IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHODS

Abstract

An apparatus for determining the values of one or more characteristics of a liquid that has support means for supporting a filter member in use, a reservoir for holding a sample of liquid in direct or indirect contact with the filter member in use and at least one device operable to record one or more images of the filter member and/or liquid to record the value of one or more characteristics of a liquid moving through the filter member in use.

Claims

1. An apparatus for determining the values of one or more characteristics of a liquid, comprising support means for supporting a filter member in use, a reservoir for holding a sample of liquid in direct or indirect contact with the filter member in use and at least one device operable to record one or more images of the filter member and/or liquid, to record the value of one or more characteristics of a liquid moving through the filter member in use.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each device is operable to receive one or more images of the filter member and/or liquid comprises a visual imaging device.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the visual imaging device is a camera.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising at least two devices that are operable to record one or more images of the filter member and/or liquid.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reservoir is located at or towards an edge of the filter member.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reservoir includes a liquid outlet located above a portion of an attached filter member in use.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 comprising at least two devices operable to record one or more images of the filter member and/or liquid; each device being operable to record images at the same or different time periods.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support means comprise a light source, operable to illuminate at least a portion of the filter member.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reservoir is located at or in the region of one of the edges of the support means.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each device operable to record one or more images of the filter member and/or liquid is connected to a computer or electronic computing device.

11. A method for determining the value of one or more characteristics of a liquid, wherein the method comprises the steps a) placing a sample of liquid in contact with a filter member to create an advancing liquid front through the filter member; b) imaging the advancing liquid; and c) using the or each image to record the value of one or more characteristics of the liquid.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 comprising placing a sample of liquid in a reservoir above at least a portion of the filter member, and ejecting liquid from the reservoir onto the filter member.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the liquid forms an advancing liquid front through the filter member.

14. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein an image or images are recorded of the liquid at defined time periods.

15. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein an image or images are recorded of the liquid continuously as the liquid advances.

16. A method as claimed claim 11 wherein the image or images recorded are transferred to a computer or other electronic computing device.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the transferred image or images are analysed and quantitative or qualitative data are extracted.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the data extracted are used to produce values for one or more characteristics of the fluid.

19. (canceled)

20. An apparatus or method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each characteristic of the liquid is selected from velocity, acceleration, deceleration, change in speed, distance travelled along the filter member, turbidity, light absorption, light reflectance, light transmission, colour change or distance travelled per unit time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0057] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0058] FIG. 1 is aside view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with upper and lower sections separated;

[0059] FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with connected upper and lower sections;

[0060] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a schematic of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 in use during an embodiment of the method of the invention (with the upper section removed).

[0061] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus 1 includes a bottom section (2) containing a base (9), a support means (4), a filter member (6), a reservoir (8), a light source (10) and part of a connection hinge joint (12).

[0062] The apparatus also includes a top section (3). The top section (3) comprises a cover structure (14) to which is mounted, a device operable to record one or more images of the filter member (6) and/or liquid in the form of an imaging camera (18). The imaging camera (18) is connected to a USB hub (22), which is in turn connected to a laptop computer (20). The cover structure (14) also includes a conduit in the form of a pipe (16), which extends into and protrudes above the cover structure (14).

[0063] The bottom section (2) is connected to a top section (3), via a hinge (12) on the bottom section (2) and a hinge (12) on the top section (3), which together forms a hinge joint (13) as shown in FIG. 2.

[0064] The support means (4) in the form of a tray is situated above the base (9). The base (9) comprises a body with a cut out section in the lower most surface. The support means (4) is fixed in place on the base (9) and is connected by mechanical means such as pins or clips, or by chemical means such as an adhesive connection. In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support means (4) is connected to the uppermost surface of the base (9). The support means (4) may be detachable from the base (9) in order to, for example, clean the surface or attach a filter member (6). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dimensions of the support means (4) are smaller than the base (9). The base (9) is a hollow member, while the support means (4) is a transparent sheet comprising plastics or glass.

[0065] The filter member (6), as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is positioned on top of the support means (4). In use, the filter member (6) may be temporarily secured in place by mechanical means such as clips or a clamping mechanism. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the filter member (6) has the same length as the support means (4). In other embodiments, a filter member (6) with smaller outer dimensions than the support means (4) may be used, and may aid in containing excess fluid, without affecting any results generated from the use of the apparatus (1).

[0066] The reservoir (8) is situated above the surface of the filter member (6) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The reservoir (8) is positioned towards the right hand side, parallel with and close to the edge of the filter member (6). This allows for a large percentage of the filter member (6) to be covered by a single advancing liquid front, if the device is in use. The reservoir (8) is placed on top of the filter member (6) after it is correctly aligned at the desired portion of the filter member (6).

[0067] The light source (10) is situated beneath the filter member (6) and the support means (4). The light source is located in a cut out at the underside of the base (2). As the base (9) is hollow and the support means (4) is transparent, light emitted from the light source (10) illuminates the underside of the filter member (6), if the innovation is in use. In alternative embodiments, the base (9) may be formed from a solid and transparent (or translucent) material, for example.

[0068] The hinge joint (13) mechanically connects the bottom section (2) and the top section (3) together, and consists of hinge components (12) and (12) located in the bottom section (2) and top section (3), respectively. The hinge joint (13) allows the top section (3) to rotate through one axis about the hinge joint (13). FIG. 2 illustrates the apparatus with the top section (3) and bottom section (2) connected at the hinge joint (13) and the top section (3) rotated into an open position. This mechanism allows the imaging camera (18) to be temporarily removed to allow easy access to the inner body of the apparatus comprising amongst other components the filter member (6) and reservoir (8), and then returned to exactly the same position with minimum effort.

[0069] The top section (3) consists of the cover structure (14), the pipe (16) and the imaging camera (18). Also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the laptop (20) and the connection means in the form of a USB hub (22). The laptop (20), as shown, is not situated in direct contact with the apparatus (1) but is remotely connected.

[0070] The pipe (16) is fixed in place within the cover structure (14) and protrudes from the upper surface thereof. The pipe (16) may be secured in place by chemical, magnetic or mechanical means and this connection may be permanent or temporary. The pipe (16) is located in the cover structure (14) in a position that allows rotation about the connection (13) without contact between the pipe (16) and the reservoir (8).

[0071] The imaging camera (18) is situated on the top surface of the cover structure (14) and is fixed in position. The imaging camera (18) is fixed securely but adjustably in place, and is situated in the cover (14) in a location that maximises the field of view coverage. In this embodiment, it is shown that the imaging camera (18) is positioned in a central location above the filter member (6), if the cover (14) is in the closed position.

[0072] The connection means between the imaging camera (18) and the laptop (20) in this embodiment is via a USB hub (22) and is fixed in place on the top cover structure (14). The USB hub may be secured in place by mechanical means or with the use of a chemical adhesive.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the laptop (20) is remotely connected to the apparatus (1). This is the preferred embodiment to reduce the risk of contact between the laptop and the liquid. The length of connecting cables between the apparatus (1) and the laptop (20) should be minimised to reduce noise, or alternatively the laptop (20) may be wirelessly connected to the imaging camera (18).

[0074] The operational use of the apparatus (1) will now be described with reference to the Figures. In use, the top cover (14) is rotated between an open position, as shown in FIG. 2, and a closed position. When in the open position (FIG. 2), the internal components of the bottom section (2) such as the support means (4), the filter member (6) and the reservoir (8) are all accessible. In use, this allows for the filter member (6) to be positioned correctly and then removed after use without obstruction from components of the top section (3). The top section (3) is rotated about the connection (13) into the closed position before use to position the imaging camera (18) correctly to conduct a test. In the closed position, the top section (3) and bottom section (2) may be further held securely in place by the addition of, for example, magnetic or mechanical connections.

[0075] Before a test is conducted, all electronic components such as the imaging camera (18) and laptop (20) are switched on and made ready for use.

[0076] Once the imaging camera (18) is switched on, it is to be made ready for use. In this embodiment, an optical imaging camera (18) is used. For this to be made ready, the lens is focused onto the filter member (6), and this may be done either manually or automatically. The imaging camera (18) is zoom-adjusted to ensure the required portion of the filter member (6) is within the field of view.

[0077] The top cover (14) acts as a support for the imaging camera (18) in this embodiment, and may assist in preventing movement or vibrations, when in use. Occasional calibration may need to be conducted on the imaging camera (18) before beginning the test in order to ensure calculations of values by the software are accurate.

[0078] FIG. 3 illustrates the use of the apparatus (1) as part of the method of invention. For ease of visibility, the upper structure (3) is not shown in FIG. 3.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 3, the reservoir (8) in this embodiment is situated on the surface of the filter member (6) with an edge running parallel and close to the edge of the filter member (6).

[0080] As shown in FIG. 3, liquid is transferred into the reservoir (8) via a separate vessel (24). The liquid may be poured (continuous or batch operational mode) directly into the reservoir (8). In this embodiment, the apparatus (1) is in the open position as shown in FIG. 2. As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the top section 3 is in a closed position, liquid may be poured or added to the reservoir (8) via the pipe (16). Liquid may enter the reservoir (8) by passing through the pipe (16), which aids the user in the transfer of liquid from the vessel (24) to the reservoir (8) without incurring spillages. The pipe (16) is mechanically fixed in the top cover (14) such that it passes directly into the top of the reservoir (8) during the rotation of the top section (3) from an open to closed position. The pipe (16) may be removed once liquid has been transferred into the reservoir (8). Structural elements (e.g., pipe and reservoir) that are in contact with the liquid might require regular cleaning.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 3, once liquid has been transferred into the reservoir (8), a liquid front may begin to advance across the filter member (6) away from the reservoir (8) towards position (7) predominantly by means of capillary action. As the contact points between the filter member (6) and the reservoir (8) consist of straight edges, for this embodiment, a substantially linear liquid front advances across the filter member (6) towards position (7). The liquid front will advance continuously within the filter member (6) towards position (7), then onto positions (7) and (7). The velocity of the advancing liquid front and the distance travelled is dependent on multiple factors, including the properties of both the filter member (6) and the liquid used. Variables such as temperature, humidity and pressure may be controlled to allow for stable and reliable readings.

[0082] The optical imaging camera (18) records one or more images of the filter member (6) and/or liquid during operation. In the embodiment, more than one image is recorded. The first of these images may be recorded at any time including during movement of the liquid through the filter member (6), with further images being recorded throughout the test. These images will contain, in the field of view, a proportion of the filter member (6), as previously specified. In the schematic shown in FIG. 3, the imaging camera (18) may have, for example, a field of view extending between positions (7) and (7) on the filter member (6). A larger field of view covering a larger area of the filter member (6) may allow for more data to be collected and for more accurate and reliable results to be produced. As the advancing liquid front approaches position (7) on the filter member (6), the imaging camera (18) will begin to record images. The recording of images is initiated automatically from either the laptop (20) or the imaging camera (18). Images will be recorded from the liquid front entering the field of view at position 7, and cease being recorded after the liquid front has passed beyond the range of the field of view after position (7). This will ensure data are collected over the maximum displacement range of the liquid front possible.

[0083] All images recorded by the imaging camera (18) will be transferred to the laptop (20) and/or any other connected electronic devices connected via the USB hub (22). Analysis of the data is then conducted by a dedicated software, resulting in estimation values for one or more characteristics of the liquid. The use of visual image data in this method allows for far more data points to be used than by applying the previous CST apparatus and methods. Furthermore, the analysis of visual image data allows for more characteristics of the liquid to be calculated, which were not previously possible. For example, deceleration of the liquid with respect to time and displacement could not be calculated using previous test equipments and associated methods, but may be calculated with ease using the present invention.

[0084] The values calculated for the one or more characteristics of the fluid can then be automatically presented numerically, graphically or otherwise on either the laptop or any other connected electronic device.

[0085] The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.