Spectrometer system containing an interchangeable encoding cassette

Claim 2

A spectrometer which includes an encoding apparatus for encoding the spectral energy of radiation in a focal plane of the spectrometer, which spectrometer comprises in combination: a. a means to provide a spectral radiant energy distribution in a focal plane; b. an encoding apparatus which includes: i. an aperture plate characterized by at least one aperture therein, the aperture positioned to select the desired spectral interval which is to be analyzed from the focal plane; ii. a rotatable encoding element characterized by a plurality of encoding apertures therein, the apertures positioned to impose a desired time sequence modulation code upon the spectral energy emerging from the apertures of the aperture plate; iii. a shaft assembly including a shaft mounted for rotation in a bearing assembly, the encoding element secured to thE shaft for rotation therewith; and iv. a frame element securing the aperture plate and encoding element in a close spatial relationship, the frame including a reference-locating element; c. a pair of spaced-apart locater elements secured to the spectrometer and adapted to receive the frame element, the locater elements each including an axial locater means adapted to position accurately the shaft assembly; d. a means adapted to receive the reference locating element; e. a photo multiplier means to receive the modulated radiant energy from the encoding device and to generate an output signal; f. means to rotate the shaft; and g. a signal-processing means to process the output of the detector means and to provide a quantitative analysis of the encoded spectral elements, whereby on insertion of the encoding apparatus in the spectrometer, the axial locater means permits rapid placement of the device in position, and whereby fine adjustments in the angular position of the encoding disc is provided by the reference-locating element.

Claim 3

The spectrometer of claim 1 wherein the axial locater means comprises a pair of hardened V grooves in each of the locater elements, the grooves adapted to receive the shoulders of the bearing of the shaft assembly on insertion of the encoding device.

Claim 4

The spectrometer of claim 1 wherein the reference-locating element on the frame includes a reference pin, and wherein the means to receive the reference-locating element includes a restraining track, the reference pin fitting in the restraining track when the encoding device is properly placed in the spectrometer.

Claim 5

The spectrometer of claim 3 which includes a means for the adjustment of the track to place the encoding device in a desired position.

Claim 6

The spectrometer of claim 1 wherein the optical means includes the combination of a prism and an echelle grating, the means for rotating the prism substantially parallel to the prism face and means to rotate the grating substantially parallel to the grating rulings, whereby a two-dimensional horizontal-vertical spectral energy distribution is obtained at the focal plane.

Claim 7

The spectrometer of claim 1 wherein the encoding apparatus includes: a. an aperture plate characterized by a separate decoding plate area having at least one aperture and corresponding to the spectral interval selected for analysis in the other section of the plate; b. a light source to provide illumination of the decoding of the elements encoded; and c. a decoding means which includes an individual detector positioned to receive the encoded energy for each aperture from the separate plate area which has been encoded by the rotating encoding element, the signal-processing means adapted to employ the electrical synchronizing signal from each individual photo detector to decode the encoded spectral elements.

Claim 8

A spectrometer which includes an encoding-decoding apparatus for encoding and decoding the spectral energy of radiation in a two-dimensional focal plane of the spectrometer, which spectrometer comprises in combination: a. an optical means to provide a two-dimensional spectral radiant energy distribution in essentially square focal plane; b. encoding-decoding apparatus which includes: i. a stationary aperture plate having an upper and lower section, each section characterized by a plurality of apertures therein, the apertures of the encoding area positioned to select the desired spectral integral which is to be analyzed from the two-dimensional focal plane, and the other decoding area containing a plurality of apertures positioned to receive illumination of an independent light source for decoding the desired spectral integral which is to be encoded; ii. a rotatable encoding element characterized by a plurality of encoding apertures therein, the apertures positioned to impose a desired time sequence modulation code upon the spectral energy emerging from the apertures of the aperture plate; III. a shaft assembly including a shaft mounted for rotation in a bearing assembly, the encoding element secured to the shaft for rotation therewith; and iv. a frame element securing the aperture plate and encoding element in close spatial relationship, the frame including a reference-locating element; c. an independent light source to provide illumination only to the decoding area of the aperture plate; d. a pair of spaced-apart locater elements secured to the spectrometer and adapted to receive the frame element, the locater elements including a hardened V groove, the groove adapted to receive the shoulders of the bearing assembly on insertion of the encoding-decoding apparatus between the locater elements; e. a restraining track adapted to receive the reference-locating elements of the frame, whereby on proper positioning of the encoding-decoding apparatus the reference pin fits in a proper position in the restraining track; f. photo multiplier means to receive the modulated radiant energy from the encoding area of the aperture plate, and to generate an electrical output signal; g. individual detector means to receive the modulated radiant energy from the decoding areas of the aperture plate as modulated by the rotating encoding element; h. means to rotate the shaft; and i. signal-processing means to process the output of the photo multiplier and the synchronizing signals from the individual detectors of the decoding area of the aperture plate.

Claim 9

A spectrometer which includes an encoding-decoding apparatus for encoding and decoding the spectral energy of radiation in a two-dimensional focal plane of the spectrometer, which spectrometer comprises in combination: a. an optical means to provide a two-dimensional spectral radiant energy distribution in essentially square focal plane; b. encoding-decoding apparatus which includes: i. a stationary aperture plate having an upper and lower section, each section characterized by a plurality of apertures therein, the apertures of the encoding area positioned to select the desired spectral integral which is to be analyzed from the two-dimensional focal plane, and the other decoding area containing a plurality of apertures positioned to receive illumination of an independent light source for decoding the desired spectral integral which is to be encoded; ii. a rotatable encoding element characterized by a plurality of encoding apertures therein, the apertures positioned to impose a desired time sequence modulation code upon the spectral energy emerging from the apertures of the aperture plate; III. a shaft assembly including a shaft mounted for rotation in a bearing assembly, the encoding element secured to the shaft for rotation therewith; and iv. a frame element securing the aperture plate and encoding element in close spatial relationship, the frame including a reference-locating element; c. an independent light source to provide illumination only to the decoding area of the aperture plate; d. a pair of spaced-apart locater elements secured to the spectrometer and adapted to receive the frame element, the locater elements including a hardened V groove, the groove adapted to receive the shoulders of the bearing assembly on insertion of the encoding-decoding apparatus between the locater elements; e. a restraining track adapted to receive the reference-locating elements of the frame, whereby on proper positioning of the encoding-decoding apparatus the reference pin fits in a proper position in the restraining track; f. photo multiplier means to receive the modulated radiant energy from the encoding area of the aperture plate, and to generate an electrical output signal; g. individual detector means to receive the modulated radiant energy from the decoding areas of the aperture plate as modulated by the rotating encoding element; h. means to rotate the shaft; and i. signal-processing means to process the output of the photo multiplier and the synchronizing signals from the individual detectors of the decoding area of the aperture plate.

Claim 10

The spectrometer of claim 7 wherein the optical means to provide a two-dimensional radiant energy distribution includes the combination of a prism and an echelle grating, the means for rotating the prism substantially parallel to the prism face, and means to rotate the grating substantially parallel to the grating rulings, whereby a two-dimensional vertical-horizontal spectral energy distribution is obtained at the focal plane.

Claim 11

An encoding-decoding cassette for employment in a spectrometer, which encoding-decoding cassette comprises in combination: a. a stationary aperture plate containing an encoding and decoding area, each area characterized by at least one aperture therein, the aperture positioned in the encoding area to select the desired spectral integral which is to be analyzed from the focal plane of the spectrometer, and the aperture positioned in the decoding area to receive illumination from an internal light source to provide an individual synchronizing signal for each element so encoded; b. a rotatable encoding element characterized by a plurality of encoding apertures therein, the apertures positioned to impose a desired time sequence modulation code upon the spectral energy emerging from the encoding and decoding apertures of the aperture plate; c. a shaft assembly, including a shaft mounted for rotation in a bearing assembly, the encoding element secured to the shaft for rotation therewith; d. a frame element securing the aperture plate and encoding element in a close spatial relationship, the frame including a reference-locating element; and e. a plurality of individual photo detectors to detect the individual signals modulated by the encoding element in the decoding area of the aperture plate, whereby upon positioning the encoding-decoding cassette in a spectrometer system, the shaft assembly provides a primary reference point with fine angular adjustment of the cassette position possible through the reference-locating element of the frame wherein the modulated radiant energy from the encoding area of the aperture plate may be forwarded to a single photo multiplier, and wherein the individual synchronizing signals from the individual photo detectors of the decoding area may be employed to decode the encoded elements, thereby providing a quantitative analysis of the encoded spectral elements.

Claim 12

An encoding-decoding cassette for employment in a spectrometer, which encoding-decoding cassette comprises in combination: a. a stationary aperture plate containing an encoding and decoding area, each area characterized by at least one aperture therein, the aperture positioned in the encoding area to select the desired spectral integral which is to be analyzed from the focal plane of the spectrometer, and the aperture positioned in the decoding area to receive illumination from an internal light source to provide an individual synchronizing signal for each element so encoded; b. a rotatable encoding element characterized by a plurality of encoding apertures therein, the apertures positioned to impose a desired time sequence modulation code upon the spectral energy emerging from the encoding and decoding apertures of the aperture plate; c. a shaft assembly, including a shaft mounted for rotation in a bearing assembly, the encoding element secured to the shaft for rotation therewith; d. a frame element securing the aperture plate and encoding element in a close spatial relationship, the frame including a reference-locating element; and e. a plurality of individual photo detectors to detect the individual signals modulated by the encoding element in the decoding area of the aperture plate, whereby upon positioning the encoding-decoding cassette in a spectrometer system, the shaft assembly provides a primary reference point with fine angular adjustment of the cassette position possible through the reference-locating element of the frame wherein the modulated radiant energy from the encoding area of the aperture plate may be forwarded to a single photo multiplier, and wherein the individual synchronizing signals from the individual photo detectors of the decoding area may be employed to decode the encoded elements, thereby providing a quantitative analysis of the encoded spectral elements.

Claim 15

The method of claim 10 which includes providing a focal plqne of spectral energy which is two-dimensional and essentially square in geometric form.

Claim 16

The method of claim 10 which includes providing a driving means so that on inserting the encoding cassette, the encoding plate is rotated, which means disengages on removal of the cassette apparatus.

Claim 17

The method of claim 10 which includes providing as the primary reference-locating means a pair of hardened V grooves on which the shoulder of a bearing assembly surrounding the shaft is positioned on insertion of the cassette apparatus.