US 7,679,039 B2 · Compositions and methods for drop boundary detection and radiation beam alignment

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus and method for determining the position of a radiation beam. The apparatus includes (a) a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface, the reflective surfaces being placed to form the reflective exterior of a wedge; (b) a first detector placed to detect radiation reflected from the first reflective surface, and (c) a second detector placed to detect radiation reflected from the second reflective surface. The method includes the steps of (a) directing a radiation beam to the reflective exterior of a wedge formed by a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface; (b) selectively detecting radiation reflected from the first reflective surface; (c) selectively detecting radiation reflected from the second reflective surface; and (d) determining the position of the radiation beam based on the difference in the amount of radiation detected from each surface.

Claims32

Dependent claims

An apparatus for determining the position of a radiation beam relative to a fluid stream, comprising:

(a) a radiation source for producing said radiation beam;
(b) an optionally positionally adjustable nozzle having a discharge opening, wherein said fluid stream exits through said discharge opening, said nozzle positioned to cause said fluid stream and said radiation beam to intersect;
(c) one or more transparent members having a first reflective inner surface and a second reflective inner surface placed to reflect radiation scattered by said fluid stream, wherein said reflective inner surfaces are placed to form the reflective exterior of a wedge;
(d) a first detector placed to selectively detect radiation reflected from said first reflective inner surface;
(e) a second detector placed to selectively detect radiation reflected from said second reflective inner surface;
(f) a differential amplifier, wherein said differential amplifier compares the intensity of radiation detected at said first and second detectors;
(g) a third reflective surface placed to reflect radiation through said fluid stream;
(h) a positioning device attached to said third reflective surface;
and
(i) a feed back circuit, wherein a signal from said amplifier directs said positioning device to change the position of said third reflective surface.

7 more elements

An apparatus for determining the position of a radiation beam relative to a fluid stream, comprising:

(a) a radiation source for producing said radiation beam;
(b) an optionally positionally adjustable nozzle having a discharge opening, wherein said fluid stream exits through said discharge opening, said nozzle positioned to cause said fluid stream and said radiation beam to intersect;
(c) one or more transparent members having a first reflective inner surface and a second reflective inner surface placed to reflect radiation scattered by said fluid stream, wherein said reflective inner surfaces are placed to form the reflective exterior of a wedge;
(d) a first set of detectors comprising detectors placed to selectively detect said scattered radiation from the intersection point between said radiation beam and said fluid stream to different locations on said first reflective inner surface;
(e) a second set of detectors comprising detectors placed to selectively detect said scattered radiation from said intersection point to different locations on said second reflective inner surface;
(f) a differential amplifier, wherein said differential amplifier compares the intensity of radiation detected at said first and second set of detectors;
(g) a third reflective surface placed to reflect radiation through said fluid stream;
(h) a positioning device attached to said third reflective surface;
and
(i) a feed back circuit, wherein a signal from said amplifier directs said positioning device to change the position of said third reflective surface.

7 more elements

An apparatus for determining the relative positions of a radiation beam, fluid stream and one or more particle detectors, comprising:

(a) a radiation source for producing said radiation beam;
(b) an optionally positionally adjustable nozzle having a discharge opening, wherein said fluid stream exits through said discharge opening, said nozzle positioned to cause said fluid stream and said radiation beam to intersect;
(c) one or more transparent members having a first reflective inner surface and a second reflective inner surface placed to reflect radiation scattered by said fluid stream, wherein said reflective inner surfaces are placed to form the reflective exterior of a wedge;
(d) a first set of alignment detectors comprising alignment detectors placed to selectively detect said scattered radiation from the intersection point between said radiation beam and said fluid stream to different locations on said first reflective inner surface;
(e) a second set of alignment detectors comprising alignment detectors placed to selectively detect scattered radiation from said intersection point to different locations on said second reflective inner surface;
(f) a differential amplifier, wherein said differential amplifier compares the intensity of radiation detected at said first and second alignment detectors;
(g) a third reflective surface placed to reflect radiation through said fluid stream;
(h) a positioning device attached to said third reflective surface;
(i) a feed back circuit, wherein a signal from said amplifier directs said positioning device to change the position of said third reflective surface;
and
(j) a pinhole mirror, wherein said pinhole mirror has at least one pinhole positioned to pass radiation from said fluid stream to at least one particle detector.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compositions and methods for drop boundary detection and radiation beam alignment

Life of this patent

Compositions and methods for drop boundary detection and radiation beam alignment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32