Method and apparatus for fluorescent sensing
US4651010A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 1984 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/94
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensing system for the detection of trace gases in the atmosphere or contaminates on a surface. Particular chemical substances are detected at remote points by placing a sensor unit in the vicinity of the area to be examined and illuminating the area with a laser beam generated by the sensor unit. An optical detector, also carried by the sensor unit, registers the fluorescence produced by the substance illuminated and relays this information by a telemetry link back to the base site. The utility of the system is broadened by providing a chemical reactant selected to react with the substance to be detected to produce a reaction product that fluoresces strongly at the wavelength of the laser light. The chemical reactant is carried by the sensor unit and is sprayed into the area to be examined. The sensor unit carrying the chemical reactant can also be used on location, for example, with a hand-held unit that sprays the chemical reactant on a surface suspected of being contaminated and detecting the resulting fluorescence of the reaction product.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.