US3608715A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for inspecting liquids
Assignee: OI Glass Inc
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Filing: 1970-02-06
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1990-02-06
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for detecting particulate matter in liquids in closed containers wherein ultrasonic energy is introduced to the liquid while in the container, for a predetermined time interval at a frequency and intensity sufficient to produce cavitation in a contaminated liquid but not in an uncontaminated liquid. The occurrence of cavitation is determined by the detection of high frequency noise. Ultrasonic energy at a frequency of about 65-90 kilocycles and duration of about 10 milliseconds is provided by a driving transducer including piezoelectric elements which are excited by a broad frequency band generator under control of a pulse generator. Cavitation noise, in the megacycle range and indicative of contamination, is detected by a pickup transducer comprising a drum-face-shaped element of sound transmitting material having a piezoelectric element attached to one side thereof. An output electrical signal is amplified and then can provide a visual or audible indication as well as activate a reject mechanism. In a preferred arrangement, the container bottom is supported on the pickup transducer which is apertured to allow passage therethrough of an end of the driving transducer, both transducers being supported in an hydraulic liquid in a selfleveling arrangement whereby regardless of the curvature of the container bottom, intimate contact is achieved between the container bottom and both transducers.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert C Snyder
- 👤 Lewis W Mcfadden
- 👤 Clyde W Dickey
- 👤 Louis V Mancuso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/221; G01N29/02; G01N29/14; G01N29/222; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/024; G01N2291/02433; G01N2291/26; G01N2291/269; G01N2291/2695
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of inspecting liquids for particulate contamination while in a container comprising the steps of: a. introducing ultrasonic energy to the liquid for a predetermined time interval and at a frequency and intensity sufficient to produce cavitation in a contaminated liquid but not in an uncontaminated liquid; and b. detecting the occurrence of high-frequency sound or noise indicative of the presence of particulate contamination in the liquid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of inspecting liquids for particulate contamination while in a container comprising the steps of: a. introducing ultrasonic energy to the liquid for a predetermined time interval and at a frequency and intensity sufficient to produce cavitation in a contaminated liquid but not in an uncontaminated liquid; and b. detecting the occurrence of high-frequency sound or noise indicative of the presence of particulate contamination in the liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method defined in claim 1 further comprising the step of separating containers found to have contaminated liquid from those containers not found to have contaminated liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein ultrasonic energy is introduced to the liquid through the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method defined in claim 3 wherein the step of introducing ultrasonic energy to the liquid is done in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the step of introducing ultrasonic energy to the liquid is done for a time interval in the range from about 10 to about 30 milliseconds.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the step of introducing ultrasonic energy to the liquid is done at a frequency from about 65 to about 90 kilocycles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for inspecting liquids for the presence of particulate conTamination while in a container comprising: a. generating means for providing ultrasonic energy at the output thereof for a predetermined time interval and at a frequency and intensity sufficient to produce cavitation in a contaminated liquid but not in an uncontaminated liquid; b. detecting means responsive to high-frequency noise or sound from the liquid for indicating the presence of particulate contamination therein; and c. supporting means for placing a container in contact with or in sufficiently close proximity to said generating means and said detecting means whereby ultrasonic energy is introduced to said liquid and high-frequency noise from said liquid is received by said detecting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for inspecting liquids for the presence of particulate conTamination while in a container comprising: a. generating means for providing ultrasonic energy at the output thereof for a predetermined time interval and at a frequency and intensity sufficient to produce cavitation in a contaminated liquid but not in an uncontaminated liquid; b. detecting means responsive to high-frequency noise or sound from the liquid for indicating the presence of particulate contamination therein; and c. supporting means for placing a container in contact with or in sufficiently close proximity to said generating means and said detecting means whereby ultrasonic energy is introduced to said liquid and high-frequency noise from said liquid is received by said detecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7 further comprising means operatively connected to said detecting means for separating a container physically from other containers in response to an indication from said detecting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said generating means comprises: a. a broad frequency band generator having an output and having input terminals adapted for connection to a source of electrical power; b. piezoelectric transducer means connected to the output of said frequency generator; c. pulse-generating means having input terminals adapted for connection to a source of electrical power for providing an output pulse having a predetermined width; and d. means for connecting the output of said pulse generating means in controlling relation to said frequency generator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus defined in claim 9 wherein said frequency generator provides a power output of about 100 watts over a frequency range of from about 25 to about 300 kilohertz and wherein a plurality of piezoelectric transducers is connected to the output of said generator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus defined in claim 9 wherein said pulse generating means provides an output pulse having a width variable in a range of about 0.5 to about 50 milliseconds.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said detecting means comprises: a. a piezoelectric transducer at the input thereof; b. a plurality of amplifier stages having an input and an output; c. means for coupling said transducer to the input of said amplifier stages; and d. an indicator circuit coupled to the output of said amplifier stages.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said supporting means places a container in contact with said generating means in a manner whereby ultrasonic energy is introduced to the liquid in a direction parallel to the axis of the container.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said generating means and said detecting means include driving and pickup transducers, respectively, said transducers being supported by said supporting means in a relatively movable manner whereby said pickup transducer is adapted to support a container being inspected at the bottom thereof and said driving transducer is movable through said pickup transducer into contact with the container bottom.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
159 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said supporting means comprises: a. a first supporting member adapted to contain an hydraulic liquid; b. a second supporting member movable within said first supporting member and having a surface adapted to support a container being inspected, said surface having an aperture therein; c. means supporting said generating means movably within said second supporting member whereby a portion of said generating means is movable through the aperture in said supporting surface and into contact with a container being inspected; and d. said second supporting member having an aperture therein allowing fluid communication between the interior thereof and the interior of said first supporting member; e. whereby hydraulic fluid when contained in said first supporting member can act on said second supporting member and said generating means in a manner allowing said Generating means to move into contact with the bottom of a container being inspected regardless of the degree of curvature thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus defined in claim 15 wherein said surface of said second supporting member adapted to support a container is of vibration transmitting material and said detecting means is operatively connected to said surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |