Patent Application
20220089941
The present invention relates to fluorescent particles, an inspection device using the fluorescent particles for visualizing and inspecting fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present, and an inspection method using the fluorescent particles for visualizing and inspecting fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present.
The motion/movement of a fluid (gas or liquid) varies significantly depending on shapes of substances surrounding the fluid and so on.
In designing, for example, a screw, un aircraft, a car, and a vessel, etc., understanding by visualization how the motion/movement of the fluid surrounding these objects behaves will help decrease the friction between the object and the fluid, enabling more efficient designing. In addition, in the internal structure or a fluid path of a pump, visualizing stagnations and/or vortices in the flow enables a smoother fluid flow.
To visualize such motion/movement of the fluid, the method of blending tiny particles into the flow and tracing the motion of the particles is known.
The Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-180630 discloses a fluid measurement method which visualizes the fluid surrounding moving objects, such as vehicles. In the fluid measurement method in the Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-180630, a carbon-dioxide-generating device or smoke-generating device is used as a floating-particles-generating device, and visible lights are irradiated from an irradiation means.
The Japanese Patent Application No. 1987-058130 discloses a method to visualize airflow by irradiating invisible lights. The Japanese Patent Application No. 1987-058130 describes the method using fluorescent fine-powder, such as commercially available fluorescent paints or fluorescent powder, as the particles to blend into the fluid.
The fluid measurement method in the Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-180630 described above irradiates visible lights as a light source, and thus, it is often accompanied by blurriness (halation) due to objects, not particles, strongly reflecting the visible lights. Therefore, there was a problem where visualizing and observing the fluid motion/movement were difficult in the portions where halation occurred. Specifically in extreme proximity to the interface between the object and the fluid, observation was extremely difficult due to the halation.
Also, in order to remove the halation, an optical filter is often used. However, use of the optical filter posed another problem, as it also attenuated lights reflected by the particles, causing poor visibility.
The method to visualize airflow in the Patent Document 2 uses fluorescent fine-powder, such as commercially available fluorescent paints or fluorescent powders, and invisible lights. Such fluorescent fine-powder often has unequal sizes or crooked shapes, such as with crystal structures being cylindrical or concavo-convex. Blending the particles of unequal sizes or crooked shapes into a Fluid induced irregular motion of each particle, and thus, caused a problem where fine visualization of the fluid motion/movement was not possible.
In addition, if fluorescent paint etc. is directly blended into the fluid, the crystals of the fluorescent paint will be subjected to external force and broken in the fluid. The broken crystals of the fluorescent paint are extremely small and the object is painted with the broken crystals of the fluorescent paint. As the painted object was then excited by invisible lights and emitted lights, it was not possible to completely remove halation, and the observation at the interface was still difficult.
There is also another problem, that is, if an actual object is used for inspection, the object is painted with a paint, and the paint needs to be washed off after the inspection, although models maybe used to visualize the fluid motion/movement in some inspections.
Thus, the present invention is attempted to solve these problems, and aims to provide fluorescent particles for finely visualizing the fluid motion/movement which move in a regular manner in the fluid, while preventing the object surrounding the fluid from getting painted with the fluorescent substance nod suppressing halation caused by the object, an inspection device using the fluorescent particles for visualizing and inspecting the fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present; and an inspection method using the fluorescent particles for visualizing and inspecting the fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid.
The fluorescence particles in one aspect of the present invention pertain to fluorescent particles comprising a mixture including at least one fluorescent substance and a synthetic resin, wherein the above-mentioned fluorescent substance is excited by lights with the ultraviolet wavelength of mainly 290 nm-405 nm, and emits visible lights having the peak wavelength within the range of 400 nm-620 nm, wherein the above-mentioned fluorescent particles can be discriminated from foreign substances and/or bubbles in the fluid when the above-mentioned lights are irradiated, and wherein the above-mentioned fluorescent particles are shaped almost spherically with the particle diameter of 10 nm-1 mm.
According to the fluorescent particles in the present aspect, as the fluorescent particles are the mixture comprising at least a fluorescent substance and a synthetic resin, it is possible to prevent the fluorescent substance from being subjected to an external force and broken in the fluid. Hence, it is possible to prevent the fluorescent substance from attaching to or painting the object surrounding the fluid. Also, this fluorescent substance is excited by invisible ultraviolet lights and emits lights. Therefore, it is possible to suppress halation caused by a reflection of visible lights at the object surrounding the fluid as well as a risk of the object getting painted with the fluorescent substance, subsequently getting excited by the ultraviolet lights and emitting lights.
In addition, as the fluorescent particles are shaped almost spherically, they move in a regular manner in the fluid, enabling fine visualization of the fluid motion/movement. Also, as the fluorescent particles are the mixture of a fluorescent substance and a synthetic resin, it is possible to adjust the particle diameter in the range of 10 nm-1 mm, and it is possible to select a particle diameter most suitable for the fluid type or the environment where fluid is present.
In addition, the fluorescent substance contained in the fluorescent particles is excited by not only ultraviolet lights but also purple-colored visible lights, and emit lights. Therefore, when the invisible ultraviolet lights are irradiated, it is possible to suppress the halation which would be caused by a reflection of visible lights at the object surrounding the fluid and to finely visualize the fluid motion/movement. On the other hand, when the purple-colored visible lights are irradiated, the fluorescent particles are excited and emit the lights in a different color than that of the irradiated purple-colored visible lights, but foreign substances and/or bubbles in the fluid reflect the purple-colored visible lights as they are. Hence, the fluorescent particles can be discriminated from foreign substances and/or bubbles, and enable observation and inspection of possible ingress of foreign substances in the fluid and/or possible gas generation if the fluid is a liquid.
In addition, by using plural types of fluorescent substances, a previously impossible, completely new visualization technique is realized, such as simultaneous shooting of the behaviors of different fluids by one ultraviolet light source.
In the fluorescent particles in another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned fluorescent substance comprises red-light emitting europium-based compounds shown in any one of the following chemical formulae 1-5.
fluorescent substance comprises blue-light emitting naphthalene-based compounds shown in the following chemical formula 6.
In the fluorescent particles to another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned fluorescent substance comprises green-light emitting terbium-based compounds shown in the following chemical formula 7 or 8.
In the fluorescent particles in another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned fluorescent substance comprises green-light emitting quinoline-based compounds shown in the following chemical formula 9.
The above-mentioned europium-based compounds, naphthalene-based compounds, terbium-based compounds, and quinoline-based compounds have excellent luminescent ability under irradiation of ultraviolet lights as well as purple-colored visible lights, and can maintain the luminescent ability for a long time. Therefore, they are also preferably usable when long observation/inspection is necessary. Also, the excellent luminescent ability enables easy discrimination from foreign substances and/or bubbles in the fluid.
The fluorescent particles in another aspect of the present invention have the true density of 0.95 g/m3-1.58 g/m3.
According to the fluorescent particles in this aspect, the true density is possible to set in the range of 0.95 g/m3-1.58 g/m3. Setting the true density of the fluorescent particles close to the value of the true density of the fluid lets the fluorescent particles easily disperse in the fluid and move in a regular manner in the fluid, enabling fine visualization of the fluid motion/movement.
In the fluorescent particles in another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned synthetic resin is one or more thermosetting resin or thermoplastic resin selected from a group consisting of acrylic, polystyrene, ABS, polyurethane, or melamine.
According to the fluorescent particles in this aspect, it is possible to adjust the true density of the fluorescent particles by using plural thermosetting resins or thermoplastic resins of such types and altering the blending amounts.
An inspection device in one aspect of the present invention pertains to an inspection device for visualizing and inspecting fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present, comprising: the above-mentioned fluorescent particles; one or more light source which irradiates lights with the ultraviolet wavelength of mainly 290 nm-405 nm; a lens which focuses or disperses ultraviolet lights or visible lights irradiated from the above-mentioned light source; and an imaging part which shoots the locations where fluid is present.
According to the inspection device in this aspect, in order to visualize and inspect the fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present, it is possible to finely visualize and inspect the fluid motion/movement by using any of the fluorescent particles described above, as the fluorescent particles move in a regular manner in the fluid, while presenting the object surrounding the fluid from getting painted with the fluorescent substance and suppressing halation caused by a reflection of visible lights at the object surrounding the fluid.
In the inspection device in another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned fluorescent particles comprise first fluorescent particles, and second fluorescent particles which emit lights in a different color than what the first fluorescent particles do, and neither the first fluorescent particles nor the second fluorescent particles are mixed with the other.
In the inspection device in yet another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned fluorescent particles further comprise third fluorescent particles which emit lights in another different color than what the first fluorescent particles and the second fluorescent particles do, and none of the first fluorescent particles, the second fluorescent particles or the third fluorescent particles is mixed with any of the others.
According to the inspection device in these aspects, the fluorescent particles comprise plural fluorescent particles which respectively emit lights in different colors, and none of these fluorescent particles emitting lights in respective different colors is mixed with any of the others. Therefore, in case of a multiphase flow where plural fluids are mixed together, by blending into each fluid the fluorescent particles which emit lights in a different color than others, it is possible to trace respective emitted colors of the fluorescent particles without turbidity, even after the plural fluids are mixed together.
An inspection method in one aspect of the present invention pertains to the inspection method for visualizing and inspecting fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present, comprising: (A) blending the above-mentioned fluorescent particles into locations where fluid is present; (B) irradiating lights with the ultraviolet wavelength of mainly 290 nm-405 nm to the fluid blended with the above-mentioned fluorescent particles; and (C) observing visual lights emitted from the above-mentioned fluorescent particles.
According to the inspection method in this aspect, because the fluid motion/movement is visualized and inspected in locations where fluid is present with the use of any of the fluorescent particles described above, it is possible to finely visualize and insect the fluid motion/movement, as the fluorescent particles move in a regular manner in the fluid, while preventing the object surrounding the fluid from getting painted with the fluorescent substance and suppressing halation caused by a reflection of visible lights at the object surrounding the fluid.
In the inspection method in another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned fluorescent particles comprise first fluorescent particles, and second fluorescent particles which emit lights in a different color than the first fluorescent particles do, and the above-mentioned step (A) comprises: (a1) blending the first fluorescent particles into a first fluid; and (a2) blending the second fluorescent particles into a second fluid, and further comprises (D1) mixing the first fluid blended with the first fluorescent particles and the second fluid blended with the second fluorescent particles.
In the inspection method in yet another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned fluorescent particles comprise the first fluorescent particles, the second fluorescent particles which emits lights in a different color than the first fluorescent particles do, and third fluorescent particles which emit lights in another different color than what the first fluorescent particles and the second fluorescent particles do, and the above-mentioned step (A) comprises: (a1) blending the first fluorescent particle into a first fluid; (a2) blending the second fluorescent particle into a second fluid; and (a3) blending the third fluorescent particle into a third fluid, and further comprises (D2) mixing the first fluid blended with the first fluorescent particles, the second fluid blended with lire second fluorescent particles, and the third fluid blended with the third fluorescent particles.
According to the inspection method in these aspects, the inspection method comprises plural fluorescent particles which respectively emit lights in different colors, and blends these fluorescent particles into different fluids respectively. Therefore, it is possible to trace respective emitted colors of the fluorescent particles without turbidity, even after the plural fluids are mixed together.
The inspection method in another aspect of the present invention further comprises (E) detecting foreign substances and/or bubbles in the fluid under the irradiation of the above-mentioned lights.
According to the inspection method in this aspect, as the fluorescent particle can be discriminated from foreign substances and/or bubbles, this inspection method enables observation and inspection of possible ingress of foreign substances in the fluid and/or possible gas generation if the fluid is a liquid, in addition to the fine visualization and inspection of the fluid motion/movement.
In the inspection method in another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned step (C) uses the imaging part for the observation.
According to the inspection method in this aspect, as observation is made with the use of the imaging part, it is possible to visualize and inspect the fluid motion/movement more finely, by changing the recording speed (the number of recorded images per second) of the movie for recording. Also, it is possible to intensify the emitted color of the fluorescent particles by adjusting the brightness of the recorded movie.
The present invention can provide fluorescent particles for finely visualizing the fluid motion/movement, which move in a regular manner in the fluid, while preventing the object surrounding the fluid from getting painted with the fluorescent substance and suppressing halation caused by a reflection of visible lights at the object surrounding the fluid; an inspection device using the fluorescent particles for visualizing and inspecting the fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present; and an inspection method using the fluorescent particles for visualizing and inspecting the fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present.
Also, the fluorescent particles of the present invention can be discriminated from foreign substances and/or bubbles, and enable observation and inspection of possible ingress of foreign substances in the fluid and/or possible gas generation if the fluid is a liquid.
Hereinafter, fluorescent particles according to the present invention, an inspection device using the fluorescent particles for visualizing and inspecting fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present, and an inspection method using the fluorescent particles for visualizing and inspecting fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present, are described in detail with reference to drawings.
The term “fluid” herein refers to what is in the form of liquid, gas or gas-liquid mixture.
The description “fluid motion/movement” herein refers to a flow, stream and migration of a fluid. Also, if, for example, polar solvents are mixed with each other or non-polar solvents are mixed with each other, respective resulting solvents are miscible, however, if polar solvent and non-polar solvent are mixed with each other, each solvent separates from each other. When these plural different fluids are mixed, the process of each fluid becoming admixed with others or separating from others is also construed to be included in the meaning of “fluid motion/movement”.
The lower limit of the wavelength of visible lights for human is the above-mentioned to be 360 nm-400 nm, and varies between individuals. Therefore, there are plural boundaries and definitions for visible lights and ultraviolet lights. The “ultraviolet lights” herein is defined as the lights with the wavelength of 380 nm or less, based on JIS B 7079 and ISO 20473. Therefore, the lights with the wavelength longer than 380 nm are construed to be visible lights.
The term “object” herein is construed to be a collective term for objects contacting the fluid. The object example includes, but not limited to, a pipe line where the fluid flows or a container with the fluid inside. Alternatively, the example also includes, but not limited to, a screw, a moving object, a prismatic or spherical structure in the fluid.
Fluorescence particles in the present embodiment are the fluorescent particles comprising a mixture including at least one fluorescent substance and a synthetic resin.
As the fluorescent particles are the mixture comprising at least a fluorescent substance and a synthetic resin, it is possible to prevent the fluorescent substance from being subjected to an external force and getting broken in the fluid. Hence, it is possible to prevent the fluorescent substance from attaching to or painting the object surrounding the fluid. Also, it is possible to suppressing a risk of the object getting painted with the fluorescent substance, and subsequently getting excited by the ultraviolet lights and emitting lights.
The fluorescent substance is excited by the lights (ultraviolet lights and purple-colored visible lights) with the ultraviolet wavelength of mainly 290 nm-405 nm, and emits visible lights with the peak wavelength within the range of 400 nm-620 nm.
In other words, the fluorescent substance is excited by UV-A with the wavelength of 315 nm-380 nm, UV-B with the wavelength of 290 nm-315 nm, and purple-colored visible lights with the wavelength longer than 380 nm, and emits lights.
The fluorescent particles are excited by invisible ultraviolet lights and emit lights. Therefore, irradiation of ultraviolet lights can suppress halation caused by a reflection of visible lights at the object surrounding the fluid and to visualize the fluid motion/movement.
The fluorescent substance contained in the fluorescent particles is excited by not only ultraviolet lights but also purple-colored visible lights, and emits lights. Therefore, when the purple-colored visible lights are irradiated, the fluorescent particles are excited and emit visible lights in a different color than that of the irradiated purple-colored visible lights, but foreign substances and bubbles in the fluid reflect the purple-colored visible lights as they are. Hence, the fluorescent particles can be discriminated from foreign substances and/or bubbles, and enable observation and inspection of possible ingress of foreign substances in the fluid and/or possible gas generation if the fluid is a liquid.
The fluorescent particles have the particle diameter of 10 nm-1 mm, which is adjustable within this range.
As the particle diameter of the fluorescent particle is adjustable within the above range, it is possible, for example, to use the fluorescent particles with a smaller diameter to visualize the fluid motion/movement in a small pump such as micro-pump, and the fluorescent particles with a larger diameter to visualize the fluid motion/movement in a large reactor in a plant. Selecting a particle diameter depending on the scale of the location where each fluid is present enables easy visualization and observation of the fluid motion/movement.
The fluorescent particles preferably have a small standard deviation of particle size distribution. An example of the standard deviation of the particle size distribution is, but not limited to 0.5 or less. More preferable example is 0.2 or less.
Variation in particle size causes variation in the motion of the fluorescent particles in the fluid, making it difficult to visualize the fluid motion/movement finely. Making the standard deviation of particle size smaller enables more fine visualization of the fluid motion/movement.
If fluorescent substances are blended into a fluid as they are, as they vary in size and shape, they move irregularly in the fluid, making it difficult to visualize the fluid motion/movement finely. The present invention does not use a fluorescent substance as it is as a crystal, but comprises a mixture including at least one fluorescent substance and a synthetic resin, is characterized by spherically-shaped fluorescent particles with the particle diameter of 10 nm-1 mm, lets the fluorescent particles move in a regular manner in the fluid, and enables fine visualization of the fluid motion/movement.
The fluorescent particles have the true density of 0.95 g/m3-1.58 g/m3, which is adjustable within this range.
The fluorescent particles may comprise additives for adjusting the true density.
Setting the true density of fluorescent particles close to the value of the true density of the fluid lets the fluorescent particles easily disperse in the fluid and move in the fluid in a regular manner, enabling fine visualization of the fluid motion/movement.
Preferably, the fluorescent substance included in the fluorescent particles comprises red-light emitting europium-based compounds, blue-light emitting naphthalene-based compounds, green-light emitting terbium-based compounds or quinoline-based compounds.
Europium-based compounds are europium complexes, and preferably include the compounds represented by following: tris(1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedionato-O,O′-)bis(triphenylphosphine oxide-O-)europium; tris(4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedionato-O,O′-)bis(triphenylphosphine oxide-O-)europium; tris(1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedionato-O,O′-)bis(trioctylphosphine oxide-O-)europium; tris(4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedionato-O,O′-)bis(trioctylphosphine oxide-O-)europium; or tris(1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedionato)(1,10-phenanthroline)europium (III).
Naphthalene-based compounds are compounds comprising naphthalene, and preferably include the compounds represented by following 1,4-bis(2-benzoxazolyl)naphthalene.
Terbium-based compounds are terbium complexes, and preferably include the compounds represented by following: tris(1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedionato-O,O′-)bis(triphenylphosphine oxide-O-)terbium; or [hexadecakis(hexyl salicylate)octahydroxyl]dioxononaterbium triethylamine salt.
Quinoline-based compounds are compounds comprising quinoline, and preferably include the compounds represented by following 2-(3-oxoisoindoline-1-ylidene)methylquinoline.
The above-mentioned europium-based compounds, naphthalene-based compounds, terbium-based compounds, and quinoline-based compounds are organic molecules which can utilize the energy from the emitted lights without wasting it at all, as they absorb the light energy efficiently and get excited. Also, it has excellent light-emitting capability, and can maintain the ability for a long period of time. Therefore, it is also preferably usable when long observation/inspection is necessary. Also, the excellence in luminescent ability enables easy discrimination from foreign substances and/or bubbles in the fluid.
Furthermore, as fluorescent substance, it is possible to use, but not limited to anthracene-based compounds, quinacridone-base compounds, coumarin-based compounds, dicyanomethylene-based compounds, distyryl derivatives, pyrene-based compounds, perimidone derivatives, perylene-based compounds, benzopyran derivatives, benzothioxanthene derivatives polyalkylthiophene derivatives, polydialkyl fluorene derivatives, polyparaphenylene derivatives, rubrene-based compounds, rhodaminine-based compounds, and rhodamine derivatives, etc.
For synthetic resin contained in the fluorescent particles, it is possible to use thermosetting resin or thermoplastic resin. For thermosetting resin or thermoplastic resin, it is possible to use one or more selected from a group consisting of acrylic, polystyrene, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), polyurethane, melamine, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, AS (acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer), polymethy methacrylate resin, polycarbonate, and polyester.
It is possible to adjust the true density of the fluorescent particles by using such types of multiple thermosetting resins or thermoplastic resins and altering the blending amount.
It is more preferable to use one or more thermoplastic resin selected from a group consisting of acrylic, polystyrene, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), polyurethane, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, AS (acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer), polymethyl methacrylate resin, or polycarbonate. It is even more preferable that it is possible to use one or more thermoplastic resin selected from a group consisting of acrylic, polystyrene, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), and polyurethane.
The thermoplastic resin, after being mixed with the fluorescent particles, is used to facilitate formation of a fluorescent particle into an almost spherical shape.
An inspection device in the present embodiment is the inspection device for visualizing and inspecting fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present.
The inspection device comprises any of the above-mentioned fluorescent particles.
The inspection device visualizes and inspects the fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present, by using any of the above-mentioned fluorescent particles. Therefore, it is possible to finely visualize and inspect the fluid motion/movement by the fluorescent particles moving in a regular manner in the fluid, while preventing the object surrounding the fluid from getting painted with the fluorescent substance and suppressing halation caused by a reflection of visible lights at the object surrounding the fluid.
Also, this inspection device does not need to include an optical filter, because it is possible to prevent the object from getting painted with the fluorescent substances and getting excited by invisible lights as well as emitting lights, and because it is also possible to suppress halation caused by a reflection of visible lights at the object surrounding the fluid. Therefore, this inspection device can visualize the fluid motion/movement without degrading visibility.
The fluorescent particles included in the inspection device comprise first fluorescent particles, and second fluorescent particles which emit lights in a different color than what the first fluorescent particles do, and each of the first fluorescent particles and the second fluorescent particles could be the ones not mixed with the other. Alternatively, the fluorescent particles included in the inspection device comprise third fluorescent particles which emit lights in a different color than what the first and the second fluorescent particles do, and each of the first fluorescent particles, the second fluorescent particles and the third fluorescent particles could be the ones not mixed with any of the others. They further comprise the fourth and the fifth fluorescent particles having a different emitted color from each other's, which could be the ones not mixed with each other.
The fluorescent particles included in the inspection device comprise plural fluorescent particles which respectively emit lights in different colors, and none of the fluorescent particles emitting different colors can be mixed with any of the others. In this case with a multiphase flow where plural fluids are mixed together, by blending into each fluid the fluorescent particles which emit lights in a different color than others, it is possible to trace respective emitted colors of the fluorescent particles without turbidity, even after the plural fluids are mixed together.
The inspection device comprises one or more light source which it irradiates lights (ultraviolet lights or visible lights) with the ultraviolet wavelength of mainly 290 nm-405 nm.
As a light source, preferably, it is possible to use, but not limited, a laser device. Also, as a wavelength of the lights possible to irradiate by a device is fixed, the laser device may comprise plural light sources, such as, one laser device to irradiate ultraviolet lights and another to irradiate visible lights.
The inspection device comprises a lens which focuses or diffuses ultraviolet lights or visible lights irradiated from the light source.
By providing the device with the lens, it is possible to focus lights in locations where the fluid for visualization is present. Alternatively, by diffusing lights and irradiating the lights in a wider range, it is possible to visualize the fluid motion/movement in wide ranges of locations where fluid is present.
The inspection device comprises an imaging part which shoots the locations where fluid is present.
By the use of the imaging part, it is possible to record a movie of the visualized fluid motion/movement. By changing the recording speed (the number of recorded images per second) of the movie for recording, it is possible to visualize and inspect the fluid motion/movement even more finely.
Furthermore, it is possible to intensify the color of the light emitted by the fluorescent particles by adjusting the brightness of the recorded movie. For example, when the first fluid blended with the fluorescent particles emitting red lights and the second fluid blended with the fluorescent particles emitting green lights are mixed together, intensifying the red color makes it easier to trace the motion/movement of the first fluid after mixing. Also, when purple-colored visible lights are irradiated from the light source, intensifying the purple color allows to emphasize foreign substances and/or bubbles in the fluid.
The inspection method includes blending any of the above-mentioned fluorescent particles (1) into locations where fluid is present.
This inspection method visualizes and inspects the fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present, by using any of the above-mentioned fluorescent particles (1).
The inspection method comprises irradiating lights with the ultraviolet wavelength of mainly 290 nm-405 nm (ultraviolet lights or purple-colored visible lights) to the fluid blended with the fluorescent particles (1). In this step, it is preferable that a laser device, not limitedly, is used as the light source (3).
The inspection method includes observing the visible lights emitted from the fluorescent particles (1).
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Also, in this inspection method, it is possible to prevent the object (2) from getting painted with the fluorescent substances, and thus, it becomes easy to clean the object (2) after the inspection.
Also, this inspection method does not need to comprise an optical filter, because it is possible to prevent the object (2) from getting painted with the fluorescent substances and getting excited by invisible lights as well as from emitting lights, and because it is also possible to suppress halation caused by a reflection of visible lights at the object (2) surrounding the fluid. Therefore, this inspection method can visualize the fluid motion/movement without degrading visibility.
The inspection method may further comprise detecting foreign substances and/or bubbles (4) in fluid under lights irradiation as shown in
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Fluorescent particles (1) used in the inspection method may further comprise fourth and fifth fluorescent particles having respective emitted colors.
In the step of observing the visible lights emitted from fluorescent particles (1), it is preferable to use an imaging part for the observation.
By using the imaging part, it is possible to shoot a movie of the visualized fluid motion/movement. By changing the recording speed (the number of recorded images per second) of the movie for recording, it is possible to visualize and inspect the fluid motion/movement even more finely.
Furthermore, it is possible to intensify the color of the light emitted by the fluorescent particles (1) by adjusting, for example, the brightness of the recorded movie. For example, when the first fluid blended with the first fluorescent particles (1a) emitting red lights and the second fluid blended with the second fluorescent particles (1b) emitting green lights are mixed together, intensifying the red color make it easier to trace the motion/movement of the first fluid after mixing. Also, when purple-colored visible lights are irradiated from the light source (3), intensifying the purple color allows to emphasize foreign substances and/or bubbles (4) in fluid.
Hereinafter, examples for assessing the fluorescent particles in the present invention are shown, by which the effect of the present invention is made even clearer. The present invention, however, should not be construed to be limited to the aspects illustrated in the below Examples.
A mixture was prepared with 0.5% of fluorescent substance emitting blue lights. Lumisys B-800 (Central Techno Corporation), and the rest which is acrylate resin. This mixture was sprayed and dried to produce fluorescent particles in an almost spherical shape with the mean particle diameter of 10 nm. The fluorescent particles were used as Example 1.
A mixture was prepared with 0.5% of fluorescent substance emitting green lights, Lumisys G-3300 (Central Techno Corporation), and the rest which is acrylate resin. This mixture was sprayed and dried to produce fluorescent particles in an almost spherical shape with the mean particle diameter of 10 nm. The fluorescent particles were used as Example 2.
A mixture was prepared with 0.5% of fluorescent substance emitting red lights, Lumisys E-1000 (Central Techno Corporation), and the rest which is acrylate resin. This mixture was sprayed and dried to produce fluorescent particles in an almost spherical shape with the mean particle diameter of 10 nm. The fluorescent particles were used as Example 3.
2. Measurements of Excitation Spectrum and Fluorescence Spectrum
Excitation spectrum and fluorescence spectrum of the fluorescent particles of the above Examples 1-3 were measured by the spectrophotofluorometer F-4500 (Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation).
The peak wavelength of the excitation spectrum of the fluorescent particles of Example 1 shown in
It was found that the luminescence intensity of these fluorescent particles, in case of the excited lights being shorter than 290 nm or longer than 405 nm, was only one-fourth of the peak wavelength of the excited lights, and that it was difficult to visually recognize emitted colors of the fluorescent particles. In particular, when visible lights with the wavelength longer than 405 nm in specific were irradiated, the emitted light of the fluorescent particles were not reflected, but rather, the irradiated visible lights were reflected to enable the observation of fluorescent particles in the color of the irradiated visible lights.
The fluorescent particles of Example 2 were blended into a fluid, and a visualization test for fluid motion/movement was conducted. At the same time, Comparative Example 1 was prepared by blending into the fluid the fluorescent substance Lumisys G-3300 (Central Techno Corporation) as it was, and Comparative Example 2 was prepared by blending into the fluid resin particles (polystyrene) which do not contain fluorescent substance, to conduct the visualization test for fluid motion/movement.
A circular flow channel was created by connecting a transparent acrylic channel and a pump with a rotational rotor, and water was poured in it. Example 2, Comparative Example 1, or Comparative Example 2 was blended into the water. Violet laser of 405 nm and purple-colored laser of 375 nm were respectively irradiated to this water, to conduct the visualization test for fluid motion/movement.
In the visualization test for Example 2 with the purple-colored laser irradiated, it was possible to visualize the fluorescent particles, without the fluorescent particles attaching to the acrylic channel, having it painted or causing halation. On the other hand, with Comparative Example 1, observation was difficult due to the fluorescent particles attaching to the acrylic channel and having it painted. With Comparative Example 2, observation was not possible because Comparative Example 2 does not emit lights, although halation did not occur.
Also, for Example 2 with the violet laser irradiated, foreign substances, such as dust, and bubbles in the acrylic channel, as well as halation were observed in the same purple color as the violet laser's. At that time, the use of a filter which cut off the wavelength of the purple-colored visible lights made it possible to visualize only Example 2. On the other hand, with Comparative Example 1, observation of only Comparative Example 1 was difficult even with the use of the filter, due to the fluorescent particles attaching to a part of the acrylic channel and having it painted as well as the halation of the same wavelength as the fluorescent particles' caused in the painted area. With Comparative Example 2, observation of only Comparative Example 2 was not possible because all the foreign substances such as dust and bubbles, as well as the halation reflected the violet laser.
The present invention can provide fluorescent particles which move in a regular manner in the fluid white preventing the object surrounding the fluid from getting painted with the fluorescent substance and suppressing halation caused by a reflection of visible lights at the object surrounding the fluid, to allow for visualization of the fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present; an inspection device for visualizing and inspecting the fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present by using the fluorescent particles; and an inspection method to visualize and inspect the fluid motion/movement in locations where fluid is present by using the fluorescent particles.
With those and other objects in view, the invention consists in the methods and the construction hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and set forth in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the operation, form, proportion and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-082356 | Apr 2019 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2020/017336 | 4/22/2020 | WO | 00 |
