US3581085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultraviolet fluorescent analyzer for monitoring of oil in discharge ballast
Assignee: SONJA I BARRETT
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Filing: 1968-05-20
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1988-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A continuous monitoring system for measuring the oil content of discharged ballast water based on the use of an ultraviolet fluorescence meter. The meter operates by passing ultraviolet light through a sample jet of water, the fluorescent visible light being measured by a filter-photocell combination angled to the incident beam. At elevated oil concentrations, the meter response diminishes as both ultraviolet and visible light are cut off by the increasing amounts of dark oil present, thus giving a false reading. A photocell or fluorescent indicator screen is therefore proposed as a warning device to be used in conjunction with the above monitoring system, to indicate when the emerging ultraviolet light is obscured by excess quantities of oil.
Inventors
- 👤 Sonja I Barrett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/18; G01N33/1826; G01N33/1833; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/64; G01N2201/00; G01N2201/12; G01N2201/127; G01N2201/12723; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/8158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said second means is arranged to receive ultraviolet radiation transmitted through the liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the second means is arranged to receive ultraviolet radiation scattered in the liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said fourth means comprises a warning device and means for operating the warning device when the amount of scattered ultraviolet radiation detected by the second means is greater than a selected amount.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus for monitoring a liquid for contaminants which fluoresce in the visible part of the spectrum when irradiated with ultraviolet radiation, the apparatus comprising first means for directing ultraviolet radiation at the liquid, second means for detecting ultraviolet radiation emitted from the liquid and third means for enabling detection to be effected of fluorescent radiation in the visible part of the spectrum only, a conduit having windows therein, said first, second and third means being disposed externally of respective ones of said windows, and nozzle means for directing a stream of liquid through said conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the nozzle is arranged to direct the stream of liquid through the conduit substantially clear of the walls thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 comprising means for homogenizing and/or agglomerating insoluble contaminants substantially to a desired mean particle size upstream of the conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 comprising a reservoir for said liquid to be monitored, a valve for regulating the discharge of liquid from the reseRvoir, means for supplying at least some liquid from the reservoir to the said conduit and means for operating the valve to interrupt the discharge of liquid when the amount of ultraviolet radiation detected by the second means is indicative of a concentration of contaminants at least equal to a maximum desired concentration of contaminants in the liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the said valve is a three-way valve and serves to return liquid to the reservoir when it interrupts the discharge of liquid from the reservoir.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of monitoring liquid for contaminants which fluoresce in the visible part of the spectrum when irradiated with ultraviolet radiation, the method comprising the steps of directing ultraviolet radiation at the liquid, detecting ultraviolet radiation emitted from the liquid, detecting radiation emitted by the liquid in the visible part of the spectrum and providing an indication when the amount of detected ultraviolet radiation emitted from the liquid is less than a predetermined amount.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 10 in which the emitted radiation comprises changed and unchanged wavelengths, including the step of transmitting the unchanged wavelength through the liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the step of providing an indication when the amount of transmitted ultraviolet radiation detected is less than a predetermined amount includes the step of operating a warning device in response to the amount of emitted ultraviolet radiation when it is below a predetermined amount.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 10 in which the emitted radiation comprises changed and unchanged wavelengths, including the step of scattering the unchanged wavelength in the liquid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the step of providing an indication when the amount of transmitted ultraviolet radiation is detected is less than a predetermined amount includes the step of operating a warning device when the amount of scattered radiation exceeds a selected amount.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 10 in which the liquid is subjected to a homogenizing and/or agglomerating process to homogenize and/or agglomerate insoluble contaminants substantially to a desired mean particle size before the radiation is directed at the liquid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 10 in which the liquid is supplied as a stream at which the radiation is directed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |