US5007740A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical probe for fluid light transmission properties
Assignee: Schneider Electric Systems USA Inc
•
Filing: 1989-03-30
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Granted: 1991-04-16
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Expires: 2009-03-30
Abstract
Abstract In accordance with the present invention, radiant energy is transmitted to a probe element including an interior conical reflecting surface and a fluid sample chamber. Portions of the light which have been transmitted, partially attenuated, or scattered by a fluid sample in the sample chamber are directed by at least a portion of the interior conical reflecting surface to a location for collection of the transmitted, partially attenuated, or scattered light. A stilling valve incorporated into the probe element enables elimination of entrained gas bubbles from the chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony C. Jeannotte
- 👤 Anthony C. Gilby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/85; G01N21/8507; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N21/05; G01N2021/054; G01N21/17; G01N2021/1738; G01N2021/1744; G01N2201/00; G01N2201/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
In an optical sensing system including a source of radiant energy and an optical detector, a probe for optical sampling comprising: (a) a chamber having an optical entry and an optical exit and a fluid port, (b) means for directing radiant energy from said source into and through said chamber to an exit; (c) means for collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber; (d) first pathway means for conveying radiant energy to said means for directing radiant energy through said chamber; and (e) second pathway means for conveying radiant energy away from said chamber exit to said detector, (f) means for sealing said fluid port and providing thereby a stilling well; wherein said means for directing radiant energy into and through said chamber to said exit and said means for collecting radiant energy comprise surface portions of an interior conical reflecting surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
In an optical sensing system including a source of radiant energy and an optical detector, a probe for optical sampling comprising: (a) a chamber having an optical entry and an optical exit and a fluid port, (b) means for directing radiant energy from said source into and through said chamber to an exit; (c) means for collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber; (d) first pathway means for conveying radiant energy to said means for directing radiant energy through said chamber; and (e) second pathway means for conveying radiant energy away from said chamber exit to said detector, (f) means for sealing said fluid port and providing thereby a stilling well; wherein said means for directing radiant energy into and through said chamber to said exit and said means for collecting radiant energy comprise surface portions of an interior conical reflecting surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The probe of claim 1, wherein said chamber contains a liquid, and said radiant energy is directed through said liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The probe of claim 1, further including means for admitting successive fluid samples through said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The probe of claim 1, further including an optical lens element between said first pathway and said means for directing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The probe of claim 1, further including an optical lens element between said second pathway and said means for collecting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The probe of claim 1, wherein said radiant energy wavelength is between 1×10 -7 and 1×10 -4 meters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The probe of claim 1, further including a baffle having at least one light-passage pathway therethrough, said baffle being disposed between said means for directing radiant energy and said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The probe of claim 1, further including a baffle having at least one light-passage pathway therethrough, said baffle being disposed between said means for collecting radiant energy and said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The probe of claim 1, wherein said chamber includes a light transmissive tubular wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
The probe of claim 1, further including a radial flange.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
The probe of claim 1 having a longitudinal axis and at least one means for directing radiant energy from said source into and through said chamber to an exit and at least one means for collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber, wherein the radiant energy from said source directed into said chamber and the radiant energy exiting from said chamber are perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
The probe of claim 1 having a longitudinal axis and at least one means for directing radiant energy from said source into and through said chamber to an exit and at least one means for collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber, wherein the radiant energy from said source directed into said chamber and the radiant energy exiting from said chamber are diametrically opposed perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
The probe of claim 1 having a longitudinal axis and at least one means for directing radiant energy from said source into and through said chamber to an exit and at least one means for collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber, wherein the radiant energy from said source directed into said chamber and the radiant energy exiting from said chamber are perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and are also disposed at about right angles to one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a probe for optical sampling of a fluid in a chamber having an optical entry and an optical exit and first and second fluid ports, the method of optical sampling comprising: (a) providing radiant energy from a source of radiant energy; (b) conveying radiant energy via a first pathway means to means for directing radiant energy through the chamber; (c) directing the radiant energy from said pathway into and through said chamber to an exit by reflection from a surface portion of an interior conical reflector; (d) collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber by reflection from a surface portion of an interior conical reflector; (e) conveying radiant energy via a second pathway means away from said chamber exit; and (f) sealing at least one of said fluid ports for a sufficient period of time for the fluid to become stilled.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a probe for optical sampling of a fluid in a chamber having an optical entry and an optical exit and first and second fluid ports, the method of optical sampling comprising: (a) providing radiant energy from a source of radiant energy; (b) conveying radiant energy via a first pathway means to means for directing radiant energy through the chamber; (c) directing the radiant energy from said pathway into and through said chamber to an exit by reflection from a surface portion of an interior conical reflector; (d) collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber by reflection from a surface portion of an interior conical reflector; (e) conveying radiant energy via a second pathway means away from said chamber exit; and (f) sealing at least one of said fluid ports for a sufficient period of time for the fluid to become stilled.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said chamber contains a fluid, and the further step of directing radiant energy through said fluid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The probe of claim 14, further including the step of admitting successive fluid samples through said chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The probe of claim 14, further including the step of passing the light through an optical lens element between said first pathway and said means for directing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said probe includes a baffle having at least one light-passage pathway therethrough, said baffle being disposed between said means for directing radiant energy and said chamber, further characterized by limiting the light passage to said baffle passageways during the step of conveying radiant energy into the chamber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said probe includes a baffle having at least one light-passage pathway therethrough, said baffle being disposed between said means for collecting radiant energy and said chamber, further characterized by limiting the light passage to said baffle passageways during the step of collecting radiant energy from the chamber.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an optical sensing system including a source of radiant energy and an optical detector, a probe for optical sampling of a fluid in a chamber having an optical entry and an optical exit, comprising: (a) means for directing radiant energy from said source into and through said chamber to said exit; (b) first pathway means for conveying radiant energy to said means for directing radiant energy through said chamber; (c) means for collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber; and (d) second pathway means for conveying radiant energy away from said chamber exit to said detector, wherein said means for directing radiant energy into and through said chamber to said exit and said means for collecting radiant energy comprise partial surfaces of at least one interior conical reflecting surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an optical sensing system including a source of radiant energy and an optical detector, a probe for optical sampling of a fluid in a chamber having an optical entry and an optical exit, comprising: (a) means for directing radiant energy from said source into and through said chamber to said exit; (b) first pathway means for conveying radiant energy to said means for directing radiant energy through said chamber; (c) means for collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber; and (d) second pathway means for conveying radiant energy away from said chamber exit to said detector, wherein said means for directing radiant energy into and through said chamber to said exit and said means for collecting radiant energy comprise partial surfaces of at least one interior conical reflecting surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The probe of claim 20, wherein said chamber contains a liquid, and said radiant energy is directed through said liquid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The probe of claim 20, further including means for moving successive fluid samples through said chamber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The probe of claim 20, further including an optical lens element between said first pathway and said means for directing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The probe of claim 20, further including an optical lens element between said second pathway and said means for collecting.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The probe of claim 20, wherein said radiant energy wavelength is between 1×10 -7 and 1×10 -4 meters.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The optical system of claim 20, further including a baffle having at least one light-passage pathway therethrough, said baffle being disposed between said means for directing radiant energy and said chamber.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The optical system of claim 20, further including a baffle having at least one light-passage pathway therethrough, said baffle being disposed between said means for collecting radiant energy and said chamber.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical system of claim 20, wherein said chamber includes a light transmissive tubular wall.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
11 words
The optical system of claim 20, further including a radial flange.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
69 words
The optical system of claim 20 having a longitudinal axis and at least one means for directing radiant energy from said source into and through said chamber to an exit and at least one means for collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber, wherein the radiant energy from said source directed into said chamber and the radiant energy exiting from said chamber are perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
71 words
The optical system of claim 20 having a longitudinal axis and at least one means for directing radiant energy from said source into and through said chamber to an exit and at least one means for collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber, wherein the radiant energy from said source directed into said chamber and the radiant energy exiting from said chamber are diametrically opposed perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
80 words
The optical system of claim 20 having a longitudinal axis and at least one means for directing radiant energy from said source into and through said chamber to an exit and at least one means for collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber, wherein the radiant energy from said source directed into said chamber and said radiant energy exiting from said chamber are perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and are also disposed at about right angles to one another.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a probe for optical sampling of a fluid in a chamber having an optical entry and an optical exit, the method of optical sampling comprising: (a) providing radiant energy from a source of radiant energy; (b) conveying radiant energy via a first pathway means to means for directing radiant energy through the chamber; (c) directing the radiant energy from said source into and through said chamber to an exit with partial surfaces of an interior conical reflector; (d) collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber; and (e) conveying radiant energy via second pathway means away from said chamber exit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a probe for optical sampling of a fluid in a chamber having an optical entry and an optical exit, the method of optical sampling comprising: (a) providing radiant energy from a source of radiant energy; (b) conveying radiant energy via a first pathway means to means for directing radiant energy through the chamber; (c) directing the radiant energy from said source into and through said chamber to an exit with partial surfaces of an interior conical reflector; (d) collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber; and (e) conveying radiant energy via second pathway means away from said chamber exit.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 33, wherein said chamber contains a fluid, and the further step of directing radiant energy through said fluid.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The probe of claim 33, further including the step of admitting successive fluid samples through said chamber.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The probe of claim 33, further including the step of passing the light through an optical lens element between said first pathway and said means for directing.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said probe includes a baffle having at least one light-passage pathway therethrough, said baffle being disposed between said means for directing radiant energy and said chamber, further characterized by limiting the light passage to said baffle passageways during the step of conveying radiant energy into the chamber.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said probe includes a baffle having at least one light-passage pathway therethrough, said baffle being disposed between said means for collecting radiant energy and said chamber, further characterized by limiting the light passage to said baffle passageways during the step of collecting radiant energy from the chamber.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
68 words
A light reflecting optical probe element for optical sampling of a fluid in a chamber having an optical entry and an optical exit, comprising: (a) means for directing light into and through said chamber to an exit; and (b) means for collecting light exiting from said chamber; wherein said means for collecting light exiting said chamber comprises at least one surface portion of an interior reflecting conical surface.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
68 words
A light reflecting optical probe element for optical sampling of a fluid in a chamber having an optical entry and an optical exit, comprising: (a) means for directing light into and through said chamber to an exit; and (b) means for collecting light exiting from said chamber; wherein said means for collecting light exiting said chamber comprises at least one surface portion of an interior reflecting conical surface.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The probe of claim 39, wherein said chamber contains a fluid, and said radiant energy is directed into said fluid.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The probe of claim 39, further including means for admitting successive fluid samples through said chamber.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
30 words
The probe of claim 39, further including a baffle having at least one light-passage pathway therethrough, said baffle being disposed between said means for collecting radiant energy and said chamber.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The probe of claim 39, wherein said chamber includes a light transmissive tubular wall.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
10 words
The probe of claim 39, further including a radial flange.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
57 words
The probe of claim 39 having a longitudinal axis and at least one means for directing radiant energy from said source into and through said chamber to an exit and at least one means for collecting said radiant energy exiting from said chamber, wherein the radiant energy exiting from said chamber is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
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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) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-10-15 | 1995-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-10-15 | 1999-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-15 | 2002-10-15 | 2003-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |