US 12,366,522 B2
Colorimeter optical measurement interference mitigation
Russell Paul Gorham, Windsor, CO (US); and Nelson E. Dervaes, Fort Collins, CO (US)
Assigned to HACH COMPANY, Loveland, CO (US)
Filed by Hach Company, Loveland, CO (US)
Filed on Jun. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/344,436.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/359,034, filed on Jul. 7, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0011896 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. G01N 21/25 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/251 (2013.01) [G01N 2201/12 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for measuring an analyte of a sample using a colorimeter, comprising:
introducing the sample into a measurement chamber of the colorimeter, wherein the measurement chamber comprises an optical path from a light source to an optical sensor;
identifying and waiting a sample settling period, wherein the sample settling period comprises a dynamic length of time, wherein the identifying comprises:
measuring, using the optical sensor, a light throughput of the sample; and
determining, based upon the measuring, the light throughput has reached a stable baseline;
averaging a portion of measured light throughput and calculating a noise level;
performing a reference noise test by adding a fixed time to a cycle until reaching the stable baseline; and
obtaining a reference measurement of the sample when the stable baseline is reached.