GB2256270A - Determination of the condition of or change in state of an environment - Google Patents
Determination of the condition of or change in state of an environment Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2256270A GB2256270A GB9211352A GB9211352A GB2256270A GB 2256270 A GB2256270 A GB 2256270A GB 9211352 A GB9211352 A GB 9211352A GB 9211352 A GB9211352 A GB 9211352A GB 2256270 A GB2256270 A GB 2256270A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- light
- environment
- diamond
- transmitting
- amount
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 31
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 31
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 239000004519 grease Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 241000700605 Viruses Species 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000005416 organic matter Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000012736 aqueous medium Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000010437 gem Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910001751 gemstone Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 238000005229 chemical vapour deposition Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 241001272567 Hominoidea Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- 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
- G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
- G01N21/41—Refractivity; Phase-affecting properties, e.g. optical path length
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
- G01F23/28—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
- G01F23/284—Electromagnetic waves
- G01F23/292—Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet
- G01F23/2921—Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet for discrete levels
- G01F23/2922—Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet for discrete levels with light-conducting sensing elements, e.g. prisms
- G01F23/2925—Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet for discrete levels with light-conducting sensing elements, e.g. prisms using electrical detecting means
-
- 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
- G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
- G01N2021/1738—Optionally different kinds of measurements; Method being valid for different kinds of measurement
- G01N2021/1742—Optionally different kinds of measurements; Method being valid for different kinds of measurement either absorption or reflection
-
- 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
- G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
- G01N21/88—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
- G01N21/94—Investigating contamination, e.g. dust
- G01N2021/945—Liquid or solid deposits of macroscopic size on surfaces, e.g. drops, films, or clustered contaminants
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
Abstract
A method of determining a condition of or change in state of an environment comprises providing a diamond body having a light-transmitting surface, placing the body in the environment so that the surface is in contact with the environment, passing light through the body determining the amount of light reflected from, or transmitted through, the surface, and comparing that amount with a standard. The diamond body may be one which has at least two light transmitting surfaces at an angle to each other, or a corrugated diamond film. The amount of organic matter or grease in an aqueous medium, the amount of bacteria or virus in an environment, or the level of a liquid may be determined. <IMAGE>
Description
DETERMINATION OF THE CONDrrTON OF OR CHANGE IN
STATE OF AN ENVIRONMENT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the determination of the condition of or change in state of an environment
Diamond makes an excellent gem stone partly because of its optical properties, and partly because of its extreme resistance to abrasion A soft jewel soon loses its attractive appearance as its surface becomes scratched, Diamond gem stones are cut in such a way as to may the internal reflection from various surfaces.
The invention, in one embodiment, seeks to utilise certain characteristics of diamond in determining the condition of or change in state of an environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a method of determining a condition of or change in state of an environment includes the steps of providing a light.transmittmg body, typically a diamond body, having a lighttransmitting suffice, placing the body in the environment so that the surface is in contact with the environment, passing light into the body and through the surface, determining the amount of light reflected from, or transmitted throngh, the surface and comparing that amount with a standard.
In one form of the invention, the light-transmitting body is a diamond body having a base through which Ought enters the body and at Ieast two light-transmitting surfaces at an angle to each other adapted to receive light entering the diamond body through the base.
In another form of the invention, the light-transmitting body is a corrugated diamond layer ha,ing a plurality of peaks and light enters the layer through one surface while the opposite surface is placed in contact with the environment.
Preferably the angle between the light-transmitting surfaces of the diamond body and the angle defined within the peaks of the corrugated diamond layer is in the range 90 to 100 .
The light may be light of any wavelength from UV to IR Generally light in the visible region will be useL
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 i illustrates a perspective view of a diamond useful m the practice of the invention, and
Figure 2 illustrates a sectional side view of a diamond layer useful in the practice of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
As mentioned above, the invention has particular application to diamond bodies, one such body being illustrated by Figure 1. Referring to this figure, there is shown a diamond body having three sloping surfaces 10, 12 and 14 terminating at an apex 16. Edges 18, 20 and 22 of the sloping surfaces define the edges of a base surface 24. The apex angle of the body will preferably be about I()(r.
In the diamond body will be placed in an environment such that the sloping surfaces are in contact with that enwvironment Light is passed through the base 24 in the direction of the arrows. Part of this light will be reflected from each of the sloping surfaces, and part of it will pass through these surfaces. The reflected light will pass through a number of internal reflections and some of it will be reflected back ont throngh the base surface 24, Water, grease or other matter in contact with the surfaces has the effect of increasing the amount of transmitted light.
Should the environment in which the sloping surfaces are in contact change, then the refractive index which the diamond relative to that environment will also change and more or less light will pass through the sloping surfaces. This change, when compared with a standard, can be used to determine the naatre or condition of the environment or a change in state of that environment
The method of the invention may be used in a number of ways. It may be used for liquid level measurements. It may also be used as an organic/grease sensor. Grease and organic matter sticks to diamond whereas water does not and this has the effect of allowing more light to be transmitted.Consequently, the method may be used to determine the amount or quantity of grease or organic matter in an aqueous medium, Further, the method may be ueed ia biomedical applications, The diamond body may be placed in an environment where viruses or bacteria of a particular type grow. These viruses or bacteria will tend to grow on the diamond surfaces thereby affecting the amount of light transmitted therethrough.
The diamond body may also be provided by a diamond Elm or layer 30 such as that mustrated by Figure 2, Referring to this figure, the diamond film 30 has a corrugated shape and is typically produced by chemical vapour deposition The diamond film will be deposited by chemical vapour deposition on a suitably profiled substrate which will thereafter be removed Light will be directed at the lower surface 32 of the film 30 in the direction of the arrows. The upper surface 34 will be placed in contact with the environment. Change in the environment will cause a change in the amount of light transmitted/reflected by the diamond film. The angle defined within each peak or apes 36 of the corrugated diamond layer 30 is preferably about 10040 The Length "#" of each corrugation is preferably greater than the wavelength of the light used.
Claims (10)
1.
A method of determining a oondition of or change in state of an environment including the steps of providing a light-transmitting body having a light-transmitting surface, placing the body in the environment so that the surface is in contact with the environment, passing light into the body and through the surface, determining the amount of light reflected from, or transmitted through, the surface and comparing that with the standard
2.
A method according to claim I wherein the llght.transmitting body is a diamond body having a base through which light enters the body, and at least two light-transmitting surices at an angle to each other adapted to receive light entering the diamond through the base.
3.
A method according to claim 2 wherein the angle between the two light.
transmitting sxiraces is in the range 90 to 100 .
4.
A method according to claim I wherein the light-transmitting body is a corrugated diamond layer having a plurality of peaks and light enters the layer through one surface while the opposite surface is placed in contact with the environment.
A method according to claim 4 wherein the angle defined withIn each peak of the corrugated diamond layer is in the range 90 to 100 .
6.
A method according to any one of tbe preceding claims wherein the light has a wavelength from UV to IR
7.
A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the light is in the visible region.
8.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the environment is an aqueous medinm containing grease and/or organic matter, the method being used to determine the amount or quantity of grease or organic matter in the mediums
9.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the environment is one containing virus and/or bacteria and the method is used to determine the amount of virus and/or bacteria in the environment.
10.
A method according to claim 1 and substantlaIly as herein described with reference to Figures 1 or 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB919111776A GB9111776D0 (en) | 1991-05-31 | 1991-05-31 | Determination of the condition of or change in state of an environment |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9211352D0 GB9211352D0 (en) | 1992-07-15 |
| GB2256270A true GB2256270A (en) | 1992-12-02 |
| GB2256270B GB2256270B (en) | 1995-04-19 |
Family
ID=10695907
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB919111776A Pending GB9111776D0 (en) | 1991-05-31 | 1991-05-31 | Determination of the condition of or change in state of an environment |
| GB9211352A Expired - Fee Related GB2256270B (en) | 1991-05-31 | 1992-05-29 | Determination of the condition of or change in state of an environment |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB919111776A Pending GB9111776D0 (en) | 1991-05-31 | 1991-05-31 | Determination of the condition of or change in state of an environment |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB9111776D0 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA923859B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102015008200A1 (en) * | 2015-06-26 | 2016-12-29 | Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. | Sensor device for determining a level of a fluid in a vehicle |
Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0089098A2 (en) * | 1979-10-03 | 1983-09-21 | Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. | Refractive-index responsive light-signal system |
| EP0049220B1 (en) * | 1980-09-18 | 1985-12-18 | Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. | Device with a double optical probe for determining the refractive index led back to a reference temperature in a fluid |
| GB2170004A (en) * | 1984-12-08 | 1986-07-23 | Testoterm Messtechnik Gmbh Co | Apparatus for sensing fluids |
| US4639594A (en) * | 1984-12-17 | 1987-01-27 | Carrier Corporation | Fiberoptic probe and method of making and using |
| GB2185308A (en) * | 1986-01-10 | 1987-07-15 | Stc Plc | Optical waveguide material sensor |
| WO1990002322A1 (en) * | 1988-08-31 | 1990-03-08 | Red Kite Technology Limited | Parameter measurement using refractive index change |
| GB2230855A (en) * | 1989-04-03 | 1990-10-31 | Secr Defence | Thin film calorimeter |
| EP0417700A2 (en) * | 1989-09-12 | 1991-03-20 | THE STATE of ISRAEL Atomic Energy Commission Soreq Nuclear Research Center | Improvement in attenuated total reflection spectroscopy |
-
1991
- 1991-05-31 GB GB919111776A patent/GB9111776D0/en active Pending
-
1992
- 1992-05-27 ZA ZA923859A patent/ZA923859B/en unknown
- 1992-05-29 GB GB9211352A patent/GB2256270B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0089098A2 (en) * | 1979-10-03 | 1983-09-21 | Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. | Refractive-index responsive light-signal system |
| EP0049220B1 (en) * | 1980-09-18 | 1985-12-18 | Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. | Device with a double optical probe for determining the refractive index led back to a reference temperature in a fluid |
| GB2170004A (en) * | 1984-12-08 | 1986-07-23 | Testoterm Messtechnik Gmbh Co | Apparatus for sensing fluids |
| US4639594A (en) * | 1984-12-17 | 1987-01-27 | Carrier Corporation | Fiberoptic probe and method of making and using |
| GB2185308A (en) * | 1986-01-10 | 1987-07-15 | Stc Plc | Optical waveguide material sensor |
| WO1990002322A1 (en) * | 1988-08-31 | 1990-03-08 | Red Kite Technology Limited | Parameter measurement using refractive index change |
| GB2230855A (en) * | 1989-04-03 | 1990-10-31 | Secr Defence | Thin film calorimeter |
| EP0417700A2 (en) * | 1989-09-12 | 1991-03-20 | THE STATE of ISRAEL Atomic Energy Commission Soreq Nuclear Research Center | Improvement in attenuated total reflection spectroscopy |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102015008200A1 (en) * | 2015-06-26 | 2016-12-29 | Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. | Sensor device for determining a level of a fluid in a vehicle |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9211352D0 (en) | 1992-07-15 |
| GB9111776D0 (en) | 1991-07-24 |
| ZA923859B (en) | 1993-02-24 |
| GB2256270B (en) | 1995-04-19 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19960529 |