US3769582A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Particle counting apparatus
Assignee: Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
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Filing: 1971-11-01
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-11-01
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for counting particles suspended in a fluid, comprising a conductivity cell having air vent means and means defining an electrical resistance measuring path. Mechanism serves to selectively open and close the air vent means. There is also provided a flask containing a quantity of particle containing fluid and a conveying system for transporting a quantity of such particle containing fluid from the flask through said electrical resistance measuring path of said conductivity cell. Each particle upon passing said electrical resistance measuring path brings about a measurable change of the resistance of such measuring path. There is further provided counting mechanism for electrically counting changes in such resistance of the measuring path, this counting mechanism including a volumetrically calibrated measuring tube. Electric circuit means including first and second read-out means are spaced at a predetermined distance from one another along said volumetrically calibrated measuring tube, said electric circuit means generating a starting signal commencing the counting operation and causing the aforesaid mechanism to tightly close said air vent means and further generating a switch-out signal for terminating the counting operation and causing said mechanism to open said air vent means.
Inventors
- 👤 K Schoen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/10; G01N15/1031; G01N15/12; G01F; G01F11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for counting particles suspended in a fluid, comprising a conductivity cell having air vent means and means defining an electrical resistance measuring path, mechanism for selectively opening and closing said air vent means, a flask containing a quantity of particle containing fluid, a conveying system for transporTing a quantity of such particle containing fluid from said flask through said electrical resistance measuring path of said conductivity cell, each particle upon passing said electrical resistance measuring path bringing about a measurable change of the resistance of said measuring path, counting mechanism for electrically counting changes in such resistance of said measuring path, said counting mechanism including a volumetrically calibrated measuring tube, electric circuit means including first and second read-out means spaced at a predetermined distance from one another along said volumetrically calibrated measuring tube, said electric circuit means generating a starting signal commencing the counting operation and causing said mechanism to tightly close said air vent means and further generating a switch-out signal for terminating the counting operation and causing said mechanism to open said air vent means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for counting particles suspended in a fluid, comprising a conductivity cell having air vent means and means defining an electrical resistance measuring path, mechanism for selectively opening and closing said air vent means, a flask containing a quantity of particle containing fluid, a conveying system for transporTing a quantity of such particle containing fluid from said flask through said electrical resistance measuring path of said conductivity cell, each particle upon passing said electrical resistance measuring path bringing about a measurable change of the resistance of said measuring path, counting mechanism for electrically counting changes in such resistance of said measuring path, said counting mechanism including a volumetrically calibrated measuring tube, electric circuit means including first and second read-out means spaced at a predetermined distance from one another along said volumetrically calibrated measuring tube, said electric circuit means generating a starting signal commencing the counting operation and causing said mechanism to tightly close said air vent means and further generating a switch-out signal for terminating the counting operation and causing said mechanism to open said air vent means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said mechanism for selectively opening and closing said air vent means comprises an electromagnet and a plunger, said electric circuit means including logic circuitry electrically coupled with said electromagnet for controlling operation thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
169 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said conductivity cell comprises: a cell body having an input passage formed therein and adapted to be coupled to said flask, and an output passage formed therein and adapted to be coupled to said measuring tube through which liquid flows for analysis; a support member having an aperture provided in a surface thereof, said support member being removably disposed within said cell body with said aperture having opposed ends in alignment with said input passage, said support member having a passage formed in an end thereof and communicating between one opposed end of said aperture and the output passage of said cell body; a first electrode disposed within said input passage and confronting the other opposed end of said aperture; a second electrode disposed within said output passage and confronting said one opposed end of said aperture; and means within said cell body for providing electrical connection from said first and second electrodes to respective terminals disposed on said cell body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said support member is of elongated configuration and when disposed within said cell body has a portion which extends outwardly there-from.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said elongated support member includes a marking for visual indication of alignment of said aperture with said input passage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said support member is of generally cylindrical configuration and is disposed coaxially within said cell body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein sealing means are provided between said cell body and said support member and sealing means provided within said output passage for sealingly engaging said measuring tube disposed therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said passage of said cylindrical support member is coaxially disposed within an end thereof and having an inner end communicating with said one opposed end of said aperture and an outer end communicating, when said support member is disposed within said cell body, with said output passage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3654439A
Cited
US3657725A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |