Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for measuring light scattering from particles and images of particles, and for combining size distributions from the measurements to produce a single size distribution over a larger size range.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for measuring light scattering from particles and images of particles, and for combining size distributions from the measurements to produce a single size distribution over a larger size range.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for measuring light scattering from particles and images of particles in the same sample cell utilizing two light sources.

Abstract: A zeta potential measurement system comprising: a cell having a cell wall and bottom for holding suspended particles; an optical measurement probe having a probe tip comprising a transparent and conducting thin film coating which prevents ionic current from accumulating charge on the probe tip, and wherein the optical measurement probe is inserted through the cell wall such that the probe tip is in fluid communication with the sample; a counter electrode inserted through the cell wall opposite to the optical measurement probe; a laser source which is disposed so as to deliver light to the optical measurement probe via an optical directional coupler and optical waveguide; wherein the optical measurement probe focuses the light onto a front surface of the probe tip, such that the light reflected from the front surface of the optical measurement probe and light backscattered from particles in the sample are collected by the probe tip, and thereafter focused to a optical waveguide and delivered through the couple

Abstract: An adjustable focusing assembly for use with an optical probe includes a focusing element having a first and a second end mounted within a holder member. The holder member is secured to the optical probe with the focusing element optically coupled to the light images projecting from the light probe. A window having an inner and an outer surface is mounted on a body member with the window inner surface in a facing and spaced relationship to the focusing element second end. The body member further includes a cowled portion extending from the periphery of the body member on a side opposite the window, arranged to engage surfaces on the periphery of the holder member, thereby defining a cavity between the focusing element second end and the window inner surface. The body member is adjusted, increasing or alternatively decreasing the cavity until the light images from the focusing element second end are focused on the window outer surface.

Abstract: An improved mixing reservoir is disclosed used for supplying particles suspended in a liquid, in the form of a slurry, for delivery and recirculation within a recirculating system. The mixing reservoir includes an outlet port at its lowest point connected to a recirculation pump. The pump is arranged to draw the slurry from the mixing chamber and to cause a stream of the slurry to flow through the recirculating system. The improved mixing reservoir includes a plurality of inlet ports located on the mixing reservoir. Each inlet port is connected to the recirculating system and the stream of slurry, whereby the particles contained in the slurry are retained in suspension by the resulting chaotic motion of the colliding streams of slurry as they are returned to the mixing reservoir.

Abstract: An optical detection system and method is disclosed comprising a first light guide for conveying light energy from a light source to a first light guide face end that is immersed in a dispersant medium. A first portion of the light energy exits the face end to irradiate particles contained in the dispersant medium and a second portion of the light energy is reflected by the face end back into the first light guide. A frequency transducer mounted to the first light guide receives at least one specific frequency from a range of frequencies generated by a frequency oscillator and oscillates the first light guide face end at the applied specific frequency. The transducer oscillations are further coupled into the dispersant medium, causing the dispersant medium and the particles contained therein to oscillate at the oscillation frequency of the first light guide face end.

Abstract: An improved mixing reservoir is disclosed used for supplying particles suspended in a liquid, in the form of a slurry, for delivery and recirculation within a recirculating system. The mixing reservoir includes an outlet port at its lowest point connected to a recirculation pump. The pump is arranged to draw the slurry from the mixing chamber and to cause a stream of the slurry to flow through the recirculating system. The improved mixing reservoir includes a plurality of inlet ports located on the mixing reservoir. Each inlet port is connected to the recirculating system and the stream of slurry, whereby the particles contained in the slurry are retained in suspension by the resulting chaotic motion of the colliding streams of slurry as they are returned to the mixing reservoir.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that creates and delivers diluted representative samples of a processed medium, flowing as a process stream in a conduit, for the analysis by a particle measurement instrument. The device includes an extraction conduit that includes a probe end extending into the process stream. The probe end includes a pitot-like opening adapted to receive therein a portion of the processed medium. A diluent delivery conduit is housed substantially within and in coaxial alignment with the extraction conduit, forming a sample delivery passage therebetween. The diluent delivery conduit is arranged to emit a stream of diluent into the processed medium entering the probe end creating diluted representative samples of the processed medium. The diluted representative samples flow through the sample delivery passage to a sampling chamber of the particle measurement instrument, where they are analyzed.

Abstract: A method for producing measurements of specific key characteristic parameters of small particles suspended within a scattering medium includes the step of directing a beam of light into the scattering medium, then detecting the Doppler-shifted components of light scattered by the movement of the suspended particles and unscattered light from the source and generating a first signal representative of the power spectral density of the Doppler-shifted components and unscattered light. The first signal is next applied to a plurality of bandpass filters to generate a plurality of second signals, the magnitude of which are representative of the power spectral density integrated over the bandpass. The first signal is also applied to a low pass filter that generates a third signal, used in deriving the concentration of the particles in the scattering medium.

Abstract: A multiple pathlength sensor is disclosed that is installed substantially within a process stream containing particles at high concentrations. The sensor includes a transparent surface for receiving the first and the second light energy emissions projected by first and second light delivery arrangements. The first and second light energy emissions penetrate the transparent surface and enter the sensor in a first directional path. A first light deflecting surface modifies the first and second light energy emissions to travel into a second directional path through the sensor. A first passage exposed to the process stream is sized to receive particles of a first predetermined size range. The first light energy emission in the second directional path is projected through the first passage to irradiate the particle ensemble therein. A second passage exposed to the process stream is sized to receive particles of a second predetermined size range.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining the distribution of the size of small particles contained in a sampled portion of a process stream containing particles at high concentrations. The system includes a light delivery arrangement that anamorphically modifies light energy received from a light source and projects the anamorphically modified light energy to an optical element contained in a sample cell. The optical element includes a passage that is arranged to receive therein particles of a predetermined size from the sampled portion of the process stream flowing in the sample cell. The anamorphically modified light energy is transmitted through the optical element and is focused within the passage to irradiate the particle ensemble therein. A light collection arrangement collects the light energy escaping from the optical element and focuses the light energy collected onto a detector array.