US3836255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spectrometric substance analyzer employing temperature modulation
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-12-29
•
Granted: 1974-09-17
•
Expires: 1992-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A spectrometric substance analyzer includes an optical chamber containing fluid that is cyclically temperature modulated at substantially constant pressure. The fluid is supplied via recirculating circuits to the chamber from hot and cold sources that are cyclically connected to the chamber so that at any time only one of the sources is in recirculating fluid flow relationship with the chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 M Schuman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/31; G01N21/35; G01N21/3504; G01N21/3518; G01N21/62; G01N21/71
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 80
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A spectrometric fluid analyzer comprising a substantially constant volume optical chamber, means for repeatedly: (1) during a first time interval, forcing a cool mass of a compressible fluid into the chamber while withdrawing a mass of the fluid from the chamber, and (2) thereafter, during a second time interval, forcing a heated mass of the fluid into the chamber while withdrawing a mass of the fluid from the chamber, said fluid being forced into and withdrawn from the chamber such that there is derived in the chamber a characteristic radiance variation which, in a typical absorption and emission band of the fluid, includes a modulated characteristic absorption of radiant energy by the fluid in the chamber and a modulated characteristic emission of radiant energy by the fluid in the chamber, said modulated emission and absorption in said band reinforcing each other to produce a resultant characteristic modulated radiance which is greater than either the modulated emission or the modulated absorption, and means for monitoring said characteristic radiance variation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A spectrometric fluid analyzer comprising a substantially constant volume optical chamber, means for repeatedly: (1) during a first time interval, forcing a cool mass of a compressible fluid into the chamber while withdrawing a mass of the fluid from the chamber, and (2) thereafter, during a second time interval, forcing a heated mass of the fluid into the chamber while withdrawing a mass of the fluid from the chamber, said fluid being forced into and withdrawn from the chamber such that there is derived in the chamber a characteristic radiance variation which, in a typical absorption and emission band of the fluid, includes a modulated characteristic absorption of radiant energy by the fluid in the chamber and a modulated characteristic emission of radiant energy by the fluid in the chamber, said modulated emission and absorption in said band reinforcing each other to produce a resultant characteristic modulated radiance which is greater than either the modulated emission or the modulated absorption, and means for monitoring said characteristic radiance variation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The analyzer of claim 1 wherein the resultant radiance is substantially equal to the sum of the emission and the absorption.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The analyzer of claim 1 wherein the means for forcing includes a heating circuit for: drawing fluid from the chamber, heating the drawn fluid, and returning the heated fluid to the chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The analyzer of claim 3 wherein the means for forcing further includes a cooling circuit for: drawing fluid from the chamber, cooling the drawn fluid, and returning the cooled fluid to the chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The analyzer of claim 1 wherein the means for forcing includes a motor driven rotary valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The analyzer of claim 1 further including means for reducing the flow of fluid through the chamber substantially to zero during a portion of the modulation cycle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The analyzer of claim 3 wherein the means for heating includes a radiant source emitting radiant energy into the chamber to be absorbed by the fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 4 further including means for allowing the fluid being recirculated in the heating circuit to expand, and means for allowing the fluid being recirculated in the cooling circuit to contract.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The analyzer of claim 1 further including means for cyclically activating the means for forcing such that substantially all of the first and second time intervals are substantially independent of properties of the fluid in the chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The analyzer of claim 1 wherein the means for forcing includes means for maintaining the pressure of the fluid at a substantially constant value for at least one half of the cycle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The analyzer of claim 1 wherein the means for forcing includes: means for replacing, during the first time interval, most of the hot fluid in the chamber with cool fluid, and means for replacing, during the second time interval, most of the cool fluid in the chamber with hot fluid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The analyzeR of claim 1 wherein the heated fluid is provided primarily by a heating recirculation circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The analyzer of claim 12 wherein the cool fluid is provided primarily by a cooling recirculation circuit, and further including valve means for alternately and repeatedly activating the cooling and heating circuits.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The analyzer of claim 13 including motor means for operating the valve means substantially independently of properties of the fluid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The analyzer of claim 1 wherein the means for monitoring is synchronized with said means for forcing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The analyzer of claim 1 wherein the monitoring means includes means for monitoring said resultant characteristic modulated radiance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The analyzer of claim 16 wherein the monitoring means includes means for synchronously rectifying and filtering the monitored resultant radiance.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The analyzer of claim 7 wherein the means for forcing heated fluid includes transfer of waste heat from the source to the fluid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The analyzer of claim 1 wherein the means for forcing includes a blower.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The analyzer of claim 1 wherein the means for forcing includes means for maintaining the pressure of the fluid in the chamber at a substantially constant value for substantially all of the modulation cycle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
117 words
A spectrometric fluid analyzer comprising an optical chamber, means for repeatedly, at substantially constant pressure throughout substantially all of a cycle: (1) during a first time interval of the cycle, forcing a cool mass of compressible fluid into the chamber while withdrawing a mass of the fluid from the chamber, and (2) thereafter, during a second time interval of the cycle, forcing a heated mass of the fluid into the chamber and withdrawing a mass of the fluid from the chamber, said fluid being forced into and withdrawn from the chamber such that there is derived in the chamber a cyclical radiance variation characteristic of a constituent of the fluid, and means for monitoring said characteristic variation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
117 words
A spectrometric fluid analyzer comprising an optical chamber, means for repeatedly, at substantially constant pressure throughout substantially all of a cycle: (1) during a first time interval of the cycle, forcing a cool mass of compressible fluid into the chamber while withdrawing a mass of the fluid from the chamber, and (2) thereafter, during a second time interval of the cycle, forcing a heated mass of the fluid into the chamber and withdrawing a mass of the fluid from the chamber, said fluid being forced into and withdrawn from the chamber such that there is derived in the chamber a cyclical radiance variation characteristic of a constituent of the fluid, and means for monitoring said characteristic variation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The analyzer of claim 21 wherein the volume of the chamber is substantially constant.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The analyzer of claim 21 wherein the means for forcing includes a fluid recirculation and temperature modification circuit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The analyzer of claim 23 wherein the means for forcing includes a motor driven valve operated independently of the properties of the fluid.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The analyzer of claim 23 wherein the circuit includes a heating means, a cooling means, and a valve means for alternately providing a fluid flow path through the heating means and the cooling means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
The analyzer of claim 21 wherein the means for forcing includes: means for replacing, during the first time interval, most of the hot fluid in the chamber with cool fluid, and means for replacing, during the second time interval, most of the cool fluid in the chamber with hot fluid.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The analyzer of claim 21 wherein the means for monitoring is synchronized with said variation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The analyzer of claim 23 wherein the circuit includes a blower for forcing the fluid around the circuit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The analyzer of claim 25 wherein the heating means primarily consists of heat transfer to the fluid from a radiant source.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The analyzer of claim 21 further including a radiant source emitting radiant energy into the chamber for augmenting the variation in radiant energy in the chamber.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
62 words
A spectrometric substance analyzer comprising an optical chamber, means for cyclically modulating the temperature and concentration of a compressible fluid in the chamber such that the temperature and concentration modulations are substantially one half cycle out of phase, whereby the modulation produces a modulated radiance in the chamber characteristic of a substance in the chamber, and means for monitoring said modulated radiance.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
62 words
A spectrometric substance analyzer comprising an optical chamber, means for cyclically modulating the temperature and concentration of a compressible fluid in the chamber such that the temperature and concentration modulations are substantially one half cycle out of phase, whereby the modulation produces a modulated radiance in the chamber characteristic of a substance in the chamber, and means for monitoring said modulated radiance.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The analyzer of claim 31 further including a radiant source emitting radiant energy into said chamber for augmenting the modulated radiance.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
58 words
The analyzer of claim 31 further including a recirculation and temperature modification circuit including: a conduit means for carrying fluid from the chamber and returning said carried fluid to the chamber, means for inducing a flow of the fluid in the circuit, and means external to the chamber for modifying the temperature of fluid flowing in the circuit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
95 words
The analyzer of claim 33 wherein said circuit comprises a heating circuit and a cooling circuit, wherein said means for modifying includes both a means for heating fluid flowing in the heating circuit and a means for cooling fluid flowing in the cooling circuit, and valve means for repeatedly: (1) during a first time interval, allowing the flow of fluid in the cooling circuit while blocking flow of fluid in the heating circuit, and (2) during a second time interval, allowing fluid flow in the heating circuit while blocking fluid flow in the cooling circuit.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The analyzer of claim 31 wherein the chamber has a substantially fixed volume.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The analyzer of claim 32 wherein the temperature and concentration modulation means includes means for providing heat exchange between the source and the fluid.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The analyzer of claim 34 wherein said modulation means includes a motor driven rotary valve.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
The analyzer of claim 34 wherein the valve means includes means for providing break before make operation.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
The analyzer of claim 31 further including means for operating said modulation means at a frequency which is substantially independent of the properties of the fluid.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
The analyzer of claim 37 wherein said temperature and concentration modulating means includes a blower.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The analyzer of claim 40 further including a radiant source emitting radiant energy into the chamber, said energy being cyclically absorbed by the substance in response to the modulation of the fluid.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The analyzer of claim 40 further including means for maintaining the pressure of the fluid at substantially the same value throughout substantially all of the cycle.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
The analyzer of claim 40 including means for substantially equalizing the pressure of the fluid in the chamber and the pressure of a given source of fluid throughout substantially all of the cycle.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The analyzer of claim 40 including means for activating the valve means substantially independently of properties of the fluid.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
The analyzer of claim 40 wherein the valve means includes means for blocking flow in both circuits during selected portions of each cycle.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The analyzer of claim 40 wherein the means for monitoring is synchronized with said modulated radiance.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The analyzer of claim 41 wherein heat energy for heating the drawn fluid is provided primarily by waste heat from the source.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
135 words
A spectrometric fluid analyzer comprising an optical chamber, means for repeatedly (1) during a first time interval, heating the fluid at substantially constant volume in a volume which includes the chamber, whereby increased pressure results in the volume, and (2) thereafter, during a second time interval, relieving the increased pressure of the fluid in the chamber and (3) thereafter during a third time interval, cooling the fluid in the chamber at substantially constant pressure less than the increased pressure, means for repeating said intervals at a frequency and relative phasing which are each substantially independent of properties of the fluid, whereby a characteristic radiance variation is produced in said chamber in response to the presence of a substance in the chamber and the heating and cooling of the fluid, and means for monitoring said variation.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
135 words
A spectrometric fluid analyzer comprising an optical chamber, means for repeatedly (1) during a first time interval, heating the fluid at substantially constant volume in a volume which includes the chamber, whereby increased pressure results in the volume, and (2) thereafter, during a second time interval, relieving the increased pressure of the fluid in the chamber and (3) thereafter during a third time interval, cooling the fluid in the chamber at substantially constant pressure less than the increased pressure, means for repeating said intervals at a frequency and relative phasing which are each substantially independent of properties of the fluid, whereby a characteristic radiance variation is produced in said chamber in response to the presence of a substance in the chamber and the heating and cooling of the fluid, and means for monitoring said variation.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 48 wherein the means for heating includes a recirculation heating circuit.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
15 words
The analyzer of claim 48 wherein the means for monitoring is synchronized with said variation.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
149 words
A spectrometric fluid analyzer comprising an optical chamber, means including valve means for cyclically modulating the temperature of a fluiD in the chamber such that there is derived in the chamber a modulated radiance which is characteristic of a constituent of the fluid, said characteristic modulated radiance including, in a typical absorption and emission band of the constituent, a characteristic modulated absorption of radiant energy in the chamber by the constituent and a characteristic modulated radiant emission by the constituent, said emission and absorption being sufficiently out of phase so as to reinforce each other to produce in said band a resultant characteristic modulated radiance which is greater in amplitude than either the emission or the absorption in said band, means for monitoring said reinforced characteristic modulated radiance, and motor means for operating said valve means at a frequency which is substantially independent of the properties of the fluid.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
149 words
A spectrometric fluid analyzer comprising an optical chamber, means including valve means for cyclically modulating the temperature of a fluiD in the chamber such that there is derived in the chamber a modulated radiance which is characteristic of a constituent of the fluid, said characteristic modulated radiance including, in a typical absorption and emission band of the constituent, a characteristic modulated absorption of radiant energy in the chamber by the constituent and a characteristic modulated radiant emission by the constituent, said emission and absorption being sufficiently out of phase so as to reinforce each other to produce in said band a resultant characteristic modulated radiance which is greater in amplitude than either the emission or the absorption in said band, means for monitoring said reinforced characteristic modulated radiance, and motor means for operating said valve means at a frequency which is substantially independent of the properties of the fluid.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
The analyzer of claim 51 wherein the means for modulating includes a fluid recirculation and temperature modification circuit.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
14 words
The analyzer of claim 51 wherein the optical chamber has a substantially constant volume.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
The analyzer of claim 51 further including means for maintaining the pressure of the fluid substantially constant during most of the cycle.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
16 words
The analyzer of claim 51 wherein the means for monitoring is synchronized with said modulated radiance.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
21 words
The analyzer of claim 51 further including a radiant source emitting radiant energy into the chamber to increase the modulated absorption.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
24 words
The analyzer of claim 56 wherein the means for modulating the fluid temperature includes means for transferring heat from the source to the fluid.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
94 words
A spectrometric fluid analyzer comprising a substantially fixed geometry optical chamber, means for modulating the temperature of a fluid in the chamber such that there is derived a characteristic modulated radiance including a characteristic modulated absorption of radiant energy in the chamber by a substance in the chamber and a characteristic modulated emission of radiant energy by the substance in the chamber, said absorption and emission in a typical absorption and emission band of the substance being substantially one half cycle out of phase with each other, and means for monitoring said modulated radiance.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
94 words
A spectrometric fluid analyzer comprising a substantially fixed geometry optical chamber, means for modulating the temperature of a fluid in the chamber such that there is derived a characteristic modulated radiance including a characteristic modulated absorption of radiant energy in the chamber by a substance in the chamber and a characteristic modulated emission of radiant energy by the substance in the chamber, said absorption and emission in a typical absorption and emission band of the substance being substantially one half cycle out of phase with each other, and means for monitoring said modulated radiance.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
18 words
The analyzer fluid claim 58 wherein the means for modulating includes a fluid recirculation and temperature modification circuit.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
25 words
The analyzer of claim 58 including means for maintaining the pressure of the fluid at a substantially constant value throughout substantially all of the cycle.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
16 words
The analyzer of claim 58 wherein the means for monitoring is synchronized with said modulated radiance.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
21 words
The analyzer of claim 58 further including a radiant source emitting radiant energy into the chamber for augmenting the modulated absorption.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
23 words
The analyzer of claim 62 wherein the fluid temperature modulation means includes means for transferring heat from the source housing to the fluid.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
16 words
The analyzer of claim 58 wherein the temperature modulation means includes an electric motor driven valve.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
138 words
A spectrometric analyzer wherein a substance being analyzed has a cyclical effect on radiance comprising an optical chamber, means for cyclically modulating the temperature of a fluid in the chamber to obtain a modulated radiance in the chamber characteristic of said substance, said fluid being susceptible to contain or contact the substance in the chamber, said modulation means including: (a) a fluid flow recirculation heating circuit for drawing fluid from the chamber, heating the drawn fluid, and returning the heated fluid back to the chamber, (b) a fluid flow recirculation cooling circuit for drawing fluid from the chamber, cooling the drawn fluid, and returning the cooled fluid back to the chamber, and (c) means including valve means for repeatedly and alternately inducing the recirculation in the heating and cooling circuits; and means for monitoring said characteristic modulated radiance.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
138 words
A spectrometric analyzer wherein a substance being analyzed has a cyclical effect on radiance comprising an optical chamber, means for cyclically modulating the temperature of a fluid in the chamber to obtain a modulated radiance in the chamber characteristic of said substance, said fluid being susceptible to contain or contact the substance in the chamber, said modulation means including: (a) a fluid flow recirculation heating circuit for drawing fluid from the chamber, heating the drawn fluid, and returning the heated fluid back to the chamber, (b) a fluid flow recirculation cooling circuit for drawing fluid from the chamber, cooling the drawn fluid, and returning the cooled fluid back to the chamber, and (c) means including valve means for repeatedly and alternately inducing the recirculation in the heating and cooling circuits; and means for monitoring said characteristic modulated radiance.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
13 words
The analyzer of claim 65 wherein the means for inducing includes a blower.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a spectrometric fluid analyzer, an optical chamber, means for alternately and cyclically circulating through the optical chamber hot and cool samples of the fluid, means for maintaining the pressure of the fluid in the chamber substantially constant throughout a substantial portion of the cycle, whereby there is derived in response to the alternate circulation a detectable cyclical radiance variation in the chamber characteristic of the fluid.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a spectrometric fluid analyzer, an optical chamber, means for alternately and cyclically circulating through the optical chamber hot and cool samples of the fluid, means for maintaining the pressure of the fluid in the chamber substantially constant throughout a substantial portion of the cycle, whereby there is derived in response to the alternate circulation a detectable cyclical radiance variation in the chamber characteristic of the fluid.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
26 words
The analyzer of claim 67 further including means for maintaining the pressure of the fluid in the chamber substantially constant throughout substantially all of the cycle.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a spectrometric substance analyzer, an optical chamber, means, including a fluid recirculation and temperature modification circuit and a motor driven valve activated at a rate substantially independent of the properties of the fluid, for alternately circulating hot and cool samples of a fluid through the optical chamber, whereby there is derived in response to the alternate circulation a detectable periodic radiance variation in the chamber characteristic of the fluid.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a spectrometric substance analyzer, an optical chamber, means, including a fluid recirculation and temperature modification circuit and a motor driven valve activated at a rate substantially independent of the properties of the fluid, for alternately circulating hot and cool samples of a fluid through the optical chamber, whereby there is derived in response to the alternate circulation a detectable periodic radiance variation in the chamber characteristic of the fluid.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
72 words
In an electro-optical gas analyzer, a substantially fixed geometry, substantially random path, optical chamber, means including valve means for repeatedly and alternately forcing hot and cool samples of the gas through the chamber, said valve means being activated at a rate substantially independent of the properties of the gas, whereby in response to said forcing, there is derived a detectable radiance variation in the chamber characteristic of a constituent of said gas.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
72 words
In an electro-optical gas analyzer, a substantially fixed geometry, substantially random path, optical chamber, means including valve means for repeatedly and alternately forcing hot and cool samples of the gas through the chamber, said valve means being activated at a rate substantially independent of the properties of the gas, whereby in response to said forcing, there is derived a detectable radiance variation in the chamber characteristic of a constituent of said gas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3516745A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |