Patent ID: 8107060
Filing Date: 2012-01-31
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for candling eggs, comprising: a housing having a free end; at least one light source configured to emit visible light from the housing free end and illuminate an egg positioned adjacent to the housing free end, wherein the at least one light source emits visible light within a range of between 600 nm and 740 nm; a photodetector disposed at the housing free end and configured to generate an output signal corresponding to intensity of light from the at least one light source leaving the egg, the photodetector being shielded from external light and from direct light from the at least one light source, the photodetector being oriented in a parallel arrangement with the at least one light source for receiving light emitted therefrom; a bumper operably engaged with the housing free end, the bumper being configured to engage an egg in contacting relation therewith, and the bumper defining a first aperture through which the at least one light source emits light and a second aperture through which the photodetector receives light; and a processor configured to identify cyclical variations in light intensity using the output signal, wherein a cyclical variation in light intensity indicates the existence of an embryo pulse.