Abstract:
An automatic test instrument for gaging the percentage of various constituents in organic substances by comparing the reflective optical density of the subject at various wavelengths. Narrow band optical filters are connected together in the form of a rotatable paddle wheel positioned so that the filters can be individually swept through the incident light path between the specimen and wideband light source. As the filter wheel turns, the band of light passed by each filter is progressively shifted with the changing angle of the filter relative to the light path. The filter wheel configuration includes opaque vanes extending from the ends of the filters to periodically interrupt the passage of light to the specimen. Photocells are positioned to sense the level of light reflected from the specimen. The output of the photocells is sampled at predetermined times relative to the rotation of the filter wheel to yield values indicative of reflected intensity at certain wavelengths. Using these values, an electronic circuit in one embodiment calculates three optical density difference values corresponding to moisture, protein and oil content of the specimen. The difference values are automatically inserted in three linear equations which are solved to obtain readings representing the true percentages of oil, water and protein contained in the specimen. Each time a new specimen is loaded for testing, the instrument is automatically calibrated against a standard sample, preferably Teflon (Trademark). The output of the photocells is amplified in a special circuit which subtracts the level of dark period current from the output when the photocells are illuminated.
Abstract:
Methods and assemblies are provided for evaluating plants for presence of pests. Methods may include separating pests from a plant to produce a sample of pests for analysis, illuminating the sample to produce emitted light from the sample, and comparing the emitted light from the sample to a model to discriminate pests within the sample. Assemblies may include a separating unit operable to separate pests from a plant to produce a sample comprising pests, a light source for illuminating at least part of the sample, and an imaging device adjacent the light source for receiving light from the illuminated sample and creating an image of the sample.
Abstract:
Methods and assemblies are provided for evaluating plants for presence of pests. Methods may include separating pests from a plant to produce a sample of pests for analysis, illuminating the sample to produce emitted light from the sample, and comparing the emitted light from the sample to a model to discriminate pests within the sample. Assemblies may include a separating unit operable to separate pests from a plant to produce a sample comprising pests, a light source for illuminating at least part of the sample, and an imaging device adjacent the light source for receiving light from the illuminated sample and creating an image of the sample.
Abstract:
An improved control system for a stepper motor coil (190) includes a flyback circuit (192) that dissipates coil energy slowly while the coil is energized and operated in the chopping mode, while dissipating coil energy rapidly when the coil is switched to its de-energized phase.
Abstract:
A system (10) uses a photometer that establishes an optical channel between a light emitter (102) and a light detector (106). The photometer analyzes a specimen while it occupies a well (48) in a tray (12). A movable platform (74) transports the tray (12) to the optical channel for analysis and removes the tray (12) from the optical channel after analysis. The system calibrates the movable platform (74) to assure proper alignment between the specimen and the photometric apparatus used to analyze the specimen. The system also calibrates the optical channel without use of an external reference.
Abstract:
A Raman spectroscopy system and method for determining a zero-calibration level. A gas sample chamber (54) is located within a resonant cavity. A light source (22) is located to cause light to be incident on the gas sample, the light resonates in the resonant cavity. Typically, the light source and resonator cavity in conjunction form a laser source which propagates coherent, monochromatic laser light energy through the gas sample. This causes Raman scattering from the gases constituent in the gas sample. The amount of Raman scattered light is measured at detectors (72) along with light due to dark noise inherent in the detectors and glow from the laser source, i.e., light at wavelengths other than the laser light wavelength produced by the laser source. The resonator cavity is obstructed, via a ball (380) inserted into the path of the laser beam for example, to prevent resonance. If the light source and resonant cavity in conjunction form a laser, prevention of resonance causes cessation of lasing. Thus, substantially no Raman scattering occurs and detectors measure light due primarily to background noise. The origin of the measurement scale for the detectors may then be set at the measured intensity, i.e., a zero-calibration level for the detectors may be determined.
Abstract:
Un système (10) utilise un photomètre qui établit un canal optique entre un émetteur de lumière (102) et un détecteur de lumière (106). Le photomètre analyse un spécimen lorsqu'il se trouve dans l'avéole (48) d'un plateau (12). Une plate-forme mobile (74) transporte le plateau (12) vers le canal optique en vue d'une analyse et retire le plateau (12) du canal optique après l'analyse. Le système calibre la plate-forme mobile (74) afin d'assurer un alignement correct entre le spécimen et l'appareil photométrique utilisé pour analyser le spécimen. Le système calibre également le canal optique sans utiliser une référence externe.
Abstract:
In known spectrophometers, a single light source is used to illuminate both a sample and a reference. A single detector is used to detect the light at both the sample and the reference. A chopper wheel having aperture portions is used to allow the light to pass through a selected filter in the apertures. However, in such devices, the beams from the sample and the reference arrive at the detector at the same time and movable shutters need to be employed. Described herein is a spectrophotometer (10) comprising a single light source (12), a single detector (14), optics (30, 36, 340, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 90, 92, 100) for dually and alternatively reading a sample (94) and a reference (96), and which employs only one moving part. That moving part is a chopper (42) containing multiple pass-through apertures (60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f), each filled with a unique bandpass filter to select wavelengths to specifically illuminate the sample (94) or reference (96). To inform the spectrophotometer (10) whether and when it is reading the sample (94) or the reference (96), energy relay means (70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70e, 70f, 70g, 70h, 70i, 70j, 70k, 70l) are provided between an energy emitter (80) and an energy detector (82) in an amount of at least twice the number of the pass-through apertures (60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f).
Abstract:
In known spectrophometers, a single light source is used to illuminate both a sample and a reference. A single detector is used to detect the light at both the sample and the reference. A chopper wheel having aperture portions is used to allow the light to pass through a selected filter in the apertures. However, in such devices, the beams from the sample and the reference arrive at the detector at the same time and movable shutters need to be employed. Described herein is a spectrophotometer (10) comprising a single light source (12), a single detector (14), optics (30, 36, 340, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 90, 92, 100) for dually and alternatively reading a sample (94) and a reference (96), and which employs only one moving part. That moving part is a chopper (42) containing multiple pass-through apertures (60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f), each filled with a unique bandpass filter to select wavelengths to specifically illuminate the sample (94) or reference (96). To inform the spectrophotometer (10) whether and when it is reading the sample (94) or the reference (96), energy relay means (70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70e, 70f, 70g, 70h, 70i, 70j, 70k, 70l) are provided between an energy emitter (80) and an energy detector (82) in an amount of at least twice the number of the pass-through apertures (60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f).