US3829221A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for automatically measuring the light transmission factor or liquid test samples
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-02-26
•
Granted: 1974-08-13
•
Expires: 1993-02-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for automatically measuring the light transmission factor of liquid test samples in which a number of transparent vats is arranged around the circumference of a stationary table over which rotates a photoelectric measuring device which successively scans each vat to determine the light transmission factor of the samples. The various samples are automatically transferred by sucking them into the measuring vats from a bank of test tubes via a bank of probes with flexible hose connections to each vat; a central control valve drains the vats after testing. Electronic timing circuits provide the control commands for the operative sequences of the device, and logic circuitry, in combination with a data storage and retrieval system, provides comparative data between reference measurements and sample measurements for each vat.
Inventors
- 👤 A Thomas
- 👤 R Charreton
- 👤 A Foucard
- 👤 Mendez M De
- 👤 M Dupuy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/251; G01N21/253; G01N35/00; G01N35/02; G01N2201/00; G01N2201/04; G01N2201/0415; G01N2201/0423
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for measuring a series of liquid test samples for their light transmission characteristics comprising: a. a stationary circular apparatus frame, b. a plurality of measuring vats disposed on said apparatus frame, c. a light source, d. light detecting means, e. means for supporting said light detecting means and said light source in alignment, and f. means for moving said supporting means relative to said measuring vats, said measuring vats positioned between said light source and said light detecting means for measuring the light transmission characteristics of said vats.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for measuring a series of liquid test samples for their light transmission characteristics comprising: a. a stationary circular apparatus frame, b. a plurality of measuring vats disposed on said apparatus frame, c. a light source, d. light detecting means, e. means for supporting said light detecting means and said light source in alignment, and f. means for moving said supporting means relative to said measuring vats, said measuring vats positioned between said light source and said light detecting means for measuring the light transmission characteristics of said vats.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a. means for simultaneously filling all of said measuring vats to be tested with said liquid test samples.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said means for simultaneously filling said measuring vats comprises: a. a plurality of conduits, each conduit attached at one end to said vats, b. a plurality of transfer probes, one transfer probe attached at the other end of each conduit, c. a bank of sample receptacles for holding said test samples for transfer to said vats, d. means for positioning said plurality of transfer probes within said plurality of sample receptacles, and e. means for forcing said liquid test sample from said sample receptacles through said conduits and into said vats.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said forcing means comprises: a. a source of negative pressure, b. a control valve connected to the source of negative pressure, and c. a suction line connected between each vat and the control valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 4 further comprising means for simultaneously draining all of said measuring vats.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said draining means comprises: a. a drain line connected between each vat and the control valve, b. a drain connected to the control valve, and c. means for operating the control valve so as to shift it between the following positions: a rest position in which the drain lines are open to the drain, a first operating position in which the drain lines are blocked and the suction lines are simultaneously connected to the source of negative pressure, and a second operating position in which all of the suction lines and all the drain lines are individually blocked.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said control valve is a multi-position rotary valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for simultaneously draining all of said measuring vats.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said draining means comprises: a. a control valve, and b. a gravity drain line connecting the lower end of each vat to said control valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said supporting means comprises: a. a rotary platform journalled in the vertical central axis of said stationary apparatus frame, b. a bridge on the periphery of the rotary platform in the form of an inverted ''''U'''' and so arranged on the platform that the recess of the ''''U'''' at least partially encloses the vat profile, c. said light source mounted on one side of the bridge, and d. said light detecting means mounted on the other side of said bridge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein said light source is mounted on said bridge exterior to the periphery of said rotary platform, and said light detecting means is connected to said rotary platform and positioned interior to the periphery thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said light detecting means comprises: a. a photocell for generating electronic signals in response to light passing through sAid vats from said light source, b. means for amplifying said electronic signals, and c. rotary electric contact means attached to said platform and connected to said amplifying means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said light detecting means further comprises light condensing means aligned between said photocell and said light source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said means for moving said supporting means comprises means for continuously rotating said supporting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for measuring a series of liquid test samples for light transmission characteristics comprising: a. a circular apparatus frame, b. a plurality of measuring vats positioned on said apparatus frame, c. a light source, d. light detecting means, e. means for supporting said light detecting means and said light source in alignment, f. means for effecting relative motion between the supporting means and the measuring vats, whereby said vats are aligned between said light source and said light detecting means during measurement, g. means for simultaneously filling all of said measuring vats, and h. means for simultaneously draining all of said measuring vats.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for measuring a series of liquid test samples for light transmission characteristics comprising: a. a circular apparatus frame, b. a plurality of measuring vats positioned on said apparatus frame, c. a light source, d. light detecting means, e. means for supporting said light detecting means and said light source in alignment, f. means for effecting relative motion between the supporting means and the measuring vats, whereby said vats are aligned between said light source and said light detecting means during measurement, g. means for simultaneously filling all of said measuring vats, and h. means for simultaneously draining all of said measuring vats.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
100 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said means for simultaneously filling all of said vats comprises: a. a plurality of conduits each conduit attached at one end of said vats, b. a plurality of transfer probes, one transfer probe attached at the other end of each conduit, c. a bank of sample receptacles for holding said test samples for transfer to said vats, d. means for positioning said plurality of transfer probes within said plurality of sample receptacles, and e. means for forcing said liquid test sample from said sample receptacles through said conduits and into said vats.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said forcing means comprises: a. a source of negative pressure, b. a control valve connected to the source of negative pressure, and c. a suction line connected between each vat and the control valve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
106 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said draining means comprises: a. a drain line connected between each vat and the control valve, b. a drain connected to the control valve, and c. means for operating the control valve so as to shift it between the following positions: a rest position in which the drain lines are open to the drain, a first operating position in which the drain lines are blocked and the suction lines are simultaneously connected to the source of negative pressure, and a second operating position in which all of the suction lines and all the drain lines are individually blocked.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said control valve is a multi-position rotary valve.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said draining means comprises: a. a control valve, and b. a gravity drain line connecting the lower end of each vat to said control valve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said supporting means is movable and said apparatus frame is stationary.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
88 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said supporting means comprises: a. a rotary platform journalled in the vertical central axis of said stationary apparatus frame, b. a bridge on the periphery of the rotary platform in the form of an inverted ''''U'''' and so arranged on the platform that the recess of the ''''U'''' at least partially encloses the vat profile, c. said light source mounted on one side of the bridge, and d. said light detecting means mounted on the other side of said bridge.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 22 wherein said light source is mounted on said bridge exterior to the periphery of said rotary platform, and said light detecting means is connected to said rotary platform and positioned interior to the periphery thereof.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for measuring a series of liquid test samples for their light transmission characteristics comprising: a. a stationary circular apparatus frame, b. a plurality of measuring vats positioned in a circular locus near the periphery of said apparatus frame, c. an optical system comprising: i. a first element comprising a light source, and ii. a second element comprising light detecting means and light condensing means, d. means for supporting said first and second elements in alignment, one of said elements positioned exterior to the locus of said vats and the other element positioned interior to the locus of said vats, and e. means for continuously moving said supporting means relative to said measuring vats, said measuring vats positioned between said light source and said light detecting means for measuring said light transmission characteristics.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for measuring a series of liquid test samples for their light transmission characteristics comprising: a. a stationary circular apparatus frame, b. a plurality of measuring vats positioned in a circular locus near the periphery of said apparatus frame, c. an optical system comprising: i. a first element comprising a light source, and ii. a second element comprising light detecting means and light condensing means, d. means for supporting said first and second elements in alignment, one of said elements positioned exterior to the locus of said vats and the other element positioned interior to the locus of said vats, and e. means for continuously moving said supporting means relative to said measuring vats, said measuring vats positioned between said light source and said light detecting means for measuring said light transmission characteristics.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 24 further comprising: a. means for simultaneously filling all of said measuring vats to be tested with said liquid test samples.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
99 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 25 wherein said means for simultaneously filling said measuring vats comprises: a. a plurality of conduits, each conduit attached at one end to said vats, b. a plurality of transfer probes, one transfer probe attached at the other end of each conduit, c. a bank of sample receptacles for holding said test samples for transfer to said vats, d. means for positioning said plurality of transfer probes within said plurality of sample receptacles, and e. means for forcing said liquid test sample from said sample receptacles through said conduits and into said vats.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 26 wherein said forcing means comprises: a. a source of negative pressure, b. a control valve connected to the source of negative pressure, and c. a suction line connected between each vat and the control valve.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 27 further comprising means for simultaneously draining all of said measuring vats.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
113 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 28 wherein said draining means comprises: a. a drain line connected between each vat and the control valve, b. a drain connected to the control valve, and c. means for operating the control valve c. means for operating the control valve so as to shift it between the following positions: a rest position in which the drain lines are open to the drain, a first operating position in which the drain lines are blocked and the suction lines are simultaneously connected to the source of negative pressure, and a second operating position in which all of the suction lines and all the drain lines are individually blocked.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
88 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein said supporting means comprises: a. a rotary platform journalled in the vertical central axis of said stationary apparatus frame, b. a bridge on the periphery of the rotary platform in the form of an inverted ''''U'''' and so arranged on the platform that the recess of the ''''U'''' at least partially encloses the vat profile, c. said light source mounted on one side of the bridge, and d. said light detecting means mounted on the other side of said bridge.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 30 wherein said light source is mounted on said bridge exterior to the periphery of said rotary platform, and said light detecting means is connected to said rotary platform and positioned interior to the periphery thereof.
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) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |