Sapphire Window Spectrometer for Wear-Resistant Optical Measurements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical measurement technologies lack precision in controlling the distance between measurement surfaces and suffer from wear and tear issues, affecting the accuracy and longevity of measurements.
Innovation Solution
A spectrometer apparatus with a screw and protrusion configuration that allows precise control of the distance between measurement surfaces, using a motor-driven precision screw within a housing and a sapphire window for improved wear resistance and alignment, enabling accurate and durable optical measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a screw is moved up or down to control the distance between measurement surfaces, then the distance control is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A protrusion is introduced as an intermediary element between the screw and the upper measurement surface. The protrusion extends from the upper arm into the housing and abuts the screw, mediating the force transmission. This allows the screw to control the distance between measurement surfaces while the protrusion provides a precise mechanical stop that enhances measurement precision beyond what the screw alone could achieve.
2Device complexity
If optical fiber ends are used on measurement surfaces, then the apparatus is compact, but wear and tear occurs affecting longevity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a sapphire window instead of an optical fiber end on one of the measurement surfaces. Sapphire is an extremely hard, wear-resistant material that maintains its optical properties over time. This material substitution resolves the contradiction by providing a durable, long-lasting measurement surface that does not suffer from the wear and tear issues affecting optical fiber ends, while still maintaining the compact apparatus design.
3Measurement precision
If multiple components are used for precise distance control, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the distance control function and the precision positioning function into a single integrated mechanism. The screw provides the primary distance control, while the protrusion that abuts the screw simultaneously provides the precision mechanical stop. This merging of functions achieves high measurement precision without requiring separate, complex positioning systems for each function.
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
The solution enhances measurement precision and reduces wear and tear, allowing for accurate concentration determination of samples via the Beer-Lambert law and improved performance in colorimetric assays with reduced liquid column breakage and enhanced optical properties measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a precision screw contained entirely within the housing, the rotation of which against the protrusion causes controlled movement of the upper arm
Implementation Method 2
Embodiments of the present invention may further employ a sapphire window instead of an optical fiber on one of the two opposing measurement surfaces, which has greater wear resistance than the end of an optical fiber
Implementation Method 3
The housing is coupled to the first arm and comprises a motor and a precision screw contained entirely within the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An improved apparatus and method for making optical measurements of a sample is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a microvolume sampling mechanism comprised of two opposing optical measurement surfaces. A sample is held by surface tension between the two opposing optical measurement surfaces. Light is transmitted through the sample and received by optical fibers, which measure the absorbance of the sample. This absorbance can be used to determine the concentration of the sample.