Optical Probe Layout to Isolate Light Guides From Ultrasonic Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The direct exposure of measurement windows in optical probes to ultrasonic energy for cleaning leads to mechanical stressing, erosion, and etching, compromising the window's integrity and reducing instrument sensitivity due to internal reflections and noise.
Innovation Solution
The light guides are positioned outside the ultrasonic energy path, with separate transmission and reception windows located on the front plate, isolating them from direct ultrasonic exposure and using optical coupling to minimize erosion and internal reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic energy is transmitted through the measurement window for cleaning, then the measurement window can be cleaned by ultrasonic cavitation, but the measurement window suffers mechanical stressing, erosion and etching
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is divided into separate transmit and receive paths with distinct measurement windows. The transmit measurement window is positioned in the ultrasonic energy path for cleaning, while the receive measurement window is positioned outside the ultrasonic energy path to avoid damage. This segmentation allows each window to serve its specific function without suffering from the harmful effects of ultrasonic exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The receive light guide and its measurement window are extracted from the ultrasonic energy path. By positioning the receive measurement window outside the region where ultrasonic energy is transmitted, it is protected from mechanical stressing, erosion, and etching while still allowing fluorescent light to pass through for detection.
2Device complexity
If a common measurement window is used for both transmit and receive paths, then device complexity is reduced, but internal reflections increase reducing sensitivity and increasing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented into separate transmit and receive paths with dedicated measurement windows for each function. The transmit path uses one measurement window for sending excitation light, while the receive path uses a separate measurement window for detecting fluorescent light. This physical separation eliminates internal reflections between transmit and receive beams, improving measurement precision and reducing noise.
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 configuration enhances the useful life of the light guides, improves signal-to-noise ratio, and maintains instrument sensitivity by preventing mechanical damage and internal reflections.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting ultrasonic energy through the measurement window, whereby the measurement window can be cleaned by ultrasonic cavitation created in the fluid within the measurement region by the ultrasonic energy transmitted through the measurement window
Implementation Method 2
The front faces of the lights guides may define respective measurement windows through which light passes into and out of the measurement region
Implementation Method 3
using optical coupling to minimize erosion and internal reflections
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An optical probe comprising a front plate having a front face bounding a measurement region, at least one first light guide being mounted within said front plate for transmitting light into said measurement region, at least one second light guide being mounted within said front plate for receiving light transmitted from said measurement region, wherein an ultrasonic transducer is coupled to said front plate to transmit ultrasonic vibrations from said ultrasonic transducer to said front plate along an energy path to generate cavitation in said measurement region, wherein said at least one first light guide and at least one second light guide extend through the front plate at respective locations spaced from said energy path such that said first and second light guides are not exposed to direct ultrasonic energy from said ultrasonic transducer.