US 12,007,312 B2
Method and apparatus for detecting chemical compounds in soil
Lamalani Suarez, Akron, OH (US); David Perry, Akron, OH (US); and Linda Barrett, Fairlawn, OH (US)
Assigned to S4 Mobile Laboratories, LLC
Filed by S4 Mobile Laboratories, LLC, Akron, OH (US)
Filed on Oct. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/491,236.
Application 18/491,236 is a continuation of application No. 18/331,316, filed on Jun. 8, 2023, granted, now 11,796,463.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/366,028, filed on Jun. 8, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0044786 A1, Feb. 8, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 21/3563 (2014.01); G01N 21/359 (2014.01); G01N 21/85 (2006.01); G01N 33/24 (2006.01); G01S 19/26 (2010.01)
CPC G01N 21/3563 (2013.01) [G01N 21/359 (2013.01); G01N 21/8507 (2013.01); G01N 33/24 (2013.01); G01S 19/26 (2013.01); G01N 2021/855 (2013.01); G01N 2201/0636 (2013.01); G01N 2201/0638 (2013.01); G01N 2201/08 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A spectrometer probe comprising:
a shaft having an outer sleeve having a first end and a second end;
an endcap attached to the first end of the outer sleeve;
a spacer tab;
a probe sample window;
a light reflection insert, wherein the light reflection insert is attached between the probe sample window and the first end of the outer sleeve, wherein the spacer tab is connected between the probe sample window and the end cap;
a top spacer tab attached to the second end of the outer sleeve;
a protector tube top cap attached the top spacer tub at the second end of the outer sleeve;
a near-infrared probe cable connected to the protector tube top cap, wherein the near-infrared probe has a first end and a second end;
a read fiberoptic cable connected at the second end of the near-infrared probe;
a light source fiberoptic cable connected at the second end of the near-infrared probe;
a fiber bundle located within the outer sleeve, the fiber bundle having a first end and a second end, the read fiberoptic cable and the light source fiberoptic cable combine to form the fiber bundle;
a concave mirror or a sapphire prism;
a backscatter baffle;
a sapphire window;
set screws;
an inner sleeve;
a spring;
an index-matching elastomer; and
a penetration cone operatively attached to the second end of the near-infrared probe, the index-matching elastomer attached to the second end of the fiber bundle, wherein the sapphire window is substantially parallel with the fiber bundle and the outer sleeve, wherein the backscatter baffle is attached parallel to the fiber bundle, wherein the backscatter baffle has a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the backscatter baffle extends beyond the second end of the fiber bundle, wherein the penetration cone is operatively connected to outer sleeve via an inner sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve is connected to the outer sleeve by set screws.