Liquid Color, Haze, and Clarity Measurement with Transmission-Scatter Sensing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring optical properties of fuels and lubricants, such as haze and clarity, rely on subjective visual techniques that vary with operator and lighting conditions, providing inconsistent and unreliable results, especially when samples are opaque due to particulates or contaminants.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a sample chamber optically coupled to a spectrometer and two photodetectors, using electromagnetic radiation to measure both transmission and scatter, allowing for objective determination of color, haze, and clarity through a combination of transmission and scatter measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If subjective visual techniques are used to measure haze and clarity, then the measurement process is simple and quick, but the measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to operator and lighting condition variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidhaze and clarity measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective visual techniques with an automated optical measurement system using electromagnetic radiation sources, photodetectors, and a spectrometer. This substitution eliminates operator variability and lighting condition dependencies while maintaining rapid measurement capability through automated data collection and processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electromagnetic radiation as an intermediary between the sample and measurement system. By using photodetectors to detect transmitted and scattered radiation, the system objectively quantifies haze and clarity properties without relying on human visual assessment, thereby improving precision while preserving measurement efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If only pure transmission or pure scattering measurements are taken, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability deteriorate when samples are opaque due to particulates or contaminants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement system simplicityVSAvoidmeasurement consistency for opaque samples

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges transmission measurement and scattering measurement capabilities into a single integrated system. By combining multiple photodetectors that simultaneously measure both transmitted and scattered electromagnetic radiation, the system achieves reliable and consistent measurements for opaque samples containing particulates or contaminants, while maintaining reasonable device complexity through shared optical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional measurement system that can handle both clear and opaque samples using the same apparatus. The system measures transmission, scattering, color, haze, and clarity properties through a unified optical setup with multiple photodetectors, eliminating the need for separate specialized instruments and ensuring reliable measurements across diverse sample types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Provides accurate, consistent, and reliable measurements of optical properties, enabling precise assessment of fuel quality by quantifying haze and clarity with improved specificity and control parameters.

Implementation Method 1

The first photodetector and the second source of electromagnetic radiation are positioned relative to one another and to the sample chamber to define a first detection channel along which electromagnetic radiation from the second source of electromagnetic radiation passes through the sample chamber into the first photodetector to measure transmittance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTransmittance measurement: Light

Implementation Method 2

The second photodetector and the second source of electromagnetic radiation are positioned relative to one another and to the sample chamber to define a second detection channel along which electromagnetic radiation from the second source of electromagnetic radiation is scattered within the sample chamber and into the second photodetector to measure scatter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS20250224274A1Liquid color, haze, and clarity instrument, and method of measurement

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 MORGAN III RANZY

AI summary

The present disclosure provides for an apparatus for measuring optical properties of liquid samples. The apparatus includes a sample chamber and a spectrometer optically coupled with the sample chamber. One or multiple sources of electromagnetic radiation are positioned relative to the sample chamber to direct electromagnetic radiation through the sample chamber to measure the color, haze, and/or clarity of the sample. Also provided is a method for measuring optical properties of liquid samples, including inserting a cuvette containing a liquid sample into the sample chamber of the apparatus, and directing electromagnetic radiation from the one or more sources and through the sample to measure the color, haze, and/or clarity of the sample. The apparatus and methods may be used to analyze various samples, such as petroleum-based fluids, including fuels and lubricants.