US3852997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for monitoring pollution of natural waters
Assignee: ERIM International Inc
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Filing: 1973-02-09
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-02-09
Abstract
Abstract Wet bulb temperature readings are used to determine the presence of pollutants which differ significantly in evaporative rate from that of the natural water which they pollute. Liquid from a portion of the natural water which may become polluted is used to wet one temperature sensor while natural water which cannot simultaneously be polluted is used to wet another temperature sensor. The wet bulb temperatures of the two sensors are compared to determine the presence of pollutant.
Inventors
- 👤 R Horvath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/18; G01N33/1826; G01N33/1833; G01N25/00; G01N25/56; G01N25/62; G01N25/64; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of monitoring natural waters which are subject to sources of pollution in the form of surface slick, which comprises the steps of: a. isolating a first body of the natural water from a second body thereof such that said first body is not subject to sources of surface slick pollution to which the second body is subject; b. determining the evaporative rate of liquids at the surfaces of said first and second bodies of the natural water substantially at ambient temperature conditions; and c. comparing the evaporative rates determined in step (b).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of monitoring natural waters which are subject to sources of pollution in the form of surface slick, which comprises the steps of: a. isolating a first body of the natural water from a second body thereof such that said first body is not subject to sources of surface slick pollution to which the second body is subject; b. determining the evaporative rate of liquids at the surfaces of said first and second bodies of the natural water substantially at ambient temperature conditions; and c. comparing the evaporative rates determined in step (b).
Claim 3
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of monitoring natural waters which are subject to sources of pollution in the form of surface slick, which comprises the steps of: a. isolating a first body of the natural water from a second body thereof such that said first body is not subject to sources of surface slick pollution to which the second body is subject; b. determining the evaporative rate of liquids at the surfaces of said first and second bodies of the natural water substantially at ambient temperature conditions; and c. comparing the evaporative rates determined in step (b).
Claim 4
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of monitoring natural waters which are subject to sources of pollution in the form of surface slick, which comprises the steps of: a. isolating a first body of the natural water from a second body thereof such that said first body is not subject to sources of surface slick pollution to which the second body is subject; b. determining the evaporative rate of liquids at the surfaces of said first and second bodies of the natural water substantially at ambient temperature conditions; and c. comparing the evaporative rates determined in step (b).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein step (b) is effected by wetting two separate temperature sensors with liquids from the surfaces of said first and second bodies and determining the wet bulb temperatures of such sensors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein steps (b) and (c) are performed periodically to effect a continuing monitor of the natural water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 3 including the step of maintaining the environments of said sensors at a temperature slightly above ambient temperature.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
102 words
The method of monitoring natural waters which are subject to sources of pollution in the form of surface slick, which comprises the steps of: a. determining the evaporative rate of liquid from the surface of a body of the natural water subject to surface slick pollution by wet bulb temperature measurement; b. determining the evaporative rate of liquid from the surface of water which is not subject to surface slick pollution by wet bulb temperature measurement; and c. comparing the evaporative rates determined in steps (a) and (b) to detect the onset of pollution of the body of water of step (a).
Claim 9
Independent Claim
102 words
The method of monitoring natural waters which are subject to sources of pollution in the form of surface slick, which comprises the steps of: a. determining the evaporative rate of liquid from the surface of a body of the natural water subject to surface slick pollution by wet bulb temperature measurement; b. determining the evaporative rate of liquid from the surface of water which is not subject to surface slick pollution by wet bulb temperature measurement; and c. comparing the evaporative rates determined in steps (a) and (b) to detect the onset of pollution of the body of water of step (a).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein steps (a)-(c) are effected periodically to effect a continuing monitor of the natural water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein steps (a) and (b) are effected by wetting two separate temperature sensors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 7 including the step of maintaining the environments of said sensors at a temperature slightly above ambient temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 including means for periodically dipping said first and second temperature sensors into the natural water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 including barrier means isolating the natural water into which said first and second temperature sensors are dipped.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for monitoring natural waters which are subject to sources of pollution, comprising in combination: a first temperature sensor having wettable covering means; a second temperature sensor having wettable covering means; means for wetting the covering means of said first and second temperature sensors respectively with liquid from a portion of natural water which may become polluted and with natural water from a portion of natural water which is not polluted; means for determining the difference, if any, in wet bulb temperatures indicated by said first and second temperature sensors; and a third temperature sensor exposed to ambient temperature; and means for maintaining temperature environment for said first and second temperature sensors which is slightly higher than ambient temperature indicated by said third temperature sensor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for monitoring natural waters which are subject to sources of pollution, comprising in combination: a first temperature sensor having wettable covering means; a second temperature sensor having wettable covering means; means for wetting the covering means of said first and second temperature sensors respectively with liquid from a portion of natural water which may become polluted and with natural water from a portion of natural water which is not polluted; means for determining the difference, if any, in wet bulb temperatures indicated by said first and second temperature sensors; and a third temperature sensor exposed to ambient temperature; and means for maintaining temperature environment for said first and second temperature sensors which is slightly higher than ambient temperature indicated by said third temperature sensor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 including means for periodically dipping said first and second temperature sensors into the natural water.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 including barrier means isolating the natural water into which said first and second temperature sensors are dipped.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |