OPTICAL SENSOR AND METHODS OF USE OF THE SAME

专利摘要:
multichannel fluorimetric sensor and method of use thereof the present invention relates to an optical sensor that can include several optical emitters configured to emit light in a fluid sample through an optical path. light from the emitters can cause fluorescence from the sample and / or scatter from the sample. fluorescent and scattered light can be received by an optical detector on the sensor via the optical path, and used to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid sample. a second optical detector can provide reference measurements of the amount of light emitted to the sample. in one example, the optical detector can detect both fluorescent and scattered light simultaneously. in another example, light is emitted and detected alternately. the sensor can be part of a system that includes one or more controllers configured to control the emission and detection of light to and from the fluid sample. the controller can use the detected light to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid sample.
公开号:BR112016006681B1
申请号:R112016006681-2
申请日:2014-09-26
公开日:2021-04-13
发明作者:Rodney H. Banks；Eugene Tokhtuev
申请人:Ecolab Usa Inc.；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] This description refers to optical measurement devices and, more particularly, to fluorometers to monitor the concentration of one or more substances in a sample. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In cleaning and antimicrobial operations, commercial users (for example, restaurants, hotels, food and beverage plants, supermarkets, etc.) depend on the concentration of a cleaning or antimicrobial product to make the product work effectively. The failure of a cleaning or antimicrobial product to function effectively (for example, due to concentration problems) can make a commercial user perceive the product as of inferior quality. End consumers may also perceive the commercial provider of such products as providing inferior services. In addition, commercial users can be investigated and / or sanctioned by government regulatory and health agencies. Therefore, there is a need for a system that can monitor the characteristics of fluid solutions, for example, to determine whether the concentration of a product is within a specified concentration range. The same can be true for other applications, such as commercial and industrial water treatment, pest control, beverage and bottling operations, oil and gas processing and refining operations.
[003] A method for monitoring the concentration of a product depends on monitoring the fluorescence of the product that occurs when the sample (and the product within the sample) is exposed to a predetermined wavelength of light. For example, compounds within the product or a fluorescent tracer added to the product can fluoresce when exposed to certain wavelengths of light. The concentration of the product can then be determined using a fluorometer, which measures the fluorescence of the compounds and calculates the concentration of the chemical based on the measured fluorescence.
[004] Fluorimetric spectroscopy generally requires directing light from a radiant light source to a sample and then receiving light from the sample in a detector. In order to do this, the source and the detector must be in optical communication with the sample. In existing systems, providing optical access to the sample can be an expensive process that requires significant modification to the system and significant downtime to effect such modification. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] In general, this description refers to fluorometers and techniques for monitoring fluid samples. In some examples, a fluorometer according to the description includes a first optical emitter configured to generate fluorescent emissions in a fluid sample under analysis and a second optical emitter configured to emit light to measure an amount of dispersion in the fluid sample under analysis. The fluorometer may also include at least one detector that receives fluorescent light emitted from the fluid sample and / or light scattered from the fluid sample. During operation, the detector can detect an amount of fluorescent light emitted from the fluid sample under analysis and the fluorometer can then determine, based on the fluorescent light, a concentration of a fluorescent species in the fluid sample. The fluorometer can also detect an amount of light scattered by the fluid sample under analysis and determine, based on the scattered light, other properties of the fluid sample under analysis. For example, the fluorometer can determine a concentration of a non-fluorescent species in the fluid sample under analysis. As another example, the fluorometer can adjust the amount of fluorescent light detected based on light scattering information, for example, to explain the effect of fluid turbidity on the measured intensity of fluorescent emissions.
[006] To help provide a compact fluorometer model that is easy to install and that resists fouling, the fluorometer can be configured with a single optical lens through which light is emitted to the fluid sample under analysis and received at from it. The fluorometer can include a housing that contains the first optical emitter, the second optical emitter, and at least one detector. The first optical emitter, the second optical emitter and at least one detector can be arranged inside the housing, so that all components are in optical communication with the single optical lens (for example, it can direct light through the optical lens and / or receive light from the optical lens). When configuring the fluorometer with a single optical lens, optical emitters can direct light and the detector can receive light from substantially the same portion of the fluid adjacent to the optical lens. This can help prevent inconsistent optical readings that could otherwise occur if different optical emitters were to emit light through different parts of fluid through physically separated optical lenses. In addition, the fluorometer configuration with a single optical lens can provide a comparatively compact fluorometer model that can be used in a number of different applications. For example, depending on the model, the fluorometer housing can be configured to be inserted into a port of a fluid container, a leg of a T-section of the tube, or other mechanical adjustment of a process system. This can allow the fluorometer to be easily installed as an in-line fluorometer to optically control the process.
[007] Although the fluorometer model may vary, in some additional examples, the fluorometer comprises one or more complementary sensors that are configured to measure the non-optical characteristics of the fluid sample under analysis. For example, the fluorometer may include a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, an electrical conductivity sensor, a flow rate sensor, a pressure sensor, and / or any other suitable type of sensor. Such complementary sensors may have sensor interfaces located on the external surface of the fluorometer housing, for example, adjacent to the optical lens of the fluorometer, with the sensor electronics positioned inside the housing. The complementary sensors can measure the non-optical properties of substantially the same portion of fluid being analyzed optically by the fluorometer. By measuring both the optical and non-optical properties of the fluid under analysis, a process that uses the fluid can be gauged and controlled with more precision than if only the optical or non-optical properties of the fluid were measured.
[008] In one example, an optical sensor that is described includes a housing, a first optical emitter, a second optical emitter, and an optical detector. According to the example, the housing defines an optical path configured to direct light through a lens optically coupled to the optical path in a fluid sample and to receive light from the fluid sample. The first optical emitter is configured to emit light at a first wavelength through the optical path for the sample. The second optical emitter is configured to emit light at a second wavelength through the optical path for the sample. In addition, the optical detector is configured to receive light from the fluid sample via the optical path.
[009] In some embodiments, the first and second wavelengths are such that the first wavelength excites fluorescence in the sample, while the second wavelength disperses the sample. The detector can detect fluorescent light from the sample in order to determine a characteristic of the sample, such as the concentration of a fluorophore. In some embodiments, the detector also measures light scattered from the sample, in order to determine another property of the sample that may have an effect on its fluorescence, such as the turbidity of the sample. The amount of scattered light detected in these examples can be used to adjust the amount of fluorescent light detected and, correspondingly, any fluid characteristics determined based on the detected fluorescent emissions. For example, a highly cloudy fluid sample can generate less fluorescent emissions than a less cloudy fluid sample, even if the highly cloudy fluid sample has a higher concentration of fluorophores. This can occur if the turbidity in the fluid sample blocks fluorescent emissions that would otherwise be detected by the fluorometer. Therefore, with the knowledge of the turbidity of the fluid sample, the fluorescent emission detected from the fluid sample can be adjusted accordingly.
[010] An optical sensor according to the description can have a number of different detector configurations. In one example, the optical sensor includes a single optical detector that receives fluorescent emissions emitted from a sample of fluid under analysis and also receives light scattered from the sample of fluid under analysis. The optical detector can receive light through a single optical lens mounted on an external surface of the optical detector housing. In such examples, the optical sensor may alternately emit light from the first optical emitter configured to generate fluorescent emissions while the second optical emitter configured to generate scattered light is off and then emit light from the second optical emitter while the first optical emitter is off. In these examples, the single optical detector can alternatively receive fluorescent emissions emitted from the fluid sample in response to light from the first optical emitter and light scattered from the fluid sample in response to light from the second optical emitter, providing different detection channels for the same optical detector. In other examples, the optical sensor includes several optical detectors, including an optical detector configured to measure fluorescent emissions emitted from a fluid sample in response to light from the first optical emitter and a second optical detector configured to measure light disperses from the fluid sample in response to light from the second optical emitter. The first and the second optical emitter can emit light to the fluid sample simultaneously in these examples.
[011] In some additional examples, the optical sensor includes a reference detector configured to measure light from the first and the second optical emitter before it is incident on the sample. In this way, the amount of light incident on the sample to cause dispersion and fluorescence can be determined. This information can be used to scale the detected scattered and fluorescent light, as the amount of scattered and fluorescent light is generally a function of the amount of light incident on the sample. Thus, when used, the reference detector can act to calibrate the detector and provide a reference point for measurements made by the first optical detector.
[012] In several modalities, the optical sensor includes an optical path through which the light is guided from the optical emitters to the sample and directed back from the sample to the optical detector. Various optical components, including partially reflective optical windows and filters, can direct light towards its desired destination, preventing unwanted light from interfering with measurements. Additional optical paths can be provided to direct light to and from these optical components. For example, in some embodiments, the optical sensor includes a partially reflective optical window that works to direct portions of light from the first and second optical emitters to both the second optical detector (eg, reference detector) and towards the optical path. In these modalities, another partially reflective optical window can direct portions of light from each emitter to the sample via the optical path. In some embodiments, scattered and / or fluorescent light from the sample travels back through the optical path and is transmitted through the partially reflective optical window towards the first optical detector.
[013] In one example, a system that is described includes an optical sensor and a controller. The optical sensor includes a housing having an optical path configured to direct light through a lens optically connected to the optical path for a fluid sample under analysis and to receive light from the fluid sample through the lens. The optical sensor also includes a first optical emitter, a second optical emitter, and an optical detector. According to the example, the controller is configured to control the first optical emitter to emit light at a first wavelength through the optical path to the fluid sample under analysis, to detect fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid sample and received through the path optical via the optical detector, control the second optical emitter to emit light at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength through the optical path and to the fluid sample under analysis, and detect the light dispersed by the fluid sample and received through the optical path through the optical detector.
[014] In another example, a method is described including emitting light at the first wavelength by a first optical emitter through an optical path for a fluid sample, and receiving fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid sample through the optical path through a optical detector. The method further includes emitting light at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength by a second optical emitter through the optical path and to the fluid sample, and receiving light dispersed by the fluid sample through the optical path by the optical detector. . Various methods include emitting both the first and the second wavelength of light simultaneously, or alternatively, alternately. In some modalities, receiving the fluorescent light for the sample is done during the emission of light from the first optical emitter, while in alternative modalities, it is done after ceasing emissions from the first optical emitter.
[015] Details of one or more examples are presented in the attached drawings and in the description below. Other characteristics, objectives and advantages will be evident from the description and drawings, and from the claims. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[016] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplified fluid system that can include an optical sensor according to the examples in the present description.
[017] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an exemplified optical sensor that can determine at least one characteristic of a fluid sample.
[018] Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of an exemplary arrangement of components that can be used by the optical sensor in Figure 2.
[019] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating exemplified light flows through the optical sensor in Figure 3.
[020] Figures 5A and 5B exemplified optical detector arrangements that can be used in the optical sensor in Figure 2.
[021] Figures 6A-6D illustrate housing arrangements and optical sensor components that can be used for the optical sensor in Figure 2.
[022] Figure 7 is a process flow chart that illustrates the exemplary operation of a sensor.
[023] Figures 8A-8E are graphs that illustrate exemplified optical data for an exemplified sensor built according to the description.
[024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[025] The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Preferably, the following description provides some practical illustrations of implementing examples of the present invention. Examples of constructions, materials, dimensions, and manufacturing processes are provided for selected elements, and all other elements employ what is known to those skilled in the field of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the known examples have a variety of suitable alternatives.
[026] Optical sensors are used in a variety of applications, including industrial process monitoring. An optical sensor can be implemented as a portable device that is used to periodically analyze the optical characteristics of a fluid in an industrial process. Alternatively, an optical sensor can be installed in-line to continuously analyze the optical characteristics of a fluid in an industrial process. In any case, the optical sensor can optically analyze the fluid sample and determine different characteristics of the fluid, such as the concentration of one or more chemical species in the fluid.
[027] As an example, optical sensors are often used in industrial cleaning and sanitizing applications. During an industrial cleaning and sanitizing process, water is normally pumped through an industrial piping system to flush the product-resident piping system in tubes and any accumulation of contamination inside the tubes. The water may also contain a sanitizing agent that works to sanitize and disinfect the piping system. The cleaning and sanitizing process can prepare the piping system to receive a new product and / or a different product than what was previously processed in the system.
[028] An optical sensor can be used to monitor the washing and / or sanitizing characteristics of water flowing through a piping system during an industrial cleaning and sanitizing process. On a stand or continuously or intermittent basis, water samples are extracted from the piping system and delivered to the optical sensor. Inside the optical sensor, light is emitted into the water sample and used to evaluate the characteristics of the water sample. The optical sensor can determine whether the waste product in the piping system has been sufficiently discarded from the pipes, for example, by determining that there is little or no waste product in the water sample. The optical sensor can also determine the concentration of disinfectant in the water sample, for example, by measuring a fluorescent signal emitted by the disinfectant in response to the light emitted to the water sample. If it is determined that there is an insufficient amount of disinfectant in the water sample to properly sanitize the piping system, the amount of disinfectant is increased to ensure proper sanitization of the system.
[029] While the optical sensor can have a variety of different configurations, in some examples, the optical sensor is designed to have a single optical lens through which light is emitted for a fluid sample and also received from the sample of fluid. fluid. The optical sensor can include a housing that contains various electronic components of the sensor and also has optical paths to control the movement of light to and from the single optical lens. Such an arrangement can facilitate the design of a compact optical sensor that can be readily installed through a variety of mechanical pipelines and process adjustments to optically analyze a desired process fluid.
[030] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an exemplified fluid system 100, which can be used to produce a chemical solution having fluorescent properties, such as a disinfectant solution exhibiting fluorescent properties. Fluid system 100 includes optical sensor 102, reservoir 104, controller 106, and pump 108. Reservoir 104 can store a concentrated chemical agent that can be mixed with a diluent, such as water, to generate the chemical solution , or it can be any other source for the sample to be characterized. Optical sensor 102 is optically connected to fluid path 110 and is configured to determine one or more characteristics of the solution that travels through the fluid path.
[031] Fluid path 110 may be a single fluid container or combination of containers that carry a sample of fluid through fluid system 100, including, but not limited to, tubes, tanks, valves, T-tubes and junctions , and the like. In some cases, one or more components of fluid path 110 may define an interface or aperture sized to receive or otherwise engage with optical sensor 102. In operation, optical sensor 102 can communicate with controller 106, and controller 106 can control fluid system 100 based on the characteristic fluid information generated by the optical sensor.
[032] Controller 106 is communicatively connected to optical sensor 102 and pump 108. Controller 106 includes processor 112 and memory 114. Controller 106 communicates with pump 108 via connection 116. The signals generated by the optical sensor 102 are communicated to controller 106 via a wired or wireless connection, which, in the example in Figure 1, is illustrated as wired connection 118. Memory 109 stores software to run controller 106 and can also store generated data or received by processor 112, for example, from optical sensor 102. Processor 112 runs software stored in memory 114 to manage the operation of fluid system 100.
[033] As described in more detail below, optical sensor 102 is configured to optically analyze a sample of fluid flowing through fluid path 110. Optical sensor 102 may include an optical detector that is positioned and configured to measure fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid sample. In some configurations, a single optical detector can be used to measure both dispersion and fluorescence from a sample and can receive both scattered and fluorescent light through a single optical path at sensor 102. The only optical path can additionally be used to direct light to induce dispersion and fluorescence for the sample, thus providing a compact and spatially efficient interface between sensor 102 and the sample. Providing a single point of optical communication between sensor 102 and the sample can also simplify the implementation of sensor 102 in fluid system 100, for example, by providing a sensor that can easily interface with one or more components of fluid path 110, such as a T-shape on a tube.
[034] In the example in Figure 1, fluid system 100 is configured to generate or otherwise receive a chemical solution having fluorescent properties. Fluid system 100 may combine one or more concentrated chemical agents stored in or received from reservoir 104 with water or another dilution fluid to produce the chemical solutions. In some cases, dilution is not necessary, as the reservoir immediately provides a suitable sample. Exemplified chemical solutions that can be produced by fluid system 100 include, but are not limited to, cleaning agents, sanitizing agents, cooling water for industrial cooling towers, biocides such as pesticides, anti-corrosion agents, anti-fouling agents , anti-clogging agents, detergents, in-place cleaning products (CIP), floor coverings, vehicle care compositions, water care compositions, bottle washing compositions and the like.
[035] Chemical solutions generated or flowing through fluid system 100 can emit fluorescent radiation in response to optical energy directed to solutions by optical sensor 102. Optical sensor 102 can then detect the emitted fluorescent radiation and determine various characteristics of the solution , such as a concentration of one or more chemical compounds in the solution, based on the magnitude of the fluorescent radiation emitted. In some embodiments, optical sensor 102 can direct optical energy to the solution and receive fluorescent radiation from the solution via an optical path within optical sensor 102, which allows for a compact model for optical sensor 102.
[036] In order to allow optical sensor 102 to detect fluorescent emissions, the fluid generated by fluid system 100 and received by optical sensor 102 may include a molecule that exhibits fluorescent characteristics. In some examples, the fluid includes a polycyclic compound and / or a benzene molecule that has one or more electron donor substituting groups, such as, for example, -OH, -NH2, and -OCH3, which may have fluorescent characteristics. Depending on the application, these compounds may be naturally present in the chemical solutions generated by the fluid system 100 because of the functional properties (for example, cleaning and disinfecting properties) transmitted to the solutions by the compounds.
[037] In addition to or in place of a naturally fluorescent compound, the fluid generated by the fluid system 100 and received by the optical sensor 102 may include a fluorescent tracer (which may also be called a fluorescent marker). The fluorescent tracer can be incorporated into the fluid specifically to impart fluorescence properties to the fluid. Exemplified fluorescent tracer compounds include, but are not limited to, naphthalene disulfonate (NDSA), 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 7,1,3,6,8-pyrenotetrassulfonic acid sodium salt, and fluorescein.
[038] Regardless of the specific composition of the fluid generated by the fluid system 100, the system can generate fluid in any suitable manner. Under the control of controller 106, pump 108 can mechanically pump a defined amount of concentrated chemical agent out of reservoir 104 and combine the chemical agent with water to generate a liquid solution suitable for the intended application. The fluid path 110 can then lead the liquid solution to a desired discharge location. In some instances, fluid system 100 may generate a flow of liquid solution continuously over a period of time such as, for example, a period greater than 5 minutes, a period greater than 30 minutes, or even a period greater than to 24 hours. The fluid system 100 can generate solution continuously as the flow of solution passing through the fluid path 110 can be substantially or entirely uninterrupted during the period of time.
[039] In some instances, monitoring the characteristics of the fluid flowing through the fluid path 110 can help ensure that the fluid is formulated appropriately for an intended downstream application. Monitoring the characteristics of the fluid flowing through the fluid path 110 can also provide feedback information, for example, to adjust the parameters used to generate a new fluid solution. For these and other reasons, fluid system 100 may include a sensor to determine various characteristics of the fluid generated by the system. The sensor can directly engage with fluid path 110 to monitor fluid characteristics, or it can alternatively receive fluid from fluid system 100 separately from fluid path 100.
[040] In the example in Figure 1, fluid system 100 includes optical sensor 102. Optical sensor 102 can engage fluid path 110 in any number of ways, such as interfacing with a T configuration of a pipe in the fluid path 110, being inserted into a tank port or other fluid container through which the fluid periodically flows, or the like. Optical sensor 102 can determine one or more characteristics of the fluid flowing through the fluid path 110. The exemplified characteristics include, but are not limited to, the concentration of one or more chemical compounds within the fluid (for example, the concentration of one or more more active agents added from reservoir 104 and / or the concentration of one or more materials being washed from the tubing in the fluid system 100), the fluid temperature, the conductivity of the fluid, the pH of the fluid, the rate of flow in which the fluid moves through the optical sensor, and / or other characteristics of the fluid that can help ensure that the system from which the fluid sample being analyzed is operating properly. Optical sensor 102 can communicate detected characteristic information to controller 106 via connection 118.
[041] Optical sensor 102 can be controlled by controller 106 or one or more other controllers within fluid system 100. For example, optical sensor 102 may include a device controller (not shown in Figure 1) that controls the sensor optical to emit light to the fluid under analysis and also to detect the light received back from the fluid. The device controller can be physically positioned adjacent to the other components of the optical sensor, such as inside a housing that houses a light source and detector of the optical sensor. In such examples, controller 106 can function as a system controller that is communicatively coupled to the optical sensor device controller 102. System controller 106 can control fluid system 106 based on optical characteristic data received from and / or generated by the device driver. In other examples, optical sensor 102 does not include a separate device controller, but is instead controlled by controller 106 which also controls fluid system 100. Therefore, although optical sensor 102 is generally described as being controlled by controller 106, it should be appreciated that fluid system 100 may include one or more controllers (for example, two, three, or more), working alone or in combination, to perform the functions assigned to optical sensor 102 and the controller 106 in this description. Devices described as controllers may include processors, such as microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable port arrangements (FPGA), or any other integrated equivalent or discrete logic circuits, as well as any combinations of such components.
[042] In the example illustrated in Figure 1, processor 112 from controller 106 can receive information about determined optical characteristic from optical sensor 102 and compare the information about determined characteristic with one or more limits stored in memory 114, such as one or more more concentration limits. Based on the comparison, controller 106 can adjust fluid system 100, for example, so that the detected characteristic corresponds to a target value for the characteristic. In some examples, controller 106 starts and / or stops pump 108 or increases and / or decreases the speed of pump 108 to adjust the concentration of a chemical compound flowing through fluid path 110. Start pump 108 or increase the rate of operation of the pump 108 can increase the concentration of the chemical compound in the fluid. Stopping pump 108 or decreasing the operating rate of pump 108 can reduce the concentration of the chemical in the fluid. In some additional examples, controller 106 can control the flow of water that mixes with a chemical compound in reservoir 104 based on determined characteristic information, for example, starting or stopping a pump that controls the flow of water or increasing or decreasing the rate at which the pump operates. Although not illustrated in the exemplified fluid system 100 of Figure 1, controller 106 can also be communicatively coupled to a heat exchanger, heater, and / or cooler to regulate the temperature of the fluid flowing through the fluid path 110 based in the characteristic information received from the optical sensor 102.
[043] In still other examples, optical sensor 102 can be used to determine one or more characteristics of a fixed volume of fluid that does not flow through an optical sensor flow chamber. For example, optical sensor 102 can be implemented as an offline monitoring tool (for example, as a portable sensor), which requires filling the optical sensor with a fluid sample manually extracted from fluid system 100. Alternatively, the optical sensor 102 can engage a part of the fluid system 100 configured to receive and retain a fixed volume of fluid, such as a flow stop device, or otherwise, an external container for receiving the fluid and engaging the sensor optical 102. In some embodiments, a controller 106 can control a system of pumps and / or valves to direct a finite amount of the sample to be measured in such a fixed vessel equipped with a sensor 102.
[044] Fluid system 100 in the example in Figure 1 also includes reservoir 104, pump 108, and fluid path 110. Reservoir 104 can be any type of container that stores a chemical agent for subsequent delivery, including, for example, a tank, a bag, a bottle and a box. Reservoir 104 can store a liquid, a solid (e.g., powder), and / or a gas. Pump 108 can be any form of pumping mechanism that delivers fluid from reservoir 104. For example, pump 108 can comprise a peristaltic pump or other form of continuous pump, a positive displacement pump, or any other type of pump appropriate for the particular application. In examples in which reservoir 104 stores a solid and / or a gas, pump 108 can be replaced with a different type of metering device configured to deliver the gas and / or solid chemical agent to a desired discharge location. Fluid path 110 in fluid system 100 can be any type of tubing, tubing, or flexible or inflexible duct.
[045] In the example in Figure 1, the optical sensor 102 determines a characteristic of the fluid flowing through the fluid path 110 (for example, the concentration of a chemical compound, temperature or the like) and the controller 106 controls the fluid system 100 based on the determined characteristic and, for example, a target characteristic stored in memory 114. Figure 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary optical sensor 202 that can be installed in the fluid system 100 to monitor a characteristic of a fluid flowing through fluid path 110. Sensor 202 can be used as optical sensor 102 in fluid system 100, or sensor 202 can be used in applications other than fluid system 100.
[046] In the example in Figure 2, sensor 202 includes a housing 203, a first optical emitter 220, a second optical emitter 224, an optical window 228, and an optical detector 234. Housing 203 houses the first optical emitter 220, the second optical emitter 224, and the optical detector 234. The optical window 228 is positioned on an external surface of the housing 203 to provide an optically fluid-proof barrier between an interior of the housing and the fluid sample 230 contacting the surface outside of the housing. In operation, the first optical emitter 220 and the second optical emitter 224 emit light that is directed through the optical window 228 and to the fluid sample 230 under analysis. In response to the light emitted by the first optical emitter 222 and / or the second optical emitter 224 falling on the adjacent optical window 228, the fluid can disperse the light and / or generate fluorescent emissions. Scattered light and / or fluorescent emissions can pass through optical window 228 to be detected by optical detector 234.
[047] To control light transmission to and from optical window 228, optical sensor 202 includes at least one optical path 226 optically connecting various components of the optical sensor to the fluid sample 230 under analysis. The optical path 226 can guide the light emitted by the first optical emitter 220 and the second optical emitter 224 so that the light is guided from the optical emitters, through the optical lens 228, and to the fluid sample 230. The optical path 226 can also guide the light received from the fluid sample 230 through the optical window 228 so that the light is guided to the optical detector 234. When so configured, the first optical emitter 220 and the second optical emitter 224 can be positioned inside the housing 203 to direct the light to the optical path 226 and the optical detector 234 can be positioned inside the housing to receive light from the optical path. Such an arrangement can allow optical sensor 202 to be configured with a single optical lens through which multiple light sources emit light and through which light is also received and detected from a fluid sample under analysis. This can help to minimize the size of the optical sensor 202, for example, so that the sensor is compact enough to be inserted through mechanical tubing into a piece of process equipment containing fluid for analysis.
[048] Optical sensor 202 may include any appropriate number of optical paths optically connecting various emitter components and detectors housed within housing 203 for the fluid sample under analysis via optical window 228. In the example in Figure 2, optical sensor 202 is conceptually illustrated as having a first optical path 226 and a second optical path 236. The second optical path 236 is optically connected to the first optical path 226 and also optically connected to the first optical emitter 220 and the second optical emitter 224. The second optical path 236 can receive light from the first optical emitter 220 and the second optical emitter 224 and guide the light to the first optical path 226 which, in turn, guides the light through the optical window 228 to the fluid sample 230 under analysis. By configuring optical sensor 202 with additional optical paths, several light emitters and detectors on the optical sensor can be optically connected to the fluid sample under analysis without being positioned directly adjacent to the first optical path 226.
[049] The optical paths in optical sensor 202 can be channels, segments of optically conductive tubing (for example, fiber optic lines), or ducts that allow light to be conducted through the optical sensor. The optical paths can also be machined or fused in the 203 housing of the optical sensor. In different examples, the optical paths may or may not be surrounded by an opaque opaque material, for example, to limit the movement of light through the optical paths and to prevent the light from escaping through the sides of the optical paths. When optical sensor 202 includes multiple optical paths, the intersection of an optical path with another optical path can be defined where light traveling linearly through an optical path is required to change direction to travel through the other optical path.
[050] In the example in Figure 2, optical sensor 202 includes at least one light source, and in the example shown, it is shown with two light sources: the first optical emitter 220 and the second optical emitter 224. Each of the the first optical emitter 220 and the second optical emitter 224 is a light source and can be implemented using any suitable light source, such as a laser, a lamp, an LED, or the like. In some embodiments, the first optical emitter 220 and / or the second optical emitter 224 are configured to emit substantially non-collimated light beams to optical path 226. In this case, optical sensor 202 may include optical components to collimate light from the first optical emitter 220 and / or the second optical emitter 224 in order to achieve greater optical efficiency during operation.
[051] Configuring optical sensor 202 with various light sources can be useful, for example, to emit light at different wavelengths for the fluid sample 230. For example, the first optical emitter 220 can be configured to emit light within of a first range of wavelengths for the fluid sample 230 to generate fluorescent emissions within the fluid. The second optical emitter 224 can be configured to emit light within a second range of wavelengths other than the first range of wavelengths to measure the amount of light dispersed by the fluid sample 230.
[052] Regardless of the specific number of light sources included in optical sensor 202, the optical sensor includes an optical window 228 through which light is directed to and received from the fluid sample 230. In some examples, the optical window 228 focuses the light directed to and / or received from the fluid sample under analysis. In such examples, optical window 228 can be called an optical lens. In other examples, optical window 228 passes light directed to and / or received from the fluid sample without focusing the light. Therefore, although optical window 228 is also called an optical lens 228 in this description, it should be appreciated that an optical sensor according to the invention may have an optical window that either focuses on light or not.
[053] Optical window 228 is optically connected to optical paths 226 and, in some examples, physically connected to a terminal end of the optical path. In different examples, optical window 228 is formed from a single lens or lens system capable of directing light and to receive light from fluid sample 230. Optical window 228 can be integrated (permanently attached) to housing 203 or it can be removable from the housing. In some examples, optical window 228 is an optical lens formed by a spherical lens positioned within optical path 226 to seal the optical path and prevent fluid from the fluid sample 230 from entering the optical path. In such examples, the spherical lens may extend distally from an external face of housing 203, for example, to a fluid flow in motion. Optical lens 228 can be manufactured from glass, sapphire, or other suitable optically transparent materials.
[054] As briefly mentioned above, optical path 226 is configured to direct light through an optical window 228 optically connected to the optical path and also to receive light from the fluid sample through optical window 228. To detect the light received from the fluid sample under analysis, optical sensor 202 includes at least one optical detector 234 optically connected to optical path 226. Optical detector 234 can be implemented using any detector suitable for detecting light, such as a state photodiode solid or photomultiplier, for example. Optical detector 234 can be sensitive, and therefore detect, only a narrow band of wavelengths. Alternatively, optical detector 234 can be sensitive to, and therefore detect, a wide range of light wavelengths.
[055] During operation, light is emitted for fluid sample 230 through optical window 228 optically connected to optical path 226. Window 228 can additionally collect light from fluid sample 230, just like scattered light of the sample or emitted by the sample through a mechanism such as fluorescence. Such light can be directed from the fluid sample 230 back to optical path 226 through window 228 and received by optical detector 234.
[056] To control the wavelengths of the light emitted by the optical emitters and / or detected by the optical detector on sensor 202, the optical sensor can include an optical filter. The optical filter can filter the wavelengths of light emitted by the optical emitters and / or received by the optical detectors, for example, so that only certain wavelengths of light are emitted for the fluid sample 230 and / or received from of the fluid sample and detected by the optical detector 234.
[057] For example, sensor 202 may include an optical filter 232 configured to prevent unwanted light received from the fluid sample 230 from colliding with optical detector 234. If the detection of a particular wavelength or a band of wavelengths are desired, but optical detector 234 is sensitive to a wider band or otherwise a large number of wavelengths, filter 232 can act to prevent light outside the desired band from colliding with the detector optical 234. The filter 232 can absorb or reflect the light that it does not allow to pass.
[058] According to some modalities, one of the first optical emitter 220 and the second optical emitter 224 can emit a wider band of wavelengths that is desired or useful for use with sensor 202, as will be explained in more detail bellow. Therefore, sensor 202 may include a filter 222 disposed between the first 220 and / or the second optical emitter 224 and the fluid sample 230. The filter 222 can be configured to prevent certain wavelengths of light from reaching the sample of light. fluid 230 through optical path 226. Such filter 222 can be positioned to at least partially filter the light from one or both of the first optical emitter 220 and the second optical emitter 224. For example, in Figure 2, optical filter 222 is shown disposed between the first optical emitter 220 and the second optical path 236.
[059] During operation, optical sensor 202 can control the first optical emitter 220 to emit light at a first wavelength (for example, wavelength range) for the fluid sample 230, control the second optical emitter 224 to emit light at a second wavelength (for example, range of wavelengths) for the fluid sample, and receive light from the fluid sample at the optical detector 234. According to some embodiments, the first optical emitter 220 it is configured to emit light at a wavelength sufficient to cause the molecules in the fluid sample 230 under analysis to fluoresce. The fluorescent light by the fluid sample 230 can be collected through the optical window 228 and directed to the optical path 226 as an emission beam. In addition, the second optical emitter 224 can be configured to emit light at a wavelength sufficient to cause the light to disperse through the fluid sample 230 under analysis. Such light scattering can occur when the fluid sample 230 is cloudy, for example, and contains light-reflecting particles. The light dispersed by the fluid sample 230 can be collected through the optical window 228 and directed back to the optical path 226 as a dispersion beam.
[060] Although wavelengths may vary, in some instances, the first optical emitter 220 is configured to emit light within a wavelength ranging from approximately 225 nanometers (nm) to approximately 700 nm, such as approximately 250 nm to approximately 350 nm, or from approximately 265 nm to approximately 290 nm. The second optical emitter 224 can emit light at a wavelength ranging from approximately 750 nm to approximately 1200 nm, such as from approximately 800 nm to approximately 900 nm. For example, the first optical emitter 220 can emit light within the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum, while the second optical emitter 224 emits light within the infrared (IR) spectrum. Other wavelengths are both considered and possible, and it should be appreciated that the description is not limited in this respect.
[061] To detect the light emanating from the fluid sample 230 under analysis (for example, light scattering, fluorescent emissions), sensor 202 in Figure 2 also includes an optical detector 234. Optical detector 234 is optically connected to optical path 226 and can receive at least a portion of the fluorescent emission beam and the scattered light beam transmitted through the optical window 228 from the fluid sample 230 under analysis. Upon entering housing 203, the portions received from the fluorescent emission beam and the scattered light beam can be directed to the optical detector via optical path 226 for measurement and / or analysis. In some embodiments, beam intensities are measured by optical detector 234 and used to determine information about the sample, such as the concentration of a particular component (e.g., a fluorescent compound and / or a non-fluorescent compound) contained therein. The information about the fluid sample under analysis carried by the scattered light and the fluorescent emissions received from the fluid sample and detected by the optical detector 234 can provide different channels of information, for example, to characterize the fluid sample and / or control the system containing the fluid sample.
[062] For example, optical sensor 202 can use the light scattering information detected by optical detector 234 to adjust or correct the amount of fluorescent emissions detected by the optical sensor and / or calculations based on the measured fluorescent emissions. The turbidity of the fluid sample under analysis can affect the magnitude of the fluorescent emissions generated by the fluid sample and / or received by the optical detector 234. The optical sensor 202 can compensate for these turbidity effects by measuring the amount of turbidity in the fluid sample, which it can be proportional to the amount of light scattered by the fluid sample, and by adjusting the magnitude of the fluorescent emissions measured based on the turbidity measurement. In addition, optical detector 234 can measure the amount of light dispersed by the fluid sample 230 in response to the light emitted by the second optical emitter 224 and determine other characteristics of the fluid sample. For example, optical sensor 202 can determine a concentration of a non-fluorescent species (for example, a contaminant) in the fluid sample based on the amount of light dispersed by the fluid sample and, for example, calibration data stored in memory. For example, if the fluid sample 230 under analysis has a first concentration of a non-fluorescent chemical compound (s), optical detector 234 can detect a first magnitude of scattered light. However, if the fluid sample has a second concentration of the non-fluorescent chemical compound (s) that is greater than the first concentration, optical detector 234 can detect a second magnitude of the scattered light that is greater than the first magnitude.
[063] The optical sensor 202 includes at least one, and optionally, several optical detectors to detect the light received from the fluid sample 230 in response to the light emitted by the first optical emitter 220 and / or the second optical emitter 224. For To measure the amount of light emitted by the first optical emitter 220 and / or the second optical emitter 224 for the fluid sample 230 under analysis, the optical sensor 202 can also include at least one reference detector. The reference detector can be positioned inside housing 203 and configured to measure the light emitted by the first optical emitter 220 and / or the second optical emitter 224. The amount of light received from the fluid sample 230 in response to the light emitted by the the first optical emitter 220 and / or the second optical emitter 224 may vary based on the amount of light originally emitted by the first and the second optical emitter. Therefore, the light measurements made by the reference detector can be used to adjust the light measurements made by the optical detector 234.
[064] In the embodiment of Figure 2, optical sensor 202 includes a second optical detector 238 that can function as a reference detector. The second optical detector 238 is in optical communication with the second optical path 236 and is configured to receive light from it. In some embodiments, the second optical detector 238 is configured to receive light from both the first optical emitter 220 and the second optical emitter 224, for example, in alternating sequence. This light can be measured at the second optical detector 238 in order to determine the operating conditions of the sensor, calibrate the sensor, or to perform any other useful function associated with the sensor. In an exemplified embodiment, the second optical detector 238 can detect the light received from the first optical emitter 220 and then detect the light received from the second optical emitter 224. The optical sensor 202 can then determine the relative intensities or an intensity relationship between the light emitted from the two optical emitters. This information can be used to complement the information determined about the fluid sample under analysis, such as adjusting a fluid characteristic determined based on the light received by the first optical detector 234.
[065] The optical sensor 202 is configured to measure at least one optical characteristic of the fluid sample 230 under analysis. To complement the optical characteristic information generated by optical sensor 202, the sensor may include one or more non-optical sensors configured to measure the non-optical characteristics of the fluid sample 230 under analysis. The hardware / software of the non-optical sensor can be housed within housing 203 and includes a contact that extends across an outer surface of the housing (for example, adjacent to optical lens 228) to measure a non-optical property of the fluid sample under analyze. As examples, optical sensor 202 may include a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, an electrical conductivity sensor, and / or a flow rate sensor. When used, the temperature sensor can detect a fluid temperature adjacent to the sensor; the pH sensor can determine a pH of the fluid adjacent to the sensor; the conductivity sensor can determine an electrical conductivity of the fluid adjacent to the sensor; and the flow sensor can monitor a rate of fluid flowing past the sensor. In one example, optical sensor 202 includes both a temperature sensor and an electrical conductivity sensor. Optical sensor 202 may include additional or different non-optical sensors, and the description is not limited to an optical sensor that uses any particular type of non-optical sensor.
[066] The sensor 202 in Figure 2 can have a number of different physical configurations. Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of an exemplary arrangement of components that can be used by the optical sensor of Figure 2. Figure 3 shows a sensor 302 for measuring at least one property of a fluid sample. Similar to the sensor in Figure 2, sensor 302 comprises a first optical emitter 320 and a second optical emitter 324. The first 320 and the second optical emitter 324 can include any suitable light sources, including those discussed above, with respect to Figure 2 During operation, the first optical emitter 320 can emit light at a first wavelength, while the second optical emitter 324 can emit light at a second wavelength. The first wavelength can be the same wavelength or wavelength range as the second wavelength, or the first wavelength can be a different wavelength or wavelength range as in the second wavelength. . Depending on the application, the first optical emitter 320 and the second optical emitter 324 can emit light within the ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), and / or visible light spectrum. In some examples as described above, the first wavelength can cause the molecules in the fluid sample under analysis (for example, fluid sample 230) to excite and fluoresce, while the second wavelength can disperse the fluid sample under analyze.
[067] Additionally, the first 320 and / or the second optical emitter 324 may be such that one or both emit unnecessary or undesirable light in addition to the first or second desired wavelength of light to be emitted. To prevent such light from affecting the measurements undesirably, the sensor 302 may include a first optical filter 322 configured to limit the light emitted by the first optical emitter 320 to the sample under analysis. The embodiment of Figure 3 shows a first optical filter 322 positioned between the first optical emitter 320 and a partially reflecting optical window 342. The first optical filter 322 can be configured to filter, for example, substantially all wavelengths of light within a range of fluorescent light emitted by the fluid sample, when the fluid sample emits fluorescence. Such a filter 322 can help eliminate false fluorescence detection by detector 334 in the sensor due to light scattering within the same wavelength range as fluorescent emissions. For example, if the first optical emitter 320 were to emit light within the wavelength of the fluorescent emissions generated by the fluid sample under analysis, the optical detector 334 can detect both the fluorescent emissions generated by the fluid sample and the light emitted by the first emitter optical 320 and scatters back to optical detector 334. Optical filter 322 can filter the light emitted by the first optical detector 334 within the wavelength range of fluorescent emissions.
[068] Sensor 302 in the example in Figure 3 also includes a housing 303 that houses various hardware / software components of the sensor and controls the movement of light through the sensor. In some embodiments, housing 303 contains all or some of the first optical emitter 320 and / or the second optical emitter 324, while in other embodiments, the emitters are located external to housing 303.
[069] As was the case with the schematic sensor shown in Figure 2, the modality shown in Figure 3 includes an optical detector 334, an optical window 328 (for example, optical lens 328) to direct light in and receive light from a fluid sample, and an optical path 326. In the illustrated example, optical lens 328 is shown separately physically, but optically connected to optical path 326. In other examples, lens 328 is physically connected (for example, coupled ) to a terminal end of the optical path.
[070] To control the movement of light through optical sensor 302, the optical sensor includes at least one optical path which, in the example shown, is shown as three optical paths: a first optical path 326, a second optical path 336, and a third optical path 327. Optical paths can define bounded channels, tubes, ducts or cavities that control the movement of light through the sensor. The emitters and detectors of the optical sensor 302 can be arranged around the optical paths to direct the light into the optical paths and / or receive the light from the optical paths. For example, the first optical emitter 320 and the second optical emitter 324 in Figure 3 are configured to direct light to the first optical path 326 which is optically connected to optical lens 328 and, subsequently, the fluid sample under analysis. In addition, optical detector 334 in Figure 3 is configured to receive light from the first optical path 326 that emanates from the fluid sample under analysis and travels through optical lens 328.
[071] The optical sensor 302 can have a number of different optical path configurations and the configurations can vary, for example, based on the number of optical emitters and detectors contained in the sensor. In the example in Figure 3, optical sensor 302 includes the first optical path 326 positioned between the optical lens 328 and the first optical detector 334. The light that travels linearly through the optical lens 328 (for example, an optical center of the lens) it can travel through the first optical path 326 and collide with the first optical detector 334 (for example, an optical center of the detector). In such an example, the first optical path 326 can define a major axis 340 that extends along the path length and that extends through an optical lens center 328 (e.g., an optical center) and a center of the first detector optical 334 (for example, an optical center of the detector). The first optical path 326 can be optically connected to a single optical window of the detector (e.g., optical lens 328) to other components housed within housing 303.
[072] The first optical emitter 320 and the second optical emitter 324 are configured to emit light for the first optical path 326 and, subsequently, for the fluid sample under analysis. In some examples, the first optical emitter 320 and / or the second optical emitter 324 emit light directly to the first optical path 326, for example, without emitting to an intervening optical path that intercepts the first optical path. In other examples, the first optical emitter 320 and / or the second optical emitter 324 emit light to an intermediate optical path that is optically connected to the first optical path 326. That is, the first optical emitter 320 and / or the second optical emitter 324 it can emit light indirectly to the first optical path 326.
[073] In the optical sensor 302 in Figure 3, the first optical emitter 320 is positioned to emit light to the second optical path 336 that extends to the first optical path 326. In addition, the second optical emitter 324 is positioned to emit light for the third optical path 327 which extends to the second optical path 336 which, in turn, extends to the first optical path 326. The second optical path 336 intercepts the first optical path 326, allowing at least a portion of the light transmitting from the first optical emitter 320 and the second optical emitter 324 travels through the second optical path, to the first optical path, and through the optical lens 328. The third optical path 327 intercepts the second optical path, allowing at least one portion of the light transmitting from the second optical emitter 324 travels through the third optical path, to the second optical path, to the first optical path, and through the optical lens 328.
[074] Although the configuration may vary, the second optical path 336 in Figure 3 intersects the first optical path 326 at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. In addition, the third optical path 327 intersects the second optical path 336 at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. In some examples, the third optical path 327 extends parallel to the first optical path 326, while in other examples, the third optical path does not extend parallel to the first optical path. By placing the optical emitters and optical detectors of the optical sensor 302 around optically intercepting optical paths connected to a single optical lens 328, the sensor can provide a compact model that can be easily installed in a variety of chemical and chemical processes. fluid.
[075] In the examples where the optical sensor 302 includes optical paths that intercept to control the movement of light, the optical sensor may also include optical elements (for example, reflectors, partially reflecting optical windows) that direct the light received from of an optical path intercepting another optical path. Optical elements can help control the direction of light movement for optical lens 328 and / or optical detectors 334, 338.
[076] In the example shown in Figure 3, the sensor includes a partially reflective optical window 344 that is positioned at the intersection of the first 326 and the second optical path 336. The partially reflective optical window 344 is configured to reflect at least a portion of the light emitted by the first optical emitter 320 and the second optical emitter 324 from the second optical path 336 to the first optical path 326. In some embodiments, the partially reflecting optical window is further configured to transmit light from the fluid sample and from lens 328 to optical detector 334. As a result, the partially reflective optical window can be configured to transmit and reflect portions of incident light. The angle of the partially reflecting optical window 344 in relation to the direction of light travel through the first optical path can vary, for example, based on the angle at which the first optical path 326 intersects the second optical path 336. However, in Figure 3, where the first optical path 326 intersects the second optical path 336 at a degree angle of approximately 90, the partially reflecting optical window 344 is oriented at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, for example, with respect to the direction of light displacement through both the first optical path 326 and the second optical path 336.
[077] According to various modalities, the partially reflective optical window 344 can be configured to reflect or transmit between 0% and 100% of the incident light, with the percentages of reflection and transmission being dependent on the wavelength. Any suitable optical element can be used as a partially reflective optical window 344. Such a partially reflective optical window 344 may comprise, for example, a dichroic filter, or any other suitable optical component.
[078] In operation, the partially reflecting optical window 344 of Figure 3 is configured to reflect light from the first 320 and the second optical emitter 324 from the second optical path 336 to the first optical path 326 (for example, approximately 90 degrees). This can change the direction of the light emitted by the first optical emitter 320 and the second optical emitter 324 from traveling along the length of the second optical path 336 to traveling along the length of the first optical path 326. While the partially reflecting optical window 344 can reflect at least a portion of the light emitted by the first optical emitter 320 and the second optical emitter 324, for example, for the fluid sample under analysis, the partially reflective optical window may also allow at least a portion of the light received from the sample fluid flow through the partially reflecting optical window. For example, light dispersed by the fluid sample under analysis and / or the fluorescent emissions generated by the fluid sample can enter the first optical path 326 and at least partially transmit through the partially reflective optical window 344 (for example, without being reflected or absorbed by the optical window) to be detected by the optical detector 334. In this way, the partially reflecting optical window 344 can reflect the light received from the optical emitters to the fluid sample and transmit the light received from the fluid sample to be detected by optical detector 334.
[079] In some embodiments, sensor 302 also includes a laser beam deflector 346, positioned opposite the partially reflecting optical window 344 of the first 320 and the second optical emitter 324 along the second optical path 336. The laser beam deflector 346 it is configured to absorb or capture any light that is incident on it. For example, in some embodiments, any light that is transmitted from the second optical path 336 through the partially reflecting optical window 344 will be transmitted to the laser beam deflector 346, where it will be absorbed and prevented from being detected by the optical detector 334.
[080] The optical sensor 302 in Figure 3 also includes a second optical detector 338, which can function as a reference detector for the sensor. The second optical detector 338 is positioned to receive the light emitted by the first optical emitter 320 and the second optical emitter 324. Although the location may vary, in the example shown, the second optical detector 338 is positioned on the opposite side of the second optical path 336 from the second optical emitter 324. In particular, the second optical detector 338 is positioned at a terminal end of the third optical path 327, opposite the second optical emitter 324. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the first optical emitter 320 and the second optical emitter 324 are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other, with the first optical emitter 320 being approximately coaxial with the second optical path 336 and the second optical emitter 324 being approximately coaxial with a third optical path 327 and located opposite a second optical detector 338 In other examples, the second optical emitter 324 (when used) can be positioned at other locations within the optical sensor 302, and it should be understood that this description is not limited to the specific configuration of Figure 3. As an example, the positions of the first optical emitter 320 and the second optical emitter 324 can be switched from so that the first optical emitter is in the position occupied by the second optical emitter shown in Figure 3 and the second optical emitter is in the position occupied by the first optical emitter.
[081] In examples in which optical sensor 302 includes the third optical path 327 which intersects the second optical path 336, the sensor may include a partially reflecting optical window 342 which is positioned at the intersection of the second 336 and the third optical path 327. The partially reflecting optical window 342 can be configured to reflect at least a portion of the light emitted by the second optical emitter 324 from the third optical path to the second optical path 336 and also transmit at least a portion of the light emitted by the second optical emitter 324 to be received by the second optical detector 338. In addition, the partially reflecting optical window 342 can be configured to reflect at least a portion of the light emitted by the first optical emitter 320 from the second optical path to the third optical path 327 a be received by the second optical detector 338 and also transmit at least a portion of the light emitted by the first optical emitter 320 pair passing through the second optical path 336 to the first optical path 326. Any suitable optical element can be used as the partially reflective optical window 342. Such a partially reflective optical window 342 can comprise, for example, a dichroic filter, a quartz window , and / or a sapphire window. In some embodiments, the partially reflective optical window 342 includes an anti-reflective coating.
[082] The angle of the partially reflecting optical window 342 with respect to the direction of light displacement through the second optical path 336 may vary, for example, based on the angle at which the second optical path 336 intersects the third optical path 327. In However, in Figure 3, when the second optical path 336 intersects the third optical path 327 at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, the partially reflecting optical window 342 is oriented at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, for example, with respect to the direction of displacement of light through the second optical path 336. In particular, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the partially reflective optical window 342 is oriented substantially at 45 ° with respect to the second 336 and the third optical path 327, as well as the first 320 and the second optical emitter 324. In this arrangement, the partially reflecting optical window 342 is configured to reflect a portion of the light emitted by the first optical emitter. 320 from the second optical path 336 to the third optical path 327, and to transmit at least a portion of the light emitted by the second optical emitter 324 to the third optical path 327. The partially reflecting optical window 342 shown in Figure 3, also can act to transmit a portion of the light emitted from the first optical emitter 320 to the second optical path 336 towards the first optical path 326, and to reflect a portion of the light emitted from the second optical emitter 324 from the third path optical 327 for the second optical path 336 and towards the first optical path 326.
[083] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating exemplified light flows through the optical sensor illustrated in Figure 3. For ease of description, Figure 4 illustrates the light that emanates from a first optical emitter 420 and a second emitter optical 424 simultaneously, and also the light being received by a first optical detector 434 and by a second optical detector 438 simultaneously. In practice, the first optical emitter 420 and the second optical emitter 424 can emit at the same time or at different times. In addition, the first optical detector 434 and the second optical detector 438 can receive light, while one or both of the first optical emitter 420 and the second optical emitter 424 are emitting or for a period of time when one or both emitters are not emitting light to the fluid sample under analysis. Therefore, although Figure 4 illustrates several streams of light as occurring simultaneously at sensor 402, it should be noted that an optical sensor according to the description is not limited to such an exemplified operation.
[084] In the example of optical sensor 402, light is emitted from a first optical emitter 420 at a first wavelength to a second optical path 436. The light from the first optical emitter 420 can be configured to excite the fluorescence in a fluid sample and will be called the excitation beam and 490 generation for illustration purposes. Within sensor 402 in the example in Figure 4, excitation beam 490 is output to the second optical path 436 where it encounters a partially reflecting optical window 442. A portion of excitation beam 490 can be reflected by partially reflecting optical window 442 to be detected by a second optical detector 438, which can function as a reference detector. Another portion of the excitation beam 490 can pass through the partially reflecting optical window 442 and continue to travel through the second optical path 436.
[085] In operation, light is also emitted from a second optical emitter 424 at a second wavelength to a third optical path 427. Light from the second optical emitter 424 can be configured to disperse the fluid sample and thus be called a 492 generation and dispersion beam for the purpose of illustration. Within the sensor 402 in the example in Figure 4, the scatter beam 492 is emitted to the third optical path 427 where it meets the partially reflecting optical window 442. The portion of the scattering beam 492 can be reflected by the partially reflecting optical window 442 in the direction of the second optical path. Another portion of the scatter beam 492 can pass through the partially reflecting optical window 442 and continue to travel through the third optical path 427 to be detected by the second optical detector 438, which can function as a reference detector.
[086] The portions of the excitation beam 490 and the dispersion beam 492 traveling through the second optical path 436 in the example in Figure 4 find partially reflective optical window 444. A portion of the excitation beam 490 and the dispersion beam 492 meeting the partially reflecting optical window 444 can be reflected by the partially reflecting optical window to the first optical path 426. These reflected beams in the first optical path 426 are directed to the fluid sample under analysis through an optical lens 428, arranged between the first path optical and the fluid sample. In some examples, another portion of the excitation beam 490 and dispersion beam 492 meeting the partially reflecting optical window 444 may pass through the partially reflecting optical window to the laser beam deflector 446. The laser beam deflector 446 may be a region optically absorbing optical sensor 402 positioned on the opposite side of the first optical path 426 from the second optical path 427. The laser beam deflector can absorb light directed into the region, for example, to help prevent light from reflecting off back on the first optical path 426 and being detected by optical detector 434.
[087] As previously described, excitation beam 490 travels to the fluid sample through optical lens 428 can excite fluorescence in the sample while dispersion beam 492 traveling in the fluid sample can disperse, for example, by suspended materials in the sample, such as oil or particulates. In some examples, the fluorescent light emitted by the fluid sample, in response to excitation beam 490, is at a third wavelength other than the wavelength or wavelengths encompassed either by excitation beam 490 or dispersion beam 429 Depending on the fluid sample under analysis, the third wavelength may be in the UV or near-UV spectrum, such as in the range of approximately 285 nm to approximately 385 nm (for example, a wavelength greater than 300 nm, such as such as 315 nm). Fluorescent light and scattered light can be captured by optical lens 428 and directed back to the first optical path 426 of sensor 402. In some embodiments, optical lens 428 acts to substantially collimate fluorescent light and scattered light in a beam emission beam 494 and a scattered beam 496, respectively, which travel back through the optical path 426 to the partially reflecting optical window 444.
[088] In the configuration of Figure 4, the partially reflecting optical window 444 can transmit at least a portion of the emission beam 494 generated by fluorescent molecules in the fluid sample under analysis and also at least a portion of the scattered beam 496 generated by the dispersion of light caused by the fluid sample. The emission beam 494 and the scattered beam 496 can enter optical sensor 402 via optical lens 428 and travel through the first optical path 426 before encountering partially reflective optical window 444. After colliding with partially reflective optical window 444, at least a portion of the emission beam 494 and the scattered beam 496 can pass through the partially reflecting optical window and be detected by optical detector 434.
[089] In some embodiments, the partially reflective optical window 444 can transmit more light or wavelengths of light to the first optical detector 434 than is desired to optically characterize the fluid sample under analysis. For example, the partially reflective optical window 444 may allow some portion of the excitation beam 490 to pass through it, such that the dispersion of the excitation beam 490 out of the fluid sample can reach the first optical detector 434 and be detected as corresponding to the fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid sample. To help control the light received and detected by optical detector 434, optical sensor 402 may include an optical filter 432 disposed between optical lens 428 and the first optical detector 434 to filter out unwanted light. In the embodiment of Figure 4, the optical filter 432 is positioned between the partially reflecting optical window 444 and the first optical detector 434. In some embodiments, the optical filter 432 is designed to filter substantially all wavelengths of light (and, in other examples, all wavelengths of light) emitted by the first optical emitter 420. This can help prevent the light emitted by the first optical emitter 420 that does not generate fluorescent emissions from being detected by optical detector 434 and characterized as fluorescent emissions (for example, For example, light from the first optical emitter 420 that moves towards optical detector 434 instead of towards optical lens 428 and / or light from the optical emitter that disperses in the fluid sample, instead of generating fluorescent emissions). The optical filter 432 can transmit substantially all (and, in other examples, all) the wavelengths of fluorescent emissions emitted from the fluid sample, in response to light from the first optical emitter 420 and the wavelengths of light dispersed by the fluid sample in response to light from the second optical emitter 424.
[090] The first optical detector 434 can be configured to detect or measure the intensity and / or other properties of the light incident on it. As described, the first optical detector 434 can receive at least a portion of the scattered beam 496 and the emission beam 494 transmitted from the fluid sample through the partially reflecting optical window 444. In some embodiments, such as that shown in Figure 3 , the first optical detector 434 can comprise a single detector configured to detect light from both the emitting beam 494 and the scattered beam 496. In such an arrangement, the optical sensor 402 can control the first optical emitter 420 and the second optical emitter 424 for alternately emit excitation beam 490 and scatter beam 492. The light detected by optical detector 434 in response to the light emitted by the first optical emitter 420 (for example, when the second optical emitter 424 is not emitting light) can be attributed to the fluorescent emissions generated in the fluid sample. On the other hand, the light detected by the optical detector 434 in response to the light emitted by the second optical emitter 424 (for example, when the first optical emitter 420 is not emitting light) can be attributed to the light scattering caused by the fluid sample. In this way, a single detector can detect and resolve both the emission beam 494 and the scattered beam 496 that emanates from the fluid sample under analysis.
[091] As previously described, the first optical detector can detect fluorescent light from the fluid sample and received as at least one 494 emission beam. In some embodiments, the intensity of the 494 emission beam can be measured to calculate a characteristic of the sample, for example, the concentration of a fluorophore. In one example, the fluorescent light from the sample is measured while the light from the first optical emitter 420 is emitting and is incident on the fluid sample. In another example, the fluorescent light from the sample is received and measured after the light from the first optical emitter 420 stops emitting. In these examples, the fluorescence emitted by the fluid sample can persist beyond the emission duration from the first optical emitter 420. Therefore, the first optical detector 434 can receive fluorescent emissions from the subsequent fluid sample to cease emitting light from the first optical emitter 420. In some examples, the optical sensor 402 can determine a characteristic of the fluid sample under analysis based on the magnitude of fluorescent emissions detected by the first optical detector 434 and the change in that magnitude over time after ceasing light emission by the first optical emitter 420. For example, optical sensor 402 can perform fluorescence spectroscopy over time by measuring a fluorescence decay curve (for example, fluorescence intensity as a function of time) for the fluid sample . This may involve measuring the emanation of fluorescent emissions from the fluid sample under analysis from a time when the first optical emitter 420 stops emitting light until a time when the first optical detector 434 stops detecting fluorescent emissions from the fluid. In addition to the detection of fluorescent emissions, light scattered from the fluid sample and returned to the sensor in the form of a scattered beam 496 can also be detected by optical detector 434.
[092] In some examples, the amount of fluorescence emitted by the fluid sample under analysis is dependent on the amount of excitation light directed to the sample by the first optical emitter 420. Likewise, the amount of light dispersed by the fluid sample can be dependent on the amount of scattered light directed into the sample by the second optical emitter 424. In such examples, the light intensity emitted by the first optical emitter 420 and / or the second optical emitter 424 can be measured, for example, by the second optical detector 438. The optical sensor 402 can then adjust the magnitude of fluorescent emissions and / or scattered light detected by the first optical detector 434 based on the magnitude of the light emitted by the first optical emitter 420 and / or the second optical emitter 424.
[093] An optical sensor according to the invention can be used as part of a system (for example, fluid system 100 in Figure 1) in which the sensor is communicatively coupled to a controller to receive data from the sensor and send data to the sensor. The controller can include an integrated component, such as a microcontroller, or an external component, such as a computer. The controller can be in communication with the first and the second optical emitter, as well as the first and the second optical detector. The controller can be configured to control the first and the second optical emitter to emit light at a first wavelength and a second wavelength, respectively. As discussed, the first wavelength can excite fluorescence in a fluid sample, while the second wavelength can disperse the fluid sample. The controller can also be configured to control the first optical detector to detect fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid sample and also the light dispersed by the sample. The controller can also be configured to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid sample based on the detected fluorescent emissions. For example, the controller can determine a characteristic of the fluid sample data based on the data generated by the optical sensor and the information stored in a memory associated with the controller, such as calculating based on an equation, found in a look-up table. , or any other method known in the art.
[094] In applications where the first and the second optical emitter are operated in an alternating activation sequence, the controller can coordinate the frequency and duration of light emissions from each optical emitter. In addition, in modalities where the sensor includes a second optical detector that functions as a reference detector, the controller can detect the light from the first and the second optical emitter and use that detected light to calibrate the light detected by the first detector. optical.
[095] In some examples, an optical sensor according to the description also includes one or more non-optical sensors. Exemplified non-optical sensors may include, but are not limited to, pH sensors, conductivity sensors, and temperature sensors. The data from the non-optical sensors can be used to determine the non-optical characteristics of the sample under analysis. In some embodiments, data from one or more non-optical sensors can be used to adjust the measurement of fluorescent emissions from a fluid sample to determine one or more characteristics of the sample. For example, a temperature sensor can be mounted on a sensor body to correct the effects of temperature on fluorescence, as well as on electronics and / or detectors. In other examples, data from a non-optical sensor can be used to monitor a fluid sample and / or to control a fluid process in addition to or in place of using optical sensor data to monitor the fluid sample and / or control the fluid process.
[096] As discussed, in certain embodiments, an optical sensor according to the description can detect fluorescent light from a sample at one or more wavelengths and dispersed from the sample at another wavelength. The optical sensor can also detect additional characteristics, such as the non-optical characteristics, of the fluid sample. The data generated by the optical sensor can be used to calculate or, otherwise, determine at least one characteristic of the sample. Such data can be received simultaneously, alternately in sequence, or in a combination in which some, but not all, data can be received simultaneously.
[097] The received data that contributes to determine at least one characteristic can be received in a plurality of channels. The channels can be optical channels, comprising one or more fluorescence channels and a dispersion channel, but they can also include data channels such as data received from one or more non-optical sensors. Optical channels can be defined by wavelength bands, for example. Therefore, in some embodiments, the data received in the form of a first fluorescent wavelength is data received in the first fluorescent channel, while the data received in the form of scattered light from the sample is the data received in the dispersion channel. Thus, in various modalities, the optical sensor can receive data in any combination of optical channels through the first optical path, simultaneously and / or alternately, and, additionally, in non-optical channels from one or more non-optical sensors. In addition, as previously described, the second optical detector can receive light from the first and the second optical emitter used for the calibration of measurements on the first optical detector. Thus, the data received at the second optical detector can be received in one or more calibration channels.
[098] In applications where the optical sensor includes a single optical detector that detects fluorescent emissions received from the fluid sample and also detects scattered light received from the fluid sample, the first and second optical emitter can activate and deactivate in alternating sequence. This can allow the data generated by the optical detector to be resolved into fluorescent emission data corresponding to the detected fluorescent emissions and dispersion data corresponding to the detected scattered light. In other examples, the optical sensor can include several optical detectors that detect the fluorescent emissions received from the fluid sample and detect the scattered light received from the fluid sample. For example, the optical sensor can include an optical detector that detects the fluorescent emissions received from the fluid sample and another optical detector that detects the scattered light received from the fluid sample.
[099] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate exemplary alternative optical detector arrangements that can be used in an optical sensor, such as the optical sensors in Figures 2-4. Figure 5A illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which an optical detector (for example, optical detector 334 and / or optical detector 338 in Figure 3) includes a first optical detector element 552 and a second optical detector element 553. According to with some embodiments, the sensor may comprise at least one additional optical path, such as a fourth optical path 529 that intercepts the first optical path 526, for example, at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. In conjunction with Figure 3, at least one additional optical path is disposed between a partially reflecting optical window 551 and a terminal end of the first optical path 526 opposite the lens.
[0100] In some embodiments, the sensor may comprise at least one additional partially reflecting optical window 551 positioned at the intersection of the first optical path 526 and a corresponding additional optical path, such as the fourth optical path 529. The additional partially reflecting optical window 551 it is configured to reflect or transmit a select band of light towards a corresponding optical detector element. For example, Figure 5A shows an additional partially reflecting optical window 551 arranged at the intersection of the first optical path 526 and the fourth optical path 529. The first optical detector element 552 and the second optical detector element 553 are located at the terminal ends of the first 526 and the fourth optical path 529, respectively.
[0101] In some embodiments, the partially reflective optical window 551 is configured to transmit light at wavelength "A" and reflect light at wavelength "B". Thus, if a mixture of light of wavelengths "A" and "B" travels through the first optical path 526 from the sample towards the partially reflecting optical window 551, the partially reflecting optical window 551 will act to reflect the light from wavelength “B” for the second optical detector element 553, while transmitting light from wavelength “A” to the first detector element 552. This allows each detector element to detect light at a wavelength or range of different wavelengths, and allows the sensor to implement optical detector elements that can detect a narrow band of wavelengths. In this example, the partially reflecting optical window 551 directs light, such as an emission beam and a scattered beam, to two corresponding optical detector elements simultaneously.
[0102] In some embodiments, the first additional partially reflective optical window 551 is configured to direct fluorescent light from the sample towards the second optical detector element 553 while directing the scattered light from the sample, for example, in the second length of wave, towards the first optical detector element 552. In such an embodiment, scattered light and fluorescent light can be measured simultaneously, since each is measured by a different detector element.
[0103] As previously described with reference to Figure 3, there may be situations in which the light of an unwanted wavelength is directed to a specific detector element, which can introduce errors in the measurement of the detected light. Thus, an additional optical filter can be placed between the partially reflecting optical window 551 and a corresponding detector element. For example, an additional optical filter 523 can be placed between the additional partially reflective optical window 551 and the second detector element 553 in Figure 5A. When used, the optical sensor can have as many additional filter elements as needed. In some embodiments, the sensor includes at least as many filter elements as optical detector elements.
[0104] Figure 5B illustrates an exemplary embodiment similar to Figure 5A in which an optical detector (for example, optical detector 334 and / or optical detector 338 in Figure 3) includes various optical detector elements. In particular, Figure 5B illustrates an optical detector arrangement that includes a first optical detector element 555, a second optical detector element 556, a third optical detector element 558, a fourth optical path 531, and a fifth optical path 533 The fourth and fifth optical paths intersect the first optical path 526, for example, at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. In addition, in this example, the optical detector arrangement includes partially reflecting optical windows 554 and 557 to control the flow of light from the first optical path 526 to the fourth and fifth optical path, respectively.
[0105] In the illustrated mode, the partially reflective optical window 557 is located at the intersection of the first 526 and the fifth optical path 533. The second additional partially reflective optical window 557 can be configured to selectively transmit or reflect a wavelength or band of particular wavelengths, thus directing only a given wavelength band towards the third detector element 558. In some configurations, the sample under analysis can fluoresce in a plurality of wavelengths, for example, comprising the first and the second fluorescent wavelength and forming the first and the second emission beam, respectively. In such a case, the partially reflecting optical window 557 can reflect the second emission beam to the third optical detector element 558, while allowing the first emission beam and, for example, a scattered beam to pass through it. Subsequently, the partially reflecting optical window 554 can reflect the first emission beam towards the second optical detector element 556 while allowing the scattered beam to pass through it towards the first optical detector element 555. Such a modality can be used, for example, to detect light in three distinct channels simultaneously - a first fluorescent channel, a second fluorescent channel, and a scatter channel.
[0106] It will be appreciated that, although described as possible variations of a first optical detector such as that shown in Figure 3, the modalities shown in Figures 5A and 5B can also be used by a second optical detector (for example, reference detector also ). In such configurations, the partially reflecting optical windows can be configured to selectively reflect or transmit the first and second wavelengths emitted by the first and the second optical emitter, respectively. For example, with reference to Figure 3, a detector such as that shown in Figure 5A can be used to direct the scatter beam to the first optical detector element 552 and the excitation beam to the second optical detector element 553, separating and allowing simultaneous detection of calibration channels.
[0107] An optical sensor according to the description can be modified to meet the requirements for use in specific applications or configurations. For example, Figures 6A-6D illustrate a sensor coupled to various components for use with a fluid container. Figures 6A-6D also illustrate different sensor components and physical arrangements that can be used by any sensor according to the description.
[0108] As shown in Figure 6A, the housing 603a of a sensor 602 (which can be a sensor as shown and described in relation to Figure 3) can be attached to a mounting disc 660A using one or more elements of coupling such as a 662A screw. The mounting disc 660a shown in Figure 6A is coupled to a cap 666a with screws (not shown), for example, and sealed to it by means of an O-ring 664A. The cover 666a can be made of any material suitable for the desired application of the sensor 602, such as stainless steel, plastic, or the like. In some embodiments, the cap 666a comprises a standard solid stainless steel end cap, which is used regularly for disinfection purposes. In some embodiments, the cover 666a engages with an insert 668a, which can be selected from a set of interchangeable inserts. Insert 668a can be made of any material suitable for the desired application of sensor 602, and can be configured to hold lens 628a to emit light and to receive light from the sample. Insert 668a can be attached to cover 666a with a washer 669a. O-rings 670, 672 can create seals at the interface of cover 666a and insert 668a, and insert 668a and lens 628a, respectively.
[0109] In some embodiments, the 668a insert may be made of plastic, for example, a polysulfone or a fluoropolymer. In other embodiments, insert 668a can be made of polyphenylene sulfide or polyphenylene sulfide filled with 40% glass. The insert 668a can have an outside diameter larger than an inside diameter of a recess in the cap 666a, which allows the insert 668a to be pressed by pressure in the cap 666a, without the need for the O-ring 670. In some embodiments, the lens 628a can comprise a sapphire sphere and the insert can comprise an internal hole, relatively dimensioned so that the internal hole in the insert 668a can have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the sapphire sphere. In such cases, lens 628a can be snap-fitted to insert 668a, providing an airtight seal without the need for an O-ring 672. In such a case, a possible combination of materials for sensor parts to be immersed in a sample of The fluid comprises stainless steel for the 666a cap, polyphenylene sulfide filled with 40% glass for the 668a insert and sapphire for the 628a lens.
[0110] It will be appreciated that the tolerances for the cap, insert, and lens can be selected to provide hermetic seals at their interfaces without the need for O-rings. The snap-fit assembly of these parts immersed in the sample can be used , for example, within a temperature range of 0 ° C to 90 ° C and for pressures up to 150 psi. For high pressure applications, washer 669a can be included to provide stable mechanical support for insert 668a and lens 628a. In some embodiments, washer 669a is not in contact with the sample, and can be made of suitable materials that provide the necessary strength to support insert 668a and lens 628a in high pressure applications, such as stainless steel, plastic and the like .
[0111] Figure 6B shows a sensor assembly 602b in which housing 603b is attached to a mounting disc 660b, comprising a cap 666b engaging an insert 668b holding a lens 628b. The sensor assembly 602b is attached to a short T-segment 674b by a clamp 676b comprising a nut 678b. A 680b O-ring gasket can be positioned between the assembly and the T 674b to create a seal between the inside of the fluid sample / sensor and the external environment. In an exemplified embodiment, sensor 602b is attached to a flange in a fluid container 682b via a clamp, although any device for attaching sensor 602b to container 682b can be used. A fluid container can comprise any structure to support or accommodate the fluid to be analyzed, including a static fluid reservoir, a tank, a pipe or any other fluid handling structure, including fluid handling structures that accommodate volumes of flow or no flow of fluid.
[0112] A configuration such as that shown in Figure 6B can be used, for example, in a CIP system in which a cleaning or disinfection process takes place in the container and the sensor determines a characteristic of a solution used in the process. Container 682b may comprise, for example, a food product tank, a chemical storage tank, a membrane set, a pipeline, or other CIP equipment. The lens 628b in the configuration shown in Figure 6B is positioned close to a distal end of the housing extending towards the container 682b.
[0113] Figure 6C shows a sensor assembly 602c similar to Figure 6B where the assembly is fixed to a T segment 674c, however, in this embodiment, the insert 668C engaging the cap 666c is configured to hold the lens from from the distal end of the housing, close to the sample in container 682c. Insert 668c can be interchangeably attached to cap 666c and / or sensor 602c, as well as lens 628c, allowing the location of lens 628c to be changed in relation to housing 603c, as well as the sample in container 682c. For example, in some embodiments, only the insert 668c and a pressure-fitted lens 628c protrude into the sample container 682c. Alternatively, the cap 666c may comprise a metal cylinder (e.g., stainless steel) and a flange, and may extend into the sample container 682c, while providing mechanical support and protection for the insert 668c and the lens 628c.
[0114] In addition, Figure 6C illustrates sensor 602c as including a light guide 684c. The light guide 684c is inserted into the optical path between the spherical lens 628c and the partially reflecting optical window 644c. The light guide 684c can be a structure that guides the light from the spherical lens 628c to the partially reflecting optical window 644c. Any suitable light guide can be used, and in one example, the 684c light guide is made of a solid rod of optically transparent material (for example, quartz) with polished ends. When used, the diameter of the light guide 684c can be smaller than the inside diameter of the optical path extending between the spherical lens 628c and the partially reflecting optical window 644c, and can be aligned and fixed in such a way as to limit losses of light.
[0115] To keep the light guide 684c within the optical path of the optical sensor 602c, the light guide can be fitted by friction within the optical path, mechanically attached within the optical path, or otherwise, fixed inside the housing. For example, Figure 6C illustrates the optical sensor housing as having two narrow areas 685c and 686c, each having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the light guide 684c and providing a pressure fit for the light guide. With such an assembly, the light guide 684c can have unobstructed ends that allow the light guide to receive and emit light across substantially its entire cross section. In some embodiments, substantially all of the outer surfaces of the light guide are surrounded by air, creating a condition for total internal reflection and the channeling of light through the light guide 684c. Using the light guide 684c, the electrical and optical components of the sensor 602c can be positioned further away from the container 682c than if the light guide was not used, while still generating acceptable signal strength. This can help keep temperature-sensitive components (for example, LEDs, photodiodes) at a greater distance from the hot fluid inside the device.
[0116] Figure 6D shows a sensor set 602d similar to that of Figures 6B and 6C, where the set is fixed to a T segment 674d. In the example in Figure 6D, however, the sensor 602d also includes a collimating lens 690d positioned within the optical path between the spherical lens 628d and the partially reflecting 644d optical window. The collimation lens 690d is illustrated as being positioned adjacent to the partially reflecting 644d optical window (for example, closer to the partially reflecting optical window than to the spherical lens 628d). In operation, the collimation lens 690d can collect light from the optical emitter 620d and direct the light over the spherical lens 628d, thus creating focused excitation within the fluid in close proximity to the spherical lens. In addition, the collimation lens 690d can collect incoming light from the spherical lens 628d (for example, fluorescence) and direct light into the 634d optical detector. Although the size of the 690d collimation lens varies when used, for example, based on the size of the optical sensor, in some instances, the collimation lens has a diameter ranging from approximately 12 millimeters (mm) to approximately 20 mm.
[0117] When using the 690d collimation lens, the magnitude of the optical signal detected by the optical detector 634d, and therefore the strength of the electrical signal generated by the optical detector, may increase compared to if the optical sensor does not include the collimation. For example, adding the collimating lens 690d adjacent to the partially reflecting 644d optical window can increase the magnitude of excitation received through the spherical lens 628d by a factor greater than two (for example, a range of two to three times that of another would be received). The total increase in the strength of the fluorescent signal detected by the 634d optical detector can increase by a factor greater than five (for example, a range of six to ten times what would otherwise be detected) when using the 690d collimation lens, in compared to when the sensor does not include the collimation lens. In some examples, an additional focus lens 691d can be placed between the emission filter 632d and optical detector 634d to focus fluorescent light over a smaller area of the detector. This may allow the 602d optical sensor to use a smaller sensitive area photodiode with greater shunt resistance and lower terminal capacitance, providing greater stability over a wide range of temperatures.
[0118] Various modalities and configurations of sensors have been described. Figure 7 is a process flow diagram of an optical analysis technique according to the description. Figure 7 illustrates a process in which a sensor emits light at a first wavelength 783 from a first optical emitter through an optical path and into a fluid sample. The optical path is defined by a sensor housing. The sensor also receives fluorescent emissions 784 emitted by the fluid sample through the optical path in an optical detector. In some embodiments, fluorescent emissions are excited by the light emitted by the first optical emitter. The sensor emits light at a second 786 wavelength from a second optical emitter, through the optical path and into the fluid sample. The light from the second wavelength is directed to the sample through the same optical path as the first wavelength. The sensor also receives light, dispersed by the fluid sample 787 through the optical path, in the optical detector.
[0119] In the process of Figure 7, light is emitted at the first wavelength and second wavelength for a fluid sample, as well as received from the fluid sample, via a single optical path. The light received can be scattered from the sample, and in some embodiments, comprises light from the second scattered wavelength of the sample. The light received can also be in the form of fluorescent light from the sample, which can be caused by light from the first wavelengths. As previously discussed, in some modalities, the sensor is not able to resolve the difference in the light scattered by the sample and fluorescent from the sample, if they are simultaneously incident in the optical detector. Thus, in some modalities, the light emission in the first wavelength is stopped 785 before the light emission in the second wavelength 786. For the same reason, the process must be repeated, in some modalities, the light emission in the second wavelength is ceased 788 before emitting light at the first wavelength 783. The steps of ceasing light emission at the first and second wavelengths are shown in dashed lines to illustrate that such steps can be taken, but need not be in each modality.
[0120] In other modalities, the emission of light in the first wavelength is stopped 785, before receiving useful fluorescent emissions in the optical detector. This can be done, for example, if a sample contains several fluorescent species that fluoresce for different durations, so that fluorescence from one species persists longer than from another species. If it is desired that fluorescence from species that persist for a longer time is measured while fluorescence from species that persist for a shorter period is irrelevant, it may be advantageous to cease light emission at the first wavelength, expect that the fluorescence excited by the species that persists for the shortest time declines, and then measure the remaining fluorescent emissions attributable to the species that persists the longest. It should be noted that the optical detector may be receiving fluorescent emissions from the sample while light from the first wavelength is being emitted; however, the measurement of fluorescent light may or may not be ignored until the appropriate time.
[0121] Finally, in the example in Figure 7, the process can include step 789 of determining at least one characteristic of the sample based on the received fluorescent emissions. For example, as discussed earlier, the fluorophore concentration in the sample can be determined based on the fluorescence received from the sample.
[0122] It will be appreciated that the process described in Figure 7 can be performed by a controller in a system that comprises a sensor. The controller can include a processor to control the time and duration of light emission from either the first or the second optical emitter, as well as the time to receive light from the fluid sample. That is, the controller can be programmed to ignore the incoming light when there is foreign light present that can disturb the ability to properly determine at least one characteristic of the sample. The controller can use the data from the received fluorescent light, the scattered light, and any other data it receives to calculate or otherwise determine, or adjust the determination of at least one characteristic of the sample.
[0123] The exemplified sensors have been described. Some modalities comprise multichannel fluorimetric sensors in which the fluorescence from a sample is excited and detected in at least one fluorescence channel, and the detected fluorescence is used to determine a characteristic of the sample. Other factors, such as stray light from the sample, or additional non-optical measurements, can be used to complement the fluorescence detection and explain possible variations in the sample's fluorescence. The sensor can be part of a system that comprises a controller to automate the control of emitters and detectors, and calculate or, otherwise, determine the characteristics of the sample from the measured data. The sensors can be attached to containers in which the fluid samples to be characterized are present or flow through them.
[0124] The techniques described in this description can be implemented, at least in part, on hardware, software, unalterable software or any combination thereof. For example, several aspects of the techniques described can be implemented within one or more processors, including one or more microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable port arrangements (FPGAs) or any equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuit, as well as any combination of such components. The term "processor" or "controller" can generally refer to any of the foregoing logic circuits, alone or in combination with other logic circuits, or any other equivalent circuit. A control unit comprising hardware can also perform one or more of the techniques in this description.
[0125] Such unalterable hardware, software and software can be implemented within the same device or within separate devices to support the various operations and functions described in this description. In addition, any of the units described, modules or components can be implemented together or separately as discrete but interoperable logic devices. The representation of different resources as modules or units is intended to highlight different functional aspects and does not necessarily imply that such modules or units must be made by separate hardware or software components. Preferably, the functionality associated with one or more modules or units can be carried out by separate hardware or software components, or integrated within common or separate hardware or software components.
[0126] The techniques described in this description can also be incorporated or encoded in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a computer-readable storage medium, containing instructions. Instructions embedded or encoded on a computer-readable storage medium can cause a programmable processor, or other processor, to execute the method, for example, when the instructions are executed. Non-transient computer-readable storage media may include volatile and / or non-volatile forms of memory, including, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a cassette, magnetic media, optical media or other computer-readable media .
[0127] The following example can provide additional details about an optical sensor in a system used to determine the concentrations of components within a fluid sample. EXAMPLE
[0128] An exemplary optical sensor was built according to the description and then used to optically analyze a variety of samples with different concentrations of water and an aromatic fluorophore (AF). In addition to using the optical sensor to analyze the water and AF samples, the optical sensor components were individually evaluated to optically characterize the sensor components.
[0129] Figure 8A is a graph of various characteristics of the optical sensor, including dichroic transmittance 803, half reflectance of window 804 and optical density of filter 801, 802 (along the left y-axis) as a function of the length of nanometer (nm) wave. The dichroic transmittance 803 is a characteristic of a dichroic filter (for example, 344 in Figure 3) whose transmittance varies with the wavelength. As shown in Figure 8A, the dichroic transmittance measured 803 of the optical sensor was close to zero at wavelengths significantly less than 300 nm and approached one as the wavelengths approached approximately 320 nm. This feature causes the dichroic filter to reflect UV light to the sample during fluorescence transmission to the detector (for example, 334 in Figure 3). The half reflectance of the measured window 804 represents half the reflectance of a quartz window (for example, 342 in Figure 3) as a function of the wavelength. The incident light reflects much more strongly as the wavelength increases from approximately 350 nm to the near IR range. This property of the quartz window allows high transmittance of UV light while reflecting IR light into the sample. The emission intensities of UV LEDs 805 and IR 806 (for example, 320 and 324, respectively, in Figure 3) were measured as a function of the wavelength and are shown. The optical filter densities of the 801 emission and 802 excitation filters were measured as a function of the wavelength and are plotted. The emission intensity of AF 807 was also measured as a function of the wavelength and is shown in the graph in Figure 8A. As can be seen, the 807 peak AF emission intensity corresponded approximately to a minimum in the optical density of the 801 emission filter, while the 805 peak UV LED emission intensity corresponded to approximately a minimum in the optical density of the 80% emission filter. 802 excitation.
[0130] The graph in Figure 8A also includes the emission intensity of an excitation UV LED 805 and the fluorescent light from the AF in sample 807 as a function of wavelength. In the characterized system, the excitation UV LED 805 had a peak intensity close to a wavelength of approximately 280 nm, while the fluorescent light from AF 807 had a peak wavelength of approximately 315 nm. It can be seen, then, from the data in Figure 8A that the transmittance 803 of the dichroic filter at the wavelength emitted by the UV LED 805 was relatively low, reflecting the light intended to excite the fluorescence. However, transmittance 803 was closer to one at the wavelengths of excited fluorescence 807 and IR light 806 dispersed from the sample. These wavelengths are intended to be transmitted through the dichroic filter to the detector for analysis.
[0131] Figure 8B is a graph that compares a measured AF concentration in the sample to the actual AF concentration, each in parts-per-million (ppm), in a variety of known concentrations. Concentration data 810 in Figure 8B can be used to determine the AF concentration range in which the optical sensor produces relatively consistent and accurate results.
[0132] Figure 8C is a graphical representation of the output of detector 811 in the dispersion channel in millivolts (mV) as a function of the turbidity of the sample, in nephelometric turbidity units (NTU). To generate the data in Figure 8C, the scattering beam from the optical sensor was directed to a sample of water and milk (to promote dispersion), causing the light to disperse back to the sensor to be detected by a detector housed inside the optical sensor. The detector received scattered light and emitted a voltage 811 indicative of the measured intensity. The amount of light dispersed by the sample depended on the sample's turbidity and, as a result, can be used to determine the sample's turbidity. The turbidity of the sample can affect the fluorescence properties of the sample and, consequently, can be taken into account when determining a concentration from a fluorescence measurement.
[0133] Figure 8D is a graphical representation of the optical sensor's fluorescence channel output in mV as a function of the sample's AF concentration in ppm. The output of the fluorescence channel was a measurement of the intensity of fluorescent light from the sample, which changed with the AF concentration. The measurement depicted in Figure 8D was performed with samples of varying degrees of turbidity including 0 NTU (812), 200 NTU (813), 400 NTU (814) and 800 NTU (815). It can be seen that, as the sample's turbidity increased from 0 to 800 NTU, in the example, the fluorescence channel output dropped - almost 54% at an AF concentration of 80 ppm. As a result, using the measured turbidity values to correct the measured fluorescence values can produce more accurate measurements than if the measured fluorescence is used without turbidity correction.
[0134] Figure 8E is a graph of a fluorescence channel output corrected in mV as a function of the sample's AF concentration in ppm. The output was measured at different concentrations of AF in samples of varied turbidity and mathematically corrected. As with the graph in Figure 8D, the turbidity values of 0 NTU (818), 200 NTU (819), 400 NTU (820) and 800 NTU (821) were used and subsequently compared with the output data of the real fluorescence (817), resulting in an R-square value of 0.998. Using corrected fluorescence channel output values, a more consistent relationship between the output and the AF concentration was present between samples of varying turbidity, with a maximum discrepancy of only approximately 2.8%. As illustrated in this example, a sensor configured to measure both scattered and fluorescent light from a sample can use both measures to correlate the fluorescence and fluorophore concentration in the sample regardless of the sample's turbidity.

权利要求:
Claims (23)
[0001]
1. Optical sensor, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises: a housing having an optical path configured to direct light through an optical window optically connected to the optical path in a fluid sample under analysis and receiving light from the fluid sample through the optical window; a first optical emitter configured to emit light at a first wavelength through the optical path and to the fluid sample; a second optical emitter configured to emit light at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength through the optical path and to the fluid sample; an optical detector configured to receive light from the fluid sample via the optical path; and a controller configured to control the first optical emitter and the second optical emitter to emit light at different times, where the optical detector is configured to receive fluorescent emissions through the optical window from the fluid sample in response to the light emitted by the first optical emitter, and the optical detector is configured to receive scattered light through the optical window from the fluid sample in response to the light emitted by the second optical emitter.
[0002]
2. Optical sensor according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the optical path defines a main axis that extends along the length of the optical path and the major axis extends through a center of the optical window and a center from the optical detector, and the optical window is an optical lens configured to direct light to the fluid sample from the optical path and to receive light from the fluid sample and direct it to the optical path.
[0003]
3. Optical sensor, according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the optical lens consists essentially of a single spherical lens.
[0004]
4. Optical sensor, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the optical path defines a first optical path and also comprises a second optical path that intercepts the first optical path at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, in which the first optical path is positioned between the optical window and the optical detector, and the first optical emitter and the second optical emitter are each positioned to emit light for the second optical path, and further comprises a partially reflecting optical window positioned at an intersection between the first optical path and the second optical path, where the partially reflecting optical window is configured to reflect at least a portion of the light emitted by the first optical emitter and the second optical emitter from the second optical path to the first optical path, and the partially reflecting optical window is configured to transmit at least a portion of the light received from the flow sample for the optical detector.
[0005]
5. Optical sensor, according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it also comprises a laser beam deflector, positioned so that the light from the first and second optical emitters transmitted by the partially reflecting optical window is incident on it, and configured to absorb substantially all of the incident light emitted by the first and second optical emitters.
[0006]
6. Optical sensor, according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the partially reflective optical window comprises a dichroic filter.
[0007]
7. Optical sensor, according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it also comprises a light guide positioned between the partially reflecting optical window and the lens.
[0008]
8. Optical sensor, according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the optical detector comprises a first optical detector, and further comprises a second optical detector positioned on the opposite side of the second optical path from at least one among the first optical emitter and the second optical emitter.
[0009]
9. Optical sensor, according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it further comprises a third optical path that intercepts the second optical path at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, in which the second optical detector is positioned at an end end of the third optical path opposite at least one of the first optical emitter and the second optical emitter, and a partially reflecting optical window positioned at an intersection between the second optical path and the third optical path, where the partially reflecting optical window is configured to reflect at least a portion of the light emitted by the first optical emitter from the second optical path to the third optical path, and the partially reflecting optical window is configured to transmit at least a portion of the light emitted by the second optical emitter to the third optical path .
[0010]
10. Optical sensor according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the partially reflective optical window comprises a quartz or sapphire window.
[0011]
11. Optical sensor according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it also comprises at least one additional optical path that intercepts the first optical path at an angle of approximately 90 degrees and arranged between the partially reflecting optical window and a terminal end of the first optical path opposite the optical window, and wherein the first optical detector comprises a plurality of optical detectors, each configured to detect incident light.
[0012]
12. Optical sensor, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it also comprises a first optical filter positioned between the first optical emitter and the optical window, and a second optical filter positioned between the optical detector and the optical window, in that the first optical filter is configured to filter substantially all wavelengths of light within a range of fluorescent light emitted by the fluid sample, and the second optical filter is configured to filter substantially all wavelengths of light emitted by the first optical emitter, but to pass wavelengths from the second optical emitter, the fluorescent emissions emitted from the fluid sample in response to light from the first optical emitter, and the light dispersed by the fluid sample in response to light at from the second optical emitter.
[0013]
13. Optical sensor, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the first wavelength ranges from 255 nanometers (nm) to 700 nm, and the second wavelength ranges from 800 nm to 1100 nm.
[0014]
14. Optical sensor, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the housing is configured to be inserted in one of a T section of the pipe with the optical window positioned in the fluid sample flowing through the T section of the tubing, and a fluid container port with the optical window positioned on the fluid sample flowing through the fluid container port.
[0015]
15. Optical sensor, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the housing defines a lower surface, the optical window extends distally from the lower surface for the fluid sample, and further comprises a non-optical sensor positioned on the bottom surface adjacent to the optical window, and where the non-optical sensor comprises at least one of a pH sensor, a conductivity sensor, and a temperature sensor.
[0016]
16. Method, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises: emitting light in a first wavelength by a first optical emitter through an optical path of a housing and an optical window optically connected to the optical path for a fluid sample under analysis; receiving fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid sample through the optical window and the optical path through an optical detector; emit light at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength by a second optical emitter through the optical path and the optical window and to the fluid sample under analysis, in which the light at the second wavelength is emitted at a time different that the light in the first wavelength is emitted; and receiving light scattered through the fluid sample through the optical window and the optical path through the optical detector.
[0017]
17. Method, according to claim 16, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the optical path defines a first optical path, and in which emitting light in a first wavelength and emitting light in a second wavelength through the optical path comprises direct light at the first wavelength and second wavelength to a second optical path that intersects the first optical path at an angle of approximately 90 degrees.
[0018]
18. Method, according to claim 17, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it also comprises reflecting at least a portion of the light emitted by the first optical emitter and the second optical emitter from the second optical path to the first optical path through an optical window partially reflecting, and transmitting at least a portion of the light received from the fluid sample to the optical detector through the partially reflecting optical window.
[0019]
19. Method, according to claim 17, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the optical detector comprises a first optical detector, and further comprises receiving light from at least one of the first and second optical emitters with a second optical detector via a third optical path, where the third optical path intersects the second optical path at an angle of approximately 90 degrees.
[0020]
20. Method, according to claim 19, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it also comprises reflecting at least a portion of the light emitted by the first optical emitter from the second optical path to the third optical path and towards the second optical detector by a partially reflective optical window.
[0021]
21. Method according to claim 17, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it further comprises passing the light emitted by the first optical emitter through a first optical filter to filter substantially all wavelengths of light within a range of fluorescent light emitted through the fluid sample, and passing the light received from the fluid sample through a second optical filter to filter substantially all wavelengths of the light emitted by the first optical emitter and the second optical emitter.
[0022]
22. Method, according to claim 17, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it further comprises determining at least one characteristic of the fluid sample based on the fluorescent emissions received from the sample, in which the determination of at least one characteristic comprises adjusting to the at least one feature based on the scattered light received from the sample.
[0023]
23. Method, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises: illuminating a fluid sample through an optical window optically connected to an optical path with light of a first wavelength; collect fluorescent emissions from the fluid sample through the optical window and the optical path; filtering substantially all wavelengths of light, except the wavelengths of fluorescent emissions and detecting a magnitude of fluorescent emissions; subsequent to the end of the illumination of the fluid sample with the light of the first wavelength, illuminate the fluid sample through the optical window and the optical path with light of a second wavelength; collect scattered light through the optical window and the optical path; and filtering substantially all wavelengths of light, except wavelengths of scattered light and detecting a magnitude of scattered light.

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法律状态:
2018-11-06| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|

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2019-12-31| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

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2020-02-27| B06I| Publication of requirement cancelled [chapter 6.9 patent gazette]|Free format text: ANULADA A PUBLICACAO CODIGO 6.21 NA RPI NO 2556 DE 31/12/2019 POR TER SIDO INDEVIDA. |

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2020-06-30| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

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2021-03-02| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

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2021-04-13| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 26/09/2014, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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US14/039,683|2013-09-27|

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US14/039,683|US9618450B2|2013-09-27|2013-09-27|Multi-channel fluorometric sensor and method of using same|

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PCT/US2014/057598|WO2015048378A1|2013-09-27|2014-09-26|Multi-channel fluorometric sensor and method of using same|

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