Joseph A Slater

US Patent:

6603545, Aug 5, 2003

Filed:

May 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/871045

Inventors:

Joseph B. Slater - Dexter MI

Assignee:

Kaiser Optical Systems - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

G01J 344

US Classification:

356301, 356432, 2504612

Abstract:

Various optical probe configurations are particularly suited to the monitoring of a process flow through the wall of a containment vessel. A probe body extends through, and is sealed to, the wall of the containment vessel. The probe body has an inner wall terminating in a distal end with a window, enabling light from the process flow to pass therethrough and into the probe body. In one embodiment, one or more lenses are disposed within the probe body to focus the light into a focal point, and a restriction of the inner wall of the probe body is used to create a narrow aperture at the focal point. In an alternative embodiment, a plug transparent to the light of interest is sealed to the inner wall of the probe body. As a further alternative, the elements include a second window creating a cavity with the distal window, and a port into the cavity accessible from outside the window for sampling purposes. Although these embodiments are referred to as âalternative,â they may be used in combination as well as separately.

US Patent:

6650412, Nov 18, 2003

Filed:

Jun 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/588968

Inventors:

Joseph B. Slater - Dexter MI

Assignee:

Kaiser Optical Systems - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

G01J 328

US Classification:

356328, 359820

Abstract:

Reliable and economical passive thermal compensation in both focus (parallel to the optical axis) and lateral position (perpendicular to the optical axis) is disclosed for optical apparatus, including spectrographs. In the preferred embodiment, to maintain the position of the lens along the optical axis, two or more polymer spacers are used between the lens mount and a floating flange to which the lens is attached. The polymer spacers have a thermal coefficient of expansion such that when the temperature increases the lens is moved toward the detector array by the spacers to compensate for the normal increase of the lens-detector spacing with temperature. Flexure mounts, which bend by a predetermined amount in a known direction when the temperature changes, are preferably used to connect the lens mount to the floating plate, thereby moving the lens in a direction lateral to the optical axis. In the case of a spectrograph, this lateral motion maintains the positional stability of given spectral lines on their respective detector pixel elements.

US Patent:

6831739, Dec 14, 2004

Filed:

Jan 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/350525

Inventors:

Joseph B. Slater - Dexter MI

Assignee:

Kaiser Optical Systems - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

G01J 302

US Classification:

356300, 356301, 356317, 2504581

Abstract:

In an optical measurement probe of the type which incorporates a window configuration suited to on-line process control and other applications this invention provides an improved technique for bonding such a window to probe body or process vessel. In general terms, the improvement arises through the use of a compression ring around the bonding area to maintain a consistent seal. In terms of apparatus, a hollow probe body terminates in a distal end having a flanged portion with an inner and outer wall that extends back into the body. The outer wall of the window is sealed against the inner wall of the flanged portion, with compression material urged against the outer wall of the flanged portion to pressurize the seal between the window and the inner wall of the flanged portion. In the preferred embodiment, the compression material is ring-shaped and exhibits substantially the same thermal expansion coefficient as the window. In the case where a sapphire window is used, titanium or Invar may be used for the compression material.

US Patent:

6870695, Mar 22, 2005

Filed:

Dec 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/734058

Inventors:

Joseph B. Slater - Dexter MI, US
Kevin L. Davis - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

Kaiser Optical Systems - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

G02B027/00
G02B005/00

US Classification:

359894, 359440, 220663, 116276, 73323

Abstract:

An optical configuration suited to the monitoring of a process flow through the wall of a containment vessel for producing a high-quality, high-NA sample focus and reduced residual positive spherical aberration. The invention includes an optical path with a window extending through, and sealed to, the wall of the containment vessel, and an optical surface disposed in the optical path associated with minimizing aberration, increasing numerical aperture, or both. The window has a surface facing into the process flow and a surface facing away from the process flow and, the surface facing away from the process flow is associated with minimizing aberration or increasing numerical aperture. A lens is disposed outside the containment vessel and in the optical path, with the surface of the window facing the lens being substantially spherical. With such an arrangement, the light rays of the optical path are generally normal to the surface of the window facing the lens.

US Patent:

6873409, Mar 29, 2005

Filed:

Nov 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/441683

Inventors:

Joseph B. Slater - Dexter MI, US

Assignee:

Kaiser Optical Systems - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

G01J003/44

US Classification:

356301

Abstract:

A self-cleaning optical probe includes a probe body having a window with a surface oriented toward a sample under investigation. A sampling beam carrying wavelengths representative of the sample passes into the probe body through the window for analysis. A conduit, preferably forming part of the probe body, is used to carry a fluid to the surface of the window oriented toward the sample, and a partition proximate to the window is used to direct the fluid across the window as a laminar flow. The partition further includes an aperture through which the sampling wavelengths pass. This partition also permits a portion of the fluid to pass though the aperture to ensure that the sample under investigation does not reach the window. The fluid may be a liquid or gas, and is preferably a solvent to maximize window cleaning. Although the fluid may be discharged without entering into the environment being sampled, the fluid may also be discharged into the sample, depending upon the application, volume of the respective fluid/sample flows, and other such factors.

US Patent:

6907149, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

Jan 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/350580

Inventors:

Joseph B. Slater - Dexter MI, US

Assignee:

Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

G02B006/00

US Classification:

385 12, 385 31, 385147, 25022711, 356301, 356318

Abstract:

A remote optical measurement suitable for Raman and fluorescence detection uses one or more dielectric components and an optical configuration which affords significant miniaturization, in some cases resulting in a probe with dimensions on the order of one-half inch or less on a side. A primary application is the pharmaceutical market, wherein the reactors vessels are only 1-inch in diameter, causing a scale down of instrumentation due to space requirements.

US Patent:

7755818, Jul 13, 2010

Filed:

Jan 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/352309

Inventors:

Joseph B. Slater - Dexter MI, US
Timothy J. Britton - Dexter MI, US
Eric M. Ferree - Gainesville FL, US

Assignee:

Kaiser Optical Systems - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

G03H 1/02

US Classification:

359 3, 359 1, 403179

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for encapsulating optical elements, particularly dichromated gelatin (DGC) holographic optical elements (HOEs), exhibits a very high degree of environmental integrity. In broad terms, the optical element is disposed between opposing plates, and a metal seal soldered to the edge(s) of the plates to seal the optical element therewithin. In the preferred embodiment, the metalization includes chrome and nickel, or alloys thereof, followed by gold or platinum. The metallization is preferably applied using a low-temperature process such as vacuum deposition or sputtering. The metal seal may be in the form of a foil or wire. One or both of the plates are compatible with wavelengths of interest, and the technique may be used in transmissive and reflective configurations.

US Patent:

7859660, Dec 28, 2010

Filed:

Mar 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/101798

Inventors:

Joseph B. Slater - Dexter MI, US

Assignee:

Kaiser Optical Systems - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

G01J 3/44
G01J 3/00
G02C 7/10

US Classification:

356301, 356300, 351 41

Abstract:

Indicator light apparatus and methods associated with a laser beam having a primary wavelength enable an operator to see the indicator while wearing protective eyewear tuned to the primary wavelength. The apparatus includes a source of indicator light other than the primary wavelength, a first optical element for co-injecting the indicator light into the laser beam to form a co-propagating beam, and an optical or physical configuration enabling an operator to view light from the co-propagating beam. The first optical element may be some form of beam splitter or combiner, and the configuration enabling an operator to view light from the co-propagating beam uses a diffuser upon which the co-propagating beam impinges. The indicator light is preferably derived from an inexpensive source, such as a diode laser operating in the 670-690 nm range. The invention is useful in many different environments, including stimulate emission systems, wherein one or more optical elements are used to direct the laser beam onto a sample to stimulate an optical emission therefrom.

Author:

Joseph Slater

ISBN #:

0674011902

Author:

Joseph Slater

ISBN #:

0674139704

Author:

Joseph Slater

ISBN #:

0674139801

Author:

Joseph Slater

ISBN #:

0674139925

Author:

Joseph Slater

ISBN #:

0801440122

Author:

Joseph E. Slater

ISBN #:

0275903109

Author:

Joseph E. Slater

ISBN #:

0915436361

Author:

Joseph E. Slater

ISBN #:

0898430143