Particle sizing and concentration sensor using a hollow shaped beam

US6580503B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · US

Inventors

• Morteza Gharib · San Marino, US
• Dominique Fourguette · Mentryville, US
• Frederic Taugwalder · Altadena, US
• Daniel W. Wilson · La Cañada Flintridge, US
• Darius Modarress · Rancho Palos Verdes, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 4, 2001
• Grant date: Jun 17, 2003
• Expiry date: Dec 4, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2015/145
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An optical particle detection system produces an optical beam which is scattered by particles in a probe volume area. The particles may scatter the beam to the detector. The optical beam is a hollow shaped beam which may be circular/doughnut shaped, or made be of any other hollow shape. The particle passes across the beam, and those particles which pass through the center of the beam are detected as being desired particles to detect. This system may be used to detect particle concentration, and size. In addition, by producing an asymmetric beam, particle direction can also be detected.