US3924951A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for illuminating small particles that are being counted and characterized
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-05-09
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1993-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A particle counting and analyzing apparatus includes a chamber through which a particle dispersion is caused to flow, one wall of the chamber being formed by the ends of a plurality of optical fibers which are connected to a source of light to conduct illumination into the chamber. A second wall is formed with a plurality of optical fibers at an angle with the first wall so that light reflected or flourescing from the particles enters the second bundle and is conducted to apparatus for counting, analyzing and displaying the results thereof. To provide for uniform illumination, the angle between the optical fiber walls is less than the complement of one half of the solid angle of view for each of the fibers. In another embodiment a single wall includes the fibers for conducting light into the chamber and also the fibers for conducting the reflected light away from the chamber. The walls can be parallel to each other with the fibers at an angle satisfying the foregoing relationships. In the single wall optic fiber embodiment the remaining wall can be a parabolic absorbtive wall the junctions of the absorbing wall with the optic fiber wall satisfying the foregoing angular relationship.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang M Dittrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:49
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M1/00; G06M1/08; G06M1/10; G06M1/101; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N21/49; G01N21/53
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
An apparatus for counting and characterizing microscopically small particles in a suspension fluid medium having a predetermined refraction index comprising the combination of wall means defining a flow channel of generally tubular form, said channel having an axis and an inlet and an outlet end on said axis, said wall means being parallel to said axis to define a flow passage for the suspension between said inlet and outlet ends; means for establishing a substantially continuous flow of said suspension through said passage; optical means comprising a plurality of optical fibers for conducting light into said passage and for conducting light from within the passage, said fibers having end surfaces forming a continuous planar surface area of a first wall portion said wall means, said fibers having subsTantially identical solid angles of light emission and reception; a second wall portion, forming a part of said wall means, extending adjacent to said area, said second wall portion enclosing, at its junction with said first wall portion, an angle not greater than the angle complementary to one half of the solid angles of light emission and reception of said fibers, said angle lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis; said wall means other than said area being substantially nonreflective; means for generating light; means for counting and evaluating light impulses; and means for connecting said optical fibers to said means for counting and said means for generating.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
236 words
An apparatus for counting and characterizing microscopically small particles in a suspension fluid medium having a predetermined refraction index comprising the combination of wall means defining a flow channel of generally tubular form, said channel having an axis and an inlet and an outlet end on said axis, said wall means being parallel to said axis to define a flow passage for the suspension between said inlet and outlet ends; means for establishing a substantially continuous flow of said suspension through said passage; optical means comprising a plurality of optical fibers for conducting light into said passage and for conducting light from within the passage, said fibers having end surfaces forming a continuous planar surface area of a first wall portion said wall means, said fibers having subsTantially identical solid angles of light emission and reception; a second wall portion, forming a part of said wall means, extending adjacent to said area, said second wall portion enclosing, at its junction with said first wall portion, an angle not greater than the angle complementary to one half of the solid angles of light emission and reception of said fibers, said angle lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis; said wall means other than said area being substantially nonreflective; means for generating light; means for counting and evaluating light impulses; and means for connecting said optical fibers to said means for counting and said means for generating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus for illuminating small particles for counting and characterizing said particles comprising: a tubular measuring chamber, a dispersion current flowing through said chamber wherein water is the medium carrying said particles, a first wall of said chamber comprising optical fibers which illuminate said chamber, a second wall of said chamber having means for totally absorbing all light transmitted to it; means for conducting said current through said measuring chamber; and means optically coupled to said chamber for counting and evaluating light impulses produced therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus for illuminating small particles for counting and characterizing said particles comprising: a tubular measuring chamber, a dispersion current flowing through said chamber wherein water is the medium carrying said particles, a first wall of said chamber comprising optical fibers which illuminate said chamber, a second wall of said chamber having means for totally absorbing all light transmitted to it; means for conducting said current through said measuring chamber; and means optically coupled to said chamber for counting and evaluating light impulses produced therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means optically coupled to said chamber includes a third wall of said chamber, said third wall comprising optical fibers, wherein said first and third walls face each other and are parallel, said optical fibers having ends cut obliquely to their optical axes.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
255 words
An apparatus for counting and characterizing microscopically small particles in a suspension fluid medium having a predetermined reflection index comprising the combination of wall means defining a flow channel of generally tubular form, said channel having an axis and an inlet and an outlet end on said axis, said wall means being parallel to said axis to define a flow passage for the suspension between said inlet and outlet ends; means for establishing a substantially continuous flow of said suspension through said passage; optical means comprising a plurality of optical fibers for conducting light into said passage and for conducting light from within the passage, said fibers having end surfaces forming a continuous planar surface area of a first wall portion of said wall means, said fibers having substantially identical solid angles of light emission and reception; a second wall portion, forming a part of said wall means, extending adjacent to said area, means for generating light; means for counting and evaluating light impulses; and means for connecting said optical fibers to said means for counting and said means for generating; and wherein said first and second wall portions forming part of said wall means are reflective and enclose an angle lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis no greater than the angle which is complementary to one half of the generating angle belonging to said solid angles, reduced by a factor 1/R where R is the number of light reflections after which the intensity of reflected light is diminished to a predetermined level.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
255 words
An apparatus for counting and characterizing microscopically small particles in a suspension fluid medium having a predetermined reflection index comprising the combination of wall means defining a flow channel of generally tubular form, said channel having an axis and an inlet and an outlet end on said axis, said wall means being parallel to said axis to define a flow passage for the suspension between said inlet and outlet ends; means for establishing a substantially continuous flow of said suspension through said passage; optical means comprising a plurality of optical fibers for conducting light into said passage and for conducting light from within the passage, said fibers having end surfaces forming a continuous planar surface area of a first wall portion of said wall means, said fibers having substantially identical solid angles of light emission and reception; a second wall portion, forming a part of said wall means, extending adjacent to said area, means for generating light; means for counting and evaluating light impulses; and means for connecting said optical fibers to said means for counting and said means for generating; and wherein said first and second wall portions forming part of said wall means are reflective and enclose an angle lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis no greater than the angle which is complementary to one half of the generating angle belonging to said solid angles, reduced by a factor 1/R where R is the number of light reflections after which the intensity of reflected light is diminished to a predetermined level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |