Patents Assigned to Hach Company
  • Publication number: 20130256515
    Abstract: One aspect provides a system including a sensor adjustment component comprising: a memory device having adjustment information stored therein; signal source capable of producing a signal detectable by a sensor to be adjusted; and one or more processors; wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute program instructions to operate the signal source to produce a predetermined signal pattern detectable by a measurement component of the sensor to be adjusted; and wherein the predetermined signal pattern comprises the adjustment information. Other aspects are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HACH COMPANY
    Inventors: David T. Crook, Areef A. Moin
  • Patent number: 8508734
    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: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Perry A. Palumbo
  • Patent number: 8508737
    Abstract: A spatial frequency optical measurement instrument is provided according to the invention. The instrument includes a spatial frequency mask positioned in a light path and configured to encode light with spatial frequency information, a light receiver positioned to receive the light encoded with the spatial frequency information, wherein the light encoded with the spatial frequency information has been interacted with a sample material, and a processing system coupled to the light receiver and configured to determine a change in the spatial frequency information due to the interaction of the light with the sample material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Perry Palumbo
  • Patent number: 8504305
    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 hypochlorite, ozone, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20130135613
    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: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: HACH COMPANY
    Inventor: Perry A. Palumbo
  • Patent number: 8434930
    Abstract: A magnetically-coupled stirring apparatus is provided. The stirring apparatus includes a rotor including at least one rotor magnet, with the rotor being positioned within a chamber. The stirring apparatus further includes an offset stirrer device positioned outside of the chamber. The offset stirrer device includes a shaft including a first end and a second end, with a stirring device axis being offset from a rotor axis, one or more paddle portions extending from the second end, and at least one stirrer magnet affixed to the first end. The at least one rotor magnet magnetically interacts with the at least one stirrer magnet. Rotation of the rotor induces rotation of the offset stirrer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Mark Huhta
  • Publication number: 20130073611
    Abstract: A method of monitoring advanced separation and/or ion exchange processes through the collection of localized data. The data is manipulated to generate preconfigured performance, maintenance, quality assurance, quality control, regulatory, cost reports, performance graphing and historical trends. The data is collected from sensors located at an equipment site and transferred to a remote located by use of the Internet, further all data received and used for generation of reports is also accessible by Internet connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Hach Company
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 8398835
    Abstract: A unitary ionic probe is provided. The unitary ionic probe includes a substantially elongate body including a central axis (AA), a proximal end, and a distal end. The unitary ionic probe further includes an active ion sensitive region that is located on and bonded into an exterior of the elongate body in a region of the proximal end and an active electrode in ionic communication with the active ion sensitive region. The unitary ionic probe further includes a reference ion sensitive region that is located on and bonded into the exterior of the elongate body and is spaced-apart from the active ion sensitive region and a reference electrode in ionic communication with the reference ion sensitive region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: John Robert Woodward, Pierre Antoine Robert Livrozet, Jean-Francois Maurice Rene Schvan, Russell Martin Young
  • Publication number: 20130047749
    Abstract: An aspect provides a method of autonomously flushing a process instrument, including: providing a sample fluid to a measurement chamber of the process instrument; providing a measurement agent to the sample; and responsive to a predetermined flushing condition, flowing measurement agent free fluid through the measurement chamber. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Hach Company
    Inventors: Ralf Leidner, Murphy Pickard
  • Publication number: 20130045540
    Abstract: An aspect provides an analyzer for validating a measurement of total organic carbon in a sample of water, including: one or more processors; and a memory storing program instructions including: instructions for measuring an amount of total organic carbon in a first sample of water using and obtaining a first measurement thereof; instructions for identifying a potential excursion event when an amount of total organic carbon in the first sample is above a predefined threshold; instructions for capturing a second sample of water in a bottle responsive to detecting the potential excursion event; instructions for introducing the second sample into a the analyzer; instructions for measuring an amount of total organic carbon in the second sample using the analyzer and obtaining a second measurement thereof; and instructions for comparing the first measurement and second measurement. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Hach Company
    Inventors: Matthew Grant Collier, Robert Lee Garvin, Terry Gene Stange
  • Publication number: 20130041600
    Abstract: A fluid flow measurement instrument is provided. The measurement instrument includes a sensor producing a time domain signal representative of reflections of an emitted signal; and a meter being coupled to the sensor and configured to: receive the time domain signal; create two or more spectral estimates for the time domain signal, wherein said two or more spectral estimates have different frequency ranges and resolutions; determine a frequency offset value using one or more of the two or more spectral estimates; and convert the frequency offset value into a fluid velocity. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Hach Company
    Inventor: David Langley Rick
  • Publication number: 20130041599
    Abstract: One aspect provides a fluid flow measurement instrument, comprising: a sensor producing a signal representative of reflections of an emitted signal; and a meter being coupled to the sensor and configured to: produce two or more sub-measurements from said signal representative of reflections of an emitted signal; and compute a fluid flow velocity estimate using the two or more sub-measurement signals. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Hach Company
    Inventor: David Langley Rick
  • Patent number: 8366895
    Abstract: A differential pH probe design uses a container having an outer surface and an inner volume, where the inner volume is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber. A first pH-sensitive area is located on the outer surface of the first chamber where the first pH-sensitive area is configured to be exposed to a sample. A second pH-sensitive area is located on the outer surface of the second chamber where the second pH-sensitive area is shielded from the sample and is exposed to a buffer solution. A first electrode is configured to detect a first voltage in the first chamber and a second electrode is configured to detect a second voltage in the second chamber. Circuitry is coupled to the first and second electrodes and configured to process the first voltage and the second voltage to determine a pH of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: John Robert Woodward, Leon Edward Moore, Kevin James West
  • Patent number: 8363222
    Abstract: A mixer for analytical application mixes a container of fluid without a magnetic stir bar. A device for testing a liquid for particles can use the mixer. The mixing can occur in a sealed container, and liquid can be transmitted to the device from the sealed container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Girvin, Gerald A. Szpak, Keith A. Bender, Shawn A. Hogan, Robert A. Moss
  • Publication number: 20130013259
    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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: HACH COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20130009781
    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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: HACH COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20120304743
    Abstract: A carbon quantifying cell (20) configured to receive a fluid is provided, including two or more electrodes (22) positioned at least partially in the fluid, and meter electronics (21) configured to place an electrical oxidization, polarization, and/or adsorption program across the two or more electrodes (22) and at least partially oxidize carbon materials in the fluid, apply an AC voltage of a predetermined amplitude across the two or more electrodes (22), measuring the resulting AC current across the two or more electrodes (22), wherein a ratio of amplitudes and a phase angle difference provides information for calculating a fluid impedance, receive an electrical response of the fluid to the electrical oxidization, polarization, and/or adsorption program, quantify the carbon materials in the fluid using the electrical response, and detect interfering materials in the fluid using the fluid impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: HACH COMPANY
    Inventor: Vishnu Rajasekharan
  • Publication number: 20120298529
    Abstract: Oxidation/reduction measurement is described. An aspect provides an oxidation/reduction quantification method, including: receiving intermittent oxidizer/reducer reference measurements from one or more reference sensors; receiving one or more substantially continuous oxidizer/reducer-related measurements from one or more corroboration sensors; and processing the one or more substantially continuous oxidizer/reducer-related measurements with the intermittent oxidizer/reducer reference measurements to generate substantially continuous representative oxidizer/reducer measurements. Other aspects are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: HACH COMPANY
    Inventors: Vadim B. Malkov, David Langley Rick
  • Publication number: 20120262717
    Abstract: A spatial frequency optical measurement instrument is provided according to the invention. The instrument includes a spatial frequency mask positioned in a light path and configured to encode light with spatial frequency information, a light receiver positioned to receive the light encoded with the spatial frequency information, wherein the light encoded with the spatial frequency information has been interacted with a sample material, and a processing system coupled to the light receiver and configured to determine a change in the spatial frequency information due to the interaction of the light with the sample material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Hach Company
    Inventor: Perry Palumbo
  • Publication number: 20120245863
    Abstract: An instrument (100) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The instrument (100) includes an interface (101) configured to receive a Doppler measurement signal and a processing system (112) coupled to the interface (101) and receiving the Doppler measurement signal. The processing system (112) is configured to generate a two-sided velocity spectrum including a plurality of discrete frequency bins from the Doppler measurement signal, with the two-sided velocity spectrum distinguishing spectral elements, and process one or more velocity spectrum bin pairs against a plurality of local gate thresholds, with the one or more velocity spectrum bin pairs being substantially symmetrically located about one or more carrier wave bins and wherein each velocity spectrum bin pair is processed against a corresponding local gate threshold of the plurality of local gate thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Hach Company
    Inventor: David Langley Rick