Of Back-scattered Light Patents (Class 356/342)
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Patent number: 8004661Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a sorting flow cytometer include an objective lens having an optical axis coaxially aligned with the flow path at the focal point. A controllable energy source selectively alters an analyte according to a determination of whether the analyte is in a desired sub-population. In various embodiments, one or both of the emission from the controllable energy source and/or the emission from an illumination energy source passes through the objective lens. In some embodiments in which the emission from the controllable energy source passes through the objective lens, the objective lens may focus the emission from the controllable energy source at a different point than the focal point of a signal detected from the analyte and, in particular, at a point closer to the objective lens.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Microbix Biosystems Inc.Inventor: Mark Luscher
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Patent number: 7995204Abstract: A back scatter absorption detector/imager having an optical parametric device for generating sensing radiation, the optical parametric device having a nonlinear medium (NLC) and a pump wave laser source, the nonlinear medium (NLC) being able to generate a signal and an idler wave in response to being stimulated with the pump wave, thereby to generate sensing radiation, and a detector (D) for detecting any sensing radiation back-scattered from a target area, characterized in that the pump wave laser source and the nonlinear medium (NLC) are provided in the same optical cavity.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2005Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: The University Court of the University of St. AndrewsInventors: David Stothard, Malcolm Dunn, Cameron Rae
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Publication number: 20110181881Abstract: A polarization switching lidar device is arranged for remote detection and characterization of airborne aggregations of particulates. It includes a pulsed laser, a mirror, a polarizing beam splitter, an actively controlled retarder arranged to be controllably alternated between a zero retardation state and a quarter-wave retardation state such that the transmitted portion of the exiting laser light beam is linearly polarized in a predetermined direction when the actively controlled retarder is in the zero retardation state, while being circularly polarized in a predetermined rotational sense when the actively controlled retarder is in the quarter-wave retardation state. A directable telescoping assembly is arranged to collect photons backscattered by the airborne aggregations of particulates and to redirect the collected portion of depolarized backscattered photons onto the polarizing beam splitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: SIGMA SPACE CORPORATIONInventors: Savyasachee Liptarag Mathur, Yunhui Zheng, Edward Lee Leventhal
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Patent number: 7986408Abstract: A device for optically detecting and distinguishing airborne liquid water droplets and ice crystals includes an illumination portion and a detection portion. The illumination portion outputs a circularly polarized illuminating beam. The detection portion receives circularly polarized backscattered light from moisture in the cloud, in response to the illuminating beam. The circularly polarized backscattered light is passed through a circular polarizer to convert it into linearly polarized backscattered light, which is split into two components. Each of the two components is optionally subject to further linear polarization to filter out any leakage-type orthogonal polarization. The two components are then optically detected and the resulting detection signals are used to calculate one or more parameters reflective of the presence or absence of airborne ice crystals and/or water droplets.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Ray, Michael P. Nesnidal, David M. Socha
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Patent number: 7970458Abstract: Designs, implementations, and techniques for optically measuring a sample and integrated systems that provide CT-scan, optical probing and therapy by electromagnetic radiation treatment (e.g. laser, RF, or microwave). Light at different wavelength bands may be used to detect different absorption features in the sample. Multiple light sources may be used including tunable lasers.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Tomophase CorporationInventors: Peter E. Norris, Feiling Wang, Xiao-Li Li
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Patent number: 7970178Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for estimating a visibility range in a visibility-degraded environment, e.g., fog. The methods and systems involve digital image processing.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Guobiao Song
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Publication number: 20110141470Abstract: Bistatic anemometric optical probes include an emitting first optical head that illuminates a measurement region and a receiving second optical head.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: THALESInventors: Alain RENARD, Philippe RONDEAU, Xavier LACONDEMINE
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Publication number: 20110141471Abstract: An optical anemometric probe includes a laser source emitting a linearly polarized primary light beam and an optical block having splitting means for separating the primary beam, an optical reference pathway, an optical emission pathway and an optical measurement pathway. The optical block includes optical means of rotation of the polarization arranged at the output of the laser source and before the splitting means. The optical emission pathway has an optical circulator, a first optical emission/reception head illuminating a first measurement zone, and a second optical emission/reception head illuminating a second measurement zone. The optical circulator has four ports, e.g., a first input port, a second and a third input/ouput port linked respectively to the first optical head and to the second optical head, and a fourth port linked to the optical measurement pathway.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: THALESInventors: Jean-Pierre SCHLOTTERBECK, Philippe RONDEAU
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Publication number: 20110128543Abstract: A rain sensor using light scattering, and more particularly to, a rain sensor for detecting an amount of moisture particles, such as raindrops or fog, accumulated in a front windshield of a vehicle, and applying the amount of moisture particles to an operation of a wiper of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: DONGYANG MECHATRONICS CORP.Inventor: Kyoo Nam CHOI
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Publication number: 20110088462Abstract: Distributed acoustic, vibration, density and/or strain sensing is utilized for downhole monitoring. A method of tracking fluid movement along a wellbore of a well includes: detecting vibration, density, strain (static and/or dynamic) and/or Brillouin frequency shift in the well using at least one optical waveguide installed in the well; and determining the fluid movement based on the detected vibration, density, strain and/or Brillouin frequency shift. Another method of tracking fluid movement along a wellbore of a well includes: detecting a change in density of an optical waveguide in the well; and determining the fluid movement based on the detected density change.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Etienne M. SAMSON, Lawrence G. GRIFFIN
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Patent number: 7920262Abstract: A system for measuring backscattered light from a sample is given. Light is output from a light source towards a rotating mirror, and then reflected by the rotating mirror towards the sample. The sample reflects backscattered light back towards the rotating mirror, which, having moved during the time it took for the light to propagate from the mirror to the sample and back, reflects the backscattered light to a detector located at a physical separation from the light source. The detected backscattered light may be analyzed to determine various properties of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2008Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Gorden W. Videen, Karri Olavi Muinonen
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Publication number: 20110051137Abstract: Aerosol and hydrosol particle detection systems without knowledge of a location and velocity of a particle passing through a volume of space, are less efficient than if knowledge of the particle location is known. An embodiment of a particle position detection system capable of determining an exact location of a particle in a fluid stream is discussed. The detection system may employ a patterned illuminating beam, such that once a particle passes through the patterned illuminating beam, a light scattering is produced. The light scattering defines a temporal profile that contains measurement information indicative of an exact particle location. However, knowledge of the exact particle location has several advantages. These advantages include correction of systematic particle measurement errors due to variability of the particle position within the sample volume, targeting of particles based on position, capture of particles based on position, reduced system energy consumption and reduced system complexity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Thomas H. Jeys, Antonio Sanchez-Rubio, Ronald H. Hoffeld, Jonathan Z. Lin, Nicholas M.F. Judson, George S. Haldeman, Vincenzo Daneu
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Patent number: 7894045Abstract: A method for remotely sensing air outside a moving aircraft includes generating laser radiation within a swept frequency range. A portion of the laser radiation is projected from the aircraft into the air to induce scattered laser radiation. Filtered scattered laser radiation, filtered laser radiation, and unfiltered laser radiation are detected. At least one actual ratio is determined from data corresponding to the filtered scattered laser radiation and the unfiltered laser radiation. One or more air parameters are determined by correlating the actual ratio to at least one reference ratio.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Ophir CorporationInventors: Loren M. Caldwell, Shoou-Yu Tang, Martin J. O'Brien
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Patent number: 7892584Abstract: A method is provided for improving quality of cheese produced from a milk batch. A light beam from an incident light source impinges onto a surface of the milk batch, and light backscatter is optically detected during a coagulation process and correlated to an optimum cutting time for the milk coagulum. Next, light backscattered from a curd and whey mixture derived from the milk batch during a syneresis process is optically detected and correlated to an optimum syneresis endpoint. At least one of the backscattered light data, optical parameters developed from analysis of the backscattered light data, and whey fat dilution are correlated to at least one of a milk protein %, a milk fat %, a milk total solids content, a milk processing temperature, a curd moisture content, a curd moisture change over time, whey fat content, a whey fat loss, and a final curd yield.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignees: University College Dublin, National University of Ireland, University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Teagase-The Agriculture & Food Development AuthorityInventors: Manuel Castillo, Colette C. Fagan, Colm P. O'Donnell, Donal J. O'Callaghan, Frederick Alan Payne
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Publication number: 20110037980Abstract: 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 coupleType: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: Paul J. Freud, Michael N. Trainer
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Patent number: 7884933Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining an analyte concentration of a sample, such as a tissue sample. The apparatus may comprise an emitter, close proximity detectors laterally located less than about 2 mm away from the emitter, and far away detectors laterally located greater than about 0.5 cm away from the emitter. A plurality of wavelengths may be sent from the emitter to the sample, reflected off of the sample, and received by the detectors. The reflectance value measured by the close proximity detectors may be used to calculate one or more scattering coefficients. The reflectance value measured by the far away detectors may be compared with a reflectance value calculated using the scattering coefficients in a numerical inversion of a diffusion model to determine the analyte concentration of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Revolutionary Business Concepts, Inc.Inventors: Dheerendra Kashyap, Craig Seyl, Carl Mayer, John Ellenz
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Publication number: 20110026025Abstract: In one embodiment, a drop detector includes a light source for illuminating drops passing through a drop zone and a light detector near the light source for detecting light scattered off the drops back toward the light source. In another embodiment, a drop detector includes a light source operable to emit a beam of light for illuminating drops passing through a drop zone and a light detector positioned near the light source to detect substantially only light scattered off the drops at a scatter angle ? in the range of 177° to 180°, where ? represents a direction of scattered light measured with respect to an axis of the light beam with ?=0° lying along the axis in a direction of travel of the light beam and ?=180° lying along the axis opposite the direction of travel of the light beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2009Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Alexander Govyadinov, James W. Ring
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Patent number: 7880883Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems, devices and methods for fluid flow analysis for example, in an education environment. The light source, for example, a laser, is housed to illuminate particles in a fluid while minimizing exposure to the user. A control unit is provided that is remote from the fluid flow device. The fluid flow device further includes a removable fluid obstacle such that different fluid flow effects can be obtained. A computational unit is provided to perform computational fluid flow dynamics analysis on fluid flow models. The computed data can then be compared to the test data from the fluid flow analysis device.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Interactive Flow Studies CorporationInventors: Murat Okcay, Bilgehan Uygar Oztekin
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Publication number: 20110019188Abstract: An airborne multiple field-of-view water droplet sensor includes an illumination portion and a detection portion. The illumination portion includes a first optical beam emitter configured to output a light beam. The detection portion includes a kaleidoscope configured to channel a first portion of the backscattered light towards an inner reflective surface of a circle-to-line converter, a multiple field of view subsystem having at least a first detector configured to receive light reflected by the circle-to-line converter, and a single field-of-view subsystem configured to receive a second portion of the backscattered light, the second portion not having been reflected by the circle-to-line converter. The single field-of-view subsystem may include a dual channel circular polarization detector for distinguishing between liquid water droplets and ice crystals based on information in the single field-of-view.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2009Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: Rosemount Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Ray, Michael P. Nesnidal
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Publication number: 20110007315Abstract: In part, the invention relates to a lens assembly. The lens assembly includes a micro-lens; a beam director in optical communication with the micro-lens; and a substantially transparent film. The substantially transparent film is capable of bi-directionally transmitting light, and generating a controlled amount of backscatter. In addition, the film surrounds a portion of the beam director.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2010Publication date: January 13, 2011Applicant: LIGHTLAB IMAGING, INC.Inventors: Christopher Petersen, Stephen M. McCartin, Joseph M. Schmitt, Joel M. Friedman
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Publication number: 20110001970Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing image data for generating an image of a region of a target object. The method includes the steps of providing incident radiation, focusing the radiation downstream or upstream of a target object and via at least one detector located downstream of a focusing element, detecting an intensity of radiation scattered by the target object at an observation plane offset from a back focal plane associated with the focusing element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2008Publication date: January 6, 2011Inventor: Andrew Maiden
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Publication number: 20100328665Abstract: There is disclosed improved apparatus and methods for detection of shape, size and intrinsic fluorescence properties of a fluid borne particle wherein the apparatus comprises a laser, two light sources, two detectors, and optionally a third detector. The apparatus is particularly suitable for detection of airbone biological particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Paul Henry Kaye, Warren Roy Stanley
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Publication number: 20100315639Abstract: A microparticle measuring apparatus which includes a flow channel through which a solution containing microparticles flows, an optical detecting unit configured to direct a laser beam to microparticles passing through the flow channel and detecting light for measurement emanating from the microparticles and converting the thus detected light into electrical signals, a solution feeding unit configured to feed the flow channel with either a sample solution containing microparticles of interest or a calibration solution containing reference microparticles that exhibit uniform optical characteristics, and an optical axis correcting unit configured to optimize the relative position of the flow channel with respect to the laser beam in response to the intensity of electrical signals from the reference microparticles.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Yosuke Muraki
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Publication number: 20100280765Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods capable of detecting and discriminating and/or classifying hazardous biological agents or other hazardous agents. In one aspect, a system measures electromagnetic energy scattered by a material at the different polarizations states and wavelengths. The system then combines the measured electromagnetic wavelengths at the different polarization states and wavelengths into different combinations to produce input parameters for a classifier. The input parameters include both depolarization and wavelength-dependent back scattering measurements of the material illuminated by transmitted electromagnetic energy. The depolarization measurement provides information on the shape and absorption features of the material and the wavelength-dependent information provides information on the shape and index of refraction of the material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2008Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN COHERENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: John H. MARQUARDT, Tahllee Baynard
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Publication number: 20100273115Abstract: A particle inspection apparatus includes an irradiation unit configured to apply a light beam onto front and back surfaces of an object to be inspected, first and second detection units configured to detect scattering light from the surfaces, a calculation unit configured to conduct a particle inspection on the surfaces on the basis of outputs from the detection units, and a control unit configured to control the irradiation unit, the detection units, and the calculation unit. The irradiation unit can selectively apply the beam onto the front or back surface. The control unit causes the calculation unit to conduct the particle inspection on the inspection surface on which the light beam is selectively applied, on the basis of outputs made by the detection unit corresponding to simultaneous application and selective application of the light beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Atsushi Kawahara
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Patent number: 7821636Abstract: Aerosol and hydrosol particle detection systems without knowledge of a location and velocity of a particle passing through a volume of space, are less efficient than if knowledge of the particle location is known. An embodiment of a particle position detection system capable of determining an exact location of a particle in a fluid stream is discussed. The detection system may employ a patterned illuminating beam, such that once a particle passes through the patterned illuminating beam, a light scattering is produced. The light scattering defines a temporal profile that contains measurement information indicative of an exact particle location. However, knowledge of the exact particle location has several advantages. These advantages include correction of systematic particle measurement errors due to variability of the particle position within the sample volume, targeting of particles based on position, capture of particles based on position, reduced system energy consumption and reduced system complexity.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2007Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Thomas H. Jeys, Antonio Sanchez-Rubio, Ronald H. Hoffeld, Jonathan Z. Lin, Nicholas M. F. Judson, George S. Haldeman, Vincenzo Daneu
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Publication number: 20100256920Abstract: An apparatus for quantifying concentration includes a temporal path-length distribution (TPD) storage unit configured to store a TPD model of a short-time-pulse of light, a time-resolved waveform storage unit configured to store a time-resolved waveform model of the short-time-pulse of light, a light irradiating unit configured to irradiate the short-time-pulse of light, a light receiving unit configured to receive a backscattered light, a measured light intensity acquisition unit configured to acquire a light intensity of the backscattered light, a TPD acquisition unit configured to acquire a TPD, a model light intensity acquisition unit configured to acquire the light intensity of the short-time-pulse of light, a light absorption coefficient calculating unit configured to calculate a light absorption coefficient, and a concentration calculating unit configured to calculate the concentration of a target component.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicants: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITYInventors: Kazuhiko Amano, Koichi Shimizu
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Publication number: 20100245821Abstract: In one general aspect, a method of measuring characteristics of particles in a liquid sample disclosed. The method includes supporting the liquid sample by surface tension and illuminating the supported liquid sample along an illumination axis with spatially coherent light so as to cause the coherent light to be scattered across a scattering zone. At least a portion of the scattered light is detected along a first predetermined scattering detection axis after it is scattered by the particles in the supported liquid sample. The illumination axis and the detection axis are oriented at an angle with respect to each other that allows substantially all of the light scattered at that angle across the scattering zone to be detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventor: Jason Cecil William Corbett
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Publication number: 20100241321Abstract: A sensor system and method for detecting particles, in particular dirt particles or water droplets on a vehicle windscreen, comprising an optical sensor (3). The sensor (3) operates on the basis of light transit time and receives light signals (S) that are emitted by an emitter element and that are at least partially reflected, wherein the emitter element and the sensor (3) are located and aligned on the exterior of the vehicle, on or in the vicinity of a tail gate tailgate, hatchback or trunk lid (2) of said vehicle (1) in such a way that particles on the tailgate, hatchback or trunk lid (2) can be detected by means of the sensor (3) by sensing the part of light signals (S) emitted by the emitter element that is backscattered by the particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2008Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: DAIMLER AGInventors: Juergen Luka, Axel Mueller
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Patent number: 7796256Abstract: A flow chamber, imaging objective, condenser and imaging light source as part of an optical system includes an oil-immersion objective and high numerical aperture condenser matched to a rectangular flow chamber. The oil-immersion objective and flow chamber include a high index of refraction immersion oil so as to enhance the optical resolution and optical coupling therethrough. The imaging light source generates light which passes through the condenser, the flow chamber and then the objective before being focused onto an imaging camera. Fluorescence excitation passes through the objective to the flow chamber where the oil immersion configuration enhances the focus and collection of the light back through the objective.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Fluid Imaging Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christian K. Sieracki, Kent A. Peterson
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Patent number: 7777634Abstract: A scattered light smoke detector containing an optoelectronical assembly for measuring scatter signals detected below at least one forward scatter angle and at least one backscatter angle and evaluation electronics for determining an alarm value in accordance with the difference between the scatter signals. Smoke signals are produced from the scatter signals by means of a pre-processing step and a measured value is obtained from the smoke signals. The measured value is formed by a linear linking of the sum of the smoke signals to the difference between the smoke signals BW, FW or by establishing the value for the difference between the smoke signals. The linear linking is calculated according to the formula k1(BW+FW)+k2(BW?FW), in which BW and FW are smoke signals and k1 and k2 represent two constants that are influenced among others by an application factor that is dependent on the environmental conditions in the installation location of the detector.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2005Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: August Kaelin, Dani Lippuner, Giuseppe Marbach
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Patent number: 7764361Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method related to an epifluorescence microscope based optical system equipped with a tunable filter to localize microspheres in bead-based assays based on a back-scattered light (also known as reflected light) image. A common optical path for reflected and emitted luminescence in conjunction with a tunable filter negates the requirement of an additional sensor employed in existing technologies for localizing microspheres based on light scatter measurements.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Northwestern UniversityInventors: David M. Kelso, Abhishek Mathur
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Patent number: 7760356Abstract: The invention provides an optical measuring device capable of performing measuring using a transient diffraction grating by only adjusting probe light, and a nanoparticle measuring device using the same principle as the optical measuring device.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2005Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventors: Naoji Moriya, Shinichro Totoki, Yuzo Nagumo, Yukihisa Wada, Naofumi Sakauchi, Fujio Inoue, Masahiro Takebe, Makiko Masutomi
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Patent number: 7760339Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing air outside a moving aircraft are presented. In one embodiment, a system includes a laser for generating laser energy. The system also includes one or more transceivers for projecting the laser energy as laser radiation to the air. Subsequently, each transceiver receives laser energy as it is backscattered from the air. A computer processes signals from the transceivers to distinguish molecular scattered laser radiation from aerosol scattered laser radiation and determines one or more air parameters based on the scattered laser radiation. Such air parameters may include air speed, air pressure, air temperature and aircraft orientation angle, such as yaw, angle of attack and sideslip.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Ophir CorporationInventors: Loren M. Caldwell, Shoou-yu Tang, Martin O'Brien
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Patent number: 7719682Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for computing small particle size distributions of particles in a process stream comprising a sample dilute colloid. A reference matrix of pre-computed reference vectors is provided. Each reference vector represents a discrete particle size or particle size range of a particle size distribution of particles contained in a dilute colloid. Each reference vector represents a reference extinction spectrum over a predetermined wavelength range. A measurement vector representing a measured extinction spectrum of the sample particles in the sample colloid is provided, wherein the measured extinction spectrum has been spectrophotometrically measured over the wavelength range. The particle size distribution and particle concentrations of the particles in the sample colloid are determined using the reference matrix, the measurement vector and linear equations.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Danielle R. Chamberlin, William R. Trutna, Jr., Maozi Liu
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Publication number: 20100110431Abstract: A device for optically detecting and distinguishing airborne liquid water droplets and ice crystals includes an illumination portion and a detection portion. The illumination portion outputs a circularly polarized illuminating beam. The detection portion receives circularly polarized backscattered light from moisture in the cloud, in response to the illuminating beam. The circularly polarized backscattered light is passed through a circular polarizer to convert it into linearly polarized backscattered light, which is split into two components. Each of the two components is optionally subject to further linear polarization to filter out any leakage-type orthogonal polarization. The two components are then optically detected and the resulting detection signals are used to calculate one or more parameters reflective of the presence or absence of airborne ice crystals and/or water droplets.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Goodrich CorporationInventors: Mark D. Ray, Michael P. Nesnidal, David M. Socha
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Patent number: 7709271Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for determining a concentration of a biological active substance in a sample by the means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The device comprises a solid support within a tubing for binding an immunosorbent and an inlet for fluids, a detector for detecting radiation due to an activity in the tubing, wherein the tubing is arranged inside a microchip extending substantially in one plane, for conducting the fluids along the plane of the microchip. The tubing forms a reaction cell having a large detection area. The reaction cell of the microchip is arranged perpendicular to the detector. The method comprises the steps of introducing the fluids into the tubing, conducting the fluids through the tubing forming a reaction cell, in which reaction cell the radiation emitting activity takes place, and detecting the light emitted from the reaction cell substantially perpendicular to the plane.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Prolight Diagnostics ABInventor: Masoud Khayyami
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Patent number: 7701638Abstract: A rotatable optical beamsplitter comprises an optically-transparent material and a partially-reflective layer. The optically-transparent material has a unitary spherical exterior surface. The partially-reflective layer is located at least partially within the optically transparent material. The spherically shaped optical beamsplitter demonstrates reduced optical distortion.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Gorden Videen
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Publication number: 20100067007Abstract: A system for measuring backscattered light from a sample is given. Light is output from a light source towards a rotating mirror, and then reflected by the rotating mirror towards the sample. The sample reflects backscattered light back towards the rotating mirror, which, having moved during the time it took for the light to propagate from the mirror to the sample and back, reflects the backscattered light to a detector located at a physical separation from the light source. The detected backscattered light may be analyzed to determine various properties of the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2008Publication date: March 18, 2010Inventors: GORDEN W. VIDEEN, Karri Olavi Muinonen
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Patent number: 7675619Abstract: A light scatter sensor includes a sensor body in which are positioned a plurality of optical fibers. The sensor body includes a surface, in one end of each of the optical fibers terminates at the surface of the sensor body. One of the optical fibers is an illumination fiber for emitting light. A plurality of second optical fibers are collection fibers for collecting scattered light signals. A light sensor processor is connected to the collection fibers to detect the scattered light signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Paul M. Danehy, Adrian A. Dorrington
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Publication number: 20100053613Abstract: To improve detection performance without requiring precise positioning of a light-emitting element and a lens, a rain sensor 10 having a light-emitting element 13 for emitting light to a windshield glass G; a light-receiving element 14 for receiving the light reflected from the windshield glass G; and a convex lens 18 provided between the light-emitting element 13 and the windshield glass G, for collimating the light emitted from the light-emitting element 13 into parallel light, in which a collection prism 20 is interposed between the light-emitting element 13 and the convex lens 18 so as to provide, at a focal position for the convex lens 18, a light-exiting surface for the light from the light-emitting element 13 having entered the collection prism 20, in order to collect rays of diffused light emitted from the light-emitting element 13 and then emit the collected rays of the light to the convex lens 18 from the focal position for the convex lens 18.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2009Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: NILES CO., LTD.Inventor: Tetsuo Taoka
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Patent number: 7656526Abstract: A lidar system capable of remotely identifying calibrated absolute aerosol backscatter coefficients of atmospheric aerosol particles by transmitting a beam of light and spectrally separating the intensity of Rayleigh and Mie backscattering is disclosed. The transmitter features high pulse energy to generate sufficient Rayleigh backscattering, enabling atmospheric scanning in a timely manner. The transmitter employs a seeded Nd:YAG laser and a seeded stimulated Raman scattering wavelength shifter to achieve narrow bandwidth, eye-safe laser pulses. The receiver employs a telescope, collimating lens, beam splitter, molecular absorption filter, focusing lenses, and avalanche photodiodes. Mie backscattering is blocked by the molecular absorption filter to provide a Rayleigh signal, which is used with knowledge of atmospheric density to calibrate the Mie signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: University Corporation for Atmospheric ResearchInventors: Scott Spuler, Shane Mayor
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Patent number: 7639351Abstract: A fabrication cluster can be controlled using optical metrology. A fabrication process is performed on a wafer using a fabrication cluster. A photonic nanojet, an optical intensity pattern induced at a shadow-side surface of a dielectric microsphere, is generated. An inspection area on the wafer is scanned with the photonic nanojet. A measurement is obtained of the retroreflected light from the dielectric microsphere as the photonic nanojet scans the inspection area. The existence of a structure in the inspection area is determined with the obtained measurement of the retroreflected light. One or more process parameters of the fabrication cluster is adjusted based on the determination of the existence of the structure in the inspection area.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Zhigang Chen, Hanyou Chu, Shifang Li, Manuel Madriaga
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Publication number: 20090310118Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring air turbulences with a lidar system, particularly on board aircraft during which a pulsed expanded laser beam (12) of a predetermined wavelength is emitted up to a spatial area and light backscattered from this spatial area is received. At a first point in time t1 and at a second point in time t2 after emitting a laser pulse (L), the intensity distribution in the cross-section of the backscattered light is measured, and an air turbulence in a measuring field defined by points in time t1 and t2 is determined from the comparison of both intensity distributions. Images of speckle patterns are recorded with the aid of cameras (21, 22). An evaluation unit (30) conducts a cross correlation in order to render the turbulence visible and to display it on a monitor (35).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2006Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventor: Thorsteinn Halldorsson
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Patent number: 7564539Abstract: A method for remotely sensing air outside a moving aircraft includes generating laser radiation within a swept frequency range. A portion of the laser radiation is projected from the aircraft into the air to induce scattered laser radiation. Filtered scattered laser radiation, filtered laser radiation, and unfiltered laser radiation are detected. At least one actual ratio is determined from data corresponding to the filtered scattered laser radiation and the unfiltered laser radiation. One or more air parameters are determined by correlating the actual ratio to at least one reference ratio.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2006Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Ophir CorporationInventors: Loren M. Caldwell, Shoou-Yu Tang, Martin J. O'Brien
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Patent number: 7557734Abstract: A system for providing an objective visibility measurement to a flight crew preferably includes a LIDAR system (100), an evaluation unit (150), and a crew interface (200). In at least one embodiment, the system includes the capability of compensating for aircraft turns such that the absolute direction of the visibility reading remains constant through the maneuver. A method for providing an objective visibility reading to a flight crew preferably includes tacking a visibility reading (S820, S920); providing the visibility reading to the flight crew (S830, S930); and notifying the flight crew when the visibility has decreased to and/or less than a minimum visibility threshold (S840).Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Arthur Estrada, III, James L. Persson
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Patent number: 7545570Abstract: A system for selectively blocking electromagnetic energy. The system includes a first mechanism for employing a perforated component to pass a beam characterized by a first property and reject a beam characterized by a second property. A second mechanism selectively alters a beam passed by the first mechanism so that upon reflection, the beam exhibits the second property. In a specific embodiment, the first property corresponds to a first polarization, and the second property corresponds to a second polarization. In the specific embodiment, the perforated component includes a beamsplitter having a first perforated metallic plate. The second mechanism includes a quarter-wave plate having a second perforated metallic plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2004Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: David D. Crouch
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Publication number: 20090103091Abstract: Disclosed are improved optical detection systems and methods comprising interferometric detection systems, methods for determining a characteristic property of a fluid, methods for calculating a shift between at least two signals, computer program products encoded in a computer readable medium, and computational systems. Also disclosed are label-free, free-solution, and/or real-time measurements of characteristic properties and/or chemical events using the disclosed techniques. Also disclosed are various biosensor applications of the disclosed techniques. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Inventors: Richard D. Jones, Darryl J. Bornhop
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Publication number: 20090013776Abstract: The invention relates to a method of protecting aircraft in flight against clear air turbulence (CAT). Consider an aircraft occupying a position P and moving horizontally at a speed V, a plane PH0 being the horizontal plane passing through P. According to the invention, the method includes performing at least one pair of evaluations of air temperature TB, TC at two points B, C which have positions that are symmetrical relative to the plane PH0. At least one pair of horizontal air speed evaluations are performed VHB, VHC at the two points B, C; An air temperature gradient is determined; A horizontal air speed gradient is determined; An index signifying a presence of CAT is determined; The preceding steps are repeated; A trend is analyzed over time of the index.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: THALESInventors: Herve Barny, Jean-Claude Lehureau, Patrick Feneyrou
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Publication number: 20090015832Abstract: A micro strip antenna comprising a planar substrate fabricated from a dielectric material and a pair of like elements arranged in mirror image on the planar substrate, each of the elements comprising a radiating portion comprising an elongate conductive strip of a constant thickness, the elongate conductive strip comprising first arcuate side edges mutually diverging between a narrow end and a wide end. There is also disclosed a system for detecting the presence of a region having a first dielectric constant within a medium having a second dielectric constant different from the first dielectric constant, such as a tumour embedded in a fatty tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Inventors: Milica POPOVIC, Houssam KANJ