UV fluorometric sensor and method for using the same
Inventors
Tokhtuev, Eugene T. • Owen, Christopher J. • Slobodyan, Viktor • Skirda, Anatoly • Schilling, Paul • Pilipchenko, Anna • Kraus, Paul R. • Sanville, Katherine M. • Erickson, Joseph Phillip
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-7652267-B2
Publication Date
2010-01-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
An ultraviolet (UV) fluorometric sensor measures a chemical concentration in a sample based on the measured fluorescence of the sample. The sensor includes a controller, at least one UV light source, and at least one UV detector. The sensor emits UV light in a wavelength range of 245-265 nm from the light source through the sample in an analytical area. The UV detector measures the fluorescence emission from the sample. The controller transforms output signals from the UV detector into fluorescence values or optical densities for one or more wavelengths in the wavelength range of 265-340 nm. The controller calculates the chemical concentration of the chemical in the sample based on the measured fluorescence emissions.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an ultraviolet fluorometric sensing system that determines the concentration of a chemical in a sample by exciting fluorescence characteristics with ultraviolet light and detecting fluorescence emissions at a second UV wavelength. A sensor head includes a light source chamber with a UV light source that emits a first UV wavelength, and a light source window positions the first UV wavelength into an analytical area containing a sample of unknown chemical concentration. The sensor head further includes a detector chamber with a UV detector that detects fluorescence emissions of the sample at a second UV wavelength transmitted through a detector window.
A controller calculates the concentration of the chemical based on the detected fluorescence emission. The system uses the relationship between excitation at the first UV wavelength and fluorescence emission detected at the second UV wavelength to convert detector outputs into fluorescence/optical density and to compute chemical concentration. The controller may use a zero solution reference and calibration constants or an equation that includes detector output signals corresponding to a zero solution and a calibration solution.
The invention also specifies a sensor head geometry and optical/electronic architectures enabling reliable sensing across different sample environments. The sensor head is defined by a 90 degree cutout with a first planar surface intersecting at 90 degrees to a bottom surface and a second planar surface parallel to the bottom surface while intersecting at 90 degrees to a lateral surface. In certain implementations, the system may include additional sensing or separation of signals, including detection of scattered UV radiation for turbidity and optical separation using a dichroic mirror to distinguish fluorescence emissions from scattered UV radiation.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims include two sensor formulations that share the same main inventive concept: a UV-excitation/UV-detection arrangement with a controller that computes chemical concentration from detected fluorescence emissions. Across the independent claims, the main inventive features are defined by a specified sensor head cutout geometry, UV illumination into an analytical area, UV detection at a second UV wavelength, and controller-based concentration calculation from the fluorescence signal.
A sensor head for UV fluorescence sensing with 90 degree cutout
A sensor head having a 90 degree cutout defining a first planar surface intersecting at 90 degrees to a bottom surface and defining a second planar surface parallel to the bottom surface and intersecting at 90 degrees to a lateral surface, wherein the sensor head includes a light source chamber with a UV light source and a detector chamber with a UV detector positioned with respect to the first planar surface and second planar surface.
UV light source window transmitting a first UV wavelength into an analytical area
A light source window positioned in the first planar surface that transmits the first UV wavelength into an analytical area containing a sample having an unknown concentration of a chemical that exhibits fluorescent characteristics.
UV detector window detecting fluorescence emissions at a second UV wavelength
A detector window positioned in the second planar surface and a detector chamber including a UV detector that detects fluorescence emissions of the sample at a second UV wavelength transmitted through the detector window.
Controller calculating concentration from detected fluorescence emission
A controller that calculates the concentration of the chemical in the sample based on the detected fluorescence emission.
Sensor arrangement using planar surfaces with exchanged window positioning
A sensor head having a 90 degree cutout defining a first planar surface intersecting at 90 degrees to a bottom surface and defining a second planar surface parallel to the bottom surface and intersecting at 90 degrees to a lateral surface, wherein the light source window is positioned in the second planar surface and the detector window is positioned in the first planar surface.
Both independent claims define a UV fluorometric sensor in which a UV light source emits a first UV wavelength into an analytical area containing a fluorescent chemical sample, a UV detector measures fluorescence emissions at a second UV wavelength, and a controller calculates the chemical concentration from the detected fluorescence emission, with the sensor head geometry and window placement defined by a 90 degree cutout.
Stated Advantages
High sensitivity via wavelength selection.
Specificity via wavelength selection.
Non-linear-path sensing flexibility.
Applicability across many fluorescent compound classes.
Documented Applications
Use in sanitizing/antimicrobial products, including a multi-quat (OASIS 146) context.
Cleaning and water-care settings for continuous monitoring and deployment.
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