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US3603137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vibrating method and apparatus for determining the physical properties of material
Assignee: Automation Products Inc
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Filing: 1968-11-05
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1988-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for determining the physical properties of a material by a vibratory material sensing device in which the area of the sensing device is different in a first direction than in a second direction and in which the material sensing device is vibrated in the first direction and the vibration measured and is vibrated in the second direction and the vibration measured, and a comparison of the vibration in both directions is the measure of the physical property of the material being measured in which the effect of environmental conditions which would affect the readout are reduced. A material sensing paddle connected to a vibratory rod in which the cross section perpendicular to the axis of the rod is rectangular, having electromagnetic means for transversely vibrating the flexible rod and paddle in a first direction perpendicular to one of the sides of the paddle and at its natural resonant frequency of the element and having electromagnetic means for measuring the natural resonant frequency of the flexible rod and paddle in the first direction, and electromagnetic means for transversely vibrating the rod and the paddle in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and at the natural resonant frequency of the rod and paddle in the second direction, and electromagnetic means for measuring the natural resonant frequency of the rod in the second direction whereby a comparison of the measured natural resonant frequencies in the first and second directions eliminate environmental conditions affecting the natural resonant frequency of the rod.
Inventors
- 👤 William B Banks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N9/00; G01N9/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
The method of determining a physical property of a material in a container comprising, placing a material-sensing device connected to a flexible element in the container so as to be positioned for contact with the material in which the cross-sectional area of the sensing device is different in a first direction than in a second direction, vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in said first direction at a first frequency, measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element in said first direction, vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in said second direction at a second different frequency, measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element in said second direction, whereby a comparison of the measured characteristics in said first and second directions can be made which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
The method of determining a physical property of a material in a container comprising, placing a material-sensing device connected to a flexible element in the container so as to be positioned for contact with the material in which the cross-sectional area of the sensing device is different in a first direction than in a second direction, vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in said first direction at a first frequency, measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element in said first direction, vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in said second direction at a second different frequency, measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element in said second direction, whereby a comparison of the measured characteristics in said first and second directions can be made which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
170 words
The method of determining a physical property of a material in a container comprising, placing a material-sensing device connected to a flexible element in the container so as to be positioned for contact with the material in which the cross-sectional area of the sensing device is different in a first direction than in a second direction, vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in said first direction at the natural resonant frequency of the element and sensing device in said first direction at a first frequency, measuring a characteristic of the natural resonant frequency in said first direction, vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in said second direction at the natural resonant frequency of the element and device in said second direction at a second different frequency, measuring a characteristic of the natural resonant frequency in said second direction, whereby a comparison of the measured characteristics in the first and second directions can be made which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
170 words
The method of determining a physical property of a material in a container comprising, placing a material-sensing device connected to a flexible element in the container so as to be positioned for contact with the material in which the cross-sectional area of the sensing device is different in a first direction than in a second direction, vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in said first direction at the natural resonant frequency of the element and sensing device in said first direction at a first frequency, measuring a characteristic of the natural resonant frequency in said first direction, vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in said second direction at the natural resonant frequency of the element and device in said second direction at a second different frequency, measuring a characteristic of the natural resonant frequency in said second direction, whereby a comparison of the measured characteristics in the first and second directions can be made which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
167 words
The method of avoiding changes in the modulus of elasticity and moments of inertia of a vibratory elongate spring element apparatus for determining physical properties of materials comprising, placing an unsymmetrically cross-sectional material-sensing device connected to the elongate spring element in the container so as to be positioned for contact with the material, vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in a first direction at a first frequency, measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element and sensing device in said first direction, vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in a second direction at A second different frequency relative to a sensing device to present a different-sized cross-sectional area to the material than in said first direction, measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element and sensing device in said second direction, whereby a comparison of the measured characteristics in the first and second directions can be measured which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
167 words
The method of avoiding changes in the modulus of elasticity and moments of inertia of a vibratory elongate spring element apparatus for determining physical properties of materials comprising, placing an unsymmetrically cross-sectional material-sensing device connected to the elongate spring element in the container so as to be positioned for contact with the material, vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in a first direction at a first frequency, measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element and sensing device in said first direction, vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in a second direction at A second different frequency relative to a sensing device to present a different-sized cross-sectional area to the material than in said first direction, measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element and sensing device in said second direction, whereby a comparison of the measured characteristics in the first and second directions can be measured which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
147 words
The method of determining a physical property of a material in a container comprising, placing an unsymmetrical cross-sectional material-sensing device connected to an elongate spring element in the container so as to be positioned for contact with the material, vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in a first transverse direction, measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element in said first direction at a first frequency, rotating the sensing device for presenting a different-sized area to the material in said first direction, again vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in said first transverse direction at a second different frequency, again measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element and the rotated sensing device in said first direction, whereby a comparison of the measured characteristics can be made, which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
147 words
The method of determining a physical property of a material in a container comprising, placing an unsymmetrical cross-sectional material-sensing device connected to an elongate spring element in the container so as to be positioned for contact with the material, vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in a first transverse direction, measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element in said first direction at a first frequency, rotating the sensing device for presenting a different-sized area to the material in said first direction, again vibrating the flexible element and sensing device in said first transverse direction at a second different frequency, again measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element and the rotated sensing device in said first direction, whereby a comparison of the measured characteristics can be made, which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
139 words
A vibratory apparatus for determining physical properties of materials comprising, an elongate flexible vibratory element supported for vibratory movement, a material-sensing device connected to the flexible element, said sensing device having a cross-sectional area in first direction different from the cross-sectional area in a second direction, means for vibrating the flexible element and the sensing device in a first direction, means for measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element in said first direction, means for vibrating the flexible element and the sensing device in a second direction, means for measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element in said second direction, and means for comparing the vibration measurement in the first direction with the vibration measurement in the second direction which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
139 words
A vibratory apparatus for determining physical properties of materials comprising, an elongate flexible vibratory element supported for vibratory movement, a material-sensing device connected to the flexible element, said sensing device having a cross-sectional area in first direction different from the cross-sectional area in a second direction, means for vibrating the flexible element and the sensing device in a first direction, means for measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element in said first direction, means for vibrating the flexible element and the sensing device in a second direction, means for measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element in said second direction, and means for comparing the vibration measurement in the first direction with the vibration measurement in the second direction which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the material-sensing device is rectangular in a cross section perpendicular to the vibratory element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means for vibrating the flexible element in both the first and second directions include means for vibrating the element at its natural resonant frequency.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the element is supported for vibratory movement about the end opposite the material-sensing device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the element is supported for vibratory movement intermediate its ends.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
190 words
A vibratory apparatus for determining physical properties of materials comprising, an elongate flexible vibratory rod supported for vibratory movement, a material-sensing device connected to the flexible rod in which the area of the device adapted to be exposed to the material is different in a first direction parallel to the axis of the flexible rod than in a second direction parallel to the axis of the rod, means for transversely vibrating the flexible rod and the sensing device in the first direction at the natural resonant frequency of the rod and device, means for measuring a characteristic of the natural resonant frequency of the flexible rod and device in said first direction, means for transversely vibrating the flexible rod and the sensing device in the second direction at the natural resonant frequency of the rod and device, meanS for measuring a characteristic of the natural resonant frequency of the flexible rod and device in said second direction, and means for comparing the vibration measurement in the first direction with the vibration measurement in the second direction which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
190 words
A vibratory apparatus for determining physical properties of materials comprising, an elongate flexible vibratory rod supported for vibratory movement, a material-sensing device connected to the flexible rod in which the area of the device adapted to be exposed to the material is different in a first direction parallel to the axis of the flexible rod than in a second direction parallel to the axis of the rod, means for transversely vibrating the flexible rod and the sensing device in the first direction at the natural resonant frequency of the rod and device, means for measuring a characteristic of the natural resonant frequency of the flexible rod and device in said first direction, means for transversely vibrating the flexible rod and the sensing device in the second direction at the natural resonant frequency of the rod and device, meanS for measuring a characteristic of the natural resonant frequency of the flexible rod and device in said second direction, and means for comparing the vibration measurement in the first direction with the vibration measurement in the second direction which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the material-sensing apparatus is rectangular in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the vibratory rod.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
190 words
A vibratory apparatus for determining physical properties of materials comprising, an elongate flexible vibratory element supported for vibratory movement, a material-sensing paddle connected to one end of the flexible element in which the cross section perpendicular to the axis of the vibratory element is rectangular, electromagnetic means for transversely vibrating the flexible element and the paddle in a first direction perpendicular to one of the sides of the paddle and at the natural resonant frequency of the element and paddle, electromagnetic means for measuring a characteristic of the natural resonant frequency of the flexible element and paddle in said first direction, electromagnetic means for transversely vibrating the flexible element and the paddle in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and at the natural resonant frequency of the element and paddle is said second direction, electromagnetic means for measuring a characteristic off the natural resonant frequency of the flexible element and paddle in said second direction, and means for comparing the vibration measurement in the first direction with the vibration measurement in the second direction which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
190 words
A vibratory apparatus for determining physical properties of materials comprising, an elongate flexible vibratory element supported for vibratory movement, a material-sensing paddle connected to one end of the flexible element in which the cross section perpendicular to the axis of the vibratory element is rectangular, electromagnetic means for transversely vibrating the flexible element and the paddle in a first direction perpendicular to one of the sides of the paddle and at the natural resonant frequency of the element and paddle, electromagnetic means for measuring a characteristic of the natural resonant frequency of the flexible element and paddle in said first direction, electromagnetic means for transversely vibrating the flexible element and the paddle in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and at the natural resonant frequency of the element and paddle is said second direction, electromagnetic means for measuring a characteristic off the natural resonant frequency of the flexible element and paddle in said second direction, and means for comparing the vibration measurement in the first direction with the vibration measurement in the second direction which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
164 words
A vibratory apparatus for determining physical properties of materials comprising, an elongate flexible vibratory element supported for vibratory movement, a material-sensing device connected to the flexible element, said sensing device having an unsymmetrical cross section in a transverse direction to the axis of the flexible element, means for vibrating the flexible element and the sensing device of the flexible element of said first direction, means for measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element in said first direction, means for rotating one of said sensing device and said vibration means and said vibration-measuring means relative to the other for vibrating and measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the element and sensing device in a second direction presenting a different-sized area to the material than in said first direction, and means for comparing the vibration measurement in the first direction with the vibration measurement in the second direction which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
164 words
A vibratory apparatus for determining physical properties of materials comprising, an elongate flexible vibratory element supported for vibratory movement, a material-sensing device connected to the flexible element, said sensing device having an unsymmetrical cross section in a transverse direction to the axis of the flexible element, means for vibrating the flexible element and the sensing device of the flexible element of said first direction, means for measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the flexible element in said first direction, means for rotating one of said sensing device and said vibration means and said vibration-measuring means relative to the other for vibrating and measuring a characteristic of the vibration of the element and sensing device in a second direction presenting a different-sized area to the material than in said first direction, and means for comparing the vibration measurement in the first direction with the vibration measurement in the second direction which comparison is a measure of the physical property of the material being measured.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the flexible element includes a tubular member connected to said vibration means and said measuring means, and a shaft connected to said sensing member and rotatably positioned inside said tubular member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3282084A
Cited
US3420092A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |