Abstract: A tribological debris analysis system includes a general purpose computer; and a tribological sensor system for generating data. The sensor system includes an optical flow cell a pump for pumping a fluid through the optical flow cell, a laser for illuminating the fluid flowing through the optical flow cell, and an imaging device for detecting any debris in the fluid illuminated by the laser. The imaging device sends the object information—in either the form of object elements or objection segments—representative of the debris to the general purpose computer for analysis. The general purpose computer classifies the debris according to size, any trends associated with the size of the debris, generating shape features of the imaged debris and identifying a type of object wear based upon the shape features.

Abstract: A calibration system for a particle counter comprising a chamber, an air inlet pathway and a supply source of a liquid carrier. The air inlet pathway provides a gaseous substance into the chamber, and the liquid carrier passes through an array of thermal inkjet heads with a plurality of orifices to form a plurality of liquid particles before the liquid particles are entrained by a flow of the gaseous substance. A controller regulates the size, amount, and rate of liquid particles that exit the array.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for determining the volume of individual red blood cells or other particles that are suspended in liquids. The sample is disposed into an optical cuvette suitable for microscopic analysis. An absorbing dye is added that does not leak into the cells, and that is able to absorb light at wavelengths that are only weakly absorbed by the cells. The cell volume is determined using transmitted light intensity values measured (i) in a first area comprising a single cell, (ii) in a second area close to that cell, and (iii) in said second area, after changing the cuvette thickness by a known amount.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for determining the volume of single red blood cells or other particles that are suspended in liquids. The sample is disposed into an optical cuvette suitable for microscopic analysis. A fluorescent dye is added that does not leak into the cells, and that is able to absorb excitation light and emit fluorescence light at wavelengths that are only weakly absorbed by the cells. The cell volume is determined using fluorescence intensity values measured (i) in a first area comprising a single cell, (ii) in a second area close to that cell, and (iii) in said second area, after changing the cuvette thickness by a known amount.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for a non-invasive bubble measuring instrument operable for detecting, distinguishing, and counting gaseous embolisms such as bubbles over a selectable range of bubble sizes of interest. A selected measurement volume in which bubbles may be detected is insonified by two distinct frequencies from a pump transducer and an image transducer, respectively. The image transducer frequency is much higher than the pump transducer frequency. The relatively low-frequency pump signal is used to excite bubbles to resonate at a frequency related to their diameter. The image transducer is operated in a pulse-echo mode at a controllable repetition rate that transmits bursts of high-frequency ultrasonic signal to the measurement volume in which bubbles may be detected and then receives the echo. From the echo or received signal, a beat signal related to the repetition rate may be extracted and used to indicate the presence or absence of a resonant bubble.

Abstract: An elastic fine tube includes a light-transmissive body of an elastic material having at least one flow channel therethrough, and a first connecting conduit and a second connecting conduit connected to the body and communicating with both ends of the inside flow channel of the body, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for determining the shape and/or size of small particles, comprising a cell into which the particles are placed, at least one light source for illuminating the particles, and at least one one-dimensional image sensor for measuring an image of the illuminated particles. The cell is embodied as a conduit through which the particles can be transported, and the image sensor is placed in the immediate vicinity of the conduit or into the conduit.

Abstract: A particle sensor has a gain control and an offset voltage adjustment so as to provide a consistent sensor output indicative of the particle density in match with a predetermined relationship between the sensor output and the particle density, while compensating for background noises. The gain control and the offset voltage adjustment are realized respectively by digitally controllable variable resistor networks each having a plurality of switches. A memory module is included in the sensor to store instruction data for control of the switches and therefore responsible for the gain control and the offset voltage adjustment. In particular, the particle sensor includes a memory interface which enables the selective use of two types of memory means, one is an intelligent memory module composed of EEPROM and a microcomputer, and the other is a normal memory module consisting of EEPROM.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for automatic analysis of particle size distribution, shape and colour. Sampled particles are distributed into a substantially monolayer particle stream to be exposed to a light source for providing imaging and subsequent analysis of the particles. The samples are collected manually or automatically and placed in containers provided with identification codes which can be read/typed manually or automatically, recorded optically or electronically and the containers are placed in storage devices or sample magazines which can be connected to a sample distribution device for forming the particle stream. The samples can be collected from various process streams and the containers for these samples can be placed in the same storage device for being analysed as a series of analysis. The imaging of the particle stream is performed by camera chosen among several cameras present in the analysing device according to the particle size distribution of the sample.

Abstract: A variable rate particle counter for adjusting the volumetric delivery rate of fluid to a flow cell based upon an initial particle count rate in order to effectively “tune” the final dilution of sample sheath flow to the particle concentration of the sample. A sheath fluid syringe pump and a test sample syringe pump are driven by motors which are adjusted by a data analyzer. The data analyzer compares a particle count rate measured by a detection assembly to a predetermined reference value and determines if the count rate is too high or to low. Accordingly, one of several pump profiles is initiated to adjust the flow rate of the sheath fluid or test sample or both. Advantageously, the low cell count precision is improved and the upper limit cell count is expanded.

Abstract: Particles in a fluid are counted as the fluid flows through an examination area of a particle analyzer. Parameters based upon the particle count are calculated. It is determined whether the at least one calculated parameter is within an allowable range for the parameter. Based on this determination, an indication is provided of uniformity of the fluid sample in the examination area.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pluviometric device for measuring the diameter of individual raindrops (G) passing through a measuring volume (110), comprising optical transmission means (100), receiving means including at least a sensor receiving at least part of the light derived from at least one transmission means after it has passed through the measuring volume, and processing means (20, 30) which receive the signal at said sensor (120) output and which determine the individual diameter of raindrops. The invention is characterized in that the receiving means include at least two such sensors (124a, 124b) which receive portions of light derived from the transmitting means which are superposed along the general displacement direction of the particles and the processing means (20, 30) operate a correlative processing on the signals at the output of said sensors.

Abstract: Method for specific detection of one or more analytes in a sample. The method includes specifically associating any one or more analytes in the sample with a scattered-light detectable particle, illuminating any particle associated with the analytes with light under conditions which produce scattered light from the particle and in which light scattered from one or more particles can be detected by a human eye with less than 500 times magnification and without electronic amplification. The method also includes detecting the light scattered by any such particles under those conditions as a measure of the presence of the analytes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for measuring particle size by measuring the attenuation of radiation after its passage through a defined measuring section containing a disperse system. According to the invention the temporally fluctuating transmission signal is recorded with variable time or spatial resolution. The transmission signals recorded then undergo a non-linear operation. The result of that non-linear operation is represented and analyzed as a spectral curve, i.e., as a function of the spatial or temporal resolution.

Abstract: A method for identifying one or a small number of molecules, especially in a dilution of ≦1 &mgr;M, using laser excited FCS with measuring times ≦500 ms and short diffusion paths of the molecules to be analyzed, wherein the measurement is performed in small volume units of preferably ≦10−14 l, by determining material-specific parameters which are determined by luminescence measurements of molecules to be examined.

Abstract: A calibration system for a particle counter comprising a chamber, an air inlet pathway and a supply source of a liquid carrier. The air inlet pathway provides a gaseous substance into the chamber, and the liquid carrier passes through an array of thermal inkjet heads with a plurality of orifices to form a plurality of liquid particles before the liquid particles are entrained by a flow of the gaseous substance. A controller regulates the size, amount, and rate of liquid particles that exit the array.

Abstract: Disclosed is a counting chamber for optical detection of particles that are present in a fluid, comprising two substantially transparent and substantially parallel plates of material, between which the fluid can be introduced. At least one of the plates includes a visible reference, which comprises a relief formed on the surface of the plate.

Abstract: A soil analysis system for determining one or more categories of soil based upon the particle sizes in a soil sample. The soil analysis system includes an image sensor and an image analysis assembly. The image sensor produces an image to distinguish individual particles of a soil sample and calculates particle size. The image analysis assembly is coupled to the image sensor to determine a category for each particle based upon the size of the particles, percentage of each category of particles, and one or more categories of soil for the soil sample.

Abstract: A fast mixing condensation nucleus counter useful for detecting particles entrained in a sample gas stream is provided. The fast mixing condensation nucleus counter comprises a detector and a mixing condensation device having a mixing chamber adapted to allow gas to flow from an inlet to an outlet, wherein the outlet directs the gas flow to the detector. The mixing chamber has an inlet for introducing vapor-laden gas into the chamber and at least one nozzle for introducing a sample gas having particles entrained therein into the chamber. The inlet and nozzle are arranged such that the vapor-laden gas and sample gas mix turbulently. The mixing chamber is configured such that the particles flow through the mixing chamber at a substantially uniform relative velocity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting the particles of a tobacco particle stream in the production of smokable articles by scanning by means of a fine-beam light barrier, the diameter of which is smaller than the dimensions of the tobacco particles, and from the distribution of the dimensions of the tobacco particles determined by darkening of the fine-beam light barrier.

Abstract: A spectroscopy instrument that uses spectra produced from random binary sequence modulated data. Statistical estimation techniques are used to achieve resolution enhancement, while properly accounting for the Poisson noise distribution and other artifacts introduced by a modulator or “chopper” or other system components. Indeed, a resolution similar to that of modem spectrometers can be achieved with a dramatic performance advantage over conventional, serial detection analyzers. Both static and dynamic behaviors are theoretically or measured experimentally accounted for in the model as determined. In one embodiment, the finite penetration of the field beyond the plane of the chopper leads to non-ideal chopper response, which is characterized in terms of an “energy corruption” effect and a lead or lag in the time at which the beam responds to the chopper potential.

Abstract: A cloud condensation nucleus spectrometer having a streamwise segmented condensation nucleus growth column. The condensation nucleus growth column includes alternating hot and cold temperature-maintaining segments arranged next to one another. The temperature difference between adjacent hot and cold temperature-maintaining segments increases from the input opening to an output opening of the condensation nucleus growth column to produce a supersaturation distribution that increases from the input opening to the output opening.

Abstract: A dust particle inspection apparatus for detecting size information and height information of a dust particle on the surface of a mask or a wafer, as well as a device manufacturing method using the same, are disclosed. Light from a light source is directed to a predetermined surface to be inspected, and reflection light from a dust particle on the predetermined surface is detected by a detecting system. An output signal of the detecting system is processed by a signal processing system, so that size information of the dust particle along the predetermined surface and height information thereof with respect to a direction of a normal to the predetermined surface are detected.

Abstract: The optical density of an oil sample at a plurality of wavelengths over a plurality of different (typically decreasing) pressures is monitored and used to find the size of agglomerated asphaltene particles which are precipitating from the oil sample. The optical density information used in finding the particle size is preferably optical density information relating to the scattering of light due to the asphaltene particles only. Thus, baseline optical density information of the oil sample at a high pressure is subtracted from optical density information obtained at test pressures at each wavelength of interest. Asphaltene particles of a radius of one micron and smaller were found to be powdery, while asphaltene particles of a radius of three microns and larger were found to include paving resins. The precipitation of asphaltenes is reversible by increasing the pressure under certain circumstances.

Abstract: A condensation nucleus counter (CNC) device implemented with a multi-directional fluid flow system is configured in a compact, conical geometry. A saturation region includes an inlet that delivers into an annular pool a sample stream of air containing small-diameter particles. The stream of air flows out and expands radially from the inlet and mixes with a working vapor to become saturated in the saturation region. The saturated fluid mixture then flows to a condensation region defined by spaced-apart inner and outer radially converging walls having a conical geometry, thereby forming an annular flow volume of decreasing cross sectional area in the direction of fluid flow to the outlet of the CNC device. The working vapor condenses on the small-diameter particles to enlarge their sizes with less tendency to condense on the inner walls of the condensation region.

Abstract: A device for determining the values of at least one parameter of particles, especially of water droplets.

Abstract: The present invention presents a particle-size distribution measuring apparatus which allows measuring simultaneously the dispersion state of particles in suspension medium and the particle-size distribution of the particles. The present invention is a particle-size distribution measuring apparatus which measures the particle-size distribution of particles included in a sample. The particle-size distribution measuring apparatus comprises a pH meter for measuring the pH value of the sample and an information processing portion which determines the relation between the pH value and the particle-size distribution on the basis that the pH value measured by the pH meter and the measured particle-size distribution are in the same state.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for detecting particles in a particle-containing gas at a pressure greater than about 0 psig. The apparatus includes a gas distribution line containing a pressurized gas having a pressure greater than about 0 psig and a condensation nucleus counter in fluid communication with the pressurized gas in the gas distribution line. The condensation nucleus counter is adapted to receive a stream of the pressurized gas at a pressure substantially equal to the pressure of the pressurized gas in the gas distribution line. The condensation nucleus counter is constructed of materials resistant to corrosion and to reaction with the pressurized gas, which may be one or more reactive or toxic gases, such as those used in microchip processing, or an inert gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the presence of molecules in a gas at concentrations of less than about 100 ppb. Light having wavelengths in the range from about 200 nm to about 350 nm is used to illuminate a flowing sample of the gas causing the molecules if present to form clusters. A mixture of the illuminated gas and a vapor is cooled until the vapor is supersaturated so that there is a small rate of homogeneous nucleation. The supersaturated vapor condenses on the clusters thus causing the clusters to grow to a size sufficient to be counted by light scattering and then the clusters are counted.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in monitoring particles in a fluid flow comprises: a duct (1) for receiving the fluid flow; light generating means (6) adjacent the duct for transmitting light into the fluid flow via a first at least partially light-transmissive part (4) of the duct; light-responsive detection means (7) adjacent a second at least partially light-transmissive part (5) of the duct for receiving light from the light generating means which has passed through the fluid flow; processing means (8) for location remotely from said duct; and means (9) for coupling the processing means with the detection means, the processing means being adapted for processing signals therefrom to provide data relating to particles in the fluid flow.

Abstract: An improved instrument and method are provided for particulate characterization in combustion exhausts. An instrument for measuring particles of combustion exhausts includes a laser for producing a high intensity laser pulse. A sample cell receives a combustion exhaust input and the high intensity laser pulse. At least one detector detects a signal generated by particles in said received combustion exhaust input. The detected signal includes laser induced incandescence (LII). Signal conditioning electronics is coupled to the detector and particle data is displayed during transient operation of a combustion engine. Data related to mass concentration, number density, and particle size of particles in the received combustion exhaust input is measured and displayed.

Abstract: Particles in a fluid are counted as the fluid flows through an examination area of a particle analyzer. Parameters based upon the particle count are calculated. It is determined whether the at least one calculated parameter is within an allowable range for the parameter. Based on this determination, an indication is provided of uniformity of the fluid sample in the examination area.

Abstract: The invention concerns measurement apparatus for obtaining measurements relating to an attributes or attributes &thgr; of a succession of events in which an event generates a measurable physical reaction, the apparatus comprising generating device for generating a value D representing the physical reaction caused by an event, and inferential processing device for deriving the marginal distributions of a probability distribution for the attribute or attributes &thgr; of the events by carrying out a Bayesian inferential process utilizing the value D, the marginal values of a prior probability distribution and a stored set of values representing a range of probability distributions for the occurrence of each of the events being measured, the inferential process being an iterative process in which the marginals posterior to one event are generated by updating the marginals prior to that event.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of quantitative microspectroscopy, and in particular to a method for determining the volume of particles that are suspended in liquids.

Abstract: An automated nucleic acid compaction device for analyzing and compacting a nucleic acid complex into unimolecular nucleic acid particles. Broadly, the device includes a container support and agitation system; a measuring and testing system; and a dispensing system; all controlled by a control system. The control system controls the support and agitation system and the dispensing system based either on a predetermined formulation or by analysis of feedback data provided by the measuring and testing system. In a preferred embodiment, the device is a real-time measuring and mixing instrument operating in a closed loop system. The preferred embodiment also comprises a monitoring system including a submersible probe which is positioned in the batch solution to provide data to a controller. Once a desired level of nucleic acid compaction is reached, as detected by the monitoring system, the controller stops the dispensing and mixing agitating systems.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the single particle detection of submicron structures such as biological molecules and viruses utilises and optically transparent substrate coated with a thin film of metal illuminated with an optical beam incident at or close to critical or SPR angle wherein part of the beam propagates along the metal surface defining a measurement zone from which submicron particles contained in a sample placed in contact with the metal film scatter light which can be detected in the far field by conventional photodetection systems. The apparatus can be configured in a flow cytometric of optical microscope configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring particle size distribution comprises an electric mobility classifying section (11) that comprises an outside electrode (12), an inside electrode (13) and an annular cylindrical hollow portion (14) defined by the outside and inside electrodes, a particle size measuring section (21) that is disposed under the electric mobility classifying section for measuring particle size distribution, and a guide frame (31) that allows the electric mobility classifying section and the annular cylindrical hollow section to communicate with each other. A sample gas containing charged particles under measurement is supplied from above into the annular cylindrical hollow section of the electric mobility classifying section to classify the particles according to their electric mobilities. The gas containing the classified particles is supplied into the particle size measuring section via the guide frame to directly obtain approximate particle sizes.

Abstract: A sensitive particle distribution probe uses special processing including a modified Twomey/Chahine iterative convergence technique and a specially constructed sample cell to obtain particle size distribution measurements from optically dense slurries, such as the slurries used in the semiconductor industry for chemical mechanical planarization. Spectral transmission data is taken over the spectral range of 0.20-2.5 microns, utilizing specially constructed, chemically resistant sample cells of 50-2000 microns thickness, and miniature, fixed grating, linear detector array spectrometers. At wavelengths greater than one micron, the preferred design utilizes InGaAs linear detector arrays. An ultrasonic disrupter can be employed to breakup harmless soft agglomerates. In addition to direct particle size distribution measurement, the invention described here could be used to detect other fundamental causes of slurry degradation, such as foaming and jelling.

Abstract: An aerosol detection system for measuring particle number distribution with respect to particle dimension in an aerosol sample. The system includes an alternating dual-bag sampler, a radially classified differential mobility analyzer, and a condensation nucleus counter. Pressure variations in sampling are compensated by feedback control of volumetric flow rates using a plurality of flow control elements.

Abstract: A flow cytometer for detecting target particles such as microorganisms including biological cells and viruses as well as molecular species. The flow cytometer includes a detection system involving a CCD having a time delay integration capability to thereby increase the signal from the target particle and decrease the noise detected by the CCD. Calibration particles can be included in the sample stream of the flow cytometer for coordinating the readout of the CCD with the rate of flow of the sample stream to improve the detection capability of the CCD. Statistical analysis techniques can also be used to determine the rate of flow of target particles in the sample stream to thereby coordinate the readout rate of the CCD with the rate of flow of the target particles.

Abstract: A particle size distribution measuring apparatus includes a source of laser light for providing a laser beam to a sample cell that can hold a sample to be measured. A condenser lens converges the laser beam towards the sample cell along an optical axis. The position on the other side of the sample cell is a ring detector unit that can be aligned with the optical axis to measure light intensity at relatively small scattering angles from contact with particles in the sample cell. An array of detectors can be operatively positioned on a substrate with appropriate amplifying multiplying and analog to digital conversion capacity for measuring light intensity at relatively large scatter angles. The outputs of the ring detector unit and the array of detectors can be used to determine the particle size distribution of particles in the sample.

Abstract: A very sensitive particle distribution probe uses special processing including a modified Twomey/Chahine iterative convergence technique and a specially constructed sample cell to obtain particle size distribution measurements from optically dense slurries, such as the slurries used in the semiconductor industry for chemical mechanical planarization. Spectral transmission data is taken over the spectral range of 0.20-2.5 microns, utilizing specially constructed, chemically resistant sample cells of 50-250 microns thickness, and miniature, fixed grating, linear detector array spectrometers. At wavelengths greater than 1 micron, the preferred design utilizes InGaAs linear detector arrays. An ultrasonic disrupter can be employed to breakup harmless soft agglomerates. In addition to direct particle size distribution measurement, the invention described here could be used to detect other fundamental causes of slurry degradation, such as foaming and jelling.

Abstract: A blood analyzing instrument includes a single transducer for simultaneously measuring the DC volume, RF conductivity, light scattering and fluorescence characteristics of blood cells passing through a cell-interrogation zone. Preferably, the transducer includes an electro-optical flow cell which defines a cell-interrogation zone having a square transverse cross-section measuring approximately 50×50 microns, and having a length, measured in the direction of cell flow, of approximately 65 microns.

Abstract: A system for controlling the deglycerolization of red blood cells includes a cell sorter having multiple fluid channels each having a unique cross-sectional area for directing a fluid mixture consisting essentially of a saline solution and a plasma solution having glycerized red blood cell products through one or more of the fluid channels based on the sizes of the red blood cell products. An optical energy source illuminates the fluid mixture in the cell sorter, whereupon an optical detector generates a data signal in response to receiving light signals that propagate through the fluid mixture. A processor generates a control signal in response to receiving the data signal that is used by a servo-controlled device to control the ratio of the saline and plasma solutions in the fluid mixture so that the red blood cell products substantially flow only through one or more of the fluid channels having particular cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: A method of measuring turbidity includes irradiating specimen water with a light beam, using photoelectric conversion means for subjecting to photoelectric conversion the light scattered by fine particles in the specimen water, inputting a pulse signal as an input signal 7 obtainable from the photoelectric conversion whenever the fine particle passes through the light beam so as to measure its peak value in a peak holding circuit 13, obtaining the number concentration of fine particles in the specimen water on the basis of particle diameter divisions according to the measured value, and multiplying the number concentration by an individual coefficient on the basis of the particle diameter divisions in order to obtain the turbidity of the specimen water.

Abstract: Particles in a fluid are counted as the fluid flows through an examination area of a particle analyzer. Parameters based upon the particle count are calculated. It is determined whether the at least one calculated parameter is within an allowable range for the parameter. Based on this determination, an indication is provided of uniformity of the fluid sample in the examination area.

Abstract: A particle analyzer system that reduces size and cost, wherein particles are introduced into a cell, then the particles are irradiate in the cell with a laser beam, then atomic emission of the particles generated by the irradiation of the laser beam is transmitted, then a spectrum is obtained of the photo emission so transmitted, and the spectrum of the photo emission is detected and the wavelength of the laser beam is, other than the wavelength of the emission of the particles, is used to provide a filter to block the intrusion of the wavelength of the laser beam in a stage proceeding the photo emission.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying laser induced incandescence (LII) to determine a primary particle size of submicron sized particles. The present invention has found that in addition to volume fraction information, particle size can be determined using LII due to the fact that transient cooling is dependent on the diameter of the particle. The ratio of a prompt and a second time integrated measurement from the same laser pulse has been found to be a function of the particle size. A modeling process involves a solution of the differential equations describing the heat/energy transfer of the particle and surrounding gas, including parameters to describe vaporization, heat transfer to the medium, particle heating etc. The solution gives temperature and diameter values for the particles over time. These values are then converted to radiation values using Planck's equation.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically measuring marine conditions comprising a tunnel defining a sampling volume for water, a laser diode line generator for generating a beam of light and reflector means for directing the beam of light across the sampling volume through the water in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the water, and a plurality, of photo-sensor elements of similar size disposed for receiving and measuring the intensity of the light beam after passage through the water. The effective size of each photo-sensor element (about 1 mm.sup.2)is greater than the smallest particle to be detected and smaller than the largest organism to be measure. The photo-sensor elements generate an output signal providing an average level representative of turbidity of the water sample, and an rapidly changing attenuated level caused by passage of an organism or particle.

Abstract: A film inspecting apparatus is used for inspecting fine roughness and particle state on a surface of a thin film. In inspecting the thin film surface, shape data of the thin film are obtained by a scanning type probe microscope. The obtained shape data are analyzed to identify individual particles, and the fine roughness and particle state on the thin film surface are inspected based on the particle data obtained by the shape data analysis. The film inspecting apparatus includes a particle analyzing device for inspecting the fine roughness and particle state on the thin film surface by using the shape data obtained by the scanning type probe microscope. The particle analyzing device includes a particle extracting device for extracting the particles on the film surface from the shape data, and a particle data calculating device for calculating the particle data based on the data extracted by the particle extracting device.