US3778708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of and an apparatus for measuring an electrical characteristic of a granular material
Assignee: AG Communication Systems Corp
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Filing: 1973-04-30
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1993-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A method of and an apparatus for measuring an electrical characteristic of a granular material such as carbon granules comprises the step of turning a test cell containing the carbon granules to agitate and to pack the carbon granules automatically and uniformly within the test cell for each of a series of measurements of the electrical characteristic. In the preferred method and apparatus, the test cell is filled through an orifice and then a gate for the orifice is closed to enclose a predetermined volume of carbon granules; and means are shifted to provide additional space or volume within the test cell to allow the particles to redistribute and to repack with turning of the test cell. Means in the form of an electric motor and a circuit control the turning and automatic stopping of the test cell movement. A readout means in the form of a digital readout meter provides the electrical characteristic measurement value.
Inventors
- 👤 R Anders
- 👤 H Folgmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/043; G01R; G01R27/00; G01R27/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of testing an electrical characteristic of granular carbon in a test cell comprising the steps of: introducing a predetermined volume of granular carbon into the test cell through an opening therein, providing a free space in the test cell unoccupied by the granular carbon, turning the test cell about a predetermined axis to allow the granular carbon to pack freely within the test cell, and measuring an electrical characteristic of the granular carbon after turning said test cell to pack said granular carbon therein.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of testing an electrical characteristic of granular carbon in a test cell comprising the steps of: introducing a predetermined volume of granular carbon into the test cell through an opening therein, providing a free space in the test cell unoccupied by the granular carbon, turning the test cell about a predetermined axis to allow the granular carbon to pack freely within the test cell, and measuring an electrical characteristic of the granular carbon after turning said test cell to pack said granular carbon therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 including the further steps of: turning the test cell first in one direction and then turning the test cell in the opposite direction and the reading out the electrical characteristic of the granular carbon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 including the steps of repetitively cycling the turning of the test cell in opposite directions without emptying the test cell to allow the granular carbon to redistribute for a series of test measurements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the step of providing a free space in said test comprises the step of: shifting one wall of the test cell from a first position providing a first predetermined volume for said test cell to a second position providing a greater volume for the test cell to allow the movement of the carbon particles therein.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for testing an electrical characteristic of granular carbon comprising: a frame means, a test cell means mounted on said frame means for turning about a prEdetermined axis and having an opening leading to a chamber for receiving granular carbon therein, means for closing said opening to said chamber in said test cell means for containing the granular carbon therein during a turning of said test cell means, means associated with said test cell means movable from a first position providing the test cell means with a first predetermined volume at the time of filling to a second position to provide a larger predetermined volume during the time of turning thereby allowing the granules to assume a free packing state in said test cell means, means for turning said test cell means about a predetermined axis, electrical circuit means for completing a circuit through the granular carbon in said test cell means, and means for providing an indication of the electrical characteristic of the granular carbon in said test cell means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for testing an electrical characteristic of granular carbon comprising: a frame means, a test cell means mounted on said frame means for turning about a prEdetermined axis and having an opening leading to a chamber for receiving granular carbon therein, means for closing said opening to said chamber in said test cell means for containing the granular carbon therein during a turning of said test cell means, means associated with said test cell means movable from a first position providing the test cell means with a first predetermined volume at the time of filling to a second position to provide a larger predetermined volume during the time of turning thereby allowing the granules to assume a free packing state in said test cell means, means for turning said test cell means about a predetermined axis, electrical circuit means for completing a circuit through the granular carbon in said test cell means, and means for providing an indication of the electrical characteristic of the granular carbon in said test cell means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which said means for turning said test cell means comprises a motor means, and a reversing means for automatically reversing the turning direction of said test cell means after a predetermined amount of turning movement in one direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which said reversing means comprises a cam means and a switch means operated by said cam means, said motor means comprises a reversible motor, said cam means being operable to operate said switch means to reverse the direction of turning of said test cell means by said reversible motor after the latter has turned through approximately 180* of turning movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 in which said means for increasing the volume of said test cell means comprises a flexible diaphragm covering one end of said test cell means, and means for shifting said flexible diaphragm between said first and second positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which said chamber of said test cell means is disposed radially outwardly of said axis of rotation so that the granular carbon moves outwardly in the same direction under the urging of centrifugal force when said test cell is turning.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
248 words
An apparatus for testing the electrical resistance of granular carbon comprising: a frame means, a rotatable carrier means journalled in said frame means for turning movement in said frame means about a predetermined axis, a motor drive means for turning said carrier means in opposite directions, a filling means on said carrier means for receiving granular carbon therein, a test cell carried by said carrier means and disposed beneath said filling means for receiving therefrom granular carbon through an opening leading to a chamber in said test cell, means between said filling means and said test cell for closing said opening to define a predetermined volume of granular carbon in said test cell when it is filled and to retain the granular carbon during turning of the test cell, a flexible diaphragm at the other end of said test cell for closing a lower end of said test cell, means for shifting said flexible diaphragm between a first position at the time of filling to provide a predetermined volume and to another position to provide another and larger volume for testing, electrical circuit means for supplying current to said granular carbon in said test cell, means for automatically reversing the turning direction of said carrier means and the test cell carried thereby to provide a free packing of said granular carbon in said test cell, and read-out means for providing a read-out of at least one electrical characteristic of the freely packed granular carbon in said test cell.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
248 words
An apparatus for testing the electrical resistance of granular carbon comprising: a frame means, a rotatable carrier means journalled in said frame means for turning movement in said frame means about a predetermined axis, a motor drive means for turning said carrier means in opposite directions, a filling means on said carrier means for receiving granular carbon therein, a test cell carried by said carrier means and disposed beneath said filling means for receiving therefrom granular carbon through an opening leading to a chamber in said test cell, means between said filling means and said test cell for closing said opening to define a predetermined volume of granular carbon in said test cell when it is filled and to retain the granular carbon during turning of the test cell, a flexible diaphragm at the other end of said test cell for closing a lower end of said test cell, means for shifting said flexible diaphragm between a first position at the time of filling to provide a predetermined volume and to another position to provide another and larger volume for testing, electrical circuit means for supplying current to said granular carbon in said test cell, means for automatically reversing the turning direction of said carrier means and the test cell carried thereby to provide a free packing of said granular carbon in said test cell, and read-out means for providing a read-out of at least one electrical characteristic of the freely packed granular carbon in said test cell.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for testing an electrical characteristic of granular carbon comprising: a frame means, a test cell means mounted on said frame means for turning about a predetermined axis and having an opening leading to a chamber for receiving granular carbon therein, means for closing said opening to said chamber in said test cell means for containing the granular carbon therein durinG a turning of said test cell means, means for turning said test cell means about predetermined axis to redistribute said carbon granules therein, electrical circuit means for completing a circuit through the granular carbon in said test cell means, and means for providing an indication of the electrical characteristic of the granular carbon in said test cell means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for testing an electrical characteristic of granular carbon comprising: a frame means, a test cell means mounted on said frame means for turning about a predetermined axis and having an opening leading to a chamber for receiving granular carbon therein, means for closing said opening to said chamber in said test cell means for containing the granular carbon therein durinG a turning of said test cell means, means for turning said test cell means about predetermined axis to redistribute said carbon granules therein, electrical circuit means for completing a circuit through the granular carbon in said test cell means, and means for providing an indication of the electrical characteristic of the granular carbon in said test cell means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1890545A
Cited
US3114613A
Cited
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 |