Method and apparatus for determining the degree of purity of a liquid

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein the light is provided by a laser light beam at a wavelength of approximately 0.488 microns.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1, wherein the windows are quartz.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1, wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is in the range of 0.439 to 0.537 microns.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1, including detecting the first portion as it exits from the second window by means of a photocell detector for the detection of contaminants in the liquid.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1, including collimating the second portion of the beam before entry through the system of windows and the detection of the beam exit angle as it fails to reach the photocell, this due to a change of refractive index when the liquid has changed its chemical indentity.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1, wherein the size of the second portion of the beam prior to impinging through the window is less than 1 mm in diameter.

Claim 9

Apparatus for determining the degree of purity of liquid in a container, comprising: a pair of spaced windows positioned proximate to the container of liquid; a source of laser light in the form of a beam directed towards one of said pair of windows; a beam splitter for receiving the laser beam positioned between said source and the container, for splitting said beam into first and second portions; a beam expander positioned between said beam splitter and the container and aligned with said beam expander to receive said first portion of the split laser beam and direct said first portion through said windows and through the liquid; a beam retractor in line with the second portion for receiving the second portion of the split laser beam; a pair of angularly related mirrors in line with the second portion of the beam for receiving of the second portion after passing through said beam retractor and directing said second portion towards one window for entry into said container and passage through the liquid to exit from the other of said pair of windows; detecting means proximate to said other window and aligned with the direction of travel of said first portion after it exits from said other window for detecting said first portion; second detecting means proximate to said other window and aligned with the direction of travel of said second portion for detecting said second portion after it exits therefrom; and sensing means associated with said second detecting means for sensing any deviations of the path of the second portion through the liquid as a result of changes in the liquid from its pure state in response to change in refraction index on said second portion as it passes through the liquid.

Claim 10

Apparatus for determining the degree of purity of liquid in a container, comprising: a pair of spaced windows positioned proximate to the container of liquid; a source of laser light in the form of a beam directed towards one of said pair of windows; a beam splitter for receiving the laser beam positioned between said source and the container, for splitting said beam into first and second portions; a beam expander positioned between said beam splitter and the container and aligned with said beam expander to receive said first portion of the split laser beam and direct said first portion through said windows and through the liquid; a beam retractor in line with the second portion for receiving the second portion of the split laser beam; a pair of angularly related mirrors in line with the second portion of the beam for receiving of the second portion after passing through said beam retractor and directing said second portion towards one window for entry into said container and passage through the liquid to exit from the other of said pair of windows; detecting means proximate to said other window and aligned with the direction of travel of said first portion after it exits from said other window for detecting said first portion; second detecting means proximate to said other window and aligned with the direction of travel of said second portion for detecting said second portion after it exits therefrom; and sensing means associated with said second detecting means for sensing any deviations of the path of the second portion through the liquid as a result of changes in the liquid from its pure state in response to change in refraction index on said second portion as it passes through the liquid.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said windows are positioned diametrically opposite to each other next to the container.

Claim 12

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said beam splitter is semi-transparent.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said beam expander widens the width of the beam in a direction perpendicular to the direction of beam travel.

Claim 14

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said mirrors are related and angularly positioned to rotate the second portion at least 180° from the direction of travel of the second portion prior to its impingement onto one of said mirrors.

Claim 15

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first detection means includes a photocell.

Claim 16

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, including pin-hole collimating means positioned between said second detecting means and said other window.

Claim 17

Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said pin-hole collimating means includes a pin-hole device provided with two spaced pin-holes for directing the second portion towards said second detecting means.

Claim 18

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, including circuits coupled with said second detecting means for recording purity of the liquid upon energization of said second detection means when the purity is correct.

Claim 19

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the wavelength of the source is of the order of 0.488 microns.

Claim 20

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the windows are quartz.