Patent US3745338A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3745338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Volumetric measuring method and apparatus
Assignee: Industrial Nucleonics Corp
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Filing: 1964-08-17
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1984-08-17
Abstract
Abstract Ullage volume of a container containing a fluid is determined by injecting a known quantity of radioactive material into the ullage volume. After the radioactive material has dispersed uniformly throughout the ullage volume the density thereof is measured to provide the ullage volume indication. The system can be utilized to monitor the amount of fuel in the container under either zero G or a gravitational field. The ullage volume indication can be compensated for pressure variations within the volume by utilizing a pressure transducer having an output that is combined with the detected density. A system is provided to compensate for background, radiation noise. The system can also be utilized to detect leakage from the container by noting changes in concentration of the radioactive material. Corrections for temperature variations are also provided. In fixed volumes systems, the device can be utilized to monitor pressure and temperature variations.
Inventors
- 👤 W Joyce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:59
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21H; G21H5/00; G21H5/02; F; F02; F02K; F02K9/00; F02K9/42; F02K9/44; F02K9/54; F02K9/56; G01; G01F; G01F17/00; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/284; G01F23/288; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 79
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
The method of determining the volume of a region in a container containing an ullage region and a fluid occupying the remainder of the container comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive material not otherwise present into said ullage region that disperses throughout said ullage region and does not substantially mix with the fluid, measuring with a detector for the radioactive material the density of said injected material after said material has uniformly dispersed throughout said ullage region and while the material is in the ullage region, and correlating said measured density of said dispersed material with the volume of one of said regions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
The method of determining the volume of a region in a container containing an ullage region and a fluid occupying the remainder of the container comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive material not otherwise present into said ullage region that disperses throughout said ullage region and does not substantially mix with the fluid, measuring with a detector for the radioactive material the density of said injected material after said material has uniformly dispersed throughout said ullage region and while the material is in the ullage region, and correlating said measured density of said dispersed material with the volume of one of said regions.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
79 words
The method of determining the volume of a void region in a container comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of an identifiable radioactive gas not otherwise present into said region that disperses throughout said region, measuring with a detector for the radioactive gas the density of said injected gas in said void region after said gas has dispersed uniformly throughout said region, and correlating said measured density of said dispersed gas with the volume of said region.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
79 words
The method of determining the volume of a void region in a container comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of an identifiable radioactive gas not otherwise present into said region that disperses throughout said region, measuring with a detector for the radioactive gas the density of said injected gas in said void region after said gas has dispersed uniformly throughout said region, and correlating said measured density of said dispersed gas with the volume of said region.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
69 words
The method of determining the volume of a void region in a container comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive material into said region that disperses throughout said region, measuring the density of said injected radioactive material in said void region after said material has dispersed uniformly throughout said region, and correlating said measured density of said radioactive material with the volume of said void region.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
69 words
The method of determining the volume of a void region in a container comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive material into said region that disperses throughout said region, measuring the density of said injected radioactive material in said void region after said material has dispersed uniformly throughout said region, and correlating said measured density of said radioactive material with the volume of said void region.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
65 words
The method of determining the volume of a void region in a container comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive material into said void region, establishing a sampling volume of known magnitude in said void region, measuring the amount of said radioactive material in said sampling volume, and correlating said measured amount of radioactive material with the volume of said void region.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
65 words
The method of determining the volume of a void region in a container comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive material into said void region, establishing a sampling volume of known magnitude in said void region, measuring the amount of said radioactive material in said sampling volume, and correlating said measured amount of radioactive material with the volume of said void region.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
59 words
The method of determining the volume of a void region in a container comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive gas into said void region, establishing a sampling volume of known magnitude in said void region, measuring the radiation emanating from said sampling volume, and correlating said measured radiation with the volume of said void region
Claim 10
Independent Claim
59 words
The method of determining the volume of a void region in a container comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive gas into said void region, establishing a sampling volume of known magnitude in said void region, measuring the radiation emanating from said sampling volume, and correlating said measured radiation with the volume of said void region
Claim 11
Independent Claim
68 words
The method of determining the volume of a void region comprising the steps of: injecting a known number of curies of radioactive material into said void region that disperses throughout said region, measuring the curie density of said material in said void region after it has dispersed throughout said void region, and correlating said measured curie density of said dispersed material with the volume of said void region.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
68 words
The method of determining the volume of a void region comprising the steps of: injecting a known number of curies of radioactive material into said void region that disperses throughout said region, measuring the curie density of said material in said void region after it has dispersed throughout said void region, and correlating said measured curie density of said dispersed material with the volume of said void region.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
71 words
The method of determining the volume of fuel remaining in a tank of known volume comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive gas substantially insoluble in said fuel inTo said tank that disperses throughout said tank, measuring the density of said injected gas in said tank after it has diffused throughout said tank, and correlating said measured density of said diffused gas with the volume of said fuel.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
71 words
The method of determining the volume of fuel remaining in a tank of known volume comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive gas substantially insoluble in said fuel inTo said tank that disperses throughout said tank, measuring the density of said injected gas in said tank after it has diffused throughout said tank, and correlating said measured density of said diffused gas with the volume of said fuel.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of determining the volume of fuel remaining in a tank of known volume comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive gas insoluble in said fuel into said tank, measuring the density of said radioactive gas after it has diffused throughout said tank to determine the ullage volume of said tank, and comparing said ullage volume measurement together with said known total tank volume to obtain said fuel volume.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of determining the volume of fuel remaining in a tank of known volume comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive gas insoluble in said fuel into said tank, measuring the density of said radioactive gas after it has diffused throughout said tank to determine the ullage volume of said tank, and comparing said ullage volume measurement together with said known total tank volume to obtain said fuel volume.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
70 words
The method of determining the volume of a region occupied by a resident fluid material comprising the steps of: introducing a fixed amount of a radioactive probe fluid into said resident fluid to diffuse said probe fluid throughout said volume, measuring with a detector for the radioactive fluid the density of said diffused probe fluid in said region, and correlating said measured fluid density with the volume of said region.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
70 words
The method of determining the volume of a region occupied by a resident fluid material comprising the steps of: introducing a fixed amount of a radioactive probe fluid into said resident fluid to diffuse said probe fluid throughout said volume, measuring with a detector for the radioactive fluid the density of said diffused probe fluid in said region, and correlating said measured fluid density with the volume of said region.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of determining the volume of material contained in a partially filled vessel of known volume, comprising the steps of: introducing a radioactive gas into the volume of said vessel not occupied by said material that disperses throughout said non-occupied volume, measuring the density of said gas in said non-occupied volume after it has diffused throughout said volume, and correlating said measured density of said radioactive gas with the volume of said material in said vessel.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of determining the volume of material contained in a partially filled vessel of known volume, comprising the steps of: introducing a radioactive gas into the volume of said vessel not occupied by said material that disperses throughout said non-occupied volume, measuring the density of said gas in said non-occupied volume after it has diffused throughout said volume, and correlating said measured density of said radioactive gas with the volume of said material in said vessel.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of determining the volume of material contained in a partially filled vessel of known volume comprising the steps of: introducing a radioactive test gas into the ullage volume of said vessel, measuring the density of said gas in said ullage volume to obtain a first signal having a first component proportional to said ullage volume and a second component proportional to the amount of gas dissolved in said material, measuring the amount of said gas dissolved in said material, and combining said measurements in accordance with a predetermined relationship to derive an output signal proportional to the volume of material in said vessel.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of determining the volume of material contained in a partially filled vessel of known volume comprising the steps of: introducing a radioactive test gas into the ullage volume of said vessel, measuring the density of said gas in said ullage volume to obtain a first signal having a first component proportional to said ullage volume and a second component proportional to the amount of gas dissolved in said material, measuring the amount of said gas dissolved in said material, and combining said measurements in accordance with a predetermined relationship to derive an output signal proportional to the volume of material in said vessel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as set forth in claim 11 but further including the steps of: measuring the temperature and pressure of said ullage volume, and correcting said output signal in accordance with said temperature and pressure measurement.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method as set forth in claim 11 but further including the steps of: detecting leaks in said vessel, stopping said leaks, measuring the density of said radioactive ullage after said leaks are stopped, introducing a second test gas of known quantity into said ullage volume, and measuring the density of said ullage after introduction of said second test gas.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
68 words
The method of investigating a system having a resident gas for changes in variable parameters such as volume, pressure or temperature, comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive tracer into said gas that diffuses throughout said gas, measuring the density of said injected tracer after said tracer has uniformly diffused throughout said resident gas, and correlating said measured density with one of said variable parameters.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
68 words
The method of investigating a system having a resident gas for changes in variable parameters such as volume, pressure or temperature, comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive tracer into said gas that diffuses throughout said gas, measuring the density of said injected tracer after said tracer has uniformly diffused throughout said resident gas, and correlating said measured density with one of said variable parameters.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
75 words
The method of determining the pressure of a resident gas in a region of fixed volume and temperature comprising the steps of: injecting a radioactive tracer gas into said resident gas, said tracer diffusing uniformly throughout said resident gas, and providing radiation having a range of penetration that is a function of said resident gas pressure, and deriving a signal proportional to said range of radiation penetration for indicating the pressure of said resident gas.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
75 words
The method of determining the pressure of a resident gas in a region of fixed volume and temperature comprising the steps of: injecting a radioactive tracer gas into said resident gas, said tracer diffusing uniformly throughout said resident gas, and providing radiation having a range of penetration that is a function of said resident gas pressure, and deriving a signal proportional to said range of radiation penetration for indicating the pressure of said resident gas.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
75 words
The method of determining the temperature of a resident gas in a region of fixed voLume and pressure comprising the steps of: injecting a radioactive tracer gas into said resident gas, said tracer diffusing uniformly throughout said resident gas and providing radiation having a range of penetration that is a function of said resident gas temperature, and deriving a signal proportional to said range of radiation penetration for indicating the temperature of said resident gas.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
75 words
The method of determining the temperature of a resident gas in a region of fixed voLume and pressure comprising the steps of: injecting a radioactive tracer gas into said resident gas, said tracer diffusing uniformly throughout said resident gas and providing radiation having a range of penetration that is a function of said resident gas temperature, and deriving a signal proportional to said range of radiation penetration for indicating the temperature of said resident gas.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
60 words
The method of determining a leak in a normally closed system comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive tracer into said system to diffuse the same uniformly throughout, measuring the density of said tracer in said system after diffusion while the system remains closed except for the leak, and indicating any decreases in said measured tracer density.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
60 words
The method of determining a leak in a normally closed system comprising the steps of: injecting a known amount of radioactive tracer into said system to diffuse the same uniformly throughout, measuring the density of said tracer in said system after diffusion while the system remains closed except for the leak, and indicating any decreases in said measured tracer density.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus for determining the volume of a void region in a container comprising: means for releasing a known quantity of identifiable radioactive material into said volume, said material being uniformly distributed throughout said volume, and a detector for the radioactive material for measuring the density of said uniformly distributed identifiable material in said void region.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus for determining the volume of a void region in a container comprising: means for releasing a known quantity of identifiable radioactive material into said volume, said material being uniformly distributed throughout said volume, and a detector for the radioactive material for measuring the density of said uniformly distributed identifiable material in said void region.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus for determining the volume of a void region comprising: means for dispersing a known amount of radioactive material throughout said void region, a radiation detector for measuring the density of said radioactive material dispersed in said void region, and means for indicating said radioactive density measurement.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus for determining the volume of a void region comprising: means for dispersing a known amount of radioactive material throughout said void region, a radiation detector for measuring the density of said radioactive material dispersed in said void region, and means for indicating said radioactive density measurement.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus for determining the volume of a void region comprising: a fixed quantity of an identifiable radioactive tracer, means for injecting said fixed quantity into said void volume to uniformly disperse said tracer, and detector means for the radioactive tracer responsive to the density of said tracer in said void region for providing a signal that is a function of said volume.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus for determining the volume of a void region comprising: a fixed quantity of an identifiable radioactive tracer, means for injecting said fixed quantity into said void volume to uniformly disperse said tracer, and detector means for the radioactive tracer responsive to the density of said tracer in said void region for providing a signal that is a function of said volume.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus for measuring the amount of material in a container of known volume comprising: means for injecting a known quantity of a radioactive identifiable substance into the ullage volume of said container that disperses through said ullage volume, detector means for the radioactive tracer for measuring the density of said identifiable substance in said ullage, and means for correlating said density measurement with said material fill.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus for measuring the amount of material in a container of known volume comprising: means for injecting a known quantity of a radioactive identifiable substance into the ullage volume of said container that disperses through said ullage volume, detector means for the radioactive tracer for measuring the density of said identifiable substance in said ullage, and means for correlating said density measurement with said material fill.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel in a tank of known volume comprising: a radioactive tracer, means for injecting a known amount of said tracer into the ullage of said tank to establish a density that is a function of said fuel volume, a radiation detector responsive to said tracer density and providing an output signal in accordance therewith, and means for indicating said output signal.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel in a tank of known volume comprising: a radioactive tracer, means for injecting a known amount of said tracer into the ullage of said tank to establish a density that is a function of said fuel volume, a radiation detector responsive to said tracer density and providing an output signal in accordance therewith, and means for indicating said output signal.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel in a tank of known volume comprising: a source of radioactive tracer emitting radiation, means for injecting a known amount of said tracer into the ullage of said tank to establish a uniform tracer density throughout said ullage varying in accordance with the volume of said ullage, a detector for measuring the radiation originating in a specific volume of said ullage volume and generating an output signal in accordance therewith, and means for indicating said output signal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel in a tank of known volume comprising: a source of radioactive tracer emitting radiation, means for injecting a known amount of said tracer into the ullage of said tank to establish a uniform tracer density throughout said ullage varying in accordance with the volume of said ullage, a detector for measuring the radiation originating in a specific volume of said ullage volume and generating an output signal in accordance therewith, and means for indicating said output signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 23 in which said specific volume detector includes: a generally hollow housing of shielding material mounted in said ullage volume and having openings to permit said ullage to circulate therethrough, and a radiation sensor located inside said housing to receive radiation emitted only by the amount of said tracer located within the housing.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel in a tank of known volume comprising: a radioactive tracer emitting radiation, means for injecting a known amount of said tracer into the ullage of said tank to establish a unifOrm tracer density throughout said ullage varying in accordance with the volume of said ullage, a detector for measuring the amount of radiation in a known volume of said ullage and generating a first signal that is a function of said fuel volume and a function of the pressure of said ullage, transducer means for providing a second signal that varies in accordance with said ullage pressure, and means for combining said signals to provide an output signal that is a function only of said fuel volume.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel in a tank of known volume comprising: a radioactive tracer emitting radiation, means for injecting a known amount of said tracer into the ullage of said tank to establish a unifOrm tracer density throughout said ullage varying in accordance with the volume of said ullage, a detector for measuring the amount of radiation in a known volume of said ullage and generating a first signal that is a function of said fuel volume and a function of the pressure of said ullage, transducer means for providing a second signal that varies in accordance with said ullage pressure, and means for combining said signals to provide an output signal that is a function only of said fuel volume.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel in a tank of known volume comprising: a radioactive tracer emitting radiation, means for injecting a known amount of said tracer into the ullage of said tank to establish a uniform tracer density throughout said ullage varying in accordance with the volume of said ullage, a detector for measuring the amount of radiation in a known volume of said ullage and generating a first signal proportional to said fuel volume and the temperature and the pressure of said ullage, temperature transducer means providing a second signal proportional to said ullage temperature, pressure transducer means providing a third signal proportional to said ullage pressure, and computer means for combining said first, second and third signals to provide an output signal that is a function only of said fuel volume.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel in a tank of known volume comprising: a radioactive tracer emitting radiation, means for injecting a known amount of said tracer into the ullage of said tank to establish a uniform tracer density throughout said ullage varying in accordance with the volume of said ullage, a detector for measuring the amount of radiation in a known volume of said ullage and generating a first signal proportional to said fuel volume and the temperature and the pressure of said ullage, temperature transducer means providing a second signal proportional to said ullage temperature, pressure transducer means providing a third signal proportional to said ullage pressure, and computer means for combining said first, second and third signals to provide an output signal that is a function only of said fuel volume.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 26 in which said specific volume detector comprises: a generally hollow housing of shielding material mounted in said ullage volume and having openings to permit said ullage to circulate therethrough, and a radiation sensor located inside said housing to receive radiation emitted only by the tracer occupying said housing.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel in a tank of known volume comprising: a source of radioactive tracer emitting radiation, means for injecting a known amount of said tracer into the ullage of said tank to establish a uniform tracer density throughout said ullage varying in accordance with the volume of said ullage, a detector for measuring the amount of radiation in a known volume of said ullage and generating a first signal proportional to said fuel volume and the temperature and the pressure of said ullage, temperature transducer means providing a second signal proportional to said ullage temperature, pressure transducer means providing a third signal proportional to said ullage pressure, a second detector for generating a fourth signal proportional to the amount of background radiation in the environment of said fuel measurement, and computer means for combining said signals to provide an output signal proportional only to said fuel volume.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel in a tank of known volume comprising: a source of radioactive tracer emitting radiation, means for injecting a known amount of said tracer into the ullage of said tank to establish a uniform tracer density throughout said ullage varying in accordance with the volume of said ullage, a detector for measuring the amount of radiation in a known volume of said ullage and generating a first signal proportional to said fuel volume and the temperature and the pressure of said ullage, temperature transducer means providing a second signal proportional to said ullage temperature, pressure transducer means providing a third signal proportional to said ullage pressure, a second detector for generating a fourth signal proportional to the amount of background radiation in the environment of said fuel measurement, and computer means for combining said signals to provide an output signal proportional only to said fuel volume.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
214 words
Apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel in a tank of known volume comprising: a frangible capsule of compressed radioactive gas mounted in the ullage of said tank, means for rupturing said capsule dispersing a known number of curies of said gas uniformly throughout said ullage, means for measuring the curie density of said ullage including a detector responsive to the radiation of said radioactive gas, a housing for enclosing a fixed sampling volume in said ullage and means for mounting said detector in said housing, said detector providing a first signal proportional to said fuel volume, pressure and the temperature of said ullage volume, and the external radiation existing in the background of said curie density measurement, pressure transducer means providing a second signal proportional to said ullage pressure, temperature transducer providing a third signal proportional to said ullage temperature, a second detector for generating a fourth signal proportional to the intensity of said background radiation, a first computer for combining said signals to provide a first output signal proportional only to said fuel volume, second computer means receiving said output signal And said third signal for providing a second output signal proportional to the mass of said fuel in said tank, and means for registering an indication of said second output signal.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
214 words
Apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel in a tank of known volume comprising: a frangible capsule of compressed radioactive gas mounted in the ullage of said tank, means for rupturing said capsule dispersing a known number of curies of said gas uniformly throughout said ullage, means for measuring the curie density of said ullage including a detector responsive to the radiation of said radioactive gas, a housing for enclosing a fixed sampling volume in said ullage and means for mounting said detector in said housing, said detector providing a first signal proportional to said fuel volume, pressure and the temperature of said ullage volume, and the external radiation existing in the background of said curie density measurement, pressure transducer means providing a second signal proportional to said ullage pressure, temperature transducer providing a third signal proportional to said ullage temperature, a second detector for generating a fourth signal proportional to the intensity of said background radiation, a first computer for combining said signals to provide a first output signal proportional only to said fuel volume, second computer means receiving said output signal And said third signal for providing a second output signal proportional to the mass of said fuel in said tank, and means for registering an indication of said second output signal.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 29 wherein said frangible source comprises: at least one beta-emitting isotope.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 29 in which said sampling volume housing comprises: a center cylindrical shield member having a centrally located bore for mounting said detector, a plurality of washers each having a centrally located bore, means for mounting said washers in vertical alignment on either side of said center cylindrical shield member and in alignment with the detector mounting bore thereof, means for spacing said washers slightly away from one another, and end plate means for securing said mounting means and defining said specific volume with said aligned bores.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for determining the pressure variations of a gas residing in a fixed interior volume at constant temperature comprising: means for injecting a radioactive gas into said resident gas, said tracer diffusing uniformly throughout said resident gas and providing radiation having a range of penetration that is a function of said resident gas pressure, and radiation detector means for providing an output signal proportional to said range of radiation penetration for indicating the pressure of said resident gas.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for determining the pressure variations of a gas residing in a fixed interior volume at constant temperature comprising: means for injecting a radioactive gas into said resident gas, said tracer diffusing uniformly throughout said resident gas and providing radiation having a range of penetration that is a function of said resident gas pressure, and radiation detector means for providing an output signal proportional to said range of radiation penetration for indicating the pressure of said resident gas.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for determining the temperature of a gas residing in a fixed interior volume at constant temperature comprising: means for injecting a radioactive gas into said resident gas said tracer diffusing uniformly throughout said resident gas and providing radiation having a range of penetration that is a function of said resident gas temperature, and radiation detector means providing an output signal proportional to said range of radiation penetration for indicating the temperature of said resident gas.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for determining the temperature of a gas residing in a fixed interior volume at constant temperature comprising: means for injecting a radioactive gas into said resident gas said tracer diffusing uniformly throughout said resident gas and providing radiation having a range of penetration that is a function of said resident gas temperature, and radiation detector means providing an output signal proportional to said range of radiation penetration for indicating the temperature of said resident gas.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus for determining the volume of one fluid in the presence of another immiscible fluid in a container, said apparatus comprising: means for injecting into said container a known amount of radioactive substance that preferentially diffuses uniformly throughout only said one fluid, and means coupled with said container for measuring the density of said diffused radioactive substance to provide a signal indicative of the volume of said one fluid.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus for determining the volume of one fluid in the presence of another immiscible fluid in a container, said apparatus comprising: means for injecting into said container a known amount of radioactive substance that preferentially diffuses uniformly throughout only said one fluid, and means coupled with said container for measuring the density of said diffused radioactive substance to provide a signal indicative of the volume of said one fluid.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as set forth in claim 11 but further including the steps of: introducing a second test gas of known quantity into said ullage volume, and measuring the combined density of said first and said second test gases.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a volume measuring system, the combination of a container, a fluid occupying a portion of the interior space in said container, means connected to said container for introducing a known mass of radioactive trace gas into the ullage portion of said interior space and detecting means for the radioactive trace gas extending into said container for measuring the density of said trace gas.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a volume measuring system, the combination of a container, a fluid occupying a portion of the interior space in said container, means connected to said container for introducing a known mass of radioactive trace gas into the ullage portion of said interior space and detecting means for the radioactive trace gas extending into said container for measuring the density of said trace gas.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of determining the ullage volume of a partially filled container having a changeable volume of material therein, comprising the steps of: introducing a radioactive gas into the volume of said vessel not occupied by said material that disperses throughout said non-occupied volume, measuring the density of said gas in said non-occupied volume after it has diffused throughout said volume, maintaining the mass of the radioactive gas substantially constant while the determination is being performed and the material volume is subject to change, and correlating said measured density of said radioactive gas with the ullage volume in said vessel.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of determining the ullage volume of a partially filled container having a changeable volume of material therein, comprising the steps of: introducing a radioactive gas into the volume of said vessel not occupied by said material that disperses throughout said non-occupied volume, measuring the density of said gas in said non-occupied volume after it has diffused throughout said volume, maintaining the mass of the radioactive gas substantially constant while the determination is being performed and the material volume is subject to change, and correlating said measured density of said radioactive gas with the ullage volume in said vessel.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of determining the ullage volume of a partially filled container having a changeable volume of material therein, comprising the steps of: introducing a radioactive tracer gas into the volume of said vessel not occupied by said mateRial that disperses throughout said non-occupied volume, measuring with a radioactive gas detector the density of said gas in said non-occupied volume after it has diffused throughout said volume, maintaining the mass of the tracer gas substantially constant while the determination is being performed and the material volume is subject to change, and correlating said measured density of said tracer gas with the ullage volume in said vessel.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of determining the ullage volume of a partially filled container having a changeable volume of material therein, comprising the steps of: introducing a radioactive tracer gas into the volume of said vessel not occupied by said mateRial that disperses throughout said non-occupied volume, measuring with a radioactive gas detector the density of said gas in said non-occupied volume after it has diffused throughout said volume, maintaining the mass of the tracer gas substantially constant while the determination is being performed and the material volume is subject to change, and correlating said measured density of said tracer gas with the ullage volume in said vessel.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a volume measuring system, the combination of a substantially closed container, means for providing a mass of ullage gas to said container, means for introducing a known mass of radioactive trace gas into said ullage gas and radioactive gas detecting means extending into said ullage gas for measuring the density of said trace gas.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a volume measuring system, the combination of a substantially closed container, means for providing a mass of ullage gas to said container, means for introducing a known mass of radioactive trace gas into said ullage gas and radioactive gas detecting means extending into said ullage gas for measuring the density of said trace gas.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a system for measuring liquid or gas quantity, the combination of a closed tank, containing a liquid or gas, whose quantity is to be measured, means for providing in said closed tank a mass of ullage gas contiguous with said liquid or gas, means for introducing a known mass of radioactive trace gas into said ullage gas and radioactive gas detecting means extending into said ullage gas for measuring the density of said trace gas.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a system for measuring liquid or gas quantity, the combination of a closed tank, containing a liquid or gas, whose quantity is to be measured, means for providing in said closed tank a mass of ullage gas contiguous with said liquid or gas, means for introducing a known mass of radioactive trace gas into said ullage gas and radioactive gas detecting means extending into said ullage gas for measuring the density of said trace gas.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a liquid quantity measuring system in a G or zero gravitation environment the combination of a closed tank containing a liquid whose quantity is to be measured, means for providing in said closed tank a mass of ullage gas contiguous with said liquid, means for introducing a known mass of radioactive trace gas into said ullage gas and radioactive gas detecting means extending into said ullage gas for measuring the density of said trace gas.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a liquid quantity measuring system in a G or zero gravitation environment the combination of a closed tank containing a liquid whose quantity is to be measured, means for providing in said closed tank a mass of ullage gas contiguous with said liquid, means for introducing a known mass of radioactive trace gas into said ullage gas and radioactive gas detecting means extending into said ullage gas for measuring the density of said trace gas.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a liquid quantity gauge for a zero gravitational environment the combination of a closed tank having a diaphragm containing a liquid occupying a portion of the interior space in said tank, means for providing a known mass of trace gas into the ullage portion of said interior space and detecting means extending into said ullage space for measuring the density of said gas.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a liquid quantity gauge for a zero gravitational environment the combination of a closed tank having a diaphragm containing a liquid occupying a portion of the interior space in said tank, means for providing a known mass of trace gas into the ullage portion of said interior space and detecting means extending into said ullage space for measuring the density of said gas.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
81 words
In a liquid quantity gauge for a zero gravitational environment the combination of a closed tank having a diaphragm containing a liquid occupying a portion of the interior space of said tank, means for providing in said closed tank an ullage gas to the ullage portion of said interior space in said tank, means for providing a known mass of trace gas into said ullage space and detecting means extending into said ullage space for measuring the density of said gas.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
81 words
In a liquid quantity gauge for a zero gravitational environment the combination of a closed tank having a diaphragm containing a liquid occupying a portion of the interior space of said tank, means for providing in said closed tank an ullage gas to the ullage portion of said interior space in said tank, means for providing a known mass of trace gas into said ullage space and detecting means extending into said ullage space for measuring the density of said gas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |