Cylindrical lens-based light sensor and use of the sensor in an automated method and apparatus for monitoring a target fluid for contaminants
US7450234B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/4711
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A light scattering sensor is provided with a cylindrical lens focusing received light along substantially parallel lines, or bands, that correspond to a range of scattering angles and a linear detector that detects the light intensity along the substantially parallel lines. By using a cylindrical lens, the lens serves as an auto-collimator, whereby light scattered at a specific angle from the collimated light beam strikes the linear detector at a corresponding specific location regardless of the location from where the light was scattered. Embodiments of the cylindrical lens-based light sensor can be applied to a number of different applications and industries that analyze light scattering intensity as a function of scattering angle. For example, embodiments of the cylindrical lens-based light scattering sensor can be used for monitoring a target fluid for contaminants.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.