US20050168736A1 - Optical probe with sampling window cleaning configuration - Google Patents
Optical probe with sampling window cleaning configuration Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050168736A1 US20050168736A1 US11/091,035 US9103505A US2005168736A1 US 20050168736 A1 US20050168736 A1 US 20050168736A1 US 9103505 A US9103505 A US 9103505A US 2005168736 A1 US2005168736 A1 US 2005168736A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- window
- fluid
- sample
- optical probe
- probe
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 47
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title abstract description 9
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 238000011835 investigation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 230000005284 excitation Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000001069 Raman spectroscopy Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 abstract description 7
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004886 process control Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000013480 data collection Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001917 fluorescence detection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B17/00—Methods preventing fouling
- B08B17/02—Preventing deposition of fouling or of dust
- B08B17/06—Preventing deposition of fouling or of dust by giving articles subject to fouling a special shape or arrangement
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
- G01J3/00—Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
- G01J3/02—Details
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
- G01N21/15—Preventing contamination of the components of the optical system or obstruction of the light path
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
- G01J3/00—Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
- G01J3/02—Details
- G01J3/0256—Compact construction
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
- G01N21/15—Preventing contamination of the components of the optical system or obstruction of the light path
- G01N2021/151—Gas blown
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to optical probes and, in particular, to a probe having a self-cleaning capability for use in on-line process control and other applications.
- Optical probes such as those used for Raman detection are increasingly being employed in on-line process-control applications. In a typical configuration, this requires that at least the sampling optic be immersed directly into a process stream. In many cases, the process stream contains materials which tend to coat the optic, thereby reducing or completely eliminating the ability to collect data.
- Ultrasonic cleaners have difficulty maintaining sufficient energy density at the optic, and do not operate well in viscous fluids.
- Spray jets are affected by process flows, and require large volumes of solvent.
- Mechanical approaches introduce unwanted sealing requirements into the process, and may pose safety and/or reliability problems.
- This invention resides in an optical probe with a self-cleaning sampling window, a feature which is particularly useful in on-line process-control environments.
- the concepts are ideally suited to Raman and fluorescence detection, through the apparatus and methods are not limited in this regard.
- the apparatus includes a probe body having a window with a surface oriented toward a sample under investigation.
- a sampling beam carrying wavelengths representative of the sample passes into the probe body through the window for analysis.
- a conduit, preferably forming part of the probe body, is used to carry a fluid to the surface of the window oriented toward the sample, and a partition proximate to the window is used to direct the fluid across the window as a laminar or turbulent flow.
- the partition further includes an aperture through which the sampling wavelengths pass.
- This partition also permits a portion of the fluid to pass though the aperture to ensure that the sample under investigation does not reach the window.
- the fluid may be a liquid or gas, depending upon the nature of the sample, and is preferably a solvent to maximize window cleaning.
- the fluid may be discharged without entering into the environment being sampled, the fluid may also be discharged into the sample, depending upon the application, volume of the respective fluid/sample flows, and other such factors.
- FIG. 1 is a drawing in cross-section illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment in cross-section generally at 100 .
- an optical channel 104 containing a sampling beam 106 .
- a sampling lens 106 is used to focus the beam to a localized sampling zone 114 through a sampling port 116 .
- the beam 106 includes both excitation (i.e., laser) and collected wavelengths in a counter-propagating beam, though the invention is applicable to a collection-only path, assuming no requirement for excitation, or excitation originating from a different direction.
Abstract
A self-cleaning optical probe includes a probe body having a window with a surface oriented toward a sample under investigation. A sampling beam carrying wavelengths representative of the sample passes into the probe body through the window for analysis. A conduit, preferably forming part of the probe body, is used to carry a fluid to the surface of the window oriented toward the sample, and a partition proximate to the window is used to direct the fluid across the window as a laminar flow. The partition further includes an aperture through which the sampling wavelengths pass. This partition also permits a portion of the fluid to pass though the aperture to ensure that the sample under investigation does not reach the window. The fluid may be a liquid or gas, and is preferably a solvent to maximize window cleaning. Although the fluid may be discharged without entering into the environment being sampled, the fluid may also be discharged into the sample, depending upon the application, volume of the respective fluid/sample flows, and other such factors.
Description
- This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/108,720, filed Nov. 17, 1998, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- This invention relates generally to optical probes and, in particular, to a probe having a self-cleaning capability for use in on-line process control and other applications.
- Optical probes such as those used for Raman detection are increasingly being employed in on-line process-control applications. In a typical configuration, this requires that at least the sampling optic be immersed directly into a process stream. In many cases, the process stream contains materials which tend to coat the optic, thereby reducing or completely eliminating the ability to collect data.
- Many solutions have been tried to compensate for, or to remove, such coatings, including ultrasonic cleaners, spray jets, mechanical “windshield” wipers, and even arrangements which automatically retract, clean and reinsert the probe. Each of these approaches has distinct disadvantages. Ultrasonic cleaners have difficulty maintaining sufficient energy density at the optic, and do not operate well in viscous fluids. Spray jets are affected by process flows, and require large volumes of solvent. Mechanical approaches introduce unwanted sealing requirements into the process, and may pose safety and/or reliability problems.
- This invention resides in an optical probe with a self-cleaning sampling window, a feature which is particularly useful in on-line process-control environments. The concepts are ideally suited to Raman and fluorescence detection, through the apparatus and methods are not limited in this regard.
- In terms of hardware, the apparatus includes a probe body having a window with a surface oriented toward a sample under investigation. A sampling beam carrying wavelengths representative of the sample passes into the probe body through the window for analysis. A conduit, preferably forming part of the probe body, is used to carry a fluid to the surface of the window oriented toward the sample, and a partition proximate to the window is used to direct the fluid across the window as a laminar or turbulent flow.
- In a preferred configuration, the partition further includes an aperture through which the sampling wavelengths pass. This partition also permits a portion of the fluid to pass though the aperture to ensure that the sample under investigation does not reach the window. The fluid may be a liquid or gas, depending upon the nature of the sample, and is preferably a solvent to maximize window cleaning. Although the fluid may be discharged without entering into the environment being sampled, the fluid may also be discharged into the sample, depending upon the application, volume of the respective fluid/sample flows, and other such factors.
-
FIG. 1 is a drawing in cross-section illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention. - Broadly, and in general terms, this invention utilizes a flowing solvent as opposed to a jet-spray to keep clean a window used in conjunction with a sampling beam of a spectroscopic system. The approach is applicable to any form of optical sampling, including Raman detection, fluorescence, and so forth. In the preferred embodiment, the solvent used for cleaning is supplied as a laminar sheet over and past the surface of the window exposed to the process flow. Alternatively, other “fluids” may be used in lieu of solvents, including gases, particularly if applied in sheet form, depending upon the type of process flow involved.
- The invention will be better understood with reference to
FIG. 1 , which illustrates a preferred embodiment in cross-section generally at 100. Within aprobe body 102, there is housed anoptical channel 104 containing asampling beam 106. Asampling lens 106 is used to focus the beam to a localizedsampling zone 114 through a sampling port 116. In this example, it is assumed that thebeam 106 includes both excitation (i.e., laser) and collected wavelengths in a counter-propagating beam, though the invention is applicable to a collection-only path, assuming no requirement for excitation, or excitation originating from a different direction. - Also contained within the
probe body 102 are one ormore delivery tubes 120, delivering the cleaning fluid into agap 122 on the process side ofwindow 112. A partition 113 or other structure is provided to flood a small portion of the window actually used by the sampling beam, as shown, thereby protecting the window from contamination. It is also assumed that the solvent is substantially transparent to the wavelengths being collected through the window, such that the solvent itself will not contaminate or appreciably modify the sample spectra. - The solvent flow may be laminar or turbulent, and may be aspirated through the sample port and entrained through an
output port 124 into the solvent flow. This ensures that a representative sample is always available to the sampling zone. Since there is a danger that materials within the process flow may clog the sample port, a secondsample delivery tube 121 is positioned “downstream” of the window. Solvent introduced into thetube 121 would serve to increase the back pressure and drive the solvent forceably out the sample port, thereby cleaning the entire sampling area. - It will appreciated to those of skill that the system just described may be operated continuously during data collection, or only on occasion to clean the window in between data collection events.
Claims (7)
1-7. (canceled)
8. An optical probe, comprising:
a probe body having a window with a surface oriented toward a sample under investigation;
an excitation beam following an excitation optical path through the probe body and the window to the sample under investigation;
a sampling beam carrying Raman or fluorescence wavelengths representative of the sample into the probe body through the window along a path generally counter-propagational to the excitation optical path; and
a structure operative to flood the window with fluid to keep it clean.
9. The optical probe of claim 8 , wherein the fluid is a solvent.
10. The optical probe of claim 8 , wherein the fluid is a liquid.
11. The optical probe of claim 8 , wherein the fluid is a gas.
12. The optical probe of claim 8 , wherein the fluid enters into the sample under investigation after flooding the window.
13. The optical probe of claim 8 , further including an optic operative to focus the excitation beam and collimate the sampling beam.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/091,035 US20050168736A1 (en) | 1998-11-17 | 2005-03-28 | Optical probe with sampling window cleaning configuration |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10872098P | 1998-11-17 | 1998-11-17 | |
US09/441,683 US6873409B1 (en) | 1998-11-17 | 1999-11-16 | Optical probe with sampling window cleaning configuration |
US11/091,035 US20050168736A1 (en) | 1998-11-17 | 2005-03-28 | Optical probe with sampling window cleaning configuration |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/441,683 Continuation US6873409B1 (en) | 1998-11-17 | 1999-11-16 | Optical probe with sampling window cleaning configuration |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050168736A1 true US20050168736A1 (en) | 2005-08-04 |
Family
ID=34315896
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/441,683 Expired - Lifetime US6873409B1 (en) | 1998-11-17 | 1999-11-16 | Optical probe with sampling window cleaning configuration |
US11/091,035 Abandoned US20050168736A1 (en) | 1998-11-17 | 2005-03-28 | Optical probe with sampling window cleaning configuration |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/441,683 Expired - Lifetime US6873409B1 (en) | 1998-11-17 | 1999-11-16 | Optical probe with sampling window cleaning configuration |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (2) | US6873409B1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8760644B2 (en) * | 2012-10-31 | 2014-06-24 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Systems and methods for cleaning an inline optical fluid analyzer |
US20180299667A1 (en) * | 2017-04-12 | 2018-10-18 | Procemex Oy | Pinhole camera with an integrated lens cleaning chamber, and a lens cleaning system for a pinhole camera |
US10632507B2 (en) | 2014-10-17 | 2020-04-28 | Excelsense Technologies Corp. | Self-cleaning optical sensor assembly |
Families Citing this family (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE202005011177U1 (en) | 2005-07-15 | 2006-11-23 | J & M Analytische Mess- Und Regeltechnik Gmbh | Device for analysis, in particular photometric or spectrophotometric analysis |
US7773217B2 (en) | 2006-02-17 | 2010-08-10 | Axsun Technologies, Inc. | Probe for tunable laser Raman spectroscopy system |
US8579807B2 (en) * | 2008-04-28 | 2013-11-12 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Absorbing fluids in a surgical access device |
WO2009000490A1 (en) | 2007-06-22 | 2008-12-31 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Self-cleaning window for spectroscopic measurement cells, process probes or chemical reactors |
US8096944B2 (en) * | 2007-10-26 | 2012-01-17 | Harrel Stephen K | Air shield for videoscope imagers |
US9358041B2 (en) * | 2008-04-28 | 2016-06-07 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Llc | Wicking fluid management in a surgical access device |
US8273060B2 (en) | 2008-04-28 | 2012-09-25 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Fluid removal in a surgical access device |
US8870747B2 (en) | 2008-04-28 | 2014-10-28 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Scraping fluid removal in a surgical access device |
USD700326S1 (en) | 2008-04-28 | 2014-02-25 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Trocar housing |
US8568362B2 (en) * | 2008-04-28 | 2013-10-29 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Surgical access device with sorbents |
US11235111B2 (en) | 2008-04-28 | 2022-02-01 | Ethicon Llc | Surgical access device |
US8636686B2 (en) | 2008-04-28 | 2014-01-28 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Surgical access device |
DE102009045472B4 (en) * | 2009-10-08 | 2021-06-17 | Endress+Hauser Conducta Gmbh+Co. Kg | Sensor system |
WO2013110697A1 (en) * | 2012-01-25 | 2013-08-01 | Bayer Intellectual Property Gmbh | Reflection probe |
WO2014087374A1 (en) * | 2012-12-05 | 2014-06-12 | Unicer - Bebidas, S.A | Monitoring method and probe of the alcoholic fermentation with spectroscopy uv-vis-swnir |
US10261020B2 (en) * | 2017-01-04 | 2019-04-16 | Kaiser Optical Systems Inc. | Cost-effective Raman probe assembly for single-use bioreactor vessels |
EP3748337A1 (en) | 2019-06-06 | 2020-12-09 | Measure Analyse Control bvba | Probe for simultaneous analysis using different spectroscopic techniques, and corresponding method |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4281646A (en) * | 1978-06-30 | 1981-08-04 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Cleaning device for an observation window of an endoscope |
US4836689A (en) * | 1986-02-27 | 1989-06-06 | Rosemount Inc. | Asymmetric purge air system for cleaning a lens |
US4967745A (en) * | 1987-04-10 | 1990-11-06 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Multi-fiber plug for a laser catheter |
US4976871A (en) * | 1989-10-17 | 1990-12-11 | Nalco Chemical Company | Method of monitoring flocculant effectiveness |
US5261410A (en) * | 1991-02-07 | 1993-11-16 | Alfano Robert R | Method for determining if a tissue is a malignant tumor tissue, a benign tumor tissue, or a normal or benign tissue using Raman spectroscopy |
US5333609A (en) * | 1992-05-19 | 1994-08-02 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Catheter and probe-catheter assembly |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4220701C2 (en) * | 1991-08-02 | 2001-02-08 | Olympus Optical Co | Endoscope cleaning device |
US5575756A (en) * | 1993-08-16 | 1996-11-19 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Endoscope apparatus |
US5845646A (en) * | 1996-11-05 | 1998-12-08 | Lemelson; Jerome | System and method for treating select tissue in a living being |
-
1999
- 1999-11-16 US US09/441,683 patent/US6873409B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2005
- 2005-03-28 US US11/091,035 patent/US20050168736A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4281646A (en) * | 1978-06-30 | 1981-08-04 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Cleaning device for an observation window of an endoscope |
US4836689A (en) * | 1986-02-27 | 1989-06-06 | Rosemount Inc. | Asymmetric purge air system for cleaning a lens |
US4967745A (en) * | 1987-04-10 | 1990-11-06 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Multi-fiber plug for a laser catheter |
US4976871A (en) * | 1989-10-17 | 1990-12-11 | Nalco Chemical Company | Method of monitoring flocculant effectiveness |
US5261410A (en) * | 1991-02-07 | 1993-11-16 | Alfano Robert R | Method for determining if a tissue is a malignant tumor tissue, a benign tumor tissue, or a normal or benign tissue using Raman spectroscopy |
US5333609A (en) * | 1992-05-19 | 1994-08-02 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Catheter and probe-catheter assembly |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8760644B2 (en) * | 2012-10-31 | 2014-06-24 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Systems and methods for cleaning an inline optical fluid analyzer |
US10632507B2 (en) | 2014-10-17 | 2020-04-28 | Excelsense Technologies Corp. | Self-cleaning optical sensor assembly |
US11173524B2 (en) | 2014-10-17 | 2021-11-16 | Excelsense Technologies Corp. | Self-cleaning optical sensor assembly |
US20180299667A1 (en) * | 2017-04-12 | 2018-10-18 | Procemex Oy | Pinhole camera with an integrated lens cleaning chamber, and a lens cleaning system for a pinhole camera |
US10739581B2 (en) | 2017-04-12 | 2020-08-11 | Procemex Oy | Pinhole camera with an integrated lens cleaning chamber, and a lens cleaning system for a pinhole camera |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US6873409B1 (en) | 2005-03-29 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION |