Patent US6567753B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6567753B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Devices and methods for simultaneous measurement of transmission of vapors through a plurality of sheet materials
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 2001-04-04
•
Granted: 2003-05-20
•
Expires: 2021-04-04
Abstract
Abstract Methods and devices are disclosed for determining barrier properties of at least one barrier coating with respect to a plurality of fluids. These methods and systems include a combination of acoustic wave and optical detection measurements. A dual-response acoustic wave transducer coated with the barrier coating is exposed to one or more of the fluids. The effects on the barrier coating, such as permeation of the fluid or dissolution of the coating, are measured using acoustic wave and optical techniques and the corresponding barrier properties are determined with respect to the fluids.
Inventors
- 👤 Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/65; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/31; G01N21/41; G01N29/00; G01N29/02; G01N29/036; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/023; G01N2291/0235; G01N2291/0237; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02845; G01N2291/04; G01N2291/042; G01N2291/0422; G01N2291/0427
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
383 words
A system for determining barrier properties of a barrier coating, comprising: at least one dual-mode transducer comprising at least one sensor, the at least one sensor comprising at least one material responsive to interactions with a plurality of fluids; at least one barrier coating associated with each sensor, such that said barrier coating is positioned between said sensor and said fluids to thereby modify the interaction of said sensor with said fluids, wherein said barrier coating at least partially prevents a fluid from interacting with said at least one sensor; and wherein each sensor has initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics each associated with the barrier properties of the coating with respect to each of a plurality of fluids, where the initial characteristics correspond to the barrier coating properties prior to exposure to any of the plurality of fluids and the subsequent characteristics correspond to the barrier coating properties after exposure to at least two of a plurality of fluids, the initial characteristics for each barrier coating comprising an initial optical property and an initial acoustic wave property, and the subsequent characteristics of each barrier coating comprising a subsequent optical property and subsequent acoustic wave property; wherein the initial and subsequent acoustic wave properties correlate to the density, viscosity, mass, or crytallinity of the sensor material before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids, and the initial and subsequent optical properties correspond to the ability of the sensor to respond to radiation before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids; an optical characteristic measurement device for measuring the initial optical property and subsequent optical property associated with each barrier coating; an acoustic wave property measurement device for measuring the initial acoustic wave property and the subsequent acoustic wave property associated with each barrier coating; and a computer for determining a first barrier property and a second barrier property of each barrier coating, the first barrier property with respect to one of the plurality of fluids, the second barrier property with respect to a second of the plurality of fluids, the first barrier property and the second barrier property based on the variation between the initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics associated with both the optical properties and the acoustic wave properties of each barrier coating.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
383 words
A system for determining barrier properties of a barrier coating, comprising: at least one dual-mode transducer comprising at least one sensor, the at least one sensor comprising at least one material responsive to interactions with a plurality of fluids; at least one barrier coating associated with each sensor, such that said barrier coating is positioned between said sensor and said fluids to thereby modify the interaction of said sensor with said fluids, wherein said barrier coating at least partially prevents a fluid from interacting with said at least one sensor; and wherein each sensor has initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics each associated with the barrier properties of the coating with respect to each of a plurality of fluids, where the initial characteristics correspond to the barrier coating properties prior to exposure to any of the plurality of fluids and the subsequent characteristics correspond to the barrier coating properties after exposure to at least two of a plurality of fluids, the initial characteristics for each barrier coating comprising an initial optical property and an initial acoustic wave property, and the subsequent characteristics of each barrier coating comprising a subsequent optical property and subsequent acoustic wave property; wherein the initial and subsequent acoustic wave properties correlate to the density, viscosity, mass, or crytallinity of the sensor material before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids, and the initial and subsequent optical properties correspond to the ability of the sensor to respond to radiation before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids; an optical characteristic measurement device for measuring the initial optical property and subsequent optical property associated with each barrier coating; an acoustic wave property measurement device for measuring the initial acoustic wave property and the subsequent acoustic wave property associated with each barrier coating; and a computer for determining a first barrier property and a second barrier property of each barrier coating, the first barrier property with respect to one of the plurality of fluids, the second barrier property with respect to a second of the plurality of fluids, the first barrier property and the second barrier property based on the variation between the initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics associated with both the optical properties and the acoustic wave properties of each barrier coating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic wave sensor further produces a first acoustic wave property and a second acoustic wave property, where the first acoustic wave property corresponds to the initial characteristics of the barrier coating, and where the second acoustic wave property corresponds to the subsequent characteristics of the barrier coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the initial optical property and subsequent optical property associated with each barrier coating are selected from the group consisting of absorbance, luminescence, refractive index, scattering, polarization and a combination thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 3 , wherein the sensor comprises a total-internal reflection element, and wherein the initial optical property and the subsequent optical property associated with each barrier coating are determined from a light propagated within the total-internal reflection element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the barrier coating comprises a material selected from the group consisting of an organic material, a polymer with additives, an organic-inorganic hybrids, a polycarbonate, polycarbonate blends, polycarbonate-polyorganosiloxane copolymers, polyetherimide resins, oxides, nitrides and oxinitrides of silicon, aluminum, zinc, boron and other metals, ceramics, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers, polyvinyl dichloride, nylon, cellophane, polypropylene, paphen phenoxy resin, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, poly (vinyl chloride), polyacetal, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, poly (butylene terphthalate), poly (ethylene terphthalate), poly (ethylene naphthalate), poly (vinylidene chloride), and combinations thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a sensing layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein the sensing layer comprises a material that does not change the properties of the coating layer and that interacts with the plurality of fluids in a manner that may be measured.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the sensing layer comprises an organic or inorganic luminescent or calorimetric material disposed in a matrix.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fluids are selected from the group consisting of oxygen; water vapor; ammonia; carbon dioxide; carbon monoxide; ethylene oxide; helium; hydrogen; hydrogen sulfide; methyl bromide; nitrogen; sulfur dioxide; fuels; alkaline and acidic solutions; water; organic solvents of different polarity; solvent mixtures; gasoline; mixtures containing hexane; a hexane/toluene mixture; ketones; glycol ethers; glycol ether esters; toluene; methylethyl ketone (MEK); ester solvents, butyl acetate, propyl acetate; alcohols; 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone; xylenes; and a volatile inert solvent; and combinations thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the first barrier property corresponds to one of the two of the plurality of fluids based on the variation between the initial optical property and subsequent optical property associated with each barrier coating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the second barrier property corresponds to the other of the two of the plurality of fluids based on the variation between the initial acoustic wave property and subsequent acoustic wave property associated with each barrier coating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the initial optical property and the corresponding initial acoustic wave property are simultaneous measurements.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the subsequent optical property and the corresponding subsequent acoustic wave property of each barrier coating are simultaneous measurements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a plurality of sensors; and where the at least one barrier coating comprises a plurality of barrier coatings, wherein the plurality of barrier coatings comprise a combinatorial array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein the computer further determines the relative performance of each of the first barrier property and second barrier property for each of the plurality of barrier coatings.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
445 words
A system for determining barrier properties of a barrier coating, comprising: at least one dual-mode transducer comprising a plurality of sensors each having at least one external surface comprising at least one material responsive to interactions with a plurality of fluids; a plurality of barrier coatings, wherein said barrier coatings at least partially prevent a fluid from interacting with at least one of said sensors; and wherein each of the plurality of barrier coatings is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of sensors, such that each of the plurality of barrier coatings is positioned between a corresponding one of the plurality of sensors and said fluids to thereby modify the interaction of said sensor with said fluids, with each sensor having initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics each associated with the barrier properties of the barrier coating with respect to each of a plurality of fluids, where the initial characteristics correspond to the barrier coating properties prior to exposure to any of the plurality of fluids and the subsequent characteristics correspond to the barrier coating properties after exposure to at least two of a plurality of fluids, the initial characteristics for each sensor comprising an initial optical property and an initial acoustic wave property, and the subsequent characteristics of each sensor comprising a subsequent optical property and a subsequent acoustic wave property; wherein the initial and subsequent acoustic wave properties correlate to the density, viscosity, mass, or crytallinity of the sensor material before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids, and the initial and subsequent optical properties correspond to the ability of the sensor to respond to radiation before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids; an optical characteristic measurement device for measuring the initial optical property and the subsequent optical property associated with each of the plurality of barrier coatings; an acoustic wave property measurement device for measuring the initial acoustic wave property and the subsequent acoustic wave property associated with each of the plurality of barrier coatings; a processing device for determining a first barrier property and a second barrier property of each of the plurality of barrier coatings, the first barrier property with respect to one of the plurality of fluids, the second barrier property with respect to a second of the plurality of fluids, the first barrier property and the second barrier property based on the variation between the initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics associated with both the optical properties and the acoustic wave properties of each barrier coating; and wherein the subsequent optical property and the corresponding subsequent acoustic wave property associated with each barrier coating are simultaneous measurements.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
445 words
A system for determining barrier properties of a barrier coating, comprising: at least one dual-mode transducer comprising a plurality of sensors each having at least one external surface comprising at least one material responsive to interactions with a plurality of fluids; a plurality of barrier coatings, wherein said barrier coatings at least partially prevent a fluid from interacting with at least one of said sensors; and wherein each of the plurality of barrier coatings is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of sensors, such that each of the plurality of barrier coatings is positioned between a corresponding one of the plurality of sensors and said fluids to thereby modify the interaction of said sensor with said fluids, with each sensor having initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics each associated with the barrier properties of the barrier coating with respect to each of a plurality of fluids, where the initial characteristics correspond to the barrier coating properties prior to exposure to any of the plurality of fluids and the subsequent characteristics correspond to the barrier coating properties after exposure to at least two of a plurality of fluids, the initial characteristics for each sensor comprising an initial optical property and an initial acoustic wave property, and the subsequent characteristics of each sensor comprising a subsequent optical property and a subsequent acoustic wave property; wherein the initial and subsequent acoustic wave properties correlate to the density, viscosity, mass, or crytallinity of the sensor material before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids, and the initial and subsequent optical properties correspond to the ability of the sensor to respond to radiation before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids; an optical characteristic measurement device for measuring the initial optical property and the subsequent optical property associated with each of the plurality of barrier coatings; an acoustic wave property measurement device for measuring the initial acoustic wave property and the subsequent acoustic wave property associated with each of the plurality of barrier coatings; a processing device for determining a first barrier property and a second barrier property of each of the plurality of barrier coatings, the first barrier property with respect to one of the plurality of fluids, the second barrier property with respect to a second of the plurality of fluids, the first barrier property and the second barrier property based on the variation between the initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics associated with both the optical properties and the acoustic wave properties of each barrier coating; and wherein the subsequent optical property and the corresponding subsequent acoustic wave property associated with each barrier coating are simultaneous measurements.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the initial optical property or the subsequent optical property is based, respectively, on a reference radiation or a resulting radiation having an intensity in the range of about a single photon to about 1 kilowatt.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the initial optical property or the subsequent optical property is based, respectively, on a reference radiation or a resulting radiation having a wavelength in the range of about 10 nanometers to about 50 micrometers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the initial optical property or the subsequent optical property is based, respectively, on a reference radiation or a resulting radiation having a polarization state in the range of about 0 degrees to about 360 degrees.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the initial optical property or the subsequent optical property is based, respectively, on a reference radiation or a resulting radiation having a phase difference in the range of about 0.001 to about 10,000 wavelengths of probe radiation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the initial optical property or the subsequent optical property is based, respectively, on a reference radiation or a resulting radiation having a luminescence lifetime in the range of about 10 picoseconds-1000 seconds.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the initial optical property or the subsequent optical property is based, respectively, on a reference radiation or a resulting radiation having a time delay in the range of about 1 femtosecond-1000 seconds.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the sensor comprises a total-internal reflection element, and wherein the initial optical property and subsequent optical property of each barrier coating are determined from a light propagated within the total-internal reflection element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the sensor comprises a total-internal reflection element, and wherein the initial optical property and subsequent optical property of each barrier coating are determined from a light propagated toward an external surface total-internal reflection element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the first barrier property corresponds to one of the two of the plurality of fluids based on the variation between the initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics associated with the optical properties of each barrier coating.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 25 , wherein the second barrier property corresponds to the other of the two of the plurality of fluids based on the variation between the initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics associated with the acoustic wave property of each barrier coating.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the computer further determines the relative performance of each of the first barrier property and second barrier property for each of the plurality of barrier coatings.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for screening for barrier properties of a barrier coating, comprising: positioning at least one barrier coating between a plurality of fluids and at least one sensor wherein said sensor comprises at least one material responsive to interactions with a plurality of fluids, and wherein said barrier coating at least partially prevents a fluid from interacting with the at least one sensor; measuring initial characteristics associated with at least one barrier coating associated with at least one corresponding sensor responsive to a plurality of fluids, the initial characteristics comprising an initial acoustic wave property and an initial optical property; exposing each barrier coating to at least two of the plurality of fluids; measuring subsequent characteristics associated with the at least one barrier coating, the subsequent characteristics comprising a subsequent acoustic wave property and a subsequent optical property; wherein the initial and subsequent acoustic wave properties correlate to the density, viscosity, mass, or crytallinity of the sensor material before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids, and the initial and subsequent optical properties correspond to the ability of the sensor to respond to radiation before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids; determining a first barrier property and a second barrier property associated with the at least one barrier coating with respect to at least two of the plurality of fluids based on the initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for screening for barrier properties of a barrier coating, comprising: positioning at least one barrier coating between a plurality of fluids and at least one sensor wherein said sensor comprises at least one material responsive to interactions with a plurality of fluids, and wherein said barrier coating at least partially prevents a fluid from interacting with the at least one sensor; measuring initial characteristics associated with at least one barrier coating associated with at least one corresponding sensor responsive to a plurality of fluids, the initial characteristics comprising an initial acoustic wave property and an initial optical property; exposing each barrier coating to at least two of the plurality of fluids; measuring subsequent characteristics associated with the at least one barrier coating, the subsequent characteristics comprising a subsequent acoustic wave property and a subsequent optical property; wherein the initial and subsequent acoustic wave properties correlate to the density, viscosity, mass, or crytallinity of the sensor material before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids, and the initial and subsequent optical properties correspond to the ability of the sensor to respond to radiation before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids; determining a first barrier property and a second barrier property associated with the at least one barrier coating with respect to at least two of the plurality of fluids based on the initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 28 , where the initial characteristics are measured prior to the exposure to the fluids and the subsequent characteristics are measured subsequent to exposure to the fluids.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 28 , where the measurement of the initial acoustic wave property and the measurement of the subsequent acoustic wave property each further comprises: inducing an oscillation in the sensor; and measuring the acoustic wave property.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
41 words
The method of 28 , where the measurement of the initial optical property and the measurement of the subsequent optical property each further comprises: delivering a reference radiation toward the sensor and the associated barrier coating; and measuring a resulting radiation.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
41 words
The method of 28 , where the measurement of the initial optical property and the measurement of the subsequent optical property each further comprises: delivering a reference radiation toward the sensor and the associated barrier coating; and measuring a resulting radiation.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 28 , where the initial optical property and subsequent optical property associated with each barrier coating are selected from the group consisting of absorbance, luminescence, refractive index, scattering, and a combination thereof.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 28 , where the sensor comprises a total-internal reflection element, and wherein the initial optical property and the subsequent optical property associated with each barrier coating are determined from radiation propagated within the total-internal reflection element.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method of claim 28 , where the barrier coating comprises a material selected from the group consisting of an organic material, a polymer with additives, an organic-inorganic hybrids, a polycarbonate, polycarbonate blends, polycarbonate-polyorganosiloxane copolymers, polyetherimide resins, oxides, nitrides and oxinitrides of silicon, aluminum, zinc, boron and other metals, ceramics, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers, polyvinyl dichloride, nylon, cellophane, polypropylene, paphen phenoxy resin, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, poly (vinyl chloride), polyacetal, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, poly (butylene terphthalate), poly (ethylene terphthalate), poly (ethylene naphthalate), poly (vinylidene chloride), and combinations thereof.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 28 , where the sensor comprises a sensing layer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 35 , where the sensing layer comprises a material that does not change the properties of the coating layer and that interacts with the plurality of fluids in a manner that may be measured.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 35 , where the sensing layer comprises a luminophore or colorimetric reagent.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 28 , where the plurality of fluids are selected from the group consisting of oxygen; water vapor; ammonia; carbon dioxide; carbon monoxide; ethylene oxide; helium; hydrogen; hydrogen sulfide; methyl bromide; nitrogen; sulfur dioxide; fuels; alkaline and acidic solutions; water; organic solvents of different polarity; solvent mixtures; gasoline; mixtures containing hexane; a hexane/toluene mixture; ketones; glycol ethers; glycol ether esters; toluene; methylethyl ketone (MEK); ester solvents, butyl acetate, propyl acetate; alcohols; 1-methdyl-2-pyrrolidinone; xylenes; and a volatile inert solvent; and combinations thereof.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the first barrier property corresponds to one of the two of the plurality of fluids based on the variation between the initial optical property and subsequent optical property associated with each barrier coating.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 39 , where the second barrier property corresponds to the other of the two of the plurality of fluids based on the variation between the initial acoustic wave property and subsequent acoustic wave property associated with each barrier coating.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 28 , where measuring of the initial optical property and the corresponding initial acoustic wave property occurs simultaneously.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 28 , where measuring of the subsequent optical property and the corresponding subsequent acoustic wave property of each barrier coating occurs simultaneously.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 28 , where the at least one sensor further comprises a plurality of substrates; and where the at least one barrier coating comprises a plurality of barrier coatings, where the plurality of barrier coatings comprise a combinatorial array.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
297 words
The method of claim 43 , further comprising determining the relative performance of each of the first barrier property and second barrier property for each of the plurality of barrier coatings. 45 .A method for screening for barrier properties of a barrier coating, comprising: positioning at least one barrier coating between a plurality of fluids and at least one sensor wherein said sensor comprises at least one material responsive to interactions with a plurality of fluids, and wherein said barrier coating at least partially prevents a fluid from interacting with the at least one sensor; measuring initial characteristics associated with at least one barrier coating associated with at least one corresponding sensor responsive to a plurality of fluids, the initial characteristics comprising an initial acoustic wave property and an initial optical property; exposing each barrier coating to at least two of the plurality of fluids; simultaneously measuring subsequent characteristics associated with the at least one barrier coating, the subsequent characteristics comprising a subsequent acoustic wave property and a subsequent optical property; wherein the initial and subsequent acoustic wave properties correlate to the density, viscosity, mass, or crytallinity of the sensor material before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids, and the initial and subsequent optical properties correspond to the ability of the sensor to respond to radiation before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids; determining a first barrier property and a second barrier property associated with the at least one barrier coating with respect to at least two of the plurality of fluids based on the initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics, where the initial characteristics are measured prior to the exposure to the fluids and the subsequent characteristics are measured subsequent to exposure to the fluids.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 45 , where the measurement of the initial acoustic wave property and the measurement of the subsequent acoustic wave property each further comprises: inducing an oscillation in the sensor; and measuring the acoustic wave property.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
44 words
The method of 45 , where the measurement of the initial optical property and the measurement of the subsequent optical property each further comprises: delivering a reference radiation toward the sensor associated with the at least one barrier coating; and measuring a resulting radiation.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
44 words
The method of 45 , where the measurement of the initial optical property and the measurement of the subsequent optical property each further comprises: delivering a reference radiation toward the sensor associated with the at least one barrier coating; and measuring a resulting radiation.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 47 , wherein the initial optical property or the subsequent optical property is based, respectively, on a reference radiation or a resulting radiation having an intensity in the range of about a single photon to about 1 kilowatt.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 47 , wherein the initial optical property or the subsequent optical property is based, respectively, on a reference radiation or a resulting radiation having a wavelength in the range of about 10 nanometers to about 50 micrometers.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 47 , wherein the initial optical property or the subsequent optical property is based, respectively, on a reference radiation or a resulting radiation having a polarization state in the range of about 0 degrees to about 360 degrees.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 47 , wherein the initial optical property or the subsequent optical property is based, respectively, on a reference radiation or a resulting radiation having a phase difference in the range of about 0.001 to about 10,000 wavelengths of probe radiation.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 47 , wherein the initial optical property or the subsequent optical property is based, respectively, on a reference radiation or a resulting radiation having a luminescence lifetime in the range of about 10 picoseconds-1000 seconds.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 47 , wherein the initial optical property or the subsequent optical property is based, respectively, on a reference radiation or a resulting radiation having a time delay in the range of about 1 femtosecond-1000 seconds.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 45 , where the initial optical property and subsequent optical property associated with each barrier coating are selected from the group consisting of absorbance, luminescence, refractive index, scattering, and a combination thereof.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 45 , where the sensor comprises a total-internal reflection element, and wherein the initial optical property and the subsequent optical property associated with each barrier coating are determined from radiation propagated within the total-internal reflection element.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the first barrier property corresponds to one of the two of the plurality of fluids based on the variation between the initial optical property and subsequent optical property of each barrier coating.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 45 , where the second barrier property corresponds to the other of the two of the plurality of fluids based on the variation between the initial acoustic wave property and subsequent acoustic wave property of each barrier coating.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier coating is deposited on the external surface of the at least one sensor.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising: a gas-impermeable cell having an interior chamber, the at least one sensor positioned within the interior chamber; and a substrate attachable to the gas-impermeable cell so as to seal the interior chamber, wherein the at least one barrier coating is deposited on the substrate.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising: a gas-impermeable cell having an interior chamber, the at least one optical sensor with a total-internal reflection element as a transducer positioned within the interior chamber; and a substrate attachable to the gas-impermeable cell so as to seal the interior chamber, wherein the at least one barrier coating is deposited on the substrate.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
433 words
A system for determining barrier properties of a barrier coating, comprising: at least one dual-mode transducer comprising at least one sensor having at least one external surface, the at least one sensor comprising at least one material responsive to interactions with a plurality of fluids; a gas-impermeable cell having an interior chamber, the at least one sensor positioned within the interior chamber; at least one barrier coating associated with each sensor, such that said barrier coating is positioned between said sensor and said fluids to thereby modify the interaction of said sensor with said fluids, and wherein said barrier coating at least partially prevents a fluid from interacting with said at least one sensor, with each sensor having initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics each associated with the barrier properties of the coating with respect to each of a plurality of fluids, where the initial characteristics correspond to the barrier coating properties prior to exposure to any of the plurality of fluids and the subsequent characteristics correspond to the barrier coating properties after exposure to at least two of a plurality of fluids, with the initial characteristics for each barrier coating comprising an initial optical property and an initial acoustic wave property, and the subsequent characteristics of each barrier coating comprising a subsequent optical property and subsequent acoustic wave property; wherein the initial and subsequent acoustic wave properties correlate to the density, viscosity, mass, or crytallinity of the sensor material before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids, and the initial and subsequent optical properties correspond to the ability of the sensor to respond to radiation before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids; a substrate attachable to the gas-impermeable cell so as to seal the interior chamber, wherein the at least one barrier coating is deposited on the substrate; an optical characteristic measurement device for measuring the initial optical property and subsequent optical property associated with each barrier coating; an acoustic wave property measurement device for measuring the initial acoustic wave property and the subsequent acoustic wave property associated with each barrier coating; and a computer for determining a first barrier property and a second barrier property of each barrier coating, the first barrier property with respect to one of the plurality of fluids, the second barrier property with respect to a second of the plurality of fluids, the first barrier property and the second barrier property based on the variation between the initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics associated with both the optical properties and the acoustic wave properties of each barrier coating.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
433 words
A system for determining barrier properties of a barrier coating, comprising: at least one dual-mode transducer comprising at least one sensor having at least one external surface, the at least one sensor comprising at least one material responsive to interactions with a plurality of fluids; a gas-impermeable cell having an interior chamber, the at least one sensor positioned within the interior chamber; at least one barrier coating associated with each sensor, such that said barrier coating is positioned between said sensor and said fluids to thereby modify the interaction of said sensor with said fluids, and wherein said barrier coating at least partially prevents a fluid from interacting with said at least one sensor, with each sensor having initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics each associated with the barrier properties of the coating with respect to each of a plurality of fluids, where the initial characteristics correspond to the barrier coating properties prior to exposure to any of the plurality of fluids and the subsequent characteristics correspond to the barrier coating properties after exposure to at least two of a plurality of fluids, with the initial characteristics for each barrier coating comprising an initial optical property and an initial acoustic wave property, and the subsequent characteristics of each barrier coating comprising a subsequent optical property and subsequent acoustic wave property; wherein the initial and subsequent acoustic wave properties correlate to the density, viscosity, mass, or crytallinity of the sensor material before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids, and the initial and subsequent optical properties correspond to the ability of the sensor to respond to radiation before and after, respectively, exposure of the coating to the plurality of fluids; a substrate attachable to the gas-impermeable cell so as to seal the interior chamber, wherein the at least one barrier coating is deposited on the substrate; an optical characteristic measurement device for measuring the initial optical property and subsequent optical property associated with each barrier coating; an acoustic wave property measurement device for measuring the initial acoustic wave property and the subsequent acoustic wave property associated with each barrier coating; and a computer for determining a first barrier property and a second barrier property of each barrier coating, the first barrier property with respect to one of the plurality of fluids, the second barrier property with respect to a second of the plurality of fluids, the first barrier property and the second barrier property based on the variation between the initial characteristics and subsequent characteristics associated with both the optical properties and the acoustic wave properties of each barrier coating.
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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) | 2006-05-19 | 2006-11-18 | 2007-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-05-19 | 2010-11-18 | 2011-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-05-19 | 2014-11-18 | 2015-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |