US3777574A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Specific gravity sensor and a system employing the sensor
Assignee: University of California Berkeley
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Filing: 1971-01-04
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1991-01-04
Abstract
Abstract A specific gravity sensor that is disposed in a liquid, the sensor including at least one pair of vertically extending, light-transmitting elements, one of the elements of the pair having a light-emitting portion submerged in the liquid, which portion is spaced from a confronting light-receiving portion of the other element. Each element has a portion that extends above the liquid and one of those latter portions is subjected to light. A light-flow inhibitor is guided vertically to move upwardly and downwardly between those submerged portions of those elements depending upon the variations in the specific gravity of the liquid and the inhibitor thereby functions to permit and prevent, respectively, the transmission of light therebetween. The sensor can be employed in a system for controlling mechanism by picking up light rays that emanate from the light-receiving light-transmitting element.
Inventors
- 👤 D Brown
- 👤 J Isaacs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N9/00; G01N9/10; G01N9/12; G01N9/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S250/00; Y10S250/90; Y10S250/901; Y10S250/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A sensor for determining specific gravity, said sensor comprising: A. means extendable into liquid that is to be tested for determining the specific gravity thereof, said means forming a guide, said guide having confronting openings; B. a plurality of vertically extending, light-transmitting rods, said rods having spaced and confronting portions at said openings in the guide, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; C. an opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between said openings in the means; D. means forming a source of light disposed for transmitting light to the portion of one of the rods that is disposed above the liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A sensor for determining specific gravity, said sensor comprising: A. means extendable into liquid that is to be tested for determining the specific gravity thereof, said means forming a guide, said guide having confronting openings; B. a plurality of vertically extending, light-transmitting rods, said rods having spaced and confronting portions at said openings in the guide, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; C. an opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between said openings in the means; D. means forming a source of light disposed for transmitting light to the portion of one of the rods that is disposed above the liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sensor as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the confronting openings in said means are immersed in the liquid to be tested.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sensor as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the confronting openings in said means are adjacent the lower end thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A Sensor as defined in claim 1, characterized to include: E. a cap for a vessel, said rods, said first mentioned means, said hydrometer and said cap forming a unit.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for controlling specific gravity, said system comprising: A. means extendable into liquid that is to be tested for determining the specific gravity thereof, said means forming a guide, said guide having confronting openings adjacent the upper end thereof; B. a plurality of vertically extending, light-transmitting rods, said rods having spaced and confronting portions at said openings in the guide, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; C. an opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between said openings in the means; D. means forming a source of light disposed for transmitting light to the portion of one of the rods that is disposed above the liquid; E. light sensitive means responsive to the light emanating from that portion of the other of said light-transmitting rods that is above the liquid.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for controlling specific gravity, said system comprising: A. means extendable into liquid that is to be tested for determining the specific gravity thereof, said means forming a guide, said guide having confronting openings adjacent the upper end thereof; B. a plurality of vertically extending, light-transmitting rods, said rods having spaced and confronting portions at said openings in the guide, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; C. an opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between said openings in the means; D. means forming a source of light disposed for transmitting light to the portion of one of the rods that is disposed above the liquid; E. light sensitive means responsive to the light emanating from that portion of the other of said light-transmitting rods that is above the liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system as defined in claim 5, characterized in that the light sensitive means is an electric generator controller, and further characterized to include: F. an electric current generator; G. an electrolytic cell having negative and positive electrodes connected with the generator; H. and means controlled by the generator controller for driving the generator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as defined in claim 5, characterized to include: F. a cap for a vessel, said rods, said first mentioned means, said hydrometer and said cap forming a unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
261 words
A sensor for determining specific gravity, said sensor comprising: A. means extendable into liquid that is to be tested for variations in specific gravity thereof, said means forming a guide and having pairs of confronting openings, one pair being disposed at a higher level than the other pair; B. a plurality of vertically extending, light-transmitting rods, one of said rods having a portion disposed in light-transmitting relationship with the upper opening of a pair of openings, and another of said rods having a portion disposed in light-transmitting relationship with the lower opening of a pair of openings, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; C. a second plurality of vertically extending, light-transmitting rods, one of the latter rods having a portion disposed in light-receiving relationship with the upper opening of the first mentioned pair of openings, another of the latter rods having a portion disposed in light-receiving relationship with the lower opening of the second mentioned pair of openings, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; D. an opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between said openings in the means; E. a second opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between the openings in said means, the density of the second mentioned hydrometer being less than that of the first mentioned hydrometer and disposed above the first mentioned hydrometer; F. means forming a source of light disposed for transmitting light to the portions of the rods that are disposed above the liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
261 words
A sensor for determining specific gravity, said sensor comprising: A. means extendable into liquid that is to be tested for variations in specific gravity thereof, said means forming a guide and having pairs of confronting openings, one pair being disposed at a higher level than the other pair; B. a plurality of vertically extending, light-transmitting rods, one of said rods having a portion disposed in light-transmitting relationship with the upper opening of a pair of openings, and another of said rods having a portion disposed in light-transmitting relationship with the lower opening of a pair of openings, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; C. a second plurality of vertically extending, light-transmitting rods, one of the latter rods having a portion disposed in light-receiving relationship with the upper opening of the first mentioned pair of openings, another of the latter rods having a portion disposed in light-receiving relationship with the lower opening of the second mentioned pair of openings, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; D. an opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between said openings in the means; E. a second opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between the openings in said means, the density of the second mentioned hydrometer being less than that of the first mentioned hydrometer and disposed above the first mentioned hydrometer; F. means forming a source of light disposed for transmitting light to the portions of the rods that are disposed above the liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A sensor as defined in claim 8, characterized in that the openings of the first pair of openings in the means are disposed laterally of the second pair of openings in the means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sensor as defined in claim 8, characterized to include: F. a cap for a vessel, said first mentioned means, said light-transmitting rods, said opaque hydrometers and the cap forming a unit.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
293 words
A system for controlling specific gravity, said system comprising: A. means extendable into liquid that is to be tested for variations in specific gravity thereof, said means forming a guide and having pairs of confronting openings, one pair being disposed at a higher level than the other pair; B. a plurality of vertically extending, light-traNsmitting rods, one of said rods having a portion disposed in light-transmitting relationship with the upper opening of a pair of openings, another of said rods having a portion disposed in light-transmitting relationship with the lower opening of a pair of openings, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; C. a second plurality of vertically extending, light-transmitting rods, one of the latter rods having a portion disposed in light-receiving relationship with the upper opening of the first mentioned pair of openings, another of the latter rods having a portion disposed in light-receiving relationship with the lower opening of the second mentioned pair of openings, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; D. an opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between said openings in said means; E. a second opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between the openings in said means, the density of the second mentioned hydrometer being less than that of the first mentioned hydrometer and disposed above the first mentioned hydrometer; F. means forming a source of light for transmitting light to the outer portions of those light-transmitting rods employed for transmitting light into the openings in said means; G. light sensitive means responsive to the light emanating from outer portions of those light-transmitting rods employed for transmitting light from the openings in said first mentioned means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
293 words
A system for controlling specific gravity, said system comprising: A. means extendable into liquid that is to be tested for variations in specific gravity thereof, said means forming a guide and having pairs of confronting openings, one pair being disposed at a higher level than the other pair; B. a plurality of vertically extending, light-traNsmitting rods, one of said rods having a portion disposed in light-transmitting relationship with the upper opening of a pair of openings, another of said rods having a portion disposed in light-transmitting relationship with the lower opening of a pair of openings, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; C. a second plurality of vertically extending, light-transmitting rods, one of the latter rods having a portion disposed in light-receiving relationship with the upper opening of the first mentioned pair of openings, another of the latter rods having a portion disposed in light-receiving relationship with the lower opening of the second mentioned pair of openings, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; D. an opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between said openings in said means; E. a second opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between the openings in said means, the density of the second mentioned hydrometer being less than that of the first mentioned hydrometer and disposed above the first mentioned hydrometer; F. means forming a source of light for transmitting light to the outer portions of those light-transmitting rods employed for transmitting light into the openings in said means; G. light sensitive means responsive to the light emanating from outer portions of those light-transmitting rods employed for transmitting light from the openings in said first mentioned means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system as defined in claim 11, characterized in that the light sensitive means is an electric generator controller; and further characterized to include: H. an electric current generator; I. an electrolytic cell having negative and positive electrodes connected with the generator; J. and means responsive to the generator controller for driving the generator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as defined in claim 12, characterized to include: K. light sensitive means responsive to the light emanating from said other light-transmitting rod for controlling said electric generator controller; L. means forming a source of current for the means that forms the source of light; M. a sealed casing, said means (F) and (G) being disposed in said casing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as defined in claim 13, characterized to include: N. a cage attached to said casing, said guide and hydrometer being disposed in the cage.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
343 words
A system for controlling specific gravity, said system comprising: A. means extendable into liquid that is to be tested for variations in specific gravity thereof, said means forming a guide and having pairs of confronting openings, one pair being disposed at a higher level than the other pair; B. a plurality of vertically extending, light-transmitting rods, one of said rods having a portion disposed in light-transmitting relationship with the upper opening of a pair of openings, another of said rods having a portion disposed in light-transmitting relationship with the lower opening of a pair of openings, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; C. a second plurality of vertically extending, light-transmitting rods, one of the latter rods having a portion disposed in light-receiving relationship with the upper opening of the first mentioned pair of openings, another of the latter rods having a portion disposed in light-receiving relationship with the lower opening of the second mentioned pair of openings, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; D. an opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between said openings in said means; E. a second opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between the openings in said means, the density of the second mentioned hydrometer being less than that of the first mentioned hydrometer and disposed above the first mentioned hydrometer; F. means forming a source of light for Transmitting light to the outer portions of those light-transmitting rods employed for transmitting light into the openings in said means; G. light sensitive means responsive to the light emanating from outer portions of those light-transmitting rods employed for transmitting light from the openings in said means; H. a sealed casing, said means (F) and (G) disposed in the casing; I. signal transferring means associated with the means (G) and extending out of the casing; J. means for supporting the casing in the liquid; K. energy creating means outside of the liquid for controlling the signal transferring means (I).
Claim 20
Independent Claim
343 words
A system for controlling specific gravity, said system comprising: A. means extendable into liquid that is to be tested for variations in specific gravity thereof, said means forming a guide and having pairs of confronting openings, one pair being disposed at a higher level than the other pair; B. a plurality of vertically extending, light-transmitting rods, one of said rods having a portion disposed in light-transmitting relationship with the upper opening of a pair of openings, another of said rods having a portion disposed in light-transmitting relationship with the lower opening of a pair of openings, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; C. a second plurality of vertically extending, light-transmitting rods, one of the latter rods having a portion disposed in light-receiving relationship with the upper opening of the first mentioned pair of openings, another of the latter rods having a portion disposed in light-receiving relationship with the lower opening of the second mentioned pair of openings, each of said rods having a portion extending above the liquid; D. an opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between said openings in said means; E. a second opaque hydrometer guided by said means into and out of the area between the openings in said means, the density of the second mentioned hydrometer being less than that of the first mentioned hydrometer and disposed above the first mentioned hydrometer; F. means forming a source of light for Transmitting light to the outer portions of those light-transmitting rods employed for transmitting light into the openings in said means; G. light sensitive means responsive to the light emanating from outer portions of those light-transmitting rods employed for transmitting light from the openings in said means; H. a sealed casing, said means (F) and (G) disposed in the casing; I. signal transferring means associated with the means (G) and extending out of the casing; J. means for supporting the casing in the liquid; K. energy creating means outside of the liquid for controlling the signal transferring means (I).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |