US3719081A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wastewater sampler
Assignee: Tri-Aid Sciences Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-16
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Granted: 1973-03-06
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Expires: 1991-12-16
Abstract
Abstract Effluent is discharged into a flume to flow past a selectively operable sampler device, and an adjacent probe, which develops and transmits to a remote control point a 4 to 20 milliamp signal the amplitude of which is proportionate to the effluent flow rate. At the control point the signal is applied to an integrator which produces an output voltage proportionate to the quantity (gallons) of effluent that has passed the probe in a preceding interval. Each time this voltage reaches a predetermined value a threshold circuit resets the integrator and pulses a first register to record the quantity of effluent for a given period, and simultaneously pulses a presettable counter, which produces a sampler enabling signal every time the counter reaches zero and resets. This enabling signal momentarily energizes a solenoid in a remote sampler to cause it to pump a sample of wastewater from the flume to a sample receptacle.
Inventors
- 👤 L Lynn
- 👤 D Quadrini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/10; G01N1/20; G01N1/2035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
The method of sampling a flowing fluid, comprising developing a first signal which varies in proportion to the rate of flow of a fluid past a station, at intervals producing from said first signal a second signal representative of a predetermined quantity of fluid that has passed said station during the preceding interval, recording said second signals, momentarily developing a triggering signal each time a predetermined number of said second signals are recorded, and automatically diverting part of said fluid for a predetermined time from said station to a sample collection station each time said triggering signal is developed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
The method of sampling a flowing fluid, comprising developing a first signal which varies in proportion to the rate of flow of a fluid past a station, at intervals producing from said first signal a second signal representative of a predetermined quantity of fluid that has passed said station during the preceding interval, recording said second signals, momentarily developing a triggering signal each time a predetermined number of said second signals are recorded, and automatically diverting part of said fluid for a predetermined time from said station to a sample collection station each time said triggering signal is developed.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
99 words
The method of sampling a flowing fluid, comprising developing a first signal which varies in proportion to the rate of flow of a fluid past a station, at intervals producing from said first signal a second signal representative of a predetermined quantity of fluid that has passed said station during the preceding interval, recording said second signals, momentarily developing a triggering signal each time a predetermined number of said second signals are recorded, and automatically diverting part of said fluid for a predetermined time from said station to a sample collection station each time said triggering signal is developed.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
99 words
The method of sampling a flowing fluid, comprising developing a first signal which varies in proportion to the rate of flow of a fluid past a station, at intervals producing from said first signal a second signal representative of a predetermined quantity of fluid that has passed said station during the preceding interval, recording said second signals, momentarily developing a triggering signal each time a predetermined number of said second signals are recorded, and automatically diverting part of said fluid for a predetermined time from said station to a sample collection station each time said triggering signal is developed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method as defined in claim 1, including integrating said first signal in the intervals between said second signals to produce a third signal which increases in proportion with the quantity of fluid that passes said station, and momentarily developing said second signal each time said third signal reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
132 words
The method of controlling a signal-responsive sampling device from a control station that is remote from a sampling Station where said device is located, comprising developing at said sampling station a first signal which is proportionate to the rate of flow of fluid past said sampling station, transmitting said first signal to a control station remote from the sampling station, integrating said first signal at said control station to produce a second signal each time a predetermined quantity of fluid has passed said sampling station, recording said second signals at said control station, and transmitting an enabling signal of predetermined duration from said control station to said sampling device to actuate said device for said duration each time a predetermined number of said second signals have been recorded at said control station.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
132 words
The method of controlling a signal-responsive sampling device from a control station that is remote from a sampling Station where said device is located, comprising developing at said sampling station a first signal which is proportionate to the rate of flow of fluid past said sampling station, transmitting said first signal to a control station remote from the sampling station, integrating said first signal at said control station to produce a second signal each time a predetermined quantity of fluid has passed said sampling station, recording said second signals at said control station, and transmitting an enabling signal of predetermined duration from said control station to said sampling device to actuate said device for said duration each time a predetermined number of said second signals have been recorded at said control station.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for periodically sampling a flowing fluid, comprising means for developing a first signal proportionate to the rate of flow of a fluid past a sampling station, means for intermittently producing from said first signal a second signal representative of a predetermined quantity of fluid that has passed said station during the preceding interval, means for recording said second signals, means operative momentarily to develop a triggering signal each time a predetermined number of said second signals have been recorded by said recording means, and sampler means mounted adjacent said sampling station and responsive to said triggering signal automatically to divert part of said fluid to a sample collecting station each time said triggering signal is developed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for periodically sampling a flowing fluid, comprising means for developing a first signal proportionate to the rate of flow of a fluid past a sampling station, means for intermittently producing from said first signal a second signal representative of a predetermined quantity of fluid that has passed said station during the preceding interval, means for recording said second signals, means operative momentarily to develop a triggering signal each time a predetermined number of said second signals have been recorded by said recording means, and sampler means mounted adjacent said sampling station and responsive to said triggering signal automatically to divert part of said fluid to a sample collecting station each time said triggering signal is developed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, including adjustable means for preselecting said predetermined number of recorded second signals necessary to effect development of said triggering signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said signal producing means comprises signal integrating means operative during intervals between said second signals to develop a third signal which changes from a first to a second valve in proportion to the quantity of fluid that passes said station during an interval, and means operative simultaneously to generate one of said second signals and to return said third signal to its first value each time said third signal reaches said second value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the lastnamed means includes means for adjusting said second value of said third signal thereby to preselect the quantity of fluid which must pass said station in the interval between successive second signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said recording means comprises a presettable counter having an input connected to the output of said signal generating means to receive said second signals therefrom, and operative to produce said triggering signal each time a preselected number of said second signals are applied to said counter input, and said counter includes manually adjustable means to preselect the number of said second signals necessary to produce said triggering signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, including a further register connected to the output of said signal generating means and operative to record the cumulative total of said second signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said sampler means comprises a pump having an inlet communicating with said flowing fluid adjacent said station, means for operating said pump, and means including a valve connected to the output of said pump normally to recirculate a portion of said fluid through said pump and said valve back to the flowing fluid, and actuatable in response to each of said triggering signals to divert said portion of said fluid to a sample collector for a predetermined interval.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
182 words
Remote controlled sampling apparatus, comprising a pump mounted adjacent a sampling station, and having an inlet connected to a supply of fluid flowing past said station, a two-position valve connected to the output of said pump and normally disposed in a first position in whIch it recirculates fluid from said pump back to the flowing fluid, when said pump is operating, means adjacent said station for developing a first electrical signal proportionate to the rate of flow of said fluid past said inlet, means for transmitting said first signal to a station remote from said sampling station, means at said remote station for intermittently producing from said first signal a second signal, each of said signals being representative of a predetermined quantity of fluid that has passed said inlet during the preceding interval, means at said remote station for recording said second signals, and means operative automatically to move said valve to a second position in which it diverts fluid from said pump to a sample collector, each time a predetermined number of said second signals are recorded by said recording means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
182 words
Remote controlled sampling apparatus, comprising a pump mounted adjacent a sampling station, and having an inlet connected to a supply of fluid flowing past said station, a two-position valve connected to the output of said pump and normally disposed in a first position in whIch it recirculates fluid from said pump back to the flowing fluid, when said pump is operating, means adjacent said station for developing a first electrical signal proportionate to the rate of flow of said fluid past said inlet, means for transmitting said first signal to a station remote from said sampling station, means at said remote station for intermittently producing from said first signal a second signal, each of said signals being representative of a predetermined quantity of fluid that has passed said inlet during the preceding interval, means at said remote station for recording said second signals, and means operative automatically to move said valve to a second position in which it diverts fluid from said pump to a sample collector, each time a predetermined number of said second signals are recorded by said recording means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
Remote controlled apparatus as defined in claim 11, including means at said remote station adjustable to preselect said predetermined number of second signals required to effect movement of said valve to its second position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
125 words
Remote controlled apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said producing means comprises means for accumulating in each interval between successive second signals a third signal which increases in proportion to the quantity of fluid that passes said inlet during the interval, and operative to produce one of said second signals each time said third signal reaches a predetermined value, a presettable counting device is connected to the output of the last-named means to count said second signals, and is operative to produce a triggering signal upon receipt of a predetermined number of said second signals, and said valve moving means comprises electrical means responsive to said triggering signal to effect movement of said valve to its second position for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
71 words
Remote controlled apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said presettable counting device is manually adjustable to preselect the number of said second signals necessary to produce said triggering signal, and said electrical means includes a time delay device operative during the intervals between said triggering signals for retaining said valve in its second position for a predetermined period of time, each time said valve is shifted to its second position.
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) | 1976-03-05 | 1976-09-04 | 1977-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-05 | 1980-09-04 | 1981-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-05 | 1984-09-04 | 1985-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |