Improved analytical apparatus for measuring light absorbance of fluids

Claim 2

In a spectrometer of the type used to measure absorption of light and comprising a light source, a transparent cell adapted to receive a fluid and an electronic circuit comprising a photoelectric device for receiving light transmitted through said fluid from a said light source and thence passed through said transparent cell to said photoelectric device, the improvement wherein 1. said light source is a flash tube forming means to provide a series of consecutive flashes during said measuring of light; and 2. said electronic circuit comprises means adapted to selectively measure a pre-selected, maximum component of the time-intensity curve of the light output from each flash of said tube.

Claim 3

said electronic circuit comprises means adapted to selectively measure a pre-selected, maximum component of the time-intensity curve of the light output from each flash of said tube.

Claim 4

said electronic circuit comprises means adapted to selectively measure a pre-selected, maximum component of the time-intensity curve of the light output from each flash of said tube.

Claim 5

A spectrometer as defined in claim 1 wherein said flash tube is a polychromatic flash tube having a power rating of in excess of 5,000 watts for each flash.

Claim 6

A spectrometer as defined in claim 2 wherein said flash tube is a xenon flash tube.

Claim 7

A spectrometer as defined in claim 1 wherein light-conducting fibers form a light path between said photodetector and light source.

Claim 8

A spectrometer as defined in claim 2 wherein light-conducting fibers form a light path between said photodetector and light source.

Claim 9

A spectrometer as defined in claim 5 wherein said flash tube is a xenon flash tube and has a power rating of at least 50,000 watts for each flash.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said photoelectric device receives only a light signal transmitted through a liquid.

Claim 11

Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said photoelectric device receives only a light signal transmitted through a liquid.

Claim 12

A spectrometer as defined in claim 1 wherein said photoelectric device is a dual photodiode, having one photoresponsive element thereof adapted to receive light from said flash tube through a first sample fluid cell, and the other photoresponsive element thereof adapted to receive light from said flash tube without said light passing through said sample fluid cell.

Claim 13

A spectrometer as defined in claim 2 wherein said photoelectric device is a dual photodiode, having one photoresponsive element thereof adapted to receive light from said flash tube through a first sample fluid cell, and the other photoresponsive element thereof adapted to receive light said flash tube without said light passing through said sample fluid cell.

Claim 14

A spectrometer as defined in claim 6 wherein said photoelectric device is a dual photodiode, having one photoresponsive element thereof adapted to receive light from said flash tube through a first sample fluid cell, and the other photoresponsive element thereof adapted to receive light from said flash tube without said light passing through said sample fluid cell.

Claim 15

A spectrometer as defined in claim 5 wherein said photoelectric device is a dual photodiode, having one photoresponsive element thereof adapted to receive light from said flash tube through a first sample fluid cell, and the other photoresponsive element thereof adapted to receive light from said flash tube without said light passing through said sample fluid cell.

Claim 16

A spectrometer as defined in claim 8 wherein said photoelectric device is a dual photodiode, having one photoresponsive element thereof adapted to receive light from said flash tube through a first sample fluid cell, and the other photoresponsive element thereof adapted to receive light from said flash tube without said light passing through said sample fluid cell.

Claim 17

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said transparent cell is adapted to receive a continuously flowing liquid.

Claim 18

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said light source is adapted to flash from about one to 10 times per second.

Claim 19

In a process of measuring the light transmitting characteristics of a fluid sample of the type wherein light from a common source is transmitted in part through the sample and in part as a reference beam to electronic measuring means, then electronically processing said light to provide a signal suitable for analysis, the improvement wherein said process comprises the steps of A. emitting said light from a flashing lamp in pulses occurring as frequently as at least once per second: B. beaming a portion of light emitted by said lamp through said sample fluid and a portion of said light to bypass said sample fluid, then each said portion to impinge on a distinct photosensitive area of a photoelectric device; and C. electronically comparing the two signals from each said area to obtain a comparison signal for analysis.

Claim 20

In a process of measuring the light transmitting characteristics of a fluid sample of the type wherein light from a common source is transmitted in part through the sample and in part as a reference beam to electronic measuring means, then electronically processing said light to provide a signal suitable for analysis, the improvement wherein said process comprises the steps of A. emitting said light from a flashing lamp in pulses occurring as frequently as at least once per second: B. beaming a portion of light emitted by said lamp through said sample fluid and a portion of said light to bypass said sample fluid, then each said portion to impinge on a distinct photosensitive area of a photoelectric device; and C. electronically comparing the two signals from each said area to obtain a comparison signal for analysis.

Claim 21

A process as defined in claim 16 wherein light from said light source to said photosensitive areas is transmitted in part through a light conductive solid.

Claim 22

A process as defined in claim 16 wherein said electronic comparing step comprises the selective measurement of a pre-selected portion of the time-light intensity wave of a plurality of flashes, said portion being approximately along the line of greatest light intensity.

Claim 23

A process as defined in claim 16 wherein said fluid is a gas-based fluid.

Claim 24

A process as defined in claim 18 wherein said fluid is a gas-based fluid.

Claim 25

A process as defined in claim 17 wherein said electronic comparing step comprises the selective measurement of a pre-selected portion of the time-light intensity wave of a plurality of flashes, said portion being approximately along the line of greatest light intensity.

Claim 26

A process as defined in claim 16 wherein said fluid sample is flowing during said measuring process.

Claim 27

A process as defined in claim 16 wherein said light flashes from about one to 10 times per second.

Claim 28

In a process for measuring the light transmitting characteristics of a fluid sample of the type wherein light is transmitted through said sample and electronically measured to provide a signal suitable for analysis, the improvement wherein said process comprises the steps of A. emitting said light from a flashing lamp in pulses occurring as frequently as at least once per second; B. beaming said light through said sample fluid to a distinct photosensitive area of a photoelectric device; and C. electronically processing the signal of said photoelectric to obtain a output signal for analysis.

Claim 29

In a process for measuring the light transmitting characteristics of a fluid sample of the type wherein light is transmitted through said sample and electronically measured to provide a signal suitable for analysis, the improvement wherein said process comprises the steps of A. emitting said light from a flashing lamp in pulses occurring as frequently as at least once per second; B. beaming said light through said sample fluid to a distinct photosensitive area of a photoelectric device; and C. electronically processing the signal of said photoelectric to obtain a output signal for analysis.

Claim 30

A process as defined in claim 24 wherein light from said light source to said photosensitive areas is transmitted in part through a light conductive solid.

Claim 31

A process as defined in claim 24 wherein said electronic processing step comprises the selective measurement of a pre-selected portion of the time-light intensity wave of a pluraltiy of flashes, said portion being approximately along the line of greatest light intensity.

Claim 32

A process as defined in claim 24 wherein said electronic processing of said signal utilizes no electronic signal obtained from any reference light path.

Claim 33

A process as defined in claim 25 wherein said electronic processing of said signal utilizes no electronic signal obtained from any reference light path.

Claim 34

A process as defined in claim 26 wherein said electronic processing of said signal utilizes no electronic signal obtained from any reference light path.

Claim 35

A process as defined in claim 24 wherein said fluid sample is flowing during said measuring process.

Claim 36

A process as defined in claim 24 wherein said light flashes from about one to 10 times per second.