US4429995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two dimensinal flow analyzer
Assignee: National Research Development Corp UK
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Filing: 1981-07-16
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Granted: 1984-02-07
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Expires: 2001-07-16
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for analyzing flowing fluid which contains light scattering particles comprises a light source; beam-expansion means to expand a light beam from the source to provide a two-dimensional sheet of light, there being at least a component of the fluid flow in the plane of said sheet; sensing means to sense light scattered by the particles; switch means arranged so that the sensing means senses scattered light only intermittently; and control and calculating means to calculate from the intermittently sensed light a property of the flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Apostolos Goulas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:43
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P5/00; G01P5/001; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/66; G01F1/661; G01F1/704; G01F1/708; G01F1/7086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for analysing flowing fluid which contains light-scattering particles comprising a light source; beam-expansion means to expand a light beam from the source to provide a two-dimensional planar sheet of light, there being at least a component of the fluid flow in the plane of said sheet; camera sensing means having light receiving means in the form of a two-dimensional matrix to sense light scattered by the particles; switch means arranged to allow intermittent illumination of the flowing fluid so that the sensing means senses scattered light only intermittently; and calculating means to calculate from the intermittently-sensed light a property of the flow; said apparatus further including a focusing lens between the sheet of light and the camera, reciprocating means which supports the focusing lens, and first signal generating means arranged to provide a sweep signal to sweep the two-dimensional matrix along at least one direction and to reciprocate the lens in synchronism, whereby areas of the sheet are consecutively focused onto corresponding areas of the camera matrix.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for analysing flowing fluid which contains light-scattering particles comprising a light source; beam-expansion means to expand a light beam from the source to provide a two-dimensional planar sheet of light, there being at least a component of the fluid flow in the plane of said sheet; camera sensing means having light receiving means in the form of a two-dimensional matrix to sense light scattered by the particles; switch means arranged to allow intermittent illumination of the flowing fluid so that the sensing means senses scattered light only intermittently; and calculating means to calculate from the intermittently-sensed light a property of the flow; said apparatus further including a focusing lens between the sheet of light and the camera, reciprocating means which supports the focusing lens, and first signal generating means arranged to provide a sweep signal to sweep the two-dimensional matrix along at least one direction and to reciprocate the lens in synchronism, whereby areas of the sheet are consecutively focused onto corresponding areas of the camera matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising second signal generating means arranged to provide a sweep signal to sweep individual points of the said recited two-dimensional matrix in a first, line-by-line mode until a matrix point is reached which senses light scattered by a particle, and in a second, subsequent search mode in which adjacent matrix points are located which have sensed light scattered by said particle during at least two consecutive intermittent sensing periods.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which there is further provided a fixed focusing lens between the sheet of light and the camera, and the camera is arranged so that the said recited two-dimensional matrix forms an angle with the plane of the lens, whereby a substantial area of the sheet of light is focused onto the matrix.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the camera is arranged to receive light along a direction which makes an acute angle with the sheet of light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus for analysing a flowing fluid which contains light-scattering particles comprising: a laser source; an opto-acoustic modulator which intermittently intercepts and allows passage of a beam of light from the laser; a cylindrical lens which refracts said beam to form a two-dimensional sheet of light, there being at least a component of the fluid flow in the plane of said sheet; a television camera arranged to receive light scattered at an acute angle from said sheet; and calculating means arranged to calculate from the light received by the television camera a property of the flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus for analysing a flowing fluid which contains light-scattering particles comprising: a laser source; an opto-acoustic modulator which intermittently intercepts and allows passage of a beam of light from the laser; a cylindrical lens which refracts said beam to form a two-dimensional sheet of light, there being at least a component of the fluid flow in the plane of said sheet; a television camera arranged to receive light scattered at an acute angle from said sheet; and calculating means arranged to calculate from the light received by the television camera a property of the flow.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of analysing a flowing fluid which contains light-scattering particles comprising: illuminating the flowing fluid with a two-dimensional planar sheet of light so that there is at least a component of said flow in the plane of the sheet; intermittently sensing light scattered by the particles whilst synchronously reciprocating the sensing means in order to scan consecutive areas of the sheet; and, from the intermittently-sensed light, calculating a property of the flow.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of analysing a flowing fluid which contains light-scattering particles comprising: illuminating the flowing fluid with a two-dimensional planar sheet of light so that there is at least a component of said flow in the plane of the sheet; intermittently sensing light scattered by the particles whilst synchronously reciprocating the sensing means in order to scan consecutive areas of the sheet; and, from the intermittently-sensed light, calculating a property of the flow.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-02-06 | 1987-08-08 | 1988-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-06 | 1991-08-08 | 1992-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-06 | 1995-08-08 | 1996-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |