EP0793091A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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An optical chemical sensor
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1997-02-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-02-26
Abstract
Abstract An optical chemical sensor comprises an optical waveguide having a light transmitting substrate and a coating of an environmentally sensitive compound in a Zr/Si sol-gel glass binder on the substrate. The sensor is suitable for use in high pH environments. The environmentally sensitive compound may be a chemically sensitive dye e.g. a pH indicator dye.
Inventors
- 👤 Christoper Peter Kodak Limited Moore
- 👤 Jean-Christophe Kodak Pathe Robert
- 👤 Robert George Elec. and Elec. Eng. Dep. Blue
- 👤 George Elec. and Elec. Eng. Dep. Stewart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N21/78; G01N21/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
An optical chemical sensor comprising an optical waveguide having a light transmitting substrate and a coating of an environmentally sensitive compound in a binder on the substrate characterised in that the binder is a Zr/Si sol-gel glass.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sensor according to claim 1 wherein the mole percentage ratio of Zr to Si in the sol-gel glass is from 5:95 to 55:45.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sensor according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the coating of the chemically sensitive dye in the Zr/Si sol-gel glass binder is provided along at least part of the length of the waveguide substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sensor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the coating of the chemically sensitive dye in the Zr/Si sol-gel glass binder is a multilayer coating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sensor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the waveguide substrate is of an inorganic glass material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sensor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the waveguide is an optical fibre.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sensor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the environmentally sensitive compound is a chemically sensitive dye.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sensor according to claim 7 wherein the chemically sensitive dye is a pH sensitive dye.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sensor according to claim 8 wherein the chemically sensitive dye is Nile Blue.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of sensing a change in the chemical or physical properties of a fluid which comprises contacting the fluid with an optical chemical sensor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the environmentally sensitive compound is sensitive to the change in the chemical or physical properties of the fluid, transmitting radiation through the sensor, and measuring the radiation which has been modified by or generated by the environmentally sensitive compound.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 10 of sensing a change in the pH of a fluid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the pH of the fluid is greater than 9.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
WO1992015862A1
Cited
US5501836A
Cited
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