further including means for actuating said plunger for closing said means for admitting.
6 more elements
The method of optical sensing characteristics of a fluid in a sample chamber in a probe which comprises:
- a) admitting a first one of multiple samples of a fluid through said chamber via an entry and then closing said chamber with a plunger to form a discrete sample;
- b) opening said chamber entry to admit a succeeding fluid sample to enter said chamber via said entry;
- c) passing an input signal to a first node within said probe, said first node containing an end of a first, discrete light-conducting rod;
- d) conducting said input signal from said first node through said first rod as light energy to a first portion of an interior conical reflecting surface;
- e) reflecting said input signal from said first portion of said interior conical reflecting surface to a second portion of said interior conical reflecting surface;
- f) collecting as an output optical signal at least a portion of the light reflected from said second portion of said interior conical reflecting surface;
- and
- g) directing said output optical signal to a detector within said probe.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.