Particle Detection Device Using Beam Splitter for Simultaneous Light Obscuration and Flow Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing fluid mixtures, such as light obscuration and flow imaging, face challenges in comparability and accuracy, especially when particles have optical properties close to the carrier fluid, leading to systematic errors and requiring larger sample quantities and additional time for analysis.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that simultaneously and synchronously perform light obscuration and flow imaging using a beam splitter to split light into two paths, where a digital camera and a line array of photosensitive detection elements record the same sample, allowing for synchronized data capture and improved accuracy by correlating light blockage values with image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light obscuration method is used for particle analysis, then the method is required by regulatory authorities for release testing, but systematic errors occur when particles have optical properties close to the carrier fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines light obscuration measurement and flow imaging into a single integrated device and measurement system. The beam splitter divides the light path to simultaneously enable both measurement methods, allowing them to complement each other and resolve the limitation of light obscuration when particles have similar optical properties to the carrier fluid
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter acts as an intermediary optical element that divides the light from the light source into two separate paths, enabling simultaneous light obscuration measurement and flow imaging without requiring separate devices or sequential measurements
2Measurement precision
If both light obscuration and flow imaging are performed separately, then more comprehensive particle analysis is achieved, but larger sample volumes and additional time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges light obscuration measurement and flow imaging into a single simultaneous measurement process using a shared optical path and beam splitter, allowing both methods to analyze the same sample at the same time rather than requiring separate sequential measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions (light obscuration measurement and flow imaging) using a single unified system with shared components such as the light source, fluid chamber, and beam splitter, enabling comprehensive particle analysis without requiring multiple separate facilities
3Reliability
If multiple serial analyses are performed to ensure accuracy, then measurement reliability improves, but the demand for time and personnel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines light obscuration measurement and flow imaging into a single simultaneous measurement process, providing complementary information from both methods in one analysis run, thereby improving reliability without requiring multiple serial analyses
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the complementary information from both light obscuration and flow imaging measurements to cross-validate and improve the reliability of particle analysis results, with the control unit coordinating both measurement methods to provide robust data
4Ease of manufacture
If calibration is performed using polystyrene beads, then the analytical apparatus can be calibrated, but considerable deviations occur for particles with different optical properties, morphology, and size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines light obscuration measurement and flow imaging to provide complementary information that compensates for the limitations of calibration with standard particles. Flow imaging provides direct morphological information that is less sensitive to calibration errors
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameters by using two different measurement principles (light obscuration and flow imaging) that respond differently to particle properties, allowing the combination of results to overcome the limitations of calibration with polystyrene beads alone
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 enhances the comparability and accuracy of particle size distribution analysis, reduces uncertainties in light blockage methods, and provides a more robust evaluation by supplementing light blockage results with flow imaging data, enabling more reliable and efficient analysis of complex particle types and size distributions.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid mixture is fed into and flows through a fluid chamber (3). The light emanating from the illuminated fluid chamber is directed to an imaging optic.
Implementation Method 2
This imaging optic contains at least one beam splitter that divides the light into a first beam portion and a second beam portion.
Implementation Method 3
In the downstream beam path of the first beam segment, a digital camera is placed in the beam path... In the downstream beam path of the second beam segment, a line array of photosensitive detection elements is placed in the beam path... each detects an intensity value of the incident radiation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A device for detecting particles in fluid mixtures with a carrier fluid and particles carried therein. A feed device (1) is positioned upstream of a fluid chamber (3) to convey the fluid mixture through the fluid chamber. An illumination device (6) illuminates at least one section of the fluid chamber (3), and a digital camera (13) detects this. An optical beam splitter (10) is arranged between the camera (13) and the fluid chamber (3), with the digital camera (13) located in the first beam section (11b) and a line array (15) of photosensitive detection elements in the second beam section (11b). The digital camera (13) and the line array (15) are aligned to detect overlapping sections of the fluid chamber (3) and are coupled to a control device (7) which controls the digital camera (13) and the line array (15) for simultaneous detection.