Fluorescent Surface Cleanness Quantification Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for quantifying surface cleanliness are inefficient, time-consuming, and prone to errors, particularly in industries requiring exacting standards, as they often rely on qualitative techniques like black-light inspection or remote NVR testing, which are subjective and lack precision in detecting nonvolatile residues and certain contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing interrogating radiation responsive to contaminants, including UV, IR, and visible wavelengths, to detect fluorescent or phosphorescent responses from surfaces or cleaners, generating signals that are compared to electronic standards to quantify cleanliness, enabling both molecular and particulate contamination analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If NVR testing is used to quantify surface cleanliness, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical NVR testing system (wiping, solvent extraction, evaporation, weighing) with an optical detection system using fluorescent interrogating radiation. This substitution enables immediate detection of surface contamination without the time-consuming manual procedures, while maintaining quantitative measurement capability through fluorescent signal analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy/representation of the contamination state through fluorescent signaling. Instead of physically extracting and measuring contaminants, the system uses fluorescent markers that replicate the presence and quantity of contaminants optically, allowing immediate visualization and quantification without physical manipulation of the contaminants themselves.
2Productivity
If black-light inspection is used for surface cleanliness, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to subjective qualitative assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fluorescent color changes as an objective indicator of contamination. Different contaminants exhibit characteristic fluorescent colors and intensities when exposed to interrogating radiation, providing both rapid visual detection and quantitative measurement. This replaces the subjective black-light inspection with an objective optical signal that maintains speed while adding precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fluorescent markers as an intermediary between the contaminants and the detection system. These markers absorb interrogating radiation and emit fluorescent signals that are easily detectable and quantifiable. This intermediary enables the conversion of invisible or difficult-to-detect contaminants into measurable optical signals, providing both speed and precision.
3Measurement precision
If remote NVR testing facility is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to remote location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the surface inspection system to perform its own measurement and analysis functions on-site using portable fluorescent detection equipment. Instead of requiring remote laboratory facilities, the system brings the measurement capability to the inspection location, allowing immediate results without sample transport or external processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the remote NVR testing facility and implements it in a portable, on-site configuration. By separating the core detection capability from the remote laboratory infrastructure, the system maintains measurement accuracy while eliminating the time delays associated with remote testing and sample transport.
4Reliability
If surface is isolated in controlled environment during testing, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary contamination detection immediately after cleaning using fluorescent inspection, before the surface is exposed to controlled environments or potential recontamination. This early detection allows for immediate validation of cleaning effectiveness, eliminating the need for prolonged isolation and storage while maintaining reliability through prompt assessment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides rapid, quantitative, and precise surface cleanliness assessment, reducing the need for remote testing and subjective inspections, allowing for immediate validation and safe exposure to sensitive environments or bonding processes.
Implementation Method 1
detecting radiation from the surface or the surface cleaner produced in response to the interrogating radiation
Implementation Method 2
detecting radiation from the surface or the surface cleaner produced in response to the interrogating radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are devices and methods for quantifying a surface's cleanliness relative to a contaminant. Such devices and methods may comprising and use a source of interrogating radiation to which the contaminant is responsive, a means for directing the interrogating radiation, a detector, and an analyzer. Radiation emitted from the source is directed by the radiation means toward the surface or a surface cleaner that may hold the contaminant. The detector detects radiation from the surface or the surface cleaner produced in response to the interrogating radiation by the contaminant, e.g., fluorescent or phosphorescent radiation, and generate a corresponding signal that is compared by the analyzer relative to an electronic standard that corresponds to the surface in an acceptably clean state so as to quantify the surface's cleanliness.