US4286873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refractometer cell with integral lens
Assignee: Waters Technologies Corp
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Filing: 1979-06-25
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Granted: 1981-09-01
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Expires: 1999-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A fused glass refractometer cell is disclosed in which a lens is formed by the front surface of the cell and a reflective surface is applied to the rear surface of the cell. Means are provided to limit the passage of light through the cell to the central portion of the cell.
Inventors
- 👤 William W. Carson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D3/00; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/41; G01N30/00; G01N30/02; G01N30/62; G01N30/74; G01N30/26; G01N30/28; G01N30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
In a refractometer of the type including a cell in which a sample fluid is located and through which a light beam passes, said cell being constructed by fusing together a plurality of glass elements to form a chamber for said sample fluid, said light beam passing through said chamber, the improvement wherein said cell comprises an integral curved surface for acting as a lens to focus said light beam, said curved surface being an exterior surface of one of said fused-together glass elements, and further comprising a reflective coating applied to an exterior surface of one of said fused-together glass elements of said cell, wherein said reflective coating covers a limited area of said surface and thereby reflects only a portion of said light beam passing through said cell, whereby said reflective coating functions as a mask to block portions of said beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a refractometer of the type including a cell in which a sample fluid is located and through which a light beam passes, said cell being constructed by fusing together a plurality of glass elements to form a chamber for said sample fluid, said light beam passing through said chamber, the improvement wherein said cell comprises an integral curved surface for acting as a lens to focus said light beam, said curved surface being an exterior surface of one of said fused-together glass elements, and further comprising a reflective coating applied to an exterior surface of one of said fused-together glass elements of said cell, wherein said reflective coating covers a limited area of said surface and thereby reflects only a portion of said light beam passing through said cell, whereby said reflective coating functions as a mask to block portions of said beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a refractometer of the type including a cell in which a sample fluid is located and through which a light beam passes, said cell being constructed by fusing together a plurality of glass elements to form a chamber for said sample fluid, said light beam passing through said chamber, the improvement wherein said cell comprises an integral curved surface for acting as a lens to focus said light beam, said curved surface being an exterior surface of one of said fused-together glass elements, and further comprising a reflective coating applied to an exterior surface of one of said fused-together glass elements of said cell, wherein said area covered by said reflective coating is selected so that no more than about fifty percent of the reflected portion of said beam is light that does not pass through said sample within said cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a refractometer of the type including a cell in which a sample fluid is located and through which a light beam passes, said cell being constructed by fusing together a plurality of glass elements to form a chamber for said sample fluid, said light beam passing through said chamber, the improvement wherein said cell comprises an integral curved surface for acting as a lens to focus said light beam, said curved surface being an exterior surface of one of said fused-together glass elements, and further comprising a reflective coating applied to an exterior surface of one of said fused-together glass elements of said cell, wherein said area covered by said reflective coating is selected so that no more than about fifty percent of the reflected portion of said beam is light that does not pass through said sample within said cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a refractometer of the type including a cell in which a sample fluid is located and through which a light beam passes, said cell being constructed by fusing together a plurality of glass elements to form a chamber for said sample fluid, said light beam passing through said chamber, the improvement wherein said cell comprises an integral curved surface for acting as a lens to focus said light beam, said curved surface being an exterior surface of one of said fused-together glass elements, and further comprising a reflective coating applied to an exterior surface of one of said fused-together glass elements of said cell and means for preventing reflection of portions of said beam not reflected by said reflective coating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a refractometer of the type including a cell in which a sample fluid is located and through which a light beam passes, said cell being constructed by fusing together a plurality of glass elements to form a chamber for said sample fluid, said light beam passing through said chamber, the improvement wherein said cell comprises an integral curved surface for acting as a lens to focus said light beam, said curved surface being an exterior surface of one of said fused-together glass elements, and further comprising a reflective coating applied to an exterior surface of one of said fused-together glass elements of said cell and means for preventing reflection of portions of said beam not reflected by said reflective coating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The refractometer of claim 3 wherein said means comprises a light-absorptive coating on said cell outside the area covered by said reflective coating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The refractometer of claim 4 wherein said light-absorptive coating extends over said reflective coating and is selected to protect said reflective coating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The refractometer of claim 5 wherein said reflective coating comprises gold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The refractometer of claim 5 wherein said light-absorptive coating comprises an epoxy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a refractometer of the type including a cell in which a sample fluid is located and through which a light beam passes, said cell being constructed by bonding together a plurality of transparent elements to form a chamber for said sample fluid, said light beam passing through said chamber, the improvement wherein said cell includes an opaque masking portion for absorbing only portions of said light beam not travelling through said chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a refractometer of the type including a cell in which a sample fluid is located and through which a light beam passes, said cell being constructed by bonding together a plurality of transparent elements to form a chamber for said sample fluid, said light beam passing through said chamber, the improvement wherein said cell includes an opaque masking portion for absorbing only portions of said light beam not travelling through said chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The refractometer of claim 8 wherein said opaque masking portion comprises an opaque layer on an external surface of one of said bonded-together transparent elements of said cell.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-31 | 1985-03-02 | 1985-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-31 | 1989-03-02 | 1989-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-31 | 1993-03-02 | 1993-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |