Ultraviolet radiometer

Abstract

According to one aspect, a UV radiometer is provided. The UV radiometer includes a sensor assembly and a sensor controller. The sensor assembly includes a UV sensor element and a temperature sensing component configured to perform thermal conditioning of the sensed UV input from the UV sensor element to generate a compensated UV signal. The sensor controller includes a signal conditioning circuit configured to receive the compensated UV signal from the sensor assembly and generate an adjusted and compensated UV signal. The sensor controller also includes a communication interface configured to transmit the adjusted and compensated UV signal to a UV process controller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to sensor systems, and more specifically to ultraviolet radiometers.

Background Art

[0002] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 389,622, titled "Ultraviolet Radiometer," filed on July 15, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Ultraviolet (UV) light can be used in industrial processes and various applications such as medical and dental treatments. For example, UV light can be used for curing resins and inks, disinfecting surfaces and fluids, erasing memory contents in UV - erasable programmable read - only memories, and other such applications. In some applications, UV light must be precisely controlled to produce highly consistent and repeatable results. As a UV light source deteriorates over time, the output intensity can change. Therefore, in strictly controlled processes that use UV light, accurate monitoring of UV intensity over a period of time can be important.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to some embodiments, a UV radiometer is provided. The UV radiometer includes a sensor assembly and a sensor controller. The sensor assembly includes a UV sensor element and a temperature - sensing component configured to perform thermal conditioning of the sensed UV input from the UV sensor element to generate a compensated UV signal. The sensor controller includes a signal - conditioning circuit configured to receive the compensated UV signal from the sensor assembly and generate an adjusted and compensated UV signal. The sensor controller also includes a communication interface configured to transmit the adjusted and compensated UV signal to a UV process controller.

[0005] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, embodiments may include that the sensor assembly includes a PCB having a UV sensor element on a first side of the printed circuit board (PCB) and an amplifier on a second side of the PCB, and that the temperature sensing component is in a feedback configuration with the amplifier to provide a temperature compensation gain to the compensated UV signal.

[0006] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, embodiments may include that the sensor controller includes a signal level verification circuit configured to perform a comparison to detect whether the compensated UV signal exceeds a lower threshold level and is below an upper threshold level, and output a UV signal verification indicator based on the result of the comparison.

[0007] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, embodiments may include that the sensor controller includes a local power supply configured to receive power from a UV process controller and provide a separate power supply to the sensor assembly.

[0008] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, embodiments may include that the signal conditioning circuit includes a voltage spike suppressor.

[0009] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, embodiments may include that the communication interface includes an analog-to-digital converter and a communication encoder / decoder configured to communicate with a UV process controller.

[0010] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, embodiments may include a reflector configured to reflect a portion of the emitted UV light towards a UV light input port of the sensor assembly proximate to the UV sensor element.

[0011] According to one aspect, a UV system includes a UV light source, a UV process controller configured to control the UV light source, and a UV radiometer connected to the UV process controller. The UV radiometer includes a sensor assembly having a UV sensor element and a temperature sensing component configured to perform thermal conditioning of the sensed UV input from the UV sensor element to generate a compensated UV signal. The sensor assembly may also include a sensor controller having a signal conditioning circuit configured to receive the compensated UV signal from the sensor assembly and generate an adjusted and compensated UV signal. The sensor controller also includes a communication interface configured to transmit the adjusted and compensated UV signal to the UV process controller.

[0012] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, embodiments may include that the sensor assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a UV sensor element and an amplifier thereon, and that the temperature sensing component is in a feedback configuration with the amplifier to provide a temperature compensation gain to the compensated UV signal.

[0013] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, embodiments may include that the sensor controller includes a signal level verification circuit configured to perform a comparison to detect whether the compensated UV signal exceeds a lower threshold level and is below an upper threshold level, and output a UV signal verification indicator based on the result of the comparison.

[0014] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, embodiments may include that the sensor controller includes a local power supply configured to receive power from the UV process controller and provide a separate power supply to the sensor assembly.

[0015] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, an embodiment may include a UV irradiation region, and the UV process controller is configured to control the exposure of one or more workpieces to the UV light emitted by the UV light source within the UV irradiation region based on the adjusted and compensated UV signal received from the UV radiometer.

[0016] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, an embodiment may include that the UV radiometer includes a reflector configured to pivot around the UV light input port of the sensor assembly proximate to the UV sensor element, and the reflector is adjustable to direct a portion of the UV light emitted from the UV light source into the UV light input port.

[0017] According to one aspect, a method of detecting UV light by a UV radiometer includes receiving the UV light as a sensed UV input at a sensor element of a sensor assembly of the UV radiometer, performing a thermal adjustment of the sensed UV input to compensate for the temperature at the sensor element and generate a compensated UV signal, outputting the compensated UV signal to a sensor controller of the UV radiometer, performing signal conditioning of the compensated UV signal at the sensor controller to generate an adjusted and compensated UV signal, and transmitting the adjusted and compensated UV signal from the sensor controller to a UV process controller.

[0018] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, an embodiment may include that the sensor assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a UV sensor element on a first side of the PCB and an amplifier on a second side of the PCB, and the method further includes providing a temperature compensation gain to the compensated UV signal based on the temperature sensing component being in a feedback configuration with the amplifier.

[0019] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, embodiments may include performing a comparison to detect whether a compensated UV signal exceeds a lower threshold level and is below an upper threshold level, and outputting a UV signal verification indicator based on the result of the comparison.

[0020] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, embodiments may include receiving power from a UV process controller in a sensor controller and providing a power supply separated from the sensor controller to a sensor assembly.

[0021] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, embodiments may include performing analog-to-digital conversion in a sensor controller and communicating with a UV process controller using a communication encoder / decoder of the sensor controller.

[0022] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, embodiments may include capturing UV light directed by a reflector at a UV light input port of a sensor assembly proximate to a UV sensor element.

[0023] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above or below features, embodiments may include controlling the exposure of one or more workpieces to UV light emitted by a UV light source within a UV irradiation area based on an adjusted and compensated UV signal received from a UV radiometer by a UV process controller.

[0024] The foregoing features and elements are not exclusive and may be implemented or utilized in various combinations unless otherwise indicated. These features and elements and their operations will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the following description and drawings are essentially illustrative and explanatory in nature and are non-limiting.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] The subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed at the end of this specification. The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

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[0038] According to the embodiments disclosed herein, an ultraviolet (UV) radiometer that can be incorporated into a UV system is provided. The UV radiometer can be used to monitor a UV light source and a process that uses UV light. In some UV light sensing applications, a photodetector that responds to a wide range of light source wavelengths, such as the visible and infrared regions, may be used. Such broadband sensors can be effective when there are no other light sources present or when the detection accuracy of the UV light intensity does not need to be precise. Further, some UV light sensing applications may function well for intermittent UV light sensing but may not be practical for long-term or continuous monitoring of UV light. The embodiments disclosed herein can support various monitoring conditions, including conditions with multiple light sources other than UV light, and can be mounted at various positions, such as perpendicular to the UV light beam. The embodiments can include a modular structure in which a sensor assembly including a UV sensor element is packaged separately from a sensor controller to support flexibility in placement. An alternative packaging can combine the sensor assembly and the sensor controller within a shared housing, shortening the distance between the sensor assembly and the sensor controller while having a compact overall package size.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 1, a UV system 100 according to several embodiments is shown. The UV system 100 includes a UV radiometer 110 configured to communicate with a UV process controller 120. The UV system 100 also includes a UV irradiation region 130 having a UV light source 132. The UV irradiation region 130 can include one or more actuation systems 134 that can be controlled by the UV process controller 120 via an actuator control link 135. The UV process controller 120 can also control the UV light source 132 via a light source control link 133. The UV light 136 emitted by the UV light source 132 can be used to provide controlled UV exposure to one or more workpieces 138 within the UV irradiation region 130. For example, the one or more workpieces 138 may include a UV-sensitive resin that cures upon exposure to the UV light 136. The one or more actuation systems 134 can control the positioning of the one or more workpieces 138 relative to the UV light 136 emitted by the UV light source 132. For example, the one or more actuation systems 134 can include a conveyor belt, a turntable, a multi-axis positioning system, robotic components, and / or other such effectors that can move one or more workpieces 138 into and / or out of the UV irradiation region 130 as part of an automated manufacturing or processing line. As a further example, the UV light source 132 can be controlled with respect to one or more workpieces 138 to perform UV-based sterilization, erasure of UV erasable programmable read-only memory, curing of inks, and / or other such applications.

[0040] To monitor the intensity of the UV light 136 and track the exposure time of one or more workpieces 138 to the UV light 136, the UV radiometer 110 can be connected to the UV process controller 120. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the UV radiometer 110 can include a sensor assembly 112 and a sensor controller 114. A sensor link 115 between the sensor assembly 112 and the sensor controller 114 enables the sensor controller 114 to be positioned outside the UV irradiation area 130 or physically separated from the UV irradiation area 130, while the sensor assembly 112 is positioned within the UV irradiation area 130 or physically close to the UV irradiation area 130. As an example, the UV irradiation area 130 can be within an enclosure, the sensor assembly 112 is within the enclosure, and the sensor controller 114 is outside the enclosure. A controller link 116 can establish communication between the sensor controller 114 and the UV process controller 120. The UV radiometer 110 can also include a reflector 118 configured to pivot around the UV light input port 119 of the sensor assembly 112 in proximity to the UV sensor element 202 (FIG. 2). The reflector 118 can reduce the direct exposure of the UV sensor element 202 to the UV light 136 and support multiple positioning options because both the sensor assembly 112 and the reflector 118 can be repositioned within the UV irradiation area 130. In applications where the intensity of the UV light 136 is below the upper light threshold value of the UV sensor element 202, the reflector 118 can be omitted and the UV sensor element 202 can be positioned to directly receive the UV light 136. Additionally, in some embodiments, a filter or lens element may be positioned between the UV sensor element 202 and the UV light source 132. In some embodiments, the reflector 118 can be a fixed component that does not pivot with respect to the UV light input port 119.

[0041] The UV process controller 120 can include a processing device 122, a memory device 124, an input / output interface 126, and a user interface 128, and may also include a network interface 129. The UV process controller 120 can be a programmable logic controller and can use a combination of off-the-shelf components and software mixed with customized components and software. The processing device 122 can include a hardware device for executing software such as the software stored in the memory device 124. The processing device 122 can be any custom-made or commercially available computer processor, central processing device (CPU), digital signal processor (DSP), microcontroller, programmable gate array, auxiliary processor among several processors, semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), macroprocessor, or generally any device for executing instructions.

[0042] Memory device 124 can include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memories (RAM) such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), etc.) and non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, programmable read-only memory (PROM), tape, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), flash drive, disk, hard disk drive, floppy disk, cartridge, cassette, etc.). Further, memory device 124 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and / or other types of storage media. Thus, memory device 124 is an example of a tangible computer-readable storage medium on which executable instructions for a computer program product executable by processing device 122 can be embodied. Memory device 124 can have a distributed architecture where various components are remotely located from each other but can be accessed by one or more instances of processing device 122.

[0043] The instructions within memory device 124 can include one or more separate programs, each including an ordered list of executable instructions for implementing a logical function. In the example of FIG. 1, the instructions within memory device 124 can include an appropriate operating system (O / S) and program instructions. The O / S basically controls the execution of programs and provides scheduling, input / output control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control and related services. During operation, processing device 122 is configured to execute the instructions stored within memory device 124, communicate data with memory device 124, and overall control the operation of UV process controller 120 according to the instructions.

[0044] The input / output interface 126 may include, for example, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections, as is known in the art. The input / output interface 126 may have additional elements, such as a controller, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to-analog converter, a filter, a clock, a buffer (cache), a driver, a repeater, and a receiver, which are omitted for simplicity to enable communication. For example, the controller link 116, the light source control link 133, and / or the actuator control link 135 can each establish communication and / or power transmission between the input / output interface 126 and the sensor controller 114, the UV light source 132, and / or one or more operating systems 134. Signals can be analog or digitally encoded and can include clock, power, ground, etc. in a one-way or two-way path.

[0045] The user interface 128 can include a display and input elements, such as a touch-sense screen, buttons, dials, switches, a keyboard, a mouse, and / or other such user interface elements known in the art. Additionally, the user interface 128 can include audio and / or video functions.

[0046] Network interface 129 can establish a communication channel with one or more other computer systems via one or more network links. Network interface 129 can support wired and / or wireless communication protocols known in the art. For example, network interface 129 can support data transfer with remote computer systems and / or local computing devices such as servers, laptop computers, workstations, desktop computers, tablet computers, mobile devices (e.g., smartphones), and / or other such computer devices known in the art. Further, network interface 129 can support connections with multiple instances of the UV process controller 120 and / or other control systems as part of a larger manufacturing process.

[0047] Although only a single instance of the UV radiometer 110 and the UV light source 132 are shown in the example of FIG. 1, it will be understood that the UV process controller 120 can be connected to multiple instances of the UV radiometer 110 and / or the UV light source 132. Further, other interface elements such as routers, switches, drivers, and buffers can be interposed between the UV process controller 120 and the other components shown in FIG. 1. Further, the components of the UV system 100 can be combined and further subdivided in embodiments.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a UV radiometer 210 according to some embodiments. The UV radiometer 210 is an example of the UV radiometer 110 of FIG. 1. The UV radiometer 210 includes a sensor assembly 212 and a sensor controller 214. The sensor assembly 212 is an example of the sensor assembly 112 of FIG. 1, and the sensor controller 214 is an example of the sensor controller 114 of FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 2, the sensor assembly 212 includes a UV sensor element 202, a temperature sensing component 204, a signal filter 206, and an amplifier 208. The sensor assembly 212 can be divided into multiple parts. For example, the sensor assembly 212 can include a printed circuit board (PCB) having the UV sensor element 202 on a first side (e.g., the top) of the PCB and the amplifier 208 on a second side (e.g., the bottom) of the PCB. The temperature sensing component 204 can also be on the first side of the PCB, and the signal filter 206 can be on the second side of the PCB. By placing the amplifier 208 under the UV sensor element 202, signal noise and drift can be reduced with shorter physical connections. The signal filter 206 can remove noise sources and attenuate out-of-band signals.

[0049] The UV sensor element 202 can be selected as a highly tunable component that responds to UV light having a wavelength of about 200 nm to about 405 nm while generating a minimum output at other wavelengths. In one embodiment, the UV sensor element 202 can have an analog output of about 0 to 400 mV. The output response of the UV sensor element 202 can vary over a certain temperature range. For example, referring to FIG. 5, graph 500 shows that the observed values of multiple data sets 502, 504 from related tests of the UV sensor element 202 have a substantially linear change in voltage output as the temperature rises over a certain temperature range. In an embodiment, this temperature sensitivity offset can be offset by performing thermal adjustment based on the temperature sensing component 204. As an example, the temperature sensing component 204 is in a feedback configuration with the amplifier 208 as shown in the example of FIG. 4 where the UV input sensed by the UV sensor element 202 is passed to the amplifier 208 via the signal filter 206, and can provide a temperature compensation gain to the compensated UV signal. The amplifier 208 can apply a gain to the sensed UV input, and the effect of the temperature sensing component 204 can be adapted to the temperature effect by the temperature-adjusted signal output obtained as a result of the amplifier 208 passed to the connection interface 402 to pass the compensated UV signal 209 to the sensor controller 214 of FIG. 2. The temperature sensing component 204 can be selected as a component (e.g., a thermistor) whose gain increases as the temperature rises to complement the decreased gain of the UV sensor element 202 when the temperature rises. As an example, the net effect of the amplifier 208 and the temperature sensing component 204 can provide a temperature adjustment gain of about 11. The examples of ranges and gains are provided for illustrative purposes, and it will be understood that other ranges and gains can be supported in various embodiments.

[0050] Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, the sensor controller 214 can include a local power supply 220 configured to receive power 215 from the UV process controller 120 of FIG. 1 and provide a separate power supply 211 to the sensor assembly 212. The power 215 supplied by the UV process controller 120 may be at a higher voltage level such as 12Vdc or 24Vdc, while the sensor assembly 212 may operate at a lower voltage level such as about 4.5 - 5Vdc. The local power supply 220 can be a linear power supply that isolates the sensor assembly 212 from electromagnetic interference and voltage drops. The local power supply 220 may accept a wide range of input voltages such as 6Vdc - 100Vdc for local regulation.

[0051] The sensor controller 214 can also include a signal conditioning circuit 222. The signal conditioning circuit 222 is configured to receive a compensated UV signal 209 from the sensor assembly 212 and generate a conditioned and compensated UV signal 217. The signal conditioning circuit 222 can include a voltage spike suppressor. For example, the voltage spike suppressor can be configured to limit the range of the conditioned and compensated UV signal 217 to, for example, a maximum of about 5.1Vdc to be compatible with the processing input of the input / output interface 126 of FIG. 1. The input / output interface 126 can receive the conditioned and compensated UV signal 217 as an analog signal and perform analog - to - digital conversion for processing by the processing device 122 of FIG. 1.

[0052] The sensor controller 214 can also include a threshold voltage circuit 224 that is used to establish one or more reference voltages 225 for the signal level verification circuit 226. The signal level verification circuit 226 can compare the compensated UV signal 209 against one or more reference voltages 225. The signal level verification circuit 226 can include one or more comparator circuits and / or other logic gates and functions. As an example, the one or more reference voltages 225 can include a lower voltage threshold and an upper voltage threshold. The lower voltage threshold can be 10% to 30% of the maximum output of the compensated UV signal 209, for example, about 20%. The upper voltage threshold can be 70% to 90% of the maximum output of the compensated UV signal 209, for example, about 80%. Other values for the lower voltage threshold and the upper voltage threshold are also conceivable. The combination of thresholds can be centered around about 50% of the maximum output of the compensated UV signal 209. When the compensated UV signal 209 is within range, that is, between the lower voltage threshold and the upper voltage threshold, the in-range indicator 227 can be a light-emitting diode (LED) and can be set to a voltage level of, for example, about 5Vdc to turn on a valid indication 228 that provides an input to the amplifier 230. The amplifier 230 can have a gain of about 1 and pass an amplified version 231 of the in-range indicator 227 to the signal conditioner 232 for use as a signal driver of a communication interface for output from the sensor controller 214 as a UV signal verification indicator 233. The signal conditioner 232 can be a voltage spike suppressor to prevent a voltage exceeding about 5.1Vdc from being driven to the input / output interface 126 of FIG. 1. The voltage spike suppression provided by the signal conditioner 232 and the signal conditioning circuit 222 can also protect the sensor controller 214 from damage if a higher voltage input is inadvertently applied by a connector for the conditioned and compensated UV signal 217 and / or the UV signal verification indicator 233.

[0053] Power 215, the conditioned and compensated UV signal 217, and the UV signal verification indicator 233 can collectively form the connector lines of the controller link 116 of FIG. 1. The compensated UV signal 209 and the isolated power supply 211 can collectively form the connector lines of the sensor link 115 of FIG. 1. In addition to the valid indication 228, the sensor controller 214 can include other visual indicators (e.g., LEDs) for other status information such as whether power is being supplied to the sensor controller 214. The use of visual indicators on the sensor controller 214 can be useful when the sensor assembly 212 is positioned within the UV irradiation area 130 while the sensor controller 214 is disposed outside the UV irradiation area 130 of FIG. 1. The valid indication 228 can assist in verifying the placement of the sensor assembly 212 and the positioning of the reflector 118 of FIG. 1 relative to the UV light 136 such that the UV sensor element 202 is positioned to detect the UV light 136 emitted by the UV light source 132 of FIG. 1 while remaining below the potential saturation limit of the UV sensor element 202.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a UV radiometer 310 according to some embodiments. The UV radiometer 310 is an example of the UV radiometer 110 of FIG. 1. The UV radiometer 310 includes the sensor assembly 212 of FIG. 2 and a sensor controller 314. The sensor controller 314 is another example of the sensor controller 114 of FIG. 1. As previously described with respect to the example of FIG. 2, the sensor assembly 212 includes a UV sensor element 202, a temperature sensing component 204, a signal filter 206, and an amplifier 208. The sensor assembly 212 can receive an isolated power supply 211 from the sensor controller 314 and output a compensated UV signal 209 to the sensor controller 314. In the example of FIG. 3, similar to the sensor controller 214 of FIG. 2, the sensor controller 314 can include a local power supply 220 configured to receive power 215 from the UV process controller 120 of FIG. 1 and provide the isolated power supply 211 to the sensor assembly 212.

[0055] The sensor controller 314 also includes a signal conditioning circuit 322 configured to receive the compensated UV signal 209 from the sensor assembly 212 and generate an adjusted and compensated UV signal 323 as an analog signal. The communication interface 324 of the sensor controller 314 can include an analog-to-digital converter 326 and a communication encoder / decoder 328 configured to communicate with the UV process controller 120 of FIG. 1. The communication interface 324 can receive the adjusted and compensated UV signal 323 and use the analog-to-digital converter 326 to determine a digital representation of the adjusted and compensated UV signal 323. The communication encoder / decoder 328 can output an encoded (e.g., serialized) version of the adjusted and compensated UV signal 323 as a communication output 329, which can pass through a signal conditioner 330 and be output from the sensor controller 314 as a digitized adjusted and compensated UV signal 331 to the input / output interface 126 of FIG. 1. The input / output interface 126 can also transmit an encoded (e.g., serialized) input stream 333 to the communication encoder / decoder 328. For example, the UV process controller 120 may transmit configuration commands, self-test commands, and other such commands and data to the communication interface 324 via the encoded input stream 333. The power 215, the digitized adjusted and compensated UV signal 331, and the encoded input stream 333 can collectively form the connector lines of the controller link 116 of FIG. 1. As an example, the signals on line 331 and line 333 can conform to a standardized communication format such as Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), RS-232, RS-422, RS-488, CAN bus, or other such format. In some embodiments, instead of using a physical line for communication, a wireless link such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, or other such wireless communication can be used.

[0056] In an embodiment, various packaging designs can be used, for example, according to size and placement constraints. As an example of components used to construct the sensor assembly 212 of FIG. 1 that can be used for the sensor assembly 112 of FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a sensor assembly 112 according to some embodiments. The components of the sensor assembly 112 according to some embodiments are further shown in FIG. 7. The sensor assembly 112 can include a bottom plate 602 having a coupler 604. The coupler 604 can be in the form of a tube that penetrates the boot 606, the sensor circuit board 608, and the top plate 610. The hollow center of the tube shape of the coupler 604 can provide a mounting or alignment guide that helps position and hold the sensor assembly 112 when the sensor assembly 112 is fully assembled. For example, the lower portion 612 of the boot 606 can include an alignment hole 613, and the upper portion 614 of the boot 606 can include an alignment hole 615 that mates with the coupler 604. Similarly, the sensor circuit board 608 can include an alignment hole 616, and the top plate 610 can include an alignment hole 618 that mates with the coupler 604. The boot 606 can be made of an elastomeric material to hold the sensor circuit board 608 in place and provide insulation to the sensor circuit board 608. The boot 606 can prevent UV light 136 from entering the sensor assembly 112 at locations other than the UV light input port 119. Further, the boot 606 can provide cable strain relief to the sensor link 115. The connector 620 of the boot 606 can function as a connection point that passes through the hole 622 in the side wall 624 of the bottom plate 602. The upper portion 614 of the boot 606 can include a UV light input port 119 that aligns with the UV sensor element 202 during assembly. The top plate 610 can include a notch 626 configured to fit around the UV light input port 119.

[0057] The reflector 118 can be attached or removed as needed. The reflector 118 is configured to pivot around the UV light input port 119 of the sensor assembly 112 in proximity to the UV sensor element 202. The reflector 118 can include a swivel base 630, a body 632, and a reflector head 634, where the body 632 extends from the swivel base 630 and the reflector head 634 projects from the body 632. As an example, the swivel base 630, the body 632, and the reflector head 634 are formed of a single material such as stainless steel. The angle of the reflector head 634 with respect to the upper surface of the upper plate 610 may be about 45 degrees, although the angle may be adjustable or may have other values. The swivel base 630 is configured to be coupled to the UV light input port 119 to form a swivel attachment. The swivel base 630 can rotate the reflector 118 360 degrees and can be held in a fixed position by friction.

[0058] FIG. 8 shows an example of a UV radiometer 710 that combines a sensor assembly 712 and a sensor controller 714 within a common housing 705, according to some embodiments. The sensor assembly 712 can include the components of the sensor assembly 212 of FIG. 2, and the sensor controller 714 can include the components of the sensor controller 214 of FIG. 2 or the sensor controller 314 of FIG. 3. The sensor link 715 can establish communication and transmit power between the sensor assembly 712 and the sensor controller 714, similar to the sensor link 115 of FIG. 1. However, the sensor link 715 can be implemented as circuit board traces, jumpers, or short point-to-point connections, rather than using a bundle of wires. The short distance of the connection of the sensor link 715 within the common housing 705 can eliminate the need for shielding that might otherwise be required if the sensor assembly 712 and the sensor controller 714 were in separate housings separated by some distance. The sensor assembly 712 and the sensor controller 714 can be constructed on a shared circuit board or can be two separate circuit boards physically close within the common housing 705. As an example, the common housing 705 can be approximately the size of a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick / thumb drive. The sensor controller 714 can communicate with the UV process controller 120 of FIG. 1 via a controller link 716. The controller link 716 can be a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, such as when the controller link 716 is wireless, the sensor controller 714 can receive power from a source other than the UV process controller 120, such as battery power or other such sources.

[0059] FIG. 9 shows an example of a reflector 818 for a sensor assembly of a UV radiometer according to some embodiments. Reflector 818 is an alternative embodiment of reflector 118 of FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 9, reflector 818 has a reflector body 832 and a reflector head 834. Reflector body 832 can be a tube, and the lower part of the tube functions as a turntable, similar to turntable 630 of FIGS. 6 and 7. Thus, reflector body 832 can be attached to UV light input port 119 of FIG. 1 to rotate reflector head 834 360 degrees. Reflector head 834 may also be adjustable to change the angle of reflector head 834 relative to its normal position.

[0060] FIG. 10 shows an example of a UV system 900 according to one embodiment. The UV system 900 includes a UV light source 932 configured to emit UV light 936 within a UV irradiation region 930. One or more workpieces 138 can be exposed to the UV light 936 within the UV irradiation region 930. The UV light source 932 can be attached to a support structure 950, for example, using an adjustable coupling 952 that allows the UV light source 932 to be positioned at various orientations and at various distances from one or more workpieces 138. The UV system 900 can also include a UV radiometer 910. The UV radiometer 910 can include a sensor controller, such as the sensor controller 114 of FIG. 1, and a sensor assembly 912. An attachment bracket 954 can be connected to the UV light source 932 to provide an attachment point for the sensor assembly 912. The sensor assembly 912 can include components of the sensor assembly 112 of FIG. 1, although the reflector 918 can be attached to or integrally formed with the attachment bracket 954 rather than a pivotally attached reflector 118. When the reflector 918 is integrally formed with the attachment bracket 954, the reflector 918 can be fixed in position for more consistent long-term use compared to a separately movable component such as the reflector 118. In some aspects, the attachment bracket 954 can be configured to slide vertically with respect to the UV light source 932 to adjust the distance of the reflector 918 from the UV emitter region 960 (most visible in the A-A section of FIG. 11) of the UV light source 932. The reflector 918 can reflect a portion of the UV light 936 to the UV light input port 919 of the sensor assembly 912, similar to the UV light input port 119 of FIG. 1. A sensor link 915 can transmit signals between the sensor assembly 912, such as between the sensor assembly 912 and a sensor controller (e.g., the sensor controller 114 of FIG. 1). Other attachment and positioning options, as well as components, are contemplated. For example, the UV irradiation region 930 can include a conveyor system for positioning and moving one or more workpieces 138 in place and out of place for exposure to the UV light 936.Furthermore, the distance between the UV emitter region 960 and the UV irradiation region 930 can be adjusted based on the height of one or more workpieces 138. Further, the UV system 900 can be incorporated into or partially surround a workbench or production line machinery to reduce UV exposure to non-target locations. As a further configuration, the reflector 918 can be a separate component and does not need to be coupled to the sensor assembly 912 or the UV light source 932.

[0061] Referring now to FIG. 12, a process flow 1000 of a method for detecting UV light by a UV radiometer according to one embodiment is shown. The process flow 1000 may be performed in the order shown or in an alternative order and includes some of the steps described with respect to FIGS. 1-12. Additional steps may be added to the process flow 1000, steps may be combined, or steps may be further subdivided. The process flow 1000 may be performed by the UV radiometers 110, 210, 310, 710 or another such variant of FIGS. 1-3 and FIG. 8. Further, the process flow 1000 can be performed by the UV system 900 of FIG. 10. For purposes of explanation, the process flow 1000 is described primarily with respect to the UV radiometer 210.

[0062] In block 1002, the UV light 136 is received as a UV input sensed at the UV sensor element 202 of the sensor assembly 212 of the UV radiometer 210. Power for the sensor assembly 212 can be supplied from the sensor controller 214 to the sensor assembly 212, and the power can be received at the sensor controller 214 from the UV process controller 120.

[0063] In block 1004, thermal conditioning of the sensed UV input is performed to compensate for the temperature in the UV sensor element 202 and generate a compensated UV signal 209. The thermal conditioning can be performed using the temperature sensing component 204. A temperature compensation gain can be provided to the compensated UV signal 209 based on the temperature sensing component 204 in a feedback configuration with the amplifier 208 of the sensor assembly 212.

[0064] In block 1006, the compensated UV signal 209 is output to the sensor controller 214 of the UV radiometer 210. A comparison can be made to detect whether the compensated UV signal 209 exceeds a lower threshold level and is below an upper threshold level. The UV signal verification indicator 233 can be output based on the result of the comparison.

[0065] In block 1008, signal conditioning of the compensated UV signal 209 is performed in the sensor controller 214 to generate an adjusted and compensated UV signal 217. The signal conditioning can include voltage spike suppression.

[0066] In block 1010, the adjusted and compensated UV signal 217 is transmitted from the sensor controller 214 to the UV process controller 120. In some embodiments, the adjusted and compensated UV signal 217 is transmitted as an analog signal. In other embodiments, such as the sensor controller 314, analog-to-digital conversion can be performed by the analog-to-digital converter 326 of the sensor controller 314, and the communication encoder / decoder 328 of the sensor controller 314 can be used to communicate with the UV process controller 120, for example, as a digitized adjusted and compensated UV signal 331.

[0067] In the context of the UV system 100, the UV process controller 120 can be configured to control the exposure of one or more workpieces 138 to the UV light 136 emitted by the UV light source 132 within the UV irradiation region 130 based on the conditioned and compensated UV signal received from the UV radiometer 110. The UV radiometer 110 can include a reflector 118 configured to pivot around the UV light input port 119 of the sensor assembly 112 proximate to the UV sensor element 202, and the reflector 118 can be adjustable to direct a portion of the UV light 136 emitted from the UV light source 132 to the UV light input port 119. The UV light 136 can be captured to be directed by the reflector 118 to the UV sensor element 202 at the UV light input port 119. In other embodiments, the reflector 918 can be attached in a fixed position and may be integrated with a mounting bracket 954 used to position the sensor assembly 912 relative to the UV light source 932.

[0068] Aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product and may take the form of hardware embodiments, software embodiments (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or combinations thereof. Further, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable media having computer-readable program code embodied thereon.

[0069] One or more computer-readable media may be utilized. The computer-readable media may include a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may include, for example, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable storage medium include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof. In one aspect, the computer-readable storage medium may include a tangible medium that includes or stores a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, and / or device.

[0070] The computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal in which the computer-readable program code is embodied, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electromagnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. The computer-readable signal medium is any computer-readable medium that can communicate, propagate, and / or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, and / or device other than a computer-readable storage medium.

[0071] A computer-readable medium may include program code embodied thereon that may be transmitted using any appropriate medium including, but not limited to, wireless, wired, fiber optic cable, RF, or any suitable combination thereof. Further, the computer program code for performing the operations for implementing the aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages such as Java (registered trademark), Smalltalk, C++, and conventional procedural programming languages such as the "C" programming language and similar programming languages. The program code may be executed entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server.

[0072] As will be appreciated, aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block or step of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks or steps in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / operations specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0073] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions for implementing the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of a flowchart and / or block diagram. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide a process for implementing the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of a flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0074] Furthermore, some embodiments described herein are associated with "display". As used herein, the term "display" may be used to refer to any mark and / or other information that indicates or is associated with a subject, item, entity, and / or other object and / or idea. As used herein, the phrases "information indicating" and "mark" may be used to refer to any information that represents, describes, and / or is associated with the relevant entity, subject, or object. The mark of information may include, for example, a code, reference, link, signal, identifier, and / or any combination thereof, and / or any other information representation associated with the information. In some embodiments, the mark of information (or information indicating) may be the information itself and / or any part or component of the information, or may include them. In some embodiments, the indication may include a request, claim, broadcast, and / or any other form of information collection and / or distribution.

[0075] This patent application describes a number of embodiments, which are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not limiting in any sense nor are they intended to be limiting. The (one or more) inventions of this disclosure are widely applicable to a number of embodiments, as will be readily apparent from this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the (one or more) inventions of the disclosure can be implemented with various modifications and changes, such as structural, logical, software, and electrical modifications. Although certain features of the (one or more) inventions of the disclosure may be described with reference to one or more specific embodiments and / or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to use in the one or more specific embodiments or drawings in which they are described in relation, unless otherwise specified.

[0076] Devices that are communicating with each other do not necessarily need to be communicating continuously with each other, unless otherwise specified. Conversely, such devices may simply send data to each other as needed or desired and may actually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine communicating with another machine via a network may not send data to the other machine for weeks at a time. Further, devices that are communicating with each other may communicate directly or indirectly via one or more intermediaries.

[0077] The description of an embodiment having several components or features does not mean that all or even any of such components and / or features are necessary. Conversely, various optional components are described to illustrate the various possible embodiments of the invention. Components and / or features are not essential or necessary unless specifically designated as such.

[0078] Furthermore, process steps, algorithms, etc. may be described in sequence, but such processes may be configured to function in a different order. In other words, any order or sequence of steps that may be explicitly described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of the processes described herein may be performed in any practical order. Additionally, some steps may be performed simultaneously even though they are described or suggested as being performed non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after another). Further, the illustration of a process by its depiction in the drawings does not mean that the illustrated process excludes other variations and modifications to that process, does not mean that either the illustrated process or any of its steps is necessary for the present invention, and does not mean that the illustrated process is preferred.

[0079] "Determining" something can be done in various ways, and thus the term "determining" (and similar terms) includes calculating, computing, deriving, looking up (e.g., in a table, database, or data structure), ascertaining, etc.

[0080] It will be readily apparent that the various methods and algorithms described herein can be implemented, for example, by a suitably and / or specially programmed computer and / or computing device. Generally, a processor (e.g., one or more microprocessors) receives instructions from memory or a similar device and executes those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes defined by those instructions. Further, programs implementing such methods and algorithms can be stored and transmitted in several ways using various media (e.g., computer-readable media). In some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware can be used instead of, or in combination with, software instructions for implementing the processes of the various embodiments. Accordingly, embodiments are not limited to any particular combination of hardware and software.

[0081] As used herein, the term "processor" generally refers to any one or more microprocessors, CPU devices, computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, or similar devices, as further described herein.

[0082] The term "computer-readable medium" refers to any medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions or other information) that can be read by a computer, a processor, or a similar device. Such a medium can take many forms including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other permanent memories. Volatile media typically includes DRAM that constitutes main memory. Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, including the wires that form a system bus coupled to a processor. Transmission media can include or convey acoustic, optical, and electromagnetic radiation such as that generated during RF and IR data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM, FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium that can be read by a computer.

[0083] The term "computer-readable memory" can generally refer to a subset and / or class of computer-readable media that does not include transmission media such as waveforms, carrier waves, electromagnetic radiation, etc. Computer-readable memory can typically include physical media on which data (e.g., instructions or other information) is stored, such as optical or magnetic disks and other permanent memories, DRAM, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM, FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, computer hard drives, backup tapes, universal serial bus (USB) memory devices, etc.

[0084] Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying data including a sequence of instructions to a processor. For example, the sequence of instructions may be passed from (i) RAM to the processor, (ii) carried via a wireless transmission medium, and / or (iii) formatted according to a number of formats, standards, or protocols such as Bluetooth®, TDMA, CDMA, 3G, etc.

[0085] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising", when used herein, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

Claims

1. an ultraviolet (UV) sensor element, and a temperature sensing component configured to perform thermal conditioning of a sensed UV input from the UV sensor element to generate a compensated UV signal comprising a sensor assembly, a signal conditioning circuit configured to receive the compensated UV signal from the sensor assembly and generate an adjusted and compensated UV signal, and a communication interface configured to transmit the adjusted and compensated UV signal to a UV process controller comprising a sensor controller comprising a UV radiometer.

2. The sensor assembly includes a PCB having the UV sensor element on a first side of the printed circuit board (PCB) and an amplifier on a second side of the PCB, and the temperature sensing component is in a feedback configuration with the amplifier to provide a temperature compensation gain to the compensated UV signal. The UV radiometer according to claim 1.

3. The sensor controller includes performing a comparison to detect whether the compensated UV signal exceeds a lower threshold level and is below an upper threshold level, and outputting a UV signal verification indicator based on the result of the comparison The UV radiometer according to claim 1, comprising a signal level verification circuit configured as such.

4. The sensor controller receives power from the UV process controller and includes a local power supply configured to provide a separate power supply to the sensor assembly. The UV radiometer according to claim 1.

5. The signal conditioning circuit includes a voltage spike suppressor. The UV radiometer according to claim 1.

6. The communication interface includes an analog-to-digital converter and a communication encoder / decoder configured to communicate with the UV process controller. The UV radiometer according to claim 1.

7. a reflector configured to reflect a portion of the emitted UV light toward a UV light input port of the sensor assembly proximate to the UV sensor element further comprising the UV radiometer according to claim 1.

8. an ultraviolet (UV) light source, and a UV process controller configured to control the UV light source, and a UV radiometer connected to the UV process controller, wherein the UV radiometer includes a UV sensor element, A temperature sensing component configured to perform thermal conditioning of the sensed UV input from the UV sensor element to generate a compensated UV signal and a sensor assembly including the same; a signal conditioning circuit configured to receive the compensated UV signal from the sensor assembly and generate an adjusted and compensated UV signal; a communication interface configured to transmit the adjusted and compensated UV signal to the UV process controller and a sensor controller including the same; a UV radiometer including the same; a UV system including the same.

9. The UV system according to claim 8, wherein the sensor assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having the UV sensor element and an amplifier thereon, and the temperature sensing component is in a feedback configuration with the amplifier to provide a temperature compensation gain to the compensated UV signal.

10. The sensor controller includes a comparison for detecting whether the compensated UV signal exceeds a lower threshold level and is below an upper threshold level, and outputs a UV signal verification indicator based on the result of the comparison and a signal level verification circuit configured as such. The UV system according to claim 8.

11. The UV system according to claim 8, wherein the sensor controller includes a local power supply configured to receive power from the UV process controller and provide a separate power supply to the sensor assembly.

12. A UV irradiation area, wherein the UV process controller is configured to control the exposure of one or more workpieces to the UV light emitted by the UV light source within the UV irradiation area based on the adjusted and compensated UV signal received from the UV radiometer. The UV system according to claim 8, further including the same.

13. The UV system according to claim 8, wherein the UV radiometer includes a reflector configured to pivot around a UV light input port of the sensor assembly proximate to the UV sensor element, and the reflector is adjustable to direct a portion of the UV light emitted from the UV light source into the UV light input port.

14. A method for detecting UV light by an ultraviolet (UV) radiometer, the method comprising: receiving UV light as a sensed UV input at a sensor element of a sensor assembly of the UV radiometer Performing thermal conditioning of the sensed UV input to generate a compensated UV signal by compensating for the temperature in the sensor element; Outputting the compensated UV signal to a sensor controller of the UV radiometer; Performing signal conditioning of the compensated UV signal in the sensor controller to generate a conditioned and compensated UV signal; Transmitting the conditioned and compensated UV signal from the sensor controller to a UV process controller A method comprising.

15. The sensor assembly includes a PCB having the UV sensor element on a first side of a printed circuit board (PCB) and an amplifier on a second side of the PCB, and the method includes: Providing a temperature compensation gain to the compensated UV signal based on the temperature sensing component being in a feedback configuration with the amplifier The method according to claim 14, further comprising.

16. Performing a comparison to detect whether the compensated UV signal exceeds a lower threshold level and is below an upper threshold level; Outputting a UV signal verification indicator based on the result of the comparison The method according to claim 14, further comprising.

17. Receiving power from the UV process controller in the sensor controller; Providing a power supply separated from the sensor assembly from the sensor controller The method according to claim 14, further comprising.

18. Performing analog-to-digital conversion in the sensor controller; Communicating with the UV process controller using a communication encoder / decoder of the sensor controller The method according to claim 14, further comprising.

19. Capturing UV light guided by a reflector at a UV light input port of the sensor assembly proximate to the UV sensor element The method according to claim 14, further comprising.

20. Controlling, by the UV process controller, the exposure of one or more workpieces to UV light emitted by a UV light source within a UV irradiation area based on the conditioned and compensated UV signal received from the UV radiometer; The method according to claim 14, further comprising.

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