US3863506A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid sampling
Assignee: Pro-Tech Inc
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Filing: 1973-06-13
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-06-13
Abstract
Abstract Electrically actuated apparatus for sampling liquid from the body thereof provides visible countdown of the time interval between successive samplings and also provides visible countdown of the duration of the time in which individual samples are being taken. The samples are propelled by fluid from an external or internal source of pressure, whichever is greater, interconnected for each sample duration period to a sample intake chamber in the body of liquid being sampled.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Laird Mcclure
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/10; G01N1/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
In apparatus for sampling liquid from a body thereof at predetermined intervals of time between and for predetermined periods of time at successive samplings, including conduit means to and from the body of liquid and adapted to receive gaseous fluid at superatmospheric pressure to propel samples of liquid from the body thereof to a collecting location during the sampling periods, the improvement comprising a pair of like electrical timing means, one for determining the interval between successive samplings and one for determining the duration of each sampling period, and including an indicator of the time remaining in any current sampling interval and the time remaining in any current sampling period; means for switching the respective timer means alternately off and on, each one being switched on when the other has counted down to zero time remaining, for an automatic mode of operation; switch means for inactivating such automatic switching and interconnecting the apparatus for operation in accordance with signals supplied from an external source, the first timing means including electrical means for totalIzing time-duration signals and the second timing means including electrical means for determining the duration of sampling periods; and switch means interposed between the electrical means and the external signal source together with electrical interconnectors therebetween such that in one position of the switch means the external signal source is connected to the totalizing electrical means and in another position of the switch means the external signal source is connected to the electrical means for determining the duration of sampling periods.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
253 words
In apparatus for sampling liquid from a body thereof at predetermined intervals of time between and for predetermined periods of time at successive samplings, including conduit means to and from the body of liquid and adapted to receive gaseous fluid at superatmospheric pressure to propel samples of liquid from the body thereof to a collecting location during the sampling periods, the improvement comprising a pair of like electrical timing means, one for determining the interval between successive samplings and one for determining the duration of each sampling period, and including an indicator of the time remaining in any current sampling interval and the time remaining in any current sampling period; means for switching the respective timer means alternately off and on, each one being switched on when the other has counted down to zero time remaining, for an automatic mode of operation; switch means for inactivating such automatic switching and interconnecting the apparatus for operation in accordance with signals supplied from an external source, the first timing means including electrical means for totalIzing time-duration signals and the second timing means including electrical means for determining the duration of sampling periods; and switch means interposed between the electrical means and the external signal source together with electrical interconnectors therebetween such that in one position of the switch means the external signal source is connected to the totalizing electrical means and in another position of the switch means the external signal source is connected to the electrical means for determining the duration of sampling periods.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 1, including switching valve means, actuated by the electrical means, for alternately permitting and precluding such flow of propellant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 1, including relay means, actuated by the electrical means, for switching the respective electrical means alternately on and off.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 1, including an internal source of gaseous fluid at superatmospheric pressure and an inlet for gaseous fluid at superatmospheric pressure from an external source thereof, both connected to the conduit means, and shuttle valve means for interconnecting the external inlet to the conduit means when the external gaseous fluid pressure exceeds a given value and for otherwise connecting the internal pressure source to the conduit means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical means for determining the sampling interval and the electrical means for determining the sample duration are identical.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical means for determining the sampling interval and the electrical means for determining the sample duration have respective indicator means associated therewith for displaying the time thereof remaining at any given instant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the respective indicator means are identical and include respective actuation indicators.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
151 words
In apparatus for sampling liquid from a body thereof, in accordance with contact closure signals supplied from an external source, including means in contact with the liquid and adapted to propel a sample from the body thereof to a collection location during sampling periods and including electrical means for totalizing time-duration signals from such source and electrical means for determining the duration of such sampling periods, the improvement comprising switch means having a plurality of positions and interposed between the electrical means and the external signal source, with electrical interconnectors therebetween such that in one position of the switch means the external signal source is connected to energize the totalizing electrical means rather than the means for determining sample duration, and in another position of the switch means, the external signal source is connected to energize the electrical means for determining duration of sampling periods rather than the totalizing electrical means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
151 words
In apparatus for sampling liquid from a body thereof, in accordance with contact closure signals supplied from an external source, including means in contact with the liquid and adapted to propel a sample from the body thereof to a collection location during sampling periods and including electrical means for totalizing time-duration signals from such source and electrical means for determining the duration of such sampling periods, the improvement comprising switch means having a plurality of positions and interposed between the electrical means and the external signal source, with electrical interconnectors therebetween such that in one position of the switch means the external signal source is connected to energize the totalizing electrical means rather than the means for determining sample duration, and in another position of the switch means, the external signal source is connected to energize the electrical means for determining duration of sampling periods rather than the totalizing electrical means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sample is propelled by gaseous fluid at superatmospheric pressure, and including valve means actuated by the electrical means alternately to interconnect such fluid for sample propulsion and to disconnect such fluid during the interval between successive periods of sample propulsion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 8, including a contact closure at the external signal source end of the electrical interconnectors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a two-wire electrical interconnection to the external signal source is adapted to accommodate both time-duration and momentary signals therefrom, the former in one position of the switch means and the latter in the other position of the switch means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
Liquid sampling apparatus according to claim 8, including switch means for inactivating the apparatus relative to the externaL source of signals and enabling it to operate automatically and including means for switching the respective electrical means alternately off and on, each being adapted to be so switched on when the other has counted down to zero time remaining.
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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) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |