US3735247A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for measuring fat content in animal tissue either in vivo or in slaughtered and prepared form
Assignee: AGMED Inc A DE CORP
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Filing: 1971-10-04
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A method is presented and apparatus disclosed which permits very accurate measurement of the fat-to-lean ratio of meat, whether in vivo or in prepared form. The animal or meat package to be analyzed is subjected to a varying electromagnetic field generated by applying a radio frequency signal to a solenoidal coil through which the sample passes longitudinally. Because of difference of electroconductivity and dielectric properties between various body components, the load observed by the source which drives the solenoidal coil takes on a different value from that of the empty sample zone. By utilizing other predetermined parameters of the sample, the load difference may be utilized to infer the fat-to-lean ratio to a commercially acceptable standard.
Inventors
- 👤 W Harker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/48; A61B5/4869; A61B5/4872; G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/023; G01N33/00; G01N33/02; G01N33/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
The method of measuring the fat-to-lean ratio of animal tissue comprising the steps of: A. predetermining the effect of an animal tissue sample having known fat-to-lean ratios on a standard electromagnetic field of kNown intensity; B. generating a test electromagnetic field of known intensity; C. inserting a specimen of animal tissue having a fat-to-lean ratio to be measured into the generated test electromagnetic field; D. measuring the effect of the specimen on the generated test electromagnetic field; and E. correlating the measured effect of the specimen on the test electromagnetic field to the predetermined effect.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
The method of measuring the fat-to-lean ratio of animal tissue comprising the steps of: A. predetermining the effect of an animal tissue sample having known fat-to-lean ratios on a standard electromagnetic field of kNown intensity; B. generating a test electromagnetic field of known intensity; C. inserting a specimen of animal tissue having a fat-to-lean ratio to be measured into the generated test electromagnetic field; D. measuring the effect of the specimen on the generated test electromagnetic field; and E. correlating the measured effect of the specimen on the test electromagnetic field to the predetermined effect.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 in which the specimen of animal tissue to be analyzed is weighed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
means for generating a standard signal representing a predetermined electromagnetic field amplitude;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
means for generating a standard signal representing a predetermined electromagnetic field amplitude;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
3 words
a coil, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
3 words
a coil, and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
means coupling the output of said waveform generator to said coil; B. feedback means for maintaining the time varying amplitude of said electromagnetic field constant, said feedback means including:
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
means coupling the output of said waveform generator to said coil; B. feedback means for maintaining the time varying amplitude of said electromagnetic field constant, said feedback means including:
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
comparator means for comparing said field intensity signal and said standard signal and for issuing a correction signal representative of the difference therebetween; and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
comparator means for comparing said field intensity signal and said standard signal and for issuing a correction signal representative of the difference therebetween; and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 in which the dimensions of the specimen of animal tissue to be analyzed are determined.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 in which the electromagnetic field is generated by passing a time varying electric current through a conductor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
variable gain means included in said coupling means, said variable gain means being responsive to said correction signal to alter the gain of said coupling means whereby the voltage and current applied to said coil maintain the amplitude of said electromagnetic field constant; C. detector means for measuring the impedance reflected by said coil by sensing the voltage and current applied to said coil; and D. means responsive to the difference in coil impedance with and without a specimen of animal tissue to be graded to provide a quality signal corresponding to said difference.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
variable gain means included in said coupling means, said variable gain means being responsive to said correction signal to alter the gain of said coupling means whereby the voltage and current applied to said coil maintain the amplitude of said electromagnetic field constant; C. detector means for measuring the impedance reflected by said coil by sensing the voltage and current applied to said coil; and D. means responsive to the difference in coil impedance with and without a specimen of animal tissue to be graded to provide a quality signal corresponding to said difference.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 4 in which the effect of the specimen to be analyzed in the electromagnetic field is measured indirectly by measuring the difference in impedance reflected by the conductor without and with the specimen disposed in the electromagnetic field.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 in which the shape of the electromagnetic field is controlled by configuring the conductor generally solenoidally.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 in which the temperature of the specimen of animal tissue to be analyzed is determined.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus for measuring the fat-to-lean ratio of animal tissue comprising: A. means for generating a time varying electromagnetic field comprising:
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus for measuring the fat-to-lean ratio of animal tissue comprising: A. means for generating a time varying electromagnetic field comprising:
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which said coil is solenoidally wound.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 9 in which said solenoidally wound coil is compound wound with a plurality of coil segments and said means coupling said waveform generator to said coil is adapted to feed said coil segments individually.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 9 in which said coil is surrounded by a shield to prevent factors outside said shield from affecting said electromagnetic field.
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) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |