Device and method for optically detecting particles in a fluid
US4728190A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 1985 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/53
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device and method are disclosed for optically detecting particles in a fluid. A fluid passage with transparent walls defining a monitoring volume, or region, is provided, and particles in the fluid are optically detected by directing a laser beam through the fluid in the monitoring region and collecting light scattered by the particles. A capillary is utilized as the fluid passage, and reflections from the walls of the capillary are effectively precluded. The laser beam is directed through the capillary by means of a window at the entrance side and a lens at the collecting side with the air-glass interfaces being outside the depth of view of particle monitoring within the monitoring region. As a result of this arrangement, the amount of scattered light is greatly reduced and a more uniform light signal is achieved which results in better size resolution of particles than has heretofore been achieved.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.