Ultrasonic Fluorescence Measurement Window Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-line fluorometers for measuring oil in liquids face issues such as fouling of measurement windows, poor efficiency due to optical losses, and turbidity effects, which impair their performance in accurately detecting fluorescent materials.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates an ultrasonic transducer with non-parallel channels to deliver excitation and detection signals close to the measurement window, reducing optical losses and using a flushing system with a cleaning fluid to maintain the window's clarity, while the ultrasonic vibrations help in agitating and homogenizing the liquid, ensuring consistent fluorescence measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional in-line fluorometer is used to measure oil in liquids, then the measurement can be performed continuously, but the measurement window becomes fouled by substances in the measurement region, impairing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ultrasonic vibration to the measurement window to prevent fouling by substances in the measurement region. The ultrasonic transducer generates mechanical vibrations that continuously clean the window surface, maintaining measurement accuracy while enabling continuous operation. This resolves the contradiction by adding a vibration-based cleaning mechanism that preserves both continuous measurement capability and measurement reliability.
2Reliability
If the excitation source and detector are positioned away from the measurement window, then the optical components are protected, but optical losses increase and measurement efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the excitation source and detector in a different spatial dimension by placing them on opposite sides of the measurement window, with the excitation source on one side and the detector on the other side receiving emitted light through the same window. This dimensional arrangement allows close positioning to the measurement region while protecting optical components, resolving the contradiction between component protection and minimizing optical losses.
3Device complexity
If the liquid in the measurement region is not agitated, then the measurement system is simpler, but the liquid becomes heterogeneous, leading to inconsistent fluorescence measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic transducer not only cleans the measurement window but also agitates the liquid in the measurement region through ultrasonic vibration. This vibration maintains homogeneous distribution of fluorescent materials and consistent droplet sizes, ensuring measurement precision without adding complex agitation mechanisms. The same ultrasonic source serves dual purposes: window cleaning and liquid homogenization.
4Reliability
If a flushing system is added to clean the measurement window, then the window clarity is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement window cleaning function is integrated into the existing ultrasonic transducer system. The ultrasonic vibration that is already used for other purposes also serves to clean the window by preventing fouling through mechanical vibration. This self-service approach maintains window clarity without requiring a separate flushing system, thus avoiding increased device complexity while preserving measurement reliability.
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 accuracy and reliability of oil measurement by minimizing optical losses and turbidity effects, allowing for precise detection of fluorescent materials even in turbid liquids, and maintaining the measurement window's cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
An ultrasonic transducer is coupled to the measurement chamber and is arranged to impart ultrasonic vibrations to the window
Implementation Method 2
A fluorometer usually includes a light source for causing fluorescence in a target substance and a detector for measuring the resultant fluorescence
Implementation Method 3
a detector for measuring the resultant fluorescence
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (10) for measuring, in particular, the amount of oil present in a quantity of water. The apparatus comprises a measurement chamber (12) having an optical window (18) through which an excitation signal may be transmitted and fluorescent light may be detected. The apparatus further includes an ultrasonic transducer (34) coupled to the measurement chamber and having a pair of channels (44,45) formed therein, the channels opening onto the measurement window (18). A respective light guide (28) is inserted into each channel, one light guide being arranged to deliver the excitation signal into the chamber through the measurement window, the other being arranged to carry fluorescent light from the chamber.