Inline optical sensor with modular flowcell
AssigneeEndress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG
InventorWilliam H. Wynn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Inline optical sensor which includes a modular flowcell block with a flow passageway of predetermined diameter, interchangeable adapters for connecting flow lines with different internal diameters to the block, and an optical pathlength that can be adjusted both in fixed increments with window spacers and continuously with vernier adjusters, and a light source and an optical detector in modular housings which can be aligned both radially and axially. Thermal isolation is provided between the housings and the flowcell body, and air circulation further reduces temperature and condensation within the housings.
Claims38
An inline optical sensor, comprising a flowcell block, a flow passageway of predetermined diameter extending through the block, a plurality of adapters for connecting product lines with different internal diameters to the block, means for interchangeably attaching the adapters to the block at opposite ends of the flow passageway, monitoring ports which intersect the flow passageway and open through opposite sides of the block, optical windows disposed in the ports, a light source and an optical detector aligned with each other on an optical axis that passes through the passageway and the windows, and a plurality of spacers interchangeably positioned on opposite sides of one of the windows for establishing different optical pathlengths between the windows.
An inline optical sensor, comprising a flowcell block, a flow passageway extending through the block, means for connecting flow lines to the block, monitoring ports which intersect the flow passageway and open through opposite sides of the block, optical windows having cylindrical bodies with radial flanges disposed in the ports, a light source and an optical detector aligned with each other on an optical axis that passes through the passageway and the windows, stepped O-ring gaskets providing liquid-tight seals between the cylindrical bodies of the windows and the flowcell block, and a plurality of spacers interchangeably positioned on opposite sides of the window flanges for establishing different optical pathlengths between the windows.
An inline optical sensor, comprising a flowcell block, a flow passageway of predetermined diameter extending through the block, a plurality of adapters with tapered bores for connecting product lines having different internal diameters to the flowcell, means for interchangeably attaching the adapters to the block with the bores in the adapters in communication with the passageway in the block, monitoring ports which intersect the flow passageway and open through opposite sides of the block, optical windows disposed in the ports, a light source and an optical detector aligned with each other on an optical axis that passes through the passageway and the windows, and gaskets under controlled compression between the adapters and the block with inner faces of the gaskets aligned with side walls of the bores and the passageway.
An inline optical sensor, comprising a flowcell block, a flow passageway extending through the block, means for connecting flow lines to the block, monitoring ports which intersect the flow passageway and open through opposite sides of the block, optical windows disposed in the ports, means for adjusting the positions of the windows to provide different optical pathlengths between them, a light source and an optical detector in modular housings having cylindrical side walls disposed coaxially of cylindrical mounts on opposite sides of the block, and conical setscrews extending between the cylindrical side walls and mounts with the conical walls of the setscrews engaging sockets of lesser diameter to hold the light source and detector in both radial and axial alignment with each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.