Patent · US Expired

Portable scanning spectrophotometer

US6198536A · kind A · utility

45Cited by
7References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 2, 1999
Grant dateMar 6, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 2, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01J3/0272
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The specification discloses a portable spectrophotometer (10) providing improved movement and control of the sample (S) during analysis. The unit (10) includes a base (12) and an upper assembly (14) supported on the base (12) for floating movement. Both a spectral measurement engine (20) and drive rollers (104) are contained within the upper assembly. The base (12) includes independently suspended idler rollers (16), and the drive rollers (104) engage the idler wheels (16), so that at least a portion of the weight of the upper assembly (14) is borne by the engaging drive rollers (104) and idler rollers (16). The upper assembly (14) therefore floats up and down with samples (S) of varying thickness moving between the rollers (104 and 16). Additional upstream idler rollers (18 and 24) on the base and the upper assembly engage one another and bear a portion of the weight of the upper assembly (14) to create tension in opposition to the drive rollers (104) to hold the sample (S) taut. A planar media guide (130) is located on the underside of the upper assembly (14) and surrounds the spectral engine (20) to engage the sample (S) and reduce flexing and bowing of the sample (S). A manuall…

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