US3770608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process controller
Assignee: Mead Corp
•
Filing: 1972-03-16
•
Granted: 1973-11-06
•
Expires: 1992-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A process control apparatus detachably packaged in two integral sections. The lower section contains a compartment for a reference solution and another compartment for a process solution; the two compartments being in thermal equilibrium and having an electrical bridge therebetween. A pair of specific ion sensors extend downwardly from the upper section and reach into the two solution compartments when the controller is assembled. In operation a process solution flows through the controller and the two specific ion sensors generate a potential difference signal for operation of a solenoid valve which controls addition of a concentration correcting fluid to the process stream. There is disclosed an application of such a controller to a three stage washing system for papermaking pulp.
Inventors
- 👤 J Clark
- 👤 D Kelch
- 👤 W Kraus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/416; G01N27/4166; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2499; Y10T137/2509
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 80
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A process controller for regulation of the concentration of specific ions in a stream of process fluid comprising: 1. a container closed against the atmosphere, 2. means for conducting said stream through said container, 3. a vessel within said container for holding a sample of said process fluid, 4. means for continuous delivery of a small portion of said stream to said vessel, 5. means for maintaining the process fluid within said vessel at a predetermined level and continuously returning excess process fluid to said stream, 6. a compartment within said vessel for holding a reference solution in thermal equilibrium with the surrounding process fluid within said vessel, 7. means for providing an electrical bridge between said process fluid and said reference solution, 8. a pair of identical probes each provided with a solid state membrane sensitive to said specific ions; one probe extending into said vessel for contact with said process fluid sample and the other probe extending into said vessel for contact with said reference solution, and 9. means connected to said probes for generation of a control signal related to the difference between the ion concentrations sensed by said membranes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A process controller for regulation of the concentration of specific ions in a stream of process fluid comprising: 1. a container closed against the atmosphere, 2. means for conducting said stream through said container, 3. a vessel within said container for holding a sample of said process fluid, 4. means for continuous delivery of a small portion of said stream to said vessel, 5. means for maintaining the process fluid within said vessel at a predetermined level and continuously returning excess process fluid to said stream, 6. a compartment within said vessel for holding a reference solution in thermal equilibrium with the surrounding process fluid within said vessel, 7. means for providing an electrical bridge between said process fluid and said reference solution, 8. a pair of identical probes each provided with a solid state membrane sensitive to said specific ions; one probe extending into said vessel for contact with said process fluid sample and the other probe extending into said vessel for contact with said reference solution, and 9. means connected to said probes for generation of a control signal related to the difference between the ion concentrations sensed by said membranes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
a second compartment for holding a sample of a process solution requiring concentration correction in variable amount as determined by said correction signal,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
a second compartment for holding a sample of a process solution requiring concentration correction in variable amount as determined by said correction signal,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
input and output connections for providing a continuous flow of said process solution through said vessel,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
input and output connections for providing a continuous flow of said process solution through said vessel,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
8 words
means for conducting said stream through said container,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
8 words
means for conducting said stream through said container,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
input and output connections for providing a continuous flow of said process solution through said vessel,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
input and output connections for providing a continuous flow of said process solution through said vessel,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process controller comprising an upper section and a lower section releasably joined with a pressure seal therebetween, said upper section comprising:
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process controller comprising an upper section and a lower section releasably joined with a pressure seal therebetween, said upper section comprising:
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
an electronics package mounted within said housing and operative to generate a chemical solution correction signal in response to a pair of reference and measured input potentials, and
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
an electronics package mounted within said housing and operative to generate a chemical solution correction signal in response to a pair of reference and measured input potentials, and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
A process controller according to claim 2 wherein upper section further comprises a ground probe mounted exteriorly below said housing, said ground probe reaching upwardly for grounding connection with said electronics package and extending downwardly into said second compartment for grounding connection with said process solution.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
a compartment within said vessel for holding a reference solution in thermal equilibrium with said process solution,
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
a compartment within said vessel for holding a reference solution in thermal equilibrium with said process solution,
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
a vessel within said container for holding a sample of said process fluid,
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
a vessel within said container for holding a sample of said process fluid,
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
a compartment for holding a reference solution in electrical communication with the process solution in said vessel,
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
a compartment for holding a reference solution in electrical communication with the process solution in said vessel,
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
means for providing an electrical bridge between ssid first and second compartments,
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
means for providing an electrical bridge between ssid first and second compartments,
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
a pair of substantially identical specific ion sensors detachably mounted exteriorly below said housing and in electrical connection with said electronics package; and said lower section comprising:
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
a pair of substantially identical specific ion sensors detachably mounted exteriorly below said housing and in electrical connection with said electronics package; and said lower section comprising:
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
input and output connections for providing a continuous flow of said process solution to said second compartment, and
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
input and output connections for providing a continuous flow of said process solution to said second compartment, and
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
grounding means for establishing the potential of said process solution as a ground potential,
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
grounding means for establishing the potential of said process solution as a ground potential,
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
means for continuous delivery of a small portion of said stream to said vessel,
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
means for continuous delivery of a small portion of said stream to said vessel,
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
means for providing an electrical bridge between siad process solution and said reference solution,
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
means for providing an electrical bridge between siad process solution and said reference solution,
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process controller according to claim 3 wherein said specific ion sensors are of identical construction including at their lower ends a pair of solid state membranes sensitive to the presence of said specific ion in reference and process solutions contained within said first and second compartments.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process controller according to claim 4 wherein said process controller is provided with means for upwardly admitting said process solution to said second compartment at a point directly below the specific ion sensor reaching into said compartment.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
a first probe extending into said compartment and operative to generate a first electrical signal related to the concentration of said specific ions in said reference solution,
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
a first probe extending into said compartment and operative to generate a first electrical signal related to the concentration of said specific ions in said reference solution,
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
means for maintaining the process fluid within said vessel at a predetermined level and continuously returning excess process fluid to said stream,
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
means for maintaining the process fluid within said vessel at a predetermined level and continuously returning excess process fluid to said stream,
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
54 words
a measuring Probe comprising an ion sensing membrane and an output connection, said membrane being positioned for contact with process solution within said vessel and said probe being operative to generate between said output connection and said membrane an electrical potential related to the concentration of a predetermined specific ion within said process solution,
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
54 words
a measuring Probe comprising an ion sensing membrane and an output connection, said membrane being positioned for contact with process solution within said vessel and said probe being operative to generate between said output connection and said membrane an electrical potential related to the concentration of a predetermined specific ion within said process solution,
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
53 words
means for dividing the process solution flowing into said input connection whereby a first portion thereof flows directly to said output connection and a second portion thereof flows through said second compartment; said specific ion sensors extending downwardly whereby each reaches into one of said compartments to generate said reference and measured potentials.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
53 words
means for dividing the process solution flowing into said input connection whereby a first portion thereof flows directly to said output connection and a second portion thereof flows through said second compartment; said specific ion sensors extending downwardly whereby each reaches into one of said compartments to generate said reference and measured potentials.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
60 words
a reference probe substantially identical to said measuring probe comprising an ion sensing membrane and an output connection, said membrane being positioned for contact with reference solution within said compartment and said probe being operative to generate between said output connection and said membrane an electrical potential related to the concentration of a predetermined specific ion within said reference solution,
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
60 words
a reference probe substantially identical to said measuring probe comprising an ion sensing membrane and an output connection, said membrane being positioned for contact with reference solution within said compartment and said probe being operative to generate between said output connection and said membrane an electrical potential related to the concentration of a predetermined specific ion within said reference solution,
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
a compartment within said vessel for holding a reference solution in thermal equilibrium with the surrounding process fluid within said vessel,
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
a compartment within said vessel for holding a reference solution in thermal equilibrium with the surrounding process fluid within said vessel,
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
33 words
a second probe substantially identical to said first probe extending into said vessel and operative to generate a second electrical signal related to the concentration of said specific ions in said process solution,
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
a second probe substantially identical to said first probe extending into said vessel and operative to generate a second electrical signal related to the concentration of said specific ions in said process solution,
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process controller according to claim 4 wherein said specific ion sensors are mounted to said housing by means of threaded connections and electrically connected to said electronics package by means of pin jacks.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
means connected to said first and second probes for generating a third electrical signal related to the difference between said first and second electrical signals,
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
means connected to said first and second probes for generating a third electrical signal related to the difference between said first and second electrical signals,
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
means for providing an electrical bridge between said process fluid and said reference solution,
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
14 words
means for providing an electrical bridge between said process fluid and said reference solution,
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
19 words
first amplifying means for amplifying the potential between said grounding means and the output connection of said measuring probe,
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
19 words
first amplifying means for amplifying the potential between said grounding means and the output connection of said measuring probe,
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process controller according to claim 2 wherein said first compartment is a cylindrical tube.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
second amplifying means for amplifying the potential between said grounding means and the output connection of said reference probe,
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
19 words
second amplifying means for amplifying the potential between said grounding means and the output connection of said reference probe,
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
45 words
a pair of identical probes each provided with a solid state membrane sensitive to said specific ions; one probe extending into said vessel for contact with said process fluid sample and the other probe extending into said vessel for contact with said reference solution, and
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
45 words
a pair of identical probes each provided with a solid state membrane sensitive to said specific ions; one probe extending into said vessel for contact with said process fluid sample and the other probe extending into said vessel for contact with said reference solution, and
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
means for generating a concentration correction signal when said third electrical signal exceeds a first predetermined magnitude, and
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
18 words
means for generating a concentration correction signal when said third electrical signal exceeds a first predetermined magnitude, and
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process controller according to claim 7 wherein said means for providing an electrical bridge comprises a tapered circular wall in the base of said lower section and a rough ground taper at the base of said cylindrical tube.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
20 words
means for interrupting generation of said concentration correction signal when said third electrical signal falls below a second predetermined magnitude.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
20 words
means for interrupting generation of said concentration correction signal when said third electrical signal falls below a second predetermined magnitude.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
18 words
third amplifying means for amplifying the difference between the outputs of said first and second amplifying means, and
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
18 words
third amplifying means for amplifying the difference between the outputs of said first and second amplifying means, and
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
23 words
means connected to said probes for generation of a control signal related to the difference between the ion concentrations sensed by said membranes.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
23 words
means connected to said probes for generation of a control signal related to the difference between the ion concentrations sensed by said membranes.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process controller according to claim 8 wherein said cylindrical tube is provided with a plurality of apertures in the region of said rough ground taper for reduction of electrical resistance across said electrical bridge.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
17 words
means responsive to said third amplifying means for generating a process control signal for said process solution.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
17 words
means responsive to said third amplifying means for generating a process control signal for said process solution.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process controller according to claim 7 wherein said upper section is provided with a circular groove for reception of the upper end of said cylindrical tube and creation thereby of a condensate collection chamber.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for dividing the process solution is such that the said first portion of the process solution is a major portion thereof and said lower section of the process controller further comprising means for re-combining said second portion of the process solution with said first portion prior to exit thereof through the output connection.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process controller according to claim 11 further comprising means for measuring the rate of flow of said second portion of process solution and means for regulating said rate of flow.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process controller for regulation of the concentration of specific ions in a process solution comprising:
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process controller for regulation of the concentration of specific ions in a process solution comprising:
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
4 words
Process control apparatus comprising:
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
4 words
Process control apparatus comprising:
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2183531A
Cited
US2288180A
Cited
US3306837A
Cited
US3479255A
Cited
US3539455A
Cited
US3434953A
Cited
US3563874A
Cited
US3696019A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |