Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
434 words
A method for the quantitative estimation of the dispersion medium and one or more components forming the disperse phase of an emulsion or suspension or mixture thereof, wherein the mean particle size of the disperse phase is less than a selected peak absorption wavelength of the dispersion medium and also less than a selected peak absorption wavelength for each of one or more components of the disperse phase, and the said selected peak absorption wavelength of the dispersion medium is at a wavelength differing substantially from the or each selected peak absorption wavelength for the disperse phase component or components and the absorption by the or each disperse phase component is stronger than the absorption by the dispersion medium at the selected peak absorption wavelength for the or each disperse phase component, said method comprising the steps of: a. Passing a first beam from a source of infra-red radiation through a sample of the emulsion or suspension or mixture thereof to be analysed, and a second beam of the said radiation through a reference sample of the dispersion medium, b. Selecting a narrow range of wave-length of radiation from the two beams containing the selected peak absorption wave-length of the dispersion medium and effecting a balance in the radiant energy absorption between the first and second beams in this range of wave-length by adjusting the path length of the second beam through the reference sample of dispersion medium, c. Selecting a narrow range of wave-length of radiation from the two beams containing the selected peak absorption wave-length of a component of the disperse phase, d. Measuring the content of the component of the disperse phase corresponding to the wave-length selected in (c) in terms of the imbalance in radiant energy absorption between the first and second beams, e. Repeating steps (c) and (d) using a different narrow range of wave-length of radiation for each selected peak absorption wave-length of the remaining components of the disperse phase, f. Re-selecting a narrow range of wave-length of radiation from the two beams containing the selected peak absorption wavelength of the dispersion medium whilst maintaining the path length of radiation through the reference sample of dispersion medium in the second beam at the same value as at the end of step (d), and g. Ascertaining the content of dispersion medium in the sample being analysed by replacing this sample in the first beam by the dispersion medium and measuring the imbalance in radiant energy absorption between the first and second beams to determine the total content of the disperse phase component or components in the sample being analysed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
434 words
A method for the quantitative estimation of the dispersion medium and one or more components forming the disperse phase of an emulsion or suspension or mixture thereof, wherein the mean particle size of the disperse phase is less than a selected peak absorption wavelength of the dispersion medium and also less than a selected peak absorption wavelength for each of one or more components of the disperse phase, and the said selected peak absorption wavelength of the dispersion medium is at a wavelength differing substantially from the or each selected peak absorption wavelength for the disperse phase component or components and the absorption by the or each disperse phase component is stronger than the absorption by the dispersion medium at the selected peak absorption wavelength for the or each disperse phase component, said method comprising the steps of: a. Passing a first beam from a source of infra-red radiation through a sample of the emulsion or suspension or mixture thereof to be analysed, and a second beam of the said radiation through a reference sample of the dispersion medium, b. Selecting a narrow range of wave-length of radiation from the two beams containing the selected peak absorption wave-length of the dispersion medium and effecting a balance in the radiant energy absorption between the first and second beams in this range of wave-length by adjusting the path length of the second beam through the reference sample of dispersion medium, c. Selecting a narrow range of wave-length of radiation from the two beams containing the selected peak absorption wave-length of a component of the disperse phase, d. Measuring the content of the component of the disperse phase corresponding to the wave-length selected in (c) in terms of the imbalance in radiant energy absorption between the first and second beams, e. Repeating steps (c) and (d) using a different narrow range of wave-length of radiation for each selected peak absorption wave-length of the remaining components of the disperse phase, f. Re-selecting a narrow range of wave-length of radiation from the two beams containing the selected peak absorption wavelength of the dispersion medium whilst maintaining the path length of radiation through the reference sample of dispersion medium in the second beam at the same value as at the end of step (d), and g. Ascertaining the content of dispersion medium in the sample being analysed by replacing this sample in the first beam by the dispersion medium and measuring the imbalance in radiant energy absorption between the first and second beams to determine the total content of the disperse phase component or components in the sample being analysed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus for carrying out the method of claim 1, said apparatus being of the double beam spectrometer type in which a first beam of radiation from a common source may be directed through a first cell containing a sample to be analysed and a second beam of radiation from the source may be directed through a second cell containing a reference sample, characterised in that the second cell is provided with means whereby the optical path length of the second beam through the cell may be adjusted subsequent to initial null balancing of the spectrometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the second cell is provided with drive means whereby adjustment of path length may be achieved automatically.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which the drive means forms part of a servomechanism whereby balance of the absorption of radiation in the two beam paths of the spectrometer may be achieved automatically.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which wave-length selection means in the form of narrow pass filters are provided.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which rotary shutter beam chopping means for the first and second beams are provided optically in advance of the first and second cells.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which stationary beam re-combination means are provided comprising a semi-transmitting, semi-reflecting, optical element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the first and second cells are mounted in a common cell block, the cell block being provided with temperature stabilisation means comprising a circulating fluid system and further being provided with means whereby sample fluid for analysis passing to the first cell is brought into heat exchange relationship with the circulating fluid prior to entering the cell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which measurement of imbalance between absorption of radiation in the two paths is effected by a ratio technique, said apparatus comprising a rotating disc shutter having an effective quadrant aperture arranged to chop the two beams alternately, a detector to receive the resultant composite optical signal subsequent to re-combination of the beams, and electronic amplifying and shaping means fed from the detector and acting to separate reference and sample signals into two d.c. levels respectively proportional to the intensity in the beam paths prior to recombination.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which the imbalance is indicated by a meter responsive to the logarithm of the ratio of the said two d.c. levels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which a servomechanism for restoring imbalance of the beam paths comprises sample and hold electronic circuitry capable of producing from the said two d.c. levels a square wave signal proportional in amplitude to the intensity difference in the two beams, and amplification and synchronous rectification means for producing a driving control signal for a servo-motor and tachometer arrangement associated with the variable path length second cell.