Method and means for monitoring the quantity of dispersed oil in water with means for wiping the sample cell

Claim 1

A method of detecting and quantifying small amounts of oil dispersed in water when said amounts range from approximately 10 to 150 ppm, including, transmitting ultraviolet light through a sample of the dispersed oil and water contained within a chamber of fixed predetermined dimensions, detecting the amount of such light transmitted through the sample by first photosensitive detector means which generate an electrical signal proportional thereto, removing residues of the dispersion from the interior of the sample container by reciprocating wiper means upon the occurrence of a condition which requires the actuation of the wiper means, and introducing an oil solvent fluid adjacent to the interior surface of the sample chamber via the wiper means to enhance the cleaning function of the wiper means.

Claim 2

A method of detecting and quantifying small amounts of oil dispersed in water when said amounts range from approximately 10 to 150 ppm, including, transmitting ultraviolet light through a sample of the dispersed oil and water contained within a chamber of fixed predetermined dimensions, detecting the amount of such light transmitted through the sample by first photosensitive detector means which generate an electrical signal proportional thereto, removing residues of the dispersion from the interior of the sample container by reciprocating wiper means upon the occurrence of a condition which requires the actuation of the wiper means, and introducing an oil solvent fluid adjacent to the interior surface of the sample chamber via the wiper means to enhance the cleaning function of the wiper means.

Claim 3

A system for detection and quantification of small amounts of oil dispersed in water when said amounts range from 10 to 150 ppm, including, a source of ultraviolet light arranged to be projected through an oil and water dispersion, a container within which a sample of oil dispersed in water is contained, said container being formed of a material substantially transparent to the ultraviolet light of the source and arranged proximate to said source of exposure to its light, a first photosensitive detector arranged to measure the amount of the light of the source transmitted through the sample of the oil-in-water dispersion, circuit means connected to the detector to manifest the voltage output thereof, piston means arranged within the sample chamber to remove the oil residues of the dispersion from the interior walls thereof by contact between the piston and walls during reciprocation of the piston, a first conduit arranged transversely through the body of the piston to carry an oil solvent into contact with the interior walls of the sample chamber during the reciprocation of the piston, a second conduit arranged axially through a connecting rod of the piston and connected at one end with the first conduit, and at the other end with a source of the oil solvent, and pump means for urging the solvent through said conduits.

Claim 4

A system for detection and quantification of small amounts of oil dispersed in water when said amounts range from 10 to 150 ppm, including, a source of ultraviolet light arranged to be projected through an oil and water dispersion, a container within which a sample of oil dispersed in water is contained, said container being formed of a material substantially transparent to the ultraviolet light of the source and arranged proximate to said source of exposure to its light, a first photosensitive detector arranged to measure the amount of the light of the source transmitted through the sample of the oil-in-water dispersion, circuit means connected to the detector to manifest the voltage output thereof, piston means arranged within the sample chamber to remove the oil residues of the dispersion from the interior walls thereof by contact between the piston and walls during reciprocation of the piston, a first conduit arranged transversely through the body of the piston to carry an oil solvent into contact with the interior walls of the sample chamber during the reciprocation of the piston, a second conduit arranged axially through a connecting rod of the piston and connected at one end with the first conduit, and at the other end with a source of the oil solvent, and pump means for urging the solvent through said conduits.