Patent Description:
Traditional turbidity sensing techniques suffer from poor sensitivity (especially field-deployable sensors) stemming from poor/inefficient capture of scattered signal (solid angle). Existing turbidity sensors typically employ a single excitation light source and a single, or point-like emission receiver, utilizing a photosensitive element. Regardless of the particular photosensitive element or excitation light source used, the current turbidity sensors known in the art are not opto-mechanically configured for efficient capture of solid angle resulting in compromised limit of detection for turbidity.

The difficulty with measuring scattering-based signals is the spatial/directional nature of randomly scattered optical radiation. Consider for the moment the excitation of a single turbid particle. For typical environmental water quality monitoring conditions, the spatial distribution of scattered radiation of a single turbid particle is well approximated by a sphere, resulting in 4π [steradians] solid angle of scattered radiation (See <FIG>). To optimally capture such a turbidity signal would require a photosensitive area that closely matches the radiation pattern, i.e., a photosensitive area in the shape of a spherical shell. In view of this, there is a need in the art for a better turbidity sensor.

Moreover, and by way of example, <CIT>, entitled "System and method for high-throughput turbidity measurements," discloses techniques for turbidity measurements using a spatial-gradient method. The turbidity measurement system includes a sample assembly that contains a plurality of samples, a light source that illuminates the sample assembly, and a light detection system that includes a two-dimensional light-sensitive array. The light-sensitive array is simultaneously exposed to light transmitted through each of the samples in the sample assembly. The exposure is analyzed to determine a mean transmitted light intensity for each sample and to calculate a turbidity value for each sample based on its mean transmitted light intensity. Multiple exposures may be taken during a measurement period so as to obtain time-resolved turbidity measurements of the samples. The temperature of the samples may be varied during the measurement period so as to measure turbidity as a function of temperature. <CIT> discloses a turbidity measurement system combining scattering and fluorescent measurements with an array of photo-detectors around a detection area in the sample.

In summary, the present invention aims to greatly enhance the captured solid angle thereby significantly enhancing the sensitivity of turbidity measurements.

The sensor under consideration incorporates (insofar that is practicable in a field-rugged sensor) many of the features exhibited in the idealized long-cylinder geometry. The present invention employs a linear photodiode array (the proposed approach is not limited to photodiode technology, e.g., a linear CCD or CMOS array could be used as well). The linear array allows ample room for biofouling counter measures such as motorized wiping. Additionally, linear sensor arrays are currently available as relatively inexpensive commercial-of-the-shelf (COTS) components.

The key to this invention pertains specifically to the opto-mechanical configuration which utilizes a wide, linear array along the length of the quasi-collimated light source for enhanced signal capture. Additionally, the design allows for the capture of back scattered radiation-all in a single embodiment.

The present design is compatible with non-intensity-based determinations of turbidity. These measurements are spatially dependent, the main idea being that an optical signal will undergo an attenuation across the linear array, following Beer's law, thereby creating a "spatial gradient". This spatial gradient contains information regarding the concentration of the turbidity.

The non-intensity-based measurement is immune to "drift" of the excitation source. In other words, the spatial gradient is unaffected by moderate changes in the intensity of the excitation source, e.g., LED intensity degradation through the course of use, or a change in optical power due to thermal effects.

The "spatial gradient" method according to the present invention enables real-time, inner filter effect (IFE) correction, which greatly enhances high-concentration sensing range. (In comparison, a known technique of inner filter correction involves post processing via lab analysis after a field deployment.

Additionally, the "spatial gradient" method according to the present invention also allows for certain types of interference correction not achievable with amplitude-based techniques known in the art.

The above "spatial gradient" method requires that each optical element in the array be individually addressable. However, there is a possible variant of the design that involves connecting all of the linear array elements in a parallel configuration which would preclude the possibility of individual addressability. However, such a design variant includes a transmission photodiode (located at the end of the array, opposite of the source) which would restore the sensor's ability to perform drift correction and IFE correction.

According to some embodiments, the present invention may include, or take the form of a turbidity sensor as defined in claim <NUM>.

The apparatus may include one or more of the following additional features:
The linear sensor array may include a linear photodiode array.

The linear sensor array may include a linear CCD array.

The linear sensor array may include a linear CMOS array.

The linear sensor array may include a closed cylinder sensor array having a three-dimensional cylindrical array of the rows and columns of the optical elements.

The linear sensor array may include a two-dimensional array of optical elements that are individually addressable.

The optical elements may be individually addressable by the signal processor or processing module.

Either the rows or the columns of the optical elements may be connected in parallel and addressable by the signal processor or processing module; the apparatus may include a transmission photodiode located at an end of the linear sensor array, opposite the light source, configured to respond to the light reflected off the suspended matter and provide transmission photodiode signaling containing information about the same; and the signal processor or processing module may be configured to receive the photodiode signaling and correct the corresponding signaling for drift or the inner filter effect.

According to some embodiments, the present invention may include a method for determining a concentration of turbidity in a liquid sample as defined in claim <NUM>.

The method may also include one or more of the features set forth above.

The present invention offers distinct advantages over the current known techniques in the prior art, as follows:.

The drawing, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, includes <FIG>, as follows:.

To reduce clutter in the drawing, each Figure in the drawing does not necessarily include every reference label for every element shown therein.

<FIG> shows apparatus <NUM>, including a turbidity sensor, according to the present invention having a quasi-collimated light source <NUM>, a linear sensor array <NUM>, and a signal processor or processing module <NUM>.

The signal processor or processing module <NUM> may be configured to.

The apparatus <NUM> includes the linear sensor array <NUM>, e.g., such as a linear photodiode array, a linear charge-coupled device (CCD) array, a linear CMOS array. In particular, the linear sensor array <NUM> may include a two-dimensional array of rows and columns of optical elements, e.g., like that shown in <FIG>, that are individually addressable. Linear sensor arrays are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

By way of example, linear sensors arrays are disclosed in the following <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

The apparatus <NUM> includes the source <NUM> configured to provide the light Lc, including quasi-collimated light, along a corresponding length of the linear sensor array <NUM>, e.g., as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, e.g., through a liquid sample arranged in relation to the light source <NUM> and the linear sensor array <NUM> so as to reflect the light Lr off suspended matter in the liquid sample being monitored or tested onto the linear sensor array <NUM>. For example, the light Lr may be reflected radially (<FIG>) and backwards (<FIG>), i.e., backscattered reflected light or radiation.

As a person skilled in the art would appreciate, quasi-collimated light sources are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

<FIG> shows captured backscatter radiation by the linear sensor array <NUM>, where backscattered radiation is understood to be light reflected of the suspended matter in the liquid sample that travels backwards, consistent with that shown.

The signal processor or processing module <NUM> is configured to determine the turbidity, based upon an attenuation of an optical signal sensed across the linear sensor array, including its length and width. Techniques for sensing the attenuation of the optical signal, e.g., in relation to the concentration of turbidity in the liquid, are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

The signal processor or processing module <NUM> is configured to determine the concentration of turbidity based upon a spatial gradient of the optical signal sensed across the linear sensor array. As a person skilled in the art would appreciate, techniques for determining the concentration of turbidity in a liquid based upon a spatial gradient of an optical signal are known in the art, e.g., consistent with that set forth herein re <CIT> and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind of technique either now known or later developed in the future.

In an alternative embodiment, either the rows or the columns of the optical elements may be connected in parallel and addressable by the signal processor or processing module <NUM>; the apparatus <NUM> may include a transmission photodiode 30a located at an end of the linear sensor array <NUM>, opposite the light source <NUM>, configured to respond to the light L reflected off the suspended matter and provide transmission photodiode signaling containing information about the same; and the signal processor or processing module <NUM> may be configured to receive the photodiode signaling and correct the corresponding signaling for drift or the inner filter effect.

By way of example, the functionality of the signal processor or processing module <NUM> may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In a typical software implementation, the signal processor <NUM> would include one or more microprocessor-based architectures having, e. , at least one signal processor or microprocessor. One skilled in the art would be able to program with suitable program code such a microcontroller-based, or microprocessor-based, implementation to perform the signal processing functionality disclosed herein without undue experimentation.

The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular implementation using technology either now known or later developed in the future. The scope of the invention is intended to include implementing the functionality of the signal processor(s) as stand-alone processor, signal processor, or signal processor module, as well as separate processor or processor modules, as well as some combination thereof.

By way of example, the apparatus <NUM> may also include, e.g., other signal processor circuits or components generally indicated <NUM>, including random access memory or memory module (RAM) and/or read only memory (ROM), input/output devices and control, and data and address buses connecting the same, and/or at least one input processor and at least one output processor, e.g., which would be appreciate by one skilled in the art.

By way of further example, the signal processor may include, or take the form of, some combination of a signal processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, where the signal processor and at least one memory are configured to cause the system to implement the functionality of the present invention, e.g., to respond to signaling received and to determine the corresponding signaling, based upon the signaling received.

By way of example, the apparatus <NUM> may include a closed cylinder sensor array <NUM> having a three-dimensional cylindrical array of the rows and columns of the optical elements and a length L, e.g., as shown in <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the <NUM>-D cylindrical linear sensor array <NUM> configured to capture light reflected off the suspended matter in the liquid along its length L and <NUM> degrees radially about its longitudinal axis.

As a person skilled in the art would appreciate, common/practical light sources including LEDs, laser diodes or broad-band lamps are often configured to provide a columnar or quasi-columnar optical radiation pattern for which the ideal photosensitive area takes the shape of a long, cylindrical shell, capturing rays perpendicular to the excitation column. According to the inventor at the time of this patent application filing, there are no commercially available "closed-cylinder" sensor arrays.

As a person skilled in the art would appreciate, the IFE is a fluorescence spectroscopy phenomenon, e.g., where there is a decrease in fluorescence emission seen in concentrated solutions due to the absorption of exciting light by the fluorophore that is close to the incident beam and which significantly diminishes light that reaches the sample further away from it.

As a person skilled in the art would appreciate, techniques for correcting for the IFE are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

The present invention has applications, e.g., in the basic parameter of water quality monitoring for freshwater applications (e.g., where turbidity is one of the "big five"), as well as drinking water monitoring.

Claim 1:
A turbidity sensor (<NUM>) comprising:
a quasi-collimated light source (<NUM>) having a length and being configured to provide quasi-collimated light (Lc) to a liquid sample and
a linear sensor array (<NUM>);
wherein the liquid sample is arranged in relation to the light source (<NUM>) and the linear sensor array (<NUM>) so as to reflect light (Lr) off suspended matter in the liquid sample;
the linear sensor array (<NUM>) having rows and columns of optical elements and configured to sense light reflected off suspended matter in the liquid sample along the length of the quasi-collimated light source (<NUM>) and provide signaling containing information about the light (Lr) reflected off the suspended matter; characterized in that the linear sensor array (<NUM>) is configured such that the reflected light (Lr) undergoes an attenuation across the linear sensor array (<NUM>), including along the length and width of the linear sensor array (<NUM>), following Beer's law, thereby creating a spatial gradient containing information regarding the concentration of the turbidity, and
a signal processor or processing module (<NUM>) configured to:
receive the signaling; and
determine corresponding signaling containing information about a concentration of turbidity of the liquid, based upon the signaling received, based upon the attenuation of the reflected light (Lr) sensed across the linear sensor array (<NUM>), and further based upon the spatial gradient of the reflected light (Lr) sensed across the linear sensor array (<NUM>).