Patents Assigned to Orbisphere Laboratories (Inc.)
  • Patent number: 5913234
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the concentration of a substance of interest by gas-coupled photoacoustic spectroscopy (GC-PAS) with an essentially monochromatic beam of radiation in an optical portion of the electromagnetic spectrum; the radiation is selected so as to be absorbed by the substance of interest and the beam is modulated at a sonic frequency which is sufficiently high for generating a primary signal that depends upon the absorption coefficient of the substance of interest as well as upon parameters of operating the method; in order to compensate for these operating parameters, the beam is additionally modulated at a sonic frequency which is sufficiently low for generating a secondary signal which does not depend upon the absorption coefficient of the substance of interest, but, depends only upon parameters of operating the method; a ratio of the first and the second signal is obtained to generate a compensated signal for determining the concentration of the substance of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Orbisphere Laboratories Neuchatel S.A.
    Inventors: Karin Julliard, Nicolas Gisin, Jean-Paul Pellaux
  • Patent number: 5679955
    Abstract: A method and apparatus serve to determine spectroscopically a concentration of ethanol in a test sample of an alcoholic aqueous beverage. The determination is based upon providing calibration data which establish a relation between(A) a plurality of transmission values of an electromagnetic radiation in the near infrared region, measured at a unique wavelength at which water is relatively opaque to the radiation while ethanol is relatively transparent thereto, of a plurality of calibration samples of the beverage containing ethanol in differing known concentrations, and(B) the known concentrations of ethanol in the calibration samples. Then, at least one light transmission value of the test sample at the unique wavelength, at which said calibration data were established, is measured. The measured transmission value of the test sample is transformed, by way of the relation established by the calibration data, into an indication of the concentration of ethanol in the test sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Orbisphere Laboratories Neuchatel
    Inventors: Stefan Schmidt, Luc Thevenaz
  • Patent number: 5616826
    Abstract: A photoacoustic device for analysis of fluids. The device is made up of (A) a source of a pulsating beam of light, preferably of the chopper type, and (B) an enclosure, preferably an elongated structure having a generally cylindrical, e.g. essentially tubular shape; and containing and holding--in sonic insulation--at least one reference chamber and at least one measuring chamber in an essentially linear or serial arrangement in a common cell within the enclosure, preferably in an essentially coaxial arrangement; the enclosure and the common cell provide a path P for the pulsating beam of light through the reference chamber and through the measuring chamber. For most purposes, it is preferred that the light beam pass first through the reference chamber and subsequently into the measuring chamber. Optionally, a second reference chamber is arranged at the end of the measuring chamber and a second measuring chamber may follow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Orbisphere Laboratories Neuchatel SA
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Pellaux, John M. Hale, Ion Bals
  • Patent number: 5608167
    Abstract: A membrane-enclosed sensor (1) of the type having a membrane (11) for exposure to a fluid external phase of analytical interest at an interface between the fluid external phase or sample, and said membrane; the sensor comprises a coiled, e.g. spiraloid, channel (15) at the interface; the channel has an inlet end (16) as well as an outlet end (18) for passing the external phase in contact with the membrane along said coiled channel which, preferably has a length which is at least about 5 times greater than the largest cross dimension of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Orbisphere Laboratories Neuchatel SA
    Inventors: John M. Hale, Eugen Weber
  • Patent number: 5545567
    Abstract: An analytic device (1) for reflective luminoscopy comprises within an enclosure (11): a light source (12); a pair of spaced light detectors (141, 142); and a refractor body (16); the refractor body comprises a planar base (161), an entry plane (163) near the light source for light emanating therefrom, and an exit plane (165) near the spaced detectors for light that is being sensed by at least one of the detectors; the entry plane and the exit plane enclose an angle of less then 180.degree. and not less than 90.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Orbisphere Laboratories Neuchatel S.A.
    Inventors: Fran.cedilla.ois Gretillat, Jean-Paul Pellaux, John M. Hale, Eugen Weber
  • Patent number: 5255553
    Abstract: A method of determining a specific thermal conductivity parameter of a target gas having a known general thermal conductivity and being contained at a concentration of interest in a fluid medium (F) and comprising: contacting said fluid medium with an organic polymer membrane (11) provided at an interface between said fluid medium (F) and a sensing volume (12) containing a thermal conductivity sensor (13); the membrane (11) is substantially impermeable for any liquid components of the fluid medium (F) but has a known permeability for the target gas; the sensing volume (12) is periodically purged or flushed with a gas having a general thermal conductivity that differs from the thermal conductivity of the target gas; permeation of the target gas through the membrane (11) into the sensing volume (12) is permitted intermittently; at least one time-dependent parameter of the known general thermal conductivity of the target gas that has permeated into the sensing volume (12) is measured; and a parameter of analytic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Orbisphere Laboratories Neuchatel SA
    Inventors: John M. Hale, Eugen Weber, Gerard R. Stehle
  • Patent number: 5144831
    Abstract: The concentration of a gas, such as carbon dioxide, in a fluid medium, such as an aqueous beverage, is monitored by pulsatingly measuring a specific parameter of diffusion of the gas through a membrane that is in contact with the fluid medium and is permeable for the gas but impermeable for the fluid; the gas is allowed to diffuse during a period of time into a receiving space of known volume; the amount of gas that diffuses into the receiving space is determined e.g. by measuring IR-absorption, heat conductivity, volume, pressure or the like physical parameters that depend upon the amount of gas in the volume; this yields a specific diffusion parameter or flux. The gas concentration of interest is then calculated from the specific parameter and a previously determined general parameter of diffusion of the gas through the membrane. Pulsating operation, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Orbisphere Laboratories Neuchatel SA
    Inventors: John M. Hale, Eugen Weber
  • Patent number: 5060529
    Abstract: The gas detection apparatus comprises a holder for the temporary fixation of an associated package and which contains a contact surface. A hollow needle having a tip serves to penetrate a portion of the package which is freely exposed at the region of the contact surface. This hollow needle comprises at least two channels. An element serves for the essentially gas-tight connection of the hollow needle tip with the contact surface or the part of the package freely exposed therein. A component is connected by a connection line with one channel of the hollow needle. A suitable membrane-enclosed sensor, such as an amperometric sensor defining a sensor surface formed by a semi-permeable membrane, is preferably suspendingly arranged in the compartment. A preferably closable flushing or purging gas line communicates with the connection line and allows flushing the compartment, the connection line and the one channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Orbisphere Laboratories Neuchatel SA
    Inventors: Ion Bals, Willy Hofer, Antoine Gagnebin
  • Patent number: 5030334
    Abstract: Quantitative determination of ozone contained in a fluid by an amperometric method comprises the steps of:(A) providing an amperometric cell having a sensing electrode, a counter electrode, an aqueous electrolyte in contact with the sensing electrode and the counter electrode, and a membrane that is substantially impermeable to the electrolyte but permeable to gaseous media including ozone and oxygen for containing the electrolyte within the cell and for separating it from the fluid maintained external to the cell;(B) providing in the aqueous electrolyte a redox catalyst for chemically transforming the ozone upon its permeation through the membrane into an intermediary electroactive species capable of generating upon reaction with the sensing electrode an indicative electric signal in proportion with a concentration of the ozone in the fluid;(C) applying a predetermined potential across the sensing electrode and the counter electrode;(D) measuring a cell current generated by reaction of the intermediary elect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Orbisphere Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Hale
  • Patent number: 4985130
    Abstract: A method for determination of a first electroactive and normally gaseous species (EAGS) and a second EAGS in a fluid medium containing both EAGS; the medium is contacted with a first working electrode that is sensitive but to the first EAGS and generates a first amperometric signal that is indicative of the first EAGS concentration; the medium is also contacted with a second working electrode that is sensitive to both EAGS and produces a second amperometric signal that is indicative of the sum of both EAGS concentrations; the second EAGS concentration is calculated from the difference between the first and the second signal. For example, hydrogen can be measured in the presence of oxygen and this can be applied to monitor a fluid ambient or stream to prevent formation of explosive mixtures or corrosive conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Orbisphere Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Hale
  • Patent number: 4956063
    Abstract: Quantitative determination of ozone contained in a fluid by an amperometric method comprises the steps of:(A) providing an amperometric cell having a sensing electrode, a counter electrode, an aqueous electrolyte in contact with the sensing electrode and the counter electrode, and a membrane that is substantially impermeable to the electrolyte but permeable to gaseous media including ozone and oxygen for containing the electrolyte within the cell and for separating it from the fluid maintained external to the cell;(B) providing in the aqueous electrolyte a redox catalyst for chemically transforming the ozone upon its permeation through the membrane into an intermediary electroactive species capable of generating upon reaction with the sensing electrode an indicative electrical signal in proportion with a concentration of the ozone in the fluid;(C) applying a predetermined potential across the sensing electropde and the counter electrode;(D) measuring a cell current generated by reaction of the intermediary el
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Orbisphere Laboratories (Inc.)
    Inventor: John M. Hale
  • Patent number: 4906339
    Abstract: A method for determination of a first electroactive and normally gaseous species (EAGS) and a second EAGS in a fluid medium containing both EAGS; the medium is contacted with a first working electrode that is sensitive but to the first EAGS and generates a first amperometric signal that is indicative of the first EAGS concentration; the medium is also contacted with a second working electrode that is sensitive to both EAGS and produces a second amperometric signal that is indicative of the sum of both EAGS concentrations; the second EAGS concentration is calculated from the difference between the first and the second signal. For example, hydrogen can be measured in the presence of oxygen and this can be applied to monitor a fluid ambient or stream to prevent formation of explosive mixtures or corrosive conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Orbisphere Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Hale
  • Patent number: 4830713
    Abstract: A method of regenerating a membrane-enclosed amperometric or Clark cell having an operative current range for electroanalytical operation limited by a maximum current density of typically not more than 100 .mu.A/cm.sup.2 at the working electrode by subjecting at least one of the probe electrode in contact with a regeneration electrolyte, while the membrane is removed, to a regeneration current for causing a current density in the range of from about 1 to about 1000 mA/cm.sup.2 which is substantially higher, e.g. by a factor of at least 10 and preferably at least 100, than the maximum current density in electroanalytical operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Orbisphere Laboratories (Inc.)
    Inventor: Dan Gagescu