Apparatus for investigating particles in a fluid, and a method of operation thereof
US5880835A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 26, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 26, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/493
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In order to investigate particles in a fluid, a flow cell causes the fluid to flow past a sensor which receives light from a continuous light emission system. When the sensor detects a change in light, a particle detector is triggered, which in turn triggers a pulse generator and hence an intermittent light emission system. Light then illuminates the flow cell to allow a CCD camera to photograph the particle. The photographs taken by the CCD camera are analyzed by an image processor. In order to obtain an accurate particle concentration measurement, it is necessary to modify the initial concentration measurement derived from the analysis of particle images by the image processor by a compensation coefficient. This operation is carried out by a concentration compensator. The result may then be displayed. Additional analysis may be carried out by changing the magnification of the CCD camera, or by selecting for analysis only those particles of a selected size or type.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.