US 9,958,321 B2 · Transverse optical transmission probe

Abstract

A transverse optical transmission probe having a probe body and a probe tip. The probe use optical fibers to both transmit radiation from an instrument to the probe tip and to return the sample affected radiation to the instrument. The fibers are in parallel and contained in the probe body. The probe tip includes two optical elements that protrude into the sample and are configured to define a sample gap so that incident radiation pass through the sample in a direction transverse to the axis to the probe and eventually reaches the receiving fiber. Each of the optical elements may be formed from a single piece of material or may be a composite formed by adhering two or more pieces of material together. One or more lensed surfaces may be used to cause the end of the transmitting fiber to be imaged on the end of the receiving fiber.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims23

Dependent claims

A transverse optical transmission probe for analyzing a sample comprising:

a probe body;
first and second optical fibers in the probe body, each optical fiber having a distal end,
a probe tip connected to the probe body;
first and second optical elements in the probe tip that protrude into the sample and define a sample gap therebetween through which the sample passes;
the first optical fiber configured for transmitting radiation from an instrument to the probe tip and the second optical fiber returning sample affected radiation from the probe tip to the instrument;
said first optical element configured for receiving the radiation transmitted by the first optical fiber and transmitting the radiation across the sample gap and through the sample to form the sample-affected radiation within the sample gap,
said second optical element configured for receiving the sample-affected radiation from the sample gap and transmitting the sample-affected radiation to the second optical fiber;
and
at least one lensed surface that causes the distal end of the first optical fiber to be imaged onto the distal end of the second optical fiber.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,252 words

Summary781 words

#Field of the Invention

#The invention relates generally to probes for spectroscopic measuring devices and, more particularly, to a transverse optical transmission probe.

#Description of the Related Art

Brief description of the drawings11 figures

#The presently preferred embodiments of the just summarized invention can be best understood in connection with a detailed description of the following figures.

#FIG. 1 shows a first preferred probe 100 comprised of a probe body 110 and a probe tip 120 having a sample gap 121;

#FIG. 2 shows a process line or vessel having a wall 50 with an aperture 51;

Detailed description2,132 words

#The primary impetus for development of our invention has been a particular set of applications utilizing near-infrared vibrational spectroscopy. However, it can also be applied to other fields of optical spectroscopy.

#FIG. 1 shows a first preferred probe 100 that is comprised of a probe body 110 and a probe tip 120 having a sample gap 121. The preferred probe body 110 has a shoulder 111 with an annular groove on its underside, and threads 113 along its length. The preferred probe tip 120 has a sample gap 121.

#FIG. 2 shows a process line or vessel having a wall 50 with an aperture 51 for receiving the probe 100.

Facts

Application

14/964,428Filed 9 Dec 2015 · us provisional application

Priority

9 Dec 2014

Published

US 2016/0161335 A19 Jun 2016

Granted

1 May 2018

Term ends

10 Feb 2036

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 63 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification8 codes

G01J 3/0218
Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. optical manifolds, diffusers, windows: using optical fibers
G01J 3/0291
Details: housings; Spectrometer accessories; Spatial arrangement of elements, e.g. folded path arrangements
G01J 3/42
Investigating the spectrum: absorption spectrometry; Double beam spectrometry; Flicker spectrometry; Reflection spectrometry
G01N 21/8507
Investigating moving fluids or granular solids: probe photometers, i.e. with optical measuring part dipped into fluid sample

Timeline

9 Dec 2014Priority claimedParent application 62/089,525
9 Dec 2015Application filedUS 14/964,428
9 Dec 2015Assigned to Axiom Analytical, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
9 Jun 2016PublishedUS 2016/0161335 A1
27 Sep 2016Assigned to Hellma Holding GmbHassignment of assignor's interest
1 May 2018GrantedUS 9,958,321 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
10 Feb 2036Term endsEstimated, includes 63 days of adjustment

Transverse optical transmission probe

Life of this patent

Transverse optical transmission probe

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims23

Description3,252 words

Drawings

Classification8 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,252 words