Patents Assigned to Hach Company
  • Patent number: 8724107
    Abstract: One embodiment provides an annular optical device (100), comprising: an annular meso-optic (1) including an annulus (11) centered about an axis of revolution (A); and a secondary optical structure (2) substantially coaxial within the annulus (11) of the annular meso-optic (1), wherein the secondary optical structure (2) and the annular meso-optic (1) are separated by a media (12) comprising a media refractive index that is lower than a secondary optical structure refractive index, with the secondary optical structure (2) being configured to hold a specimen to be radiated by impinging electromagnetic radiation directed into the secondary optical structure (2) substantially along the axis of revolution (A), wherein re-directed radiation from the specimen is allowed into the annular meso-optic (1) by the secondary optical structure (2) if an angle of incidence of the re-directed radiation exceeds the angle of Total Internal Reflectance. Other embodiments are descried and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Perry A. Palumbo
  • Patent number: 8703057
    Abstract: An electronic device for analyzing an aqueous solution may comprise a housing, one or more measurement circuits and a control circuit all arranged inside the housing. The housing may be configured to receive a test element. The one or more measurement circuits may be configured to produce one or more corresponding sets of measurement signals relating to an aqueous solution received on the test element. The control circuit may include a memory having instructions stored therein that are executable by the control circuit to process the one or more sets of measurement signals to determine one or more corresponding characteristics of the aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: David Alexander Nathaniel Morris, Teresa Lynn Swanson
  • Patent number: 8687286
    Abstract: A meso-optic device (1) includes a substantially annular meso-optic body (100) including an axis of revolution (2), a divergent conic optical surface (112) substantially coaxial with the axis of revolution (2), with the divergent conic optical surface (112) configured to receive electromagnetic radiation propagating along an optical axis (3) from an impingent direction, wherein the optical axis (3) is coincident with or intersects the axis of revolution (2), and with the divergent conic optical surface (112) configured to divergently re-direct the electromagnetic radiation away from the axis of revolution (2), and a convergent conic optical surface (114) substantially coaxial with the axis of revolution (2), with the convergent conic optical surface (114) configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation divergently re-directed by the divergent conic optical surface (112) and with the convergent conic optical surface (114) configured to convergently re-direct the electromagnetic radiation toward the axis of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Perry A. Palumbo
  • Patent number: 8675198
    Abstract: An annular optical device (100) includes an annular meso-optic (1) including an annulus (11) centered about an axis of revolution (A) and a secondary optical structure (2) substantially coaxial within the annulus (11). The secondary optical structure (2) and the annular meso-optic (1) are separated by a media (12) including a media refractive index that is lower than the refractive index of the secondary optical structure. The secondary optical structure (2) holds a specimen to be radiated by impinging electromagnetic radiation. Scattered radiation from the secondary optical structure (2) and within the annulus (11) of the annular meso-optic (1) is allowed into the annular meso-optic (1) if an angle of incidence of the scattered radiation exceeds a predetermined incidence threshold. The annular meso-optic (1) re-directs the scattered radiation to comprise re-directed radiation that is substantially parallel to the axis of revolution (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Perry A. Palumbo
  • Publication number: 20140049836
    Abstract: One embodiment provides an annular optical device (100), comprising: an annular meso-optic (1) including an annulus (11) centered about an axis of revolution (A); and a secondary optical structure (2) substantially coaxial within the annulus (11) of the annular meso-optic (1), wherein the secondary optical structure (2) and the annular meso-optic (1) are separated by a media (12) comprising a media refractive index that is lower than a secondary optical structure refractive index, with the secondary optical structure (2) being configured to hold a specimen to be radiated by impinging electromagnetic radiation directed into the secondary optical structure (2) substantially along the axis of revolution (A), wherein re-directed radiation from the specimen is allowed into the annular meso-optic (1) by the secondary optical structure (2) if an angle of incidence of the re-directed radiation exceeds the angle of Total Internal Reflectance. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Hach Company
    Inventor: Perry A. Palumbo
  • Publication number: 20140034516
    Abstract: An ionic probe is provided according to the invention. The ionic probe includes an active electrode configured to generate a measurement signal for an external test fluid, a first reference electrode configured to generate a first reference signal, and an at least second reference electrode configured to generate at least a second reference signal. The measurement signal is compared to the first reference signal and the at least second reference signal in order to determine an ionic measurement of the external test fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Hach Company
    Inventors: John Robert Woodward, Pierre Antoine Robert Livrozet, Jean-Francois Maurice Rene Schvan, Russell Martin Young, Kevin James West
  • Publication number: 20140026388
    Abstract: A self-centering vial clamp is provided. The self-centering vial clamp includes a clamp body including a vial aperture and two or more jaw slots spaced around the vial aperture, two or more clamp jaws spaced around the vial aperture, with a clamp jaw including a vial contact face and one or more jaw projections configured to engage a jaw slot of the clamp body, and two or more lever arms coupled to the two or more clamp jaws. A lever arm is configured to be manually pivoted, wherein the lever arm translates the pivoting motion into a sliding motion of the corresponding clamp jaw. Interacting lever gears formed on the lever arms constrain the two or more clamp jaws to move substantially in unison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Hach Company
    Inventors: Bret Warrick, Keith Bender
  • Publication number: 20140010729
    Abstract: An electronic device for analyzing an aqueous solution may comprise a housing, one or more measurement circuits and a control circuit all arranged inside the housing. The housing may be configured to receive a test element. The one or more measurement circuits may be configured to produce one or more corresponding sets of measurement signals relating to an aqueous solution received on the test element. The control circuit may include a memory having instructions stored therein that are executable by the control circuit to process the one or more sets of measurement signals to determine one or more corresponding characteristics of the aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: HACH COMPANY
    Inventors: David Alexander Nathaniel Morris, Teresa Lynn Swanson
  • Publication number: 20140010728
    Abstract: An electronic device for analyzing an aqueous solution may comprise a housing, one or more measurement circuits and a control circuit all arranged inside the housing. The housing may be configured to receive a test element. The one or more measurement circuits may be configured to produce one or more corresponding sets of measurement signals relating to an aqueous solution received on the test element. The control circuit may include a memory having instructions stored therein that are executable by the control circuit to process the one or more sets of measurement signals to determine one or more corresponding characteristics of the aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: HACH COMPANY
    Inventors: David Alexander Nathaniel Morris, Teresa Lynn Swanson
  • Patent number: 8609425
    Abstract: Methods for determining the concentration of nitrates in several types of water samples by photochemical reduction without the use of toxic materials such as cadmium or hydrazine, and having an approximately 100% reduction efficiency are described. A water sample mixed with a buffered aqueous solution including ammonium salts and EDTA is irradiated using ultraviolet light having wavelengths effective for photochemical conversion of nitrate and nitrite ions (NOx) to detectable species. The resulting species may be quantitatively determined by diazotization using sulfanilamide followed by coupling with N-(1-napthyl)ethylenediamine dihydrochloride which produces a water-soluble azo dye having a magenta color which may be colorimetrically measured at 540 nm from which the nitrate and nitrite concentration in the sample is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: Scott A. Tucker, Lynn M. Egan
  • Patent number: 8608925
    Abstract: A multiple-electrode ion meter (100) is provided. The multiple-electrode ion meter (100) includes meter electronics (102) configured to receive a plurality of ionic concentration voltage measurements and generate an ionic concentration measurement from the plurality of ionic concentration voltage measurements and three or more individual electrode units (108) in communication with the meter electronics (102). The three or more electrode units (108) generate the plurality of ionic concentration voltage measurements to the meter electronics (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: Karl King, John Robert Woodward, Russell Martin Young
  • Publication number: 20130330245
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a cuvette apparatus including: a lid and a body, the body including a fluid channel disposed therein; and the lid including at least one opening aligned with a portion of the fluid channel, thereby providing access to the fluid channel in the body. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: HACH COMPANY
    Inventors: Jim Duncan, Aria Farjam, Jim Harbridge, Brian Harmon, Ulrich Lundgreen, Darren MacFarland, Leon Moore, Perry Palumbo, William Louis Pherigo, Jr., Robert Stoughton, Luke Waaler
  • Patent number: 8603410
    Abstract: A chemical indicating device (10) for detection of chloride ions in a sample is provided. The chemical indicating device (10) includes a carrier matrix (12) and an indicator (14) having silver and vanadate supported on the carrier matrix (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Douglas F. Royer
  • Publication number: 20130317763
    Abstract: One aspect provides a method including determining that an absolute pressure sensor is not submersed in a fluid; measuring an atmospheric pressure with the absolute pressure sensor to determine an offset pressure measurement; submersing the absolute pressure sensor in a fluid; and measuring pressure with the absolute pressure sensor; wherein a compensated pressure measurement of the fluid is determined. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: HACH COMPANY
    Inventors: David Alan Ashman, Timothy Alan Higgins, Lawrence B. Marsh
  • Patent number: 8582106
    Abstract: An automatic optical measurement system (100) is provided. The measurement system (100) includes a sample vial (10) and an automatic optical measurement apparatus (90) configured to receive the sample vial (10). The automatic optical measurement apparatus (90) is configured to detect a presence of the sample vial (10) in the automatic optical measurement apparatus (90) and measure a light intensity of light substantially passing through the sample vial (10) if the sample vial (10) is present. The measured light intensity is related to sample material properties of a sample material within the sample vial (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: Perry A. Palumbo, Brian Harmon
  • Patent number: 8577623
    Abstract: An Anti-Terrorism water quality monitoring system for continuously monitoring a potable water treatment system and related potable water distribution network that provides potable water to a municipality, city, housing development or other potable water consumer. The system includes the collection of data from the water distribution system and from the water treatment facility and from advanced separation processes which are integrated into analytical instruments. The data collected are stored in a remote database on a remote server computer or bank of computers and accessible by Homeland Security or its designated agency. Preferred parameters of monitoring include the turbidity and disinfectant such as chlorine, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochloritc, ozone, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 8550413
    Abstract: A self-centering vial clamp (100) is provided. The self-centering vial clamp (100) includes a clamp body (101) including a vial aperture (110) and two or more jaw slots (111) spaced around the vial aperture (110), two or more clamp jaws (211) spaced around the vial aperture (110), with a clamp jaw (211) including a vial contact face (213) and one or more jaw projections (231) configured to engage a jaw slot (111) of the clamp body (101), and two or more lever arms (220) coupled to the two or more clamp jaws (211). A lever arm (220) is configured to be manually pivoted, wherein the lever arm translates the pivoting motion into a sliding motion of the corresponding clamp jaw (211). Interacting lever gears (224) formed on the lever arms (220) constrain the two or more clamp jaws (211) to move substantially in unison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: Bret Warrick, Keith Bender
  • Patent number: 8551311
    Abstract: An ionic probe is provided according to the invention. The ionic probe includes an active electrode configured to generate a measurement signal for an external test fluid, a first reference electrode configured to generate a first reference signal, and an at least second reference electrode configured to generate at least a second reference signal. The measurement signal is compared to the first reference signal and the at least second reference signal in order to determine an ionic measurement of the external test fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: John Robert Woodward, Pierre Antoine Robert Livrozet, Jean-Francois Maurice Rene Schvan, Russell Martin Young, Kevin James West
  • Patent number: D692335
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: Luke Waaler, Jim Duncan, Parijat Prabhudesai, Doug Golenz
  • Patent number: D699134
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: Luke Waaler, Jim Duncan, Parijat Prabhudesai, Doug Golenz