US4638168A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for measurement of hollow fiber dimensions
Assignee: Dow Chemical Co
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Filing: 1984-10-24
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Granted: 1987-01-20
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Expires: 2004-10-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for determining the morphology or dimensions of a polymeric hollow fiber is disclosed. The light absorption pattern of the hollow fiber can be used to determine the inside and outside diameter of the fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean F. Marino
- 👤 William E. Ryan
- 👤 Arthur J. Kamp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/08; G01B11/12; G01B11/10; G01B11/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for measurement of both the outside and inside diameter of a non-opaque hollow fiber comprising: (a) at least one photosensitive detector for measuring differential light absorption of a non-opaque hollow fiber in a dimension generally pependicular to the fiber's axis; (b) an incoherent light source which can project light on the photosensitive detector; (c) a means for positioning the fiber to be measured so an image of light from the incoherent source which is transmitted through the fiber is projected on the photosensitive detector; and (d) means for relating the differential light absorption to outside and inside dimensions of the hollow fiber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for measurement of both the outside and inside diameter of a non-opaque hollow fiber comprising: (a) at least one photosensitive detector for measuring differential light absorption of a non-opaque hollow fiber in a dimension generally pependicular to the fiber's axis; (b) an incoherent light source which can project light on the photosensitive detector; (c) a means for positioning the fiber to be measured so an image of light from the incoherent source which is transmitted through the fiber is projected on the photosensitive detector; and (d) means for relating the differential light absorption to outside and inside dimensions of the hollow fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the incoherent light source is a quartz lamp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 further comprising a collimator positioned with respect to the light source so that incident light will be essentially parallel in the region where the fiber is positioned.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein the photosensitive detector is a diode array camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the incoherent light source is monochromatic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the incoherent light source is polychromatic
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 further comprising a lens system positioned between the place where the fiber is positioned and photosensitive detector so as to focus the absorption image on the detector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the photosensitive detector is of a type which outputs an electrical signal related to the differential light absorption across the fiber width.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as described in claim 8 further comprising a computerized system programmed to analyze the electrical signal from the photosensitive detector and calculate therefrom the inside and outside diameters of a hollow fiber.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for measuring the outside and inside diameters of non-opaque hollow fibers comprising: (a) illuminating a hollow fiber with an incoherent light source; (b) positioning a photosensitive detector so as to afford a focused image of the differential light absorption of the fiber; (c) determining by means of the photosensitive detector the differential light absorption across the width of the fiber; and (d) calculating the outside and inside dimensions of the hollow fiber from predetermined formulae relating light absorption characteristics to fiber dimensions.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for measuring the outside and inside diameters of non-opaque hollow fibers comprising: (a) illuminating a hollow fiber with an incoherent light source; (b) positioning a photosensitive detector so as to afford a focused image of the differential light absorption of the fiber; (c) determining by means of the photosensitive detector the differential light absorption across the width of the fiber; and (d) calculating the outside and inside dimensions of the hollow fiber from predetermined formulae relating light absorption characteristics to fiber dimensions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as described in claim 10 wherein the light illuminating the fiber consists of essentially parallel rays of light.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as described in claim 11 wherein the light is polychromatic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as described in claim 11 wherein the light is monochromatic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as described in claim 11 wherein the hollow fiber is glass.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as described in claim 11 wherein the hollow fiber is an organic polymer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as described in claim 11 wherein the photosensitive detector is of a type which emits an electrical signal related to light intensity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as described in claim 16 wherein the absorption image is scanned across the photosensitive detector to measure light absorption across the width of the fiber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as described in claim 16 wherein the photosensitive detector consists of a plurality of discrete photosensitive elements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as described in claim 18 wherein the photosensitive detector is a diode array camera.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as described in claim 16 wherein a computerized system is used to analyze the electrical signal from the detector and calculate the hollow fiber dimensions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method as described in claim 20 wherein the formulae used to calculate fiber dimensions relate: (a) outside dimensions to the distance between points on the absorption image which are a predetermined percentage of maximum absorption, and (b) fiber bore dimensions to the distance between two points of maximum absorption in the absorption image.
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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) | 1990-01-19 | 1990-07-21 | 1991-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-19 | 1994-07-21 | 1995-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-19 | 1998-07-21 | 1999-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |