EP0507746A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and device for measuring the particle size distribution of a flowing solid particulate substance
Assignee: ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI OTTICA
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Filing: 1992-03-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-03-25
Abstract
Abstract The device for measuring the particle size distribution by means of image analysis comprises a source of illumination (1), a means (3) of capturing the image of the particles contained in the specimen to be measured, projected by said light source onto said means of capture, and means of processing the signals captured by said means of capture; the source of illumination (1) is a pulsed source and a measuring chamber (5) with means to permit a continuous flow of the specimen is disposed between the source of illumination (1) and the means of capture (3). <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 Giuseppe Longobardi
- 👤 Franco Francini
- 👤 Carlo Castellini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/02; G01N15/0205; G01N15/0227; G01N2015/0042; G01N2015/0053; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N2021/1765; G01N2021/177; G01N2201/00; G01N2201/06; G01N2201/069; G01N2201/0696; G01N2201/0697
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of measuring the particle size distribution by means of image analysis, wherein a specimen to be measured is disposed between a light source and a means of capturing the image of the particles contained in said specimen, projected onto said means of capture, and wherein the signal obtained from said means of capture is processed to provide an indication of the distribution of the sizes of the particles contained in the specimen, wherein: - the specimen under examination is in motion, and - the illumination of the specimen is provided discontinuously in pulses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: a) a pulse for synchronizing the source of illumination and the means of capture is generated; b) an image is acquired; c) the image data are transmitted to a computer for the calculation of the particle sizes and the storage of the data; d) stages (a), (b) and (c) are repeated for a predeterminable number of cycles; and e) the particle size distribution in the specimen is calculated on the basis of the stored data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the specimen is illuminated by a pulsed laser source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the specimen consists of a fluid medium in motion, in which the particles are suspended.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
93 words
A device for measuring the particle size distribution by means of image analysis, comprising a source of illumination, a means of capturing the image of the particles contained in the specimen to be measured, projected by said light source onto said means of capture, and means of processing the signals captured by said means of capture, wherein: - said source of illumination is a pulsed source; and - a measuring chamber with means to permit a continuous flow of the specimen is disposed between the source of illumination and the means of capture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the source of illumination is a pulsed laser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the means of capturing the image is a television camera.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, comprising means of generating a pulse for synchronizing the source of illumination and the means of capture.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
43 words
The device as claimed in one or more of claims 5 to 8, comprising a computer which processes the image signals originating from said means of capture and which sends synchronizing pulses to said source of illumination and to said means of capture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said computer is programed to perform a predeterminable number of operations of capturing and processing image signals and to determine, from the data processed from said captured signals, the particle size distribution in the specimen under examination.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
30 words
The device as claimed in one or more of claims 5 to 10, wherein said means of capture is associated with a focusing optic and if necessary a magnifying optic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said optic has a depth of field close to the depth of the measuring chamber measured in the direction of the illuminating beam originating from said source of illumination.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
44 words
The device as claimed in one or more of claims 5 to 12, wherein said measuring chamber has two flanges carrying transparent wall portions and, between said two flanges, a spacer in plate form with an aperture defining the specimen-holding volume of the chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said spacer in plate form is interchangeable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the tubes for the admission and discharge of the specimen are connected to one of said two flanges.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said tubes are inclined with respect to the plane defined by the spacer in plate form.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
24 words
The device as claimed in one or more of claims 5 to 15, wherein an expansion tank is disposed ahead of said measuring chamber.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
25 words
The device as claimed in one or more of claims 5 to 16, comprising a reservoir in which the specimen is diluted and kept agitated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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