Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Housings
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-29
2001-02-13
Lee, John R. (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Housings
C250S2140RC, C250S372000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06188063
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a radiation sensing system and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a radiation sensing system with improved resistance to damage from radiation consequential to prolonged operation.
2. Description of the Related Art
Radiation sensing systems are well known and are used when it is necessary to detect various bands of wavelength across the electromagnetic spectrum. As such, radiation sensing systems are employed to detect ultraviolet radiation associated with drinking water disinfecting units.
Generally, irradiating water with sufficient amounts of ultraviolet light will disinfect water for human consumption by eliminating microorganisms from the water. Commercially available drinking water disinfecting units typically employ ultraviolet light emitting lamps disposed within a passageway whereby water flowing through the passageway is disinfected by designated amounts of ultraviolet light emitted from the lamps.
Radiation sensing systems are often incorporated in drinking water disinfecting units to monitor the level of ultraviolet radiation emitted from the lamps, thereby enabling the overall efficiency of the water disinfection process to be assessed over a period of time. Unfortunately, however, subjecting radiation sensing systems to continuous and often highly increased radiation levels leads to progressive degradation and irreversible damage in that the radiation sensing system will no longer accurately detect ultraviolet light or may even completely fail.
Past attempts to mitigate potential damage from prolonged exposure to radiation have driven the overall cost of radiation sensing systems upward. As such, due to costs associated with repair or replacement, the use of current radiation sensing systems during the intended life span of a drinking water disinfecting unit is unreasonably expensive. For example, radiation sensing systems are unreasonably expensive in that such systems are often constructed entirely of stainless steel, which is well known to be relatively resistant to degradation from radiation. Moreover, radiation sensors within radiation sensing systems are independently and commercially available and are often expensive by design. In particular, well known “can” designs which house photodiodes are unreasonably costly. Costs associated with radiation sensors may also increase depending on the size, shape, and color of a photodiode filter.
Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a cost effective radiation sensing system with improved resistance to radiation damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a radiation sensing system for detecting electromagnetic radiation and transmitting a sensory signal therefrom includes a body formed from an inexpensive material. The body includes an outlet portion and an inlet portion. The radiation sensing system further includes a radiation sensor inserted substantially into the outlet portion of the body and a plug and inserted substantially into the inlet portion of the body. The plug is formed from material resistant to radiation damage and includes an inlet, an outlet, and a bore therethrough, whereby electromagnetic radiation travels through the plug via the bore. The radiation sensing system still further includes a lens placed over the inlet of the plug and a cap secured over the inlet portion of the body.
A method for making the radiation sensing system for detecting electromagnetic radiation and transmitting a sensory signal therefrom includes forming a body from an inexpensive material. As such, the body includes an outlet portion and an inlet portion. The method includes forming a radiation sensor, whereby the radiation sensor is inserted substantially into the outlet portion of the body.
A plug is formed from material resistant to radiation damage and then inserted substantially into the inlet portion of the body. The plug includes an inlet and a bore therethrough, whereby electromagnetic radiation travels through the plug via the bore. The preferred bore is threaded for attenuating the electromagnetic radiation traveling therethrough.
A lens is placed over the inlet of the plug. A cap is then formed and secured over the inlet portion of the body. In the preferred embodiment, the cap includes a top plate and a side wall extending outwardly from the top plate.
Specifically, the cap is secured over the inlet portion of the body by positioning a scraping notch against an aggregation of sealing material in a substantially sold phase to define a first position. The scraping notch is formed from the side wall of the cap and is engaged with the body. The aggregation of sealing material is then deformed.
As the cap is inserted further along the body from the first position to a second position, the scraping notch directs the deformed aggregation of sealing material from the first position across a ridge from the body to the second position whereby the aggregation of sealing material is allowed to collect in an annular cavity. The annular cavity is defined by the sidewall of the cap and the body, as the sidewall is placed over the body. Once a sufficient amount is collected in the annular cavity, material from the aggregation of sealing material is allowed to harden within the annular cavity. By abutting against the ridge and the cap, the hardened material wedges the cap to the body and, thus, firmly secures the cap to the body.
A radiation sensor is formed by fashioning a photodiode base. A photodiode is then coupled with the photodiode base and photodiode leads are coupled with the photodiode base as well. The photodiode and the photodiode leads are in cooperative engagement, whereby the photodiode detects electromagnetic radiation and emits a sensory signal from the radiation sensor via the photodiode leads.
In addition, a filter is formed for eliminating unwanted wavelength bands of electromagnetic radiation traveling therethrough. In the preferred embodiment, the filter is substantially square in shape. As such, the filter is coupled with the photodiode base substantially adjacent to and above the photodiode such that electromagnetic radiation travels through the filter to the photodiode.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method of making a cost-effective radiation sensing system with improved resistance to radiation damage.
Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art in light of the following.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4535247 (1985-08-01), Kurtz
patent: 5514871 (1996-05-01), Hayes et al.
Lancer Partnership Ltd.
Lee John R.
Makay Christopher L.
Pyo Kevin
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