Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for the identification of species

US5559292A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
4References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 12, 1994
Grant dateSep 24, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 12, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2291/048
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method is disclosed for identifying the presence or concentration of a target species in a sample by transmitting a wave of ultrasonic vibration through the sample and calculating, from measured values for time of flight of the wave through the sample and its attenuation during that time, an identification parameter dependent on the type or concentration of the target species in the sample and independent of the distance travelled by the wave through the sample. The method is more convenient to use than existing identification techniques because of the removal of distance from the measurements and calculations necessary. The method is of particular use in identifying polymers, for example, in reclamation and recycling processes. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.