APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF FLUID-SPECIFIC PARAMETERS AND/OR COMPONENTS

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for determination of fluid-specific parameters and/or components of a sample uses a titration unit, an indicator, a reagent, and a measurement chamber. The apparatus has an RGB camera arranged outside of the measurement chamber, wherein the data recorded by this RGB camera can be transmitted to a computer unit and the image data transmitted to the computer unit in this connection can be compared using this computer unit with a reference database, preferably including an image and color database, and evaluated, so that action instructions can be output automatically, preferably by way of a speech module. In this way, fluid-specific parameters and/or components of a sample can be determined in automated manner, and action instructions can be output or carried out automatically.

Claims

1. An apparatus for determination of fluid-specific parameters or components of a sample comprising: (1) a titration unit; (b) a measurement chamber comprising an indicator and a reagent; (c) an RGB camera arranged outside the measurement chamber; (d) a computer unit; and (e) a reference database; wherein the RGB camera is configured to record data comprising image data and to transmit the image data to the computer unit; wherein the computer is configured to compare the image data with the reference database and to evaluate the image data; and wherein the computer is configured to cause to be output automatically action instructions based on the image data compared with the reference database and evaluated.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement chamber has an access for the sample.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the access has at least one of a filter, a valve, and a pump configured to introduce the sample into the measurement chamber.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the access has a sampling unit configured to take the sample from an evacuated region having a vacuum and to bring the sample to normal pressure within the sampling unit, without interrupting the vacuum of the evacuated region.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sampling unit has a sensor for detection of clouding of the sample.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a pump and a feed line configured to introduce a flushing fluid into the measurement chamber using the pump.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement chamber has a drain line configured to conduct away a solution contained in the measurement chamber.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a feed line to the measurement chamber configured to feed at least one solvent into the measurement chamber for mixing with the sample to be determined after feed of the sample into the measurement chamber.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the access has a pump and the pump in the access and the pump in the feed line are micro-metering pumps.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light source that emits parallel light into the measurement chamber toward the RGB camera.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the light source is positioned in front of the measurement chamber in such a manner that a focal point of the light radiated into the measurement chamber is level with the RGB camera.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the light source comprises at least one LED.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of LEDs arranged at a uniform distance from one another.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a magnetic stirrer and a shaker.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement chamber is made from solvent-resistant materials.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is integrated into a cleaning bath, a cleaning facility or a steam degreasing facility.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display configured to display the action instructions or to input commands.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computer unit is configured to retrieve based on commands communicated to the computer in hard-wired manner or wirelessly the image data compared with the reference database and evaluated.

19. A method for determination of fluid-specific parameters or components of a sample comprising: (a) providing an apparatus comprising a titration unit, a measurement chamber, an RGB camera arranged outside the measurement chamber, a computer unit, and a reference database, wherein the RGB camera is configured to record data comprising image data and to transmit the image data to the computer unit, wherein the computer is configured to compare the image data with the reference database and to evaluate the image data, and wherein the computer is configured to cause to be output automatically action instructions based on the image data compared with the reference database and evaluated; (b) adding an indicator coordinated with the fluid-specific parameters or the components to the sample using the titration unit to cause a color to occur; (c) detecting the color using the RGB camera; (d) adding a reagent coordinated with the indicator and with the components of the sample or the fluid-specific parameters to cause a color change to occur; (e) detecting the color change using the RGB camera; (f) recording as data the color and the color change detected using the RGB camera; (g) comparing the data with the reference database; and (h) outputting instructions based on the data compared with the reference database.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising mixing the sample with an amount of at least one solvent coordinated with the components to be investigated, the indicator used, and the reagent used.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising checking the amount of the at least one solvent added by reconciling a volume of the at least one solvent conveyed by a pump with a fill level within the measurement chamber determined using the RGB camera.

22. The method according to claim 19, further comprising adding an indicator coordinated with at least one of the components to be determined and the reagent to cause a system with a plurality of phases to occur; mixing the phases using a stirrer for a first period of time coordinated with the at least one solvent and the indicator or the reagent; and halting mixing after the first period of time for a second period of time so that the phases form completely once again.

23. The method according to claim 19, further comprising mixing a solution of the indicator and the sample before the color that occurs as the result of addition of the indicator is detected by the RGB camera or mixing a solution of the indicator, the sample, and the reagent before the color change that occurs as the result of addition of the reagent is detected by the RGB camera.

24. The method according to claim 19, further comprising conducting away a solution situated within the measurement chamber after determination of the fluid-specific parameters or the components; and flushing the measurement chamber with a flushing fluid.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising carrying out a zero point determination by introducing a fluid into the measurement chamber after flushing of the measurement chamber.

26. The method according to claim 19, further comprising introducing a reference solution into the measurement chamber; and adjusting or calibrating the apparatus based on the fluid-specific parameters or the components of the reference solution.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0038] In the drawings,

[0039] The sole FIGURE shows a cross-section of a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment in a side view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] The sole FIGURE shows a cross-section of a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 9 in a side view.

[0041] In this regard, the apparatus 9 shown in the sole FIGURE has a measurement chamber 8, wherein a stirrer 5 connected with the measurement chamber 8 is arranged on the lower bottom of the measurement chamber 8. A sample, which was previously taken from a cleaning bath, for example, can be introduced into the measurement chamber 8 by way of the sampling line 3. Subsequently, after introduction of the sample into the measurement chamber 8 by way of the sampling line 3, the sample can be diluted to the desired solution amount within the measurement chamber 8, using a dilution solution from the dilution line 10. After corresponding dilution, an indicator that is appropriate for the components within the sample solution that are to be investigated can be added to the solution by means of the indicator line 2 of a titration unit. In order to always guarantee homogeneous mixing of the sample solution to be investigated, in particular after addition of an indicator by way of the indicator line 2, the solution is stirred continuously or, in the case of multi-phase systems, at intervals by means of the stirrer 5 arranged at the bottom within the measurement chamber 8.

[0042] Following addition of the indicator, the color of the solution is detected by means of an RGB camera 6 arranged outside of the measurement chamber 8, wherein after every addition of a reagent suitably coordinated with the components of the sample solution to be investigated, by way of the reagent line 1, to the homogeneously mixed solution, the data, in each instance, in particular in the form of an image, of the solution that changes color are recorded by means of the RGB camera 6.

[0043] The data obtained in this manner, particularly images, are subsequently transmitted by the RGB camera 6 to a computer unit not shown in any detail here, within which the recorded data are compared with reference data, so that based on the evaluation of the recorded data with the reference data, action instructions are output by the apparatus 9, for example by means of a display not shown in any detail here, or carried out automatically by the apparatus 9, for example by means of addition of stabilizers to the cleaning bath from which the sample was previously taken.

[0044] After completion of the measurement, the sample solution, consisting of the solvent used for dilution, the sample mixed with the solvent, the added indicator and the added reagent can be conducted out of the measurement chamber 8 through an outlet line 7.

[0045] In order to remove possible residues of the sample solution from the measurement chamber 8 and to thereby prevent contamination of a further measurement that follows the first measurement, not only the sampling line 3 but also the dilution line 10 and the measurement chamber 8 as such can be flushed and thereby cleaned by means of the flushing fluid line 4, wherein the flushing fluid can also be conducted away from the measurement chamber 8 by way of the outlet line 7.

[0046] After successful flushing of the measurement chamber 8, the sampling line 3, and the dilution line 10, the apparatus 9 is ready for renewed measurement of a sample.

[0047] Thereby an apparatus has been disclosed above, with which fluid-specific parameters and/or components of a sample can be determined in automated manner, and action instructions can be output or preferably carried out automatically.

[0048] Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.