Fluid Color Transmission Examination Patents (Class 356/409)
  • Patent number: 11693102
    Abstract: A Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system is provided. The LIDAR system includes a LIDAR transmitter configured with a first field of view and configured to transmit laser beams into the first field of view at a plurality of discrete transmission angles in order to scan the first field of view with the laser beams; a LIDAR receiver configured with a second field of view and configured to receive reflected laser beams from the second field of view and generate electrical signals based on the received reflected laser beams; and a controller configured to shift at least one of the first field of view or the second field of view based on a misalignment in order to optimize an overlap of the first field of view and the second field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Wojciech Kudla, Boris Kirillov, Vladimir Petrovic, Hendrikus Van Lierop
  • Patent number: 11391670
    Abstract: An optical waveguide 15 includes a substrate 19, a core layer 12, a support 20, and a suppressing portion. The core layer 12 includes a light propagating portion 10 and a diffraction grating portion 11. The diffraction grating portion 11 includes a fine line pattern formed therein. The support 20 is made from a material having a smaller refractive index than a refractive index of the core layer 12. The support 20 supports the core layer 12 with respect to the substrate 19. The suppressing portion suppresses deformation of fine lines 13 that form the fine line pattern. The support 20 is not provided in an entire region between the light propagating portion 10 and the substrate 19 in a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the core layer 12 at least at a position in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiro Sakamoto, Tatsushi Yagi
  • Patent number: 11252377
    Abstract: A camera device includes a cooling unit that cools an imaging element, a first generation unit that generates stored information (the stored information includes current time and a current position acquired with use of a GPS signal during an operating term of the cooling unit, operating time of the cooling unit measured during the operating term, and identification information of the camera device), a communication unit that transmits the stored information to a server device, a second generation unit that generates image capturing information (the image capturing information includes the current time and the current position acquired with use of the GPS signal during the operating term, the operating time of the cooling unit measured during the operating term, and the identification information of the camera device), and a third generation unit that generates an image associated with the image capturing information based on an infrared image captured by the imaging element during the operating term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Motohiro Asano, Takashi Morimoto, Seiichi Tsuzuki, Youichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 11226346
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for calibrating a photometer in an in-vitro diagnostics analyzer includes generating a cuvette map of a reaction ring identifying a plurality of cuvette locations. The cuvette map is used to identify a plurality of reference measurement areas between the plurality of cuvette locations. A plurality of reference measurements are acquired in the reference measurement areas using the photometer. The photometer is automatically calibrated based on a comparison of the reference measurements to a predetermined standard setup of the photometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Joson K. Joseph, Bestin Abraham, Frank Krufka, Tan Bui
  • Patent number: 10928303
    Abstract: A concentration measuring device includes a measuring cell having a flow passage and a translucent window, a light source for emitting light to the measuring cell through the window, a reflective member for reflecting light propagating through the measuring cell to the window, a light detector for detecting the light exiting from the window, a calculation part for calculating the concentration of the fluid on the basis of a detection signal from the light detector, and an optical device for guiding the light from the light source to the window and guiding the light from the window to the light detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignees: TOKUSHIMA UNIVERSITY, FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Deguchi, Takashi Fukawa, Taiki Hattori, Masaaki Nagase, Kazuteru Tanaka, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10843152
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software program products for detecting an out-of-product condition in a chemical dispensing system. An optical sensor includes a photodetector and a light source configured to generate a beam of light. The light source is positioned such that the beam of light is incident on a supply line at an oblique angle. The supply line displaces the beam of light in dependence on the refractive index of a medium in the supply line. The photodetector is positioned so that it is in the optical path of the displaced beam of light when the refractive index of the of the medium in the supply line is indicative of one of a wet state or a dry state. A detection module receives an electrical signal from the photodetector and determines if the out-of-product conditions exists base thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Tincher
  • Patent number: 10670517
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe gas sensor calibration methods and subsequent sensing methods employing same in conjunction with wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS). Additional aspects of the present disclosure advantageously employ WMS for highly-sensitive gas concentration measurement across a range of concentrations from ambient to a high concentration environment such as fire/smoke detection. Finally, still further aspects of the present disclosure determine and then employ two calibration factors and during measurement WMS-2f spectra to determine an inflection or “turning point” and subsequently which one of the two calibration factors to employ at a given concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Ming-Fang Huang
  • Patent number: 10627342
    Abstract: A colorimeter accessory for a smartphone is provided that, by leveraging the high-volume development of sophisticated smart phone technology, substantially reduces the cost of a colorimeter. The invention provides a sample holder that adapts to a range of smart phone cameras and that provides a light source and interference filter necessary for making accurate narrowband measures of light transmission through the sample holder. A correction system operates to compensate for characteristics of the smart phone camera that can affect accuracy of the reading. The processing system of the smart phone may be enlisted for this correction system and for calculation of concentrations of solution through the measurements that are made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: WiSys Technology Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Edward Zorn
  • Patent number: 10613067
    Abstract: A method of measuring a concentration of NO2 in a gaseous mixture using a multimode laser beam that covers a tunable spectral range with a width of no more than 5 nm, wherein the multimode laser beam provides a high resolution transmittance spectrum at an absorption cross section of NO2 molecules, and a system for measuring the concentration of NO2 in the gaseous mixture. Various combinations of embodiments of the system and the method are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Abdulaziz Aljalal, Sameh Altanany, Khaled Gasmi, Watheq Al-Basheer
  • Patent number: 10564094
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device and a method for blood haemoglobin measurement without carboxyhaemoglobin interference. In the present device and method, oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin are converted into a methemoglobin derivative, i.e. Imidazole-methemoglobin. Imidazole-methemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin in the matrix are collectively quantified by the reflectance spectroscopy of the matrix at 525 nm, the isobestic point between Imidazole-methemoglobin complex and carboxyhemoglobin molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Inventor: Ambar Srivastava
  • Patent number: 10228383
    Abstract: A test apparatus for measuring the temperature of a reactor using a thermochromic pigment, and a method for controlling the test apparatus are disclosed, based on a technology for irradiating light of different wavelengths on a thermochromic pigment accommodated in a reactor and estimating temperature of the reactor using a difference between absorbance values corresponding to the light of the different wavelengths. The test apparatus includes at least one light emitter configured to irradiate light of different wavelengths onto a chamber included in the reactor, a light receiver configured to receive the light that propagates through the chamber, and a controller configured to measure absorbance values of the thermochromic pigment in correspondence to the different wavelengths of the light, to calculate a difference between the measured absorbance values, and to determine a temperature of the reactor in correspondence to the calculated difference between the absorbance values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yeong Bae Yeo, Sil Park
  • Patent number: 10217779
    Abstract: A cost effective multicolor sensor and related software achieves a spectral response that closely approximates an ideal photo response to measure optical measurement, for example photosynthetic photo flux density (PPFD). The spectra error of the sensor is smaller than that of the best commercially available sensor at a significantly reduced cost. The sensor may include an 8×2 array of filtered photodiodes and spectral photo sensors that are linearly combined with the appropriate mathematically determined coefficients to create a corrected spectral response curve that has a spectral error much smaller than the best commercial available sensors made by physical coating methods for the entire desired range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: Desheng Wang
  • Patent number: 10161851
    Abstract: An off-gas analyzer for analyzing H2O vapor, CO, O2, CO2 and/or H2 in a furnace gas stream is fluidically coupled to a gas extraction probe. The analyzer includes an optical measurement cell having multiple sampling chambers, optically coupled to a laser. The analyzer measuring cell is housed within a heated cabinet having a heater operable to heat the interior thereof so as to maintain the extracted gas sample therein at a temperature about the condensation point of water. The analyzer allows for the analysis of the gas water vapour of wet off-gas samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventors: Vittorio Scipolo, Douglas J Zuliani, Avishekh Pal, Ovidiu Negru
  • Patent number: 10123733
    Abstract: A method of measuring a characteristic of a skin, including varying an air pressure in a chamber positioned adjacent to a skin, in which the chamber has an opening that exposes the skin to changes in the air pressure in the chamber. A plurality of measurements of surface profiles of the skin are made over a period of time as the surface profile of the skin varies in response to changes in the air pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventors: Nicholas Hunter-Jones, Alexander Isakov
  • Patent number: 9176046
    Abstract: This invention is to distinguish a position of a measurement cell without using a position sensor that is an electric component, and comprises a cell switching mechanism that switches a measurement position where the measurement cell is located on an optical path and an evacuating position where the measurement cell is evacuated from the optical path so as to make a first moving speed from the measurement position to the evacuating position different from a second moving speed from the evacuating position to the measurement position, and a distinguishing mechanism that detects speed information relating to the first moving speed and the second moving speed by the use of a measurement light and distinguishes the measurement position and the evacuating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: HORIBA, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimihiko Arimoto, Daisuke Kitaki, Yutaka Dejima
  • Patent number: 9121793
    Abstract: A gas analyzer includes a detector section including a detector, a source section including a light source, and a support structure coupling the detector section with the source section and forming a flow channel defining an optical path measuring region. The gas analyzer also includes an air flow device configured to pull air through the flow channel from an intake region in the support structure to an exhaust region. Sampling is done by pulling air into the sampling cell via an intake opening or tube of wide diameter and short to medium at very fast flow rates (e.g., 10-3000 lpm or more) enabling rapid gas sampling. Fast flow rates enable the use of large volume cell for rapid gas sampling, which in turn, enables rapid measurements of many low-concentration trace gases and sticky/reactive gases (e.g., methane, ammonia, isotopes of CO2, H2O, nitrous oxide, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventor: George G. Burba
  • Publication number: 20140347667
    Abstract: A method for operating a laser spectrometer includes passing light of a semiconductor laser through a gas mixture containing a gas component and through an etalon structure onto a detector. The method also includes varying an injection current of the laser based on a predefined current-time function in order to tune the wavelength of the laser in a tuning range using a specific absorption line of the gas component. The method further includes modulating the function with a modulation signal having a frequency and alternately a first modulation amplitude and a second modulation amplitude. The method also includes evaluating a detector signal generated by the detector for determining (1) the concentration of the gas component upon the modulation with the first modulation amplitude and (2) the wavelength stabilization of the laser upon the modulation with the second modulation amplitude at the second harmonic of the frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Daniel Depenheuer
  • Publication number: 20140340684
    Abstract: A method of determining a concentration of a gas in a sample and/or the composition of a gas using a spectrometer comprises the transmitting of radiation whose wavelength substantially continuously runs through a wavelength range, wherein the continuous running through of the wavelength range is overlaid by a wavelength modulation; the measuring of an absorption signal from the absorption of the radiation by the gas as a function of the wavelength of the radiation; the converting of the absorption signal into a first and a second derivative signal; the deriving of a first measured gas concentration value from the first derivative signal and of a second measured gas concentration value from the second derivative signal; and the determining of the concentration and/or the composition of the gas from at least the first measured gas concentration value, wherein the wavelength modulation is adapted in response to a change of a state variable of the gas such that a ratio between the first measured gas concentration
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Sick AG
    Inventors: Julian EDLER, Thomas BEYER, Rolf DISCH
  • Publication number: 20140168649
    Abstract: A sample cell for a spectrometer, and a spectrometer using such a sample cell. The sample cell may include a housing having a reflective inner surface which is at least a section of a spheroid bounding a cavity. A lens system receives electromagnetic radiation from a source and directs a converging beam through a port in the cavity to a focal point inside the cavity, such that the beam undergoes multiple reflections on the inner surface before exiting the cavity. Arrangements for adjusting beam cross-sectional area and angle are optionally provided. Methods which can be performed on such an apparatus and computer program products for performing such methods are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Malcolm C. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20140132957
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and/or systems are disclosed for collecting and processing of spectral data from an object to enable the determination of the presence and/or amount of a target analyte present in the object is disclosed. The object may be a portion of a person's body such as the forearm, palms, fingers, or eye. The target analyte may be ethanol. The method/apparatus/system for performing such spectral data collection may include one or more broadband emitters such as thermal emitters (aka “black-body” or “gray-body” emitters), incandescent sources, light emitting diodes, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Messerschmidt
  • Publication number: 20140111808
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for differential optical dispersion using a first sample and a second sample are disclosed. The apparatus includes a single frequency chirped laser source configured to generate a single frequency chirped laser beam. A first beam splitter is configured to split the single frequency chirped laser beam into first and second optical branches, the first sample being located in the first optical branch, the second sample being located in the second optical branch. A frequency shifter is located in the second optical branch, downstream of the second sample. A second beam splitter is configured to combine the first and second optical branches and generate a chirp-modulated mixed light beam. A square law detector is configured to detect the chirp-modulated mixed light beam and generate a heterodyne beatnote signal. A demodulator is configured for detection of the heterodyne beatnote signal to generate a transmission/differential optical dispersion spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michal Nikodem, Gerard Wysocki
  • Patent number: 8675200
    Abstract: Light from light source means (a wavelength-variable laser) is applied to a surface of a hydrogen absorbing thin metal film of a hydrogen detecting surface plasmon resonator including a surface plasmon resonance enhancement structure formed by providing in the thin film an array of periodic holes having a shape that is not 90-degree rotational symmetric in the plane of the film surface, and transmitted light is detected with light detecting means (a photometer). Hydrogen is detected on the basis of a change in light transmission frequency characteristic caused by hydrogen absorption in the hydrogen detecting surface plasmon resonator. Optical hydrogen detection that is highly safe and unaffected by variations in the amount of light from the light source and stray light can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignees: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited, University of Tokyo
    Inventors: Atsushi Suda, Jean-Jacques Delaunay, Etsuo Maeda, Ichiro Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140049777
    Abstract: A spectroscopic sensor and a spectroscopic method of determining a concentration of a sample are disclosed. The sensor is used in connection with a sample cell containing a sample. The sensor includes a coherent light source configured to transmit an interrogation light beam along an optical sample path directed towards the sample. The sensor also includes an in-line reference cell located in the sample path. The sensor also includes a detector having outputs responsive to absorption signals from the sample and the in-line reference cell. The sensor also includes a processor configured to isolate the reference absorption signals from the in-line reference cell and sample absorption signals from the sample cell and generate calibration information based on the reference absorption signals and determine a concentration of the sample based on the sample absorption signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kang Sun, Lei Tao, David Miller, M. Amir Khan, Mark A. Zondlo
  • Publication number: 20130342844
    Abstract: A method includes measuring intensities of light passing through a sample of an algae culture at different wavelengths. The method also includes identifying, using the measured intensities, a peak absorption wavelength of at least one type of chlorophyll in the sample and/or an absorption ratio involving multiple types of chlorophyll in the sample. The method further includes determining whether the algae culture has a problem using the peak absorption wavelength and/or the absorption ratio. The peak absorption wavelength could be identified by identifying a specified wavelength at which a smallest amount of light passes through the sample. The absorption ratio could be identified by identifying an average absorption wavelength of first and second types of chlorophyll in the sample and identifying a peak absorption wavelength of the first type of chlorophyll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Honeywell ASCa Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastien Tixier, Adrian M. Fuxman
  • Patent number: 8603772
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel methods and devices for measurement of particle concentration or changes in particle concentration over a wide linear range. The invention comprises one or more radiation sources and one or more detectors contained in a housing which is interfaced to a medium containing particulate matter. The one or more radiation sources are directed into the medium, scattered or transmitted by the particulate matter, and then some portion of the radiation is detected by the one or more detectors. Methods for confining the measurement to a specific volume within the medium are described. Algorithms are provided for combining the signals generated by multiple source-detector pairs in a manner that results in a wide linear range of response to changes in particle concentration. In one embodiment the sensor provides non-invasive measurements of biomass in a bioreactor. In another embodiment an immersible probe design is described, which may be suited for one-time use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Bug Lab LLC
    Inventors: Martin P. Debreczeny, Jaime Romero, Ethan Petersen
  • Publication number: 20130293892
    Abstract: A system and method for nondestructive detection of gas in a sealed container. The system includes a light source housed in a light source housing and configured to emit a light beam for absorption in a substance to be measured, a detector housed in a detector housing and configured to detect the emitted light beam, a zone that accepts one or more of the sealed containers, each container being substantially optically transparent and containing the substance to be measured, the zone located between the detector and the light source, the light source configured to transmit the light beam through the zone, and a light source purging system comprising a light source channel surrounding the light source and positioned between the light source and the detector housing, the light source channel configured to expel purge gas from a purge gas source into the zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Warren M. GRIFFITH, William R. ANDERSON, Peter J. LEAVESLEY, Michael A. TIMMINS
  • Publication number: 20130286397
    Abstract: A spectroscopy system includes an array of quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) that emits an array of non-coincident laser beams. A lens array coupled to the QCL array substantially collimates the laser beams, which propagate along parallel optical axes towards a sample. The beams remain substantially collimated over the lens array's working distance, but may diverge when propagating over longer distances. The collimated, parallel beams may be directed to/through the sample, which may be within a sample cell, flow cell, multipass spectroscopic absorption cell, or other suitable holder. Alternatively, the beams may be focused to a point on, near, or within the target using a telescope or other suitable optical element(s). When focused, however, the beams remain non-coincident; they simply intersect at the focal point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Mark F. Witinski, Laurent Diehl, Christian Pfluegl
  • Publication number: 20130250301
    Abstract: Validation verification data quantifying an intensity of light reaching a detector of a spectrometer from a light source of the spectrometer after the light passes through a validation gas across a known path length can be collected or received. The validation gas can include an amount of an analyte compound and an undisturbed background composition that is representative of a sample gas background composition of a sample gas to be analyzed using a spectrometer. The sample gas background composition can include one or more background components. The validation verification data can be compared with stored calibration data for the spectrometer to calculate a concentration adjustment factor, and sample measurement data collected with the spectrometer can be modified using this adjustment factor to compensate for collisional broadening of a spectral peak of the analyte compound by the background components. Related methods, articles of manufacture, systems, and the like are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Alfred Feitisch, Xiang Liu, Hsu-Hung Huang, Wenhai Ji, Richard Cline
  • Publication number: 20130188171
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the pH value of a liquid. The system and method excite the liquid molecules in the liquid by light with a predetermined wavelength and an intensity component, transmitted through the liquid in a predetermined wavelength range, of the light used for excitation is captured. This intensity component is used to produce a wavelength/intensity absorption characteristic and this absorption characteristic is related to a reference absorption characteristic associated with a specific pH value of the liquid. The system and method thus can be used to obtain drinking water from a fuel for aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: EADS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: EADS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • Publication number: 20130188170
    Abstract: An optical absorption spectroscopy apparatus comprises a multi-pass optical cell (1) having a first reflector (2) and a second reflector (4, 4?), a first light source (6) for light of a first waveband and a second light source (6?) for light of a second waveband. The cell (1) is constructed and arranged such that light entering the cell is reflected one or more times between the first and second reflectors (2, 4, 4?) before exiting the cell. Light of the first waveband enters and exits the cell (1) in a first plane and light of the second waveband enters and exits the cell in a second plane that is different from the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: DUVAS TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventor: Steven Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20130135619
    Abstract: A laser gas analyzer includes a wavelength-variable laser having a wide wavelength-variable width, a light-split module configured to split an output light of the wavelength-variable laser into a measurement light and a reference light, a first gas cell into which gases to be measured are introduced, and the measurement light is made to be incident, and a data processor configured to obtain an absorption spectrum of each of the gases to be measured based on a reference signal related to the reference light and an absorption signal related to an output light of the first gas cell, and to obtain concentrations of the respective gases to be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130057863
    Abstract: A sensor element is disclosed. The sensor element comprises a first element which is nanoporous, and a second element which is nanoporous, the second element enclosing the first element. The surfaces of the nanopores of the first- and second element differ in hydrophilicity, so that the surfaces of the nanopores of one element is generally more hydrophobic while the other is generally more hydrophilic, and hence the sensor element is capable of selectively having the first element filled with a fluid. The sensor element is capable of guiding light through the fluid-filled first element and can act as a nanoporous waveguide. The sensor element according to the invention is particularly useful for spectroscopy on fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicants: BIOMODICS APS, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
    Inventors: Mads Bøkner Christiansen, Sokol Ndoni, Martin Etchells Vigild, Anders Kristensen, Peter Thomsen
  • Publication number: 20130057864
    Abstract: A method of absorption spectroscopy to determine a rapidly variable gas parameter. The method includes transmitting light from a synchronization light source to a synchronization detector. The transmitted light is periodically interrupted by a moving mechanical part between the synchronization light source and synchronization detector. The output from the synchronization detector is used to generate a repeating time signal having variable phase delay. This signal is used to control the timing of laser spectroscopy wavelength scans. Multiple spectroscopic scans may be repeated at multiple selected time signal phase delay and the results averaged for each phase. Apparatus for implementing the above methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: ZOLO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Henrik Hofvander, Bernard P. Masterson, Andrew D. Sappey, James Howell, David Owenby, Lee Sutherland, Michael J Estes
  • Patent number: 8390813
    Abstract: Gas having stable isotopes is monitored continuously by using a system that sends a modulated laser beam to the gas and collects and transmits the light not absorbed by the gas to a detector. Gas from geological storage, or from the atmosphere can be monitored continuously without collecting samples and transporting them to a lab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel M Clegg, Julianna E Fessenden-Rahn
  • Patent number: 8347828
    Abstract: A transmittance sensor that detects the optical transmittance of biofuel is provided on a fuel tank that stores biofuel to be supplied to an internal combustion engine. An ECU periodically acquires the optical transmittance detected by the transmittance sensor, and calculates the amount of change from the previous value. In addition, the ECU calculates a degradation index value indicating the degree of degradation of the biofuel by accumulating the amount of change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaori Yoshida, Satoshi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 8339607
    Abstract: An apparatus and method provide measurement of a constituent of a fluid, such as ozone in ozonated water. The apparatus includes a vessel to contain the fluid, a light source configured to direct a first band of light and a second band of light along a substantially shared path though the fluid, and a photosensor that senses the first band of light and the second band of light. The constituent has a greater absorption associated with the first band of light than with the second band of light. The method includes modification of a measured attribute of the component in response to the sensed second band of light to improve the accuracy of the measured attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Levine, Johannes Seiwert, Joachim Lohr, Ulrich Brammer, Jens Fittkau
  • Publication number: 20120300209
    Abstract: An absorption spectroscopy instrument with a light source for providing a beam of light, a modulator to produce a modulated beam of light, a high finesse optical cavity, means for injecting the modulated beam of light off-axis into the high finesse optical cavity and a detector positioned to receive and measure light exiting through said optical cavity. The detector may be a highly sensitive and high bandwidth detector. The modulator may be a one or two-tone modulator having means, such as a plurality of RF synthesizers, for modulating the light source by one or two tones. If one tone of applied modulation is used, the frequency is larger than the absorption bandwidth of the target chemical. In the case where two tones are used, the first frequency is larger than the absorption bandwidth of the target chemical and the second frequency is small relative to the first frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Mark Francis Witinski, Pietro Malara, Gianluca Gagliardi
  • Publication number: 20120273351
    Abstract: An optical sensor determines a characteristic of a fluid medium based on a plurality of detector outputs and a characteristic model. The optical sensor directs light into the fluid medium, detects light at each of a plurality of wavelengths transmitted through the fluid medium, and produces therefrom the plurality of detector outputs. The characteristic model provides an estimate of the characteristic of the fluid medium based on a partial least squares analysis of optical transmission measurements through at least one reference fluid medium having a known characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Paul R. Kraus, Victor N. Morin
  • Publication number: 20120212731
    Abstract: Described are methods for multi-wavelength cavity ring-down spectroscopy; comprising simultaneously and continuously irradiating an optical cavity with light at two or more different wavelengths, each light being intensity-modulated at a different modulation frequency, detecting the light of two or more wavelengths after the light has travelled through the optical cavity; measuring an optical loss of each detected light; and determining a characteristic of the optical cavity from the optical loss of each detected light. Also described are apparatus and systems for multi-wavelength cavity ring-down spectroscopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Loock, Helen Waechter
  • Publication number: 20120170039
    Abstract: A processing system having a chamber for in-situ optical interrogation of plasma emission to quantitatively measure normalized optical emission spectra is provided. The processing chamber includes a confinement ring assembly, a flash lamp, and a set of quartz windows. The processing chamber also includes a plurality of collimated optical assemblies, the plurality of collimated optical assemblies are optically coupled to the set of quartz windows. The processing chamber also includes a plurality of fiber optic bundles. The processing chamber also includes a multi-channel spectrometer, the multi-channel spectrometer is configured with at least a signal channel and a reference channel, the signal channel is optically coupled to at least the flash lamp, the set of quartz windows, the set of collimated optical assemblies, the illuminated fiber optic bundle, and the collection fiber optic bundle to measure a first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Vijayakumar C. Venugopal, Eric Pape, Jean-Paul Booth
  • Patent number: 8182748
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement of measuring acidity or other chemical or physical property of a gas. The invention comprises a membrane having optical indicator molecules bound to a microporous matrix arranged to be placed into contact with the gas to be measured, the optical indicator molecules changing their colour in response to the acidity or other chemical or physical property of the gas, a light source, and a detector. The light source is arranged to emit and direct light to the membrane, the light being transmitted through the membrane, whereby a part of the light is absorbed into the optical indicator molecules, and the rest of the light emitted is guided to the detector, where it is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Janesko Oy
    Inventors: Ville Voipio, Katri Vuokila
  • Publication number: 20120113424
    Abstract: Light from light source means (a wavelength-variable laser) is applied to a surface of a hydrogen absorbing thin metal film of a hydrogen detecting surface plasmon resonator including a surface plasmon resonance enhancement structure formed by providing in the thin film an array of periodic holes having a shape that is not 90-degree rotational symmetric in the plane of the film surface, and transmitted light is detected with light detecting means (a photometer). Hydrogen is detected on the basis of a change in light transmission frequency characteristic caused by hydrogen absorption in the hydrogen detecting surface plasmon resonator. Optical hydrogen detection that is highly safe and unaffected by variations in the amount of light from the light source and stray light can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicants: University of Tokyo, Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
    Inventors: Atsushi Suda, Jean-Jacques Delaunay, Etsuo Maeda, Ichiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 8119068
    Abstract: A fluid content monitor including a cuvette, a colorimeter adapted to generate a signal indicative of contents of a fluid sample contained in the cuvette, a container for holding a reagent, and a pump assembly for delivering reagent from the container to the cuvette. The pump assembly includes a tube extending from the container to the cuvette, check valves preventing reverse flow in the tube, and a hammer driven by a solenoid for repetitively compressing the tube to pump reagent to the cuvette. The cuvette can be removed for cleaning and replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: HF Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Rowan Connelly, Joel Leal
  • Patent number: 8085401
    Abstract: An apparatus and method provide measurement of a constituent of a fluid, such as ozone in ozonated water. The apparatus includes a vessel to contain the fluid, a light source configured to direct a first band of light and a second band of light along a substantially shared path though the fluid, and a photosensor that senses the first band of light and the second band of light. The constituent has a greater absorption associated with the first band of light than with the second band of light. The method includes modification of a measured attribute of the component in response to the sensed second band of light to improve the accuracy of the measured attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Levine, Johannes Seiwert, Joachim Lohr, Ulrich Brammer, Jens Fittkau
  • Publication number: 20110004418
    Abstract: Systems and devices for collecting time and space resolved air samples are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and devices include the following: a housing including an air inlet; a pump positioned to draw air from outside the sampler and into the housing; electronically controllable valves positioned within the housing for receiving air from the pump; air sampling filters for receiving air from the valves; a printed circuit board including a microcomputer, a global positioning satellite tracking device, and programmable memory, the microcomputer being configured to control the valves to allow air to flow to particular air sampling filters to collect an air sample, the microcomputer being configured to record time data and positioning data from the global positioning satellite tracking device simultaneous to collecting the air sample, the data being stored in the programmable memory; and a power source to provide power for the sampler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Steven N. Chillrud, James P. Cowin, Martin J. Iedema, Beizhan Yan, Thomas A. Seim
  • Patent number: 7782460
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for downhole formation testing using a spectrometer includes a carrier conveyable into a well borehole that traverses a subterranean formation of interest, a plurality of semiconductor light sources disposed on the carrier, a fluid sample cell that receives light emitted from the plurality of semiconductor light sources, and at least one photodetector that detects light emitted from the plurality of semiconductor light sources and after the light interacts with a fluid in the fluid sample cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Rocco DiFoggio, Sebastian Csutak
  • Patent number: 7752887
    Abstract: A method of measuring the level of an impurity in a gas comprises providing a gas detection tube having a internal volume containing a reagent which can react with said impurity to produce a compound capable of producing a color change in said tube such that the extent of the color change is proportional to the concentration of the impurity in said gas. A volume of the gas at least 1×103 times the test volume of the gas detection tube is passed through the tube and the extent of the color change of the detector element is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Stone & Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Maruti Bhandakar, Joseph Peters
  • Publication number: 20100020310
    Abstract: According to the invention, an RGB-color camera is used to detect the radiation intensity of a reaction product in red, green or blue wavelength range such that the respective blue signal (IB) of the RGB-color camera is used to produce a band radiation value (BS) of the respective reaction product and the respective red and/or green signal (IR, IG) of the RGB-color camera is used to produce the thermal radiation value (TS) by means of pyrometry or comparative pyrometry, whereby the difference of the respective range radiation value (BS) and the respective associated thermal radiation value (TS) is used to produce an emission rate (K) for the radiation intensity of the respective reaction product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Merklein
  • Publication number: 20100007886
    Abstract: An analyzer analyzes a sample based on optical characteristics of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Osamu OKABAYASHI
  • Patent number: 7616316
    Abstract: An optical spectroscopy apparatus and method for measurement of species concentration, number density, or column density comprising emitting light from a laser light source, receiving light via a fixed length optical path from the source and containing a species to be detected, receiving light via a detector at an end of the path, determining one or more of species concentration, number density, and column density via signal processing electronics connected to the detector, and switching between a plurality of operational modes measuring a same absorption feature of the species depending on measured absorbance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Southwest Sciences Incorporated
    Inventors: Joel A. Silver, Mark E. Paige, David S. Bomse