US3874223A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid detector
Assignee: Asahi Kasei Corp
•
Filing: 1973-03-30
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A detector element is provided which is responsive to contact with a liquid to be detected to assume at least one of dissolution, softening, shrinkage and absorption conditions to result in a change in its apparent specific gravity. Upon change in the apparent specific gravity of the detector element, a rotation or movement of the element itself or another body or a cut-off of the detector element by dissolution occurs to cause electrical, mechanical or fluidic signal generating means to operate for providing an indication of the liquid to be detected.
Inventors
- 👤 Ken Miyazaki
- 👤 Toshitaka Terai
- 👤 Kazutoshi Takahashi
- 👤 Hiroshi Sato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H36/00; H01H36/0006; G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/223; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/042; G01M3/045; G01N; G01N9/00; H01H35/00; H01H35/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A liquid detector comprising: a. a detector element comprising a material which dissolves upon contact with a liquid to be detected; b. means for generating a signal upon the breaking of the detector element due to the dissolution thereof; c. means for holding the detector element at an end; and d. bias means for applying a biasing force to another end of the detector element to hasten the breaking thereof upon dissolution and accelerate the operation of said signal generating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A liquid detector comprising: a. a detector element comprising a material which dissolves upon contact with a liquid to be detected; b. means for generating a signal upon the breaking of the detector element due to the dissolution thereof; c. means for holding the detector element at an end; and d. bias means for applying a biasing force to another end of the detector element to hasten the breaking thereof upon dissolution and accelerate the operation of said signal generating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, in which the detector element is an elongated member and the biasing force produces a longitudinal tension therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1 wherein said bias means comprises a driving body for undergoing motion in response to the breaking of the detector element, the motion of the driving body being effective to operate the signal generating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, in which the signal generating means includes a support member, and a pair of electrodes within said support member, each having one end extending out of an end surface of said support member; and the detector element comprises a conductive film-shaped member disposed in contact with said electrode ends and acting to short-circuit them; and the bias means comprises clamping means on said support for holding the detector element tautly between said electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, in which the signal generating means includes a pair of electrodes connected with each other by an electrical path through the detector element, the resistance of which path is directly varied in accordance with the dissolution of the detector element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A liquid detector according to claim 4, in which said film-shaped member comprises a circular disc and said clamping means grips said disc about its periphery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, in which the detector element is in the form of a film which becomes dissolved upon contact with a liquid to be detected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, further comprising fluid transmission means and in which the signal generating means becomes operative to produce a mechanical signal in response to the severing of the detector element, said mechanical signal being conveyed to said fluid transmission means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, wherein said means for holding an end of said detector element comprises support means for suspending said detector element therefrom and wherein said bias means comprises a weight attached to the lower end of the detector element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1 in which the signal generating means comprises a drive member adapted to be displaced under the action of the bias means in response to the dissolution of the detector element, and further comprising means driven by a displacement of the drive member for converting the displacement into a flow of liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid conduction pipeline section and in which the detector element is disposed along said pipeline section through which the liquid to be detected is conveyed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
A liquid detector according to claim 11, in which the signal generating means comprises means for producing an electrical signal in response to the dissolution of any portion of the detector element by a liquid leaking from the pipeline section and further includiNg means responsive to said electrical signal at a monitoring station for determining the position of the leakage site.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, in which the detector element is in the form of a film and the bias means causes a tension therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
63 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, in which the detector element is formed of a roll of material and further comprising means defining a path for supplying a length of detector element from the roll to a detector station which may be subjected to said liquid to be detected, and means for securing the length of detector element supplied to said station.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, further including a vessel containing a liquid which is to be detected by the dissolution of the detector element and means for blocking egress of the liquid from the vessel after it has been introduced into the vessel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, in which the bias means is connected to the detector element in such manner that the element is previously stretched thereby to increase the speed of breakage and thereby the speed at which the liquid is detected.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, wherein said bias means comprises a spring attached to the detector element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, in which the signal generating means comprises a drive member adapted to be moved in response to dissolution of the detector element, and electrical contact means controlled by a movement of the drive member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, further including a porous protective sheath disposed around the detector element, said sheath preventing deposition of contaminants thereon while permitting the passage of a liquid therethrough.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A liquid detector according to claim 1, in which the detector element is formed with a thin layer of metal thereon which collapses upon the dissolution and breaking of the detector element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
87 words
Method of detecting the presence of a selected liquid comprising the steps of: a. disposing a material in the path of said liquid; b. selecting the material such that it will dissolve in response to contact with said liquid; c. sensing the breaking of said material due to dissolution; d. holding an end of said material and imposing a bias force on another end of said material to hasten the breaking thereof upon dissolution; and e. providing a signal in response to the sensing of said breaking.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
87 words
Method of detecting the presence of a selected liquid comprising the steps of: a. disposing a material in the path of said liquid; b. selecting the material such that it will dissolve in response to contact with said liquid; c. sensing the breaking of said material due to dissolution; d. holding an end of said material and imposing a bias force on another end of said material to hasten the breaking thereof upon dissolution; and e. providing a signal in response to the sensing of said breaking.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 21 wherein the material is in the form of a film and the bias force acts to tension said film.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
Method as in claim 21 wherein said material is electrically conductive and formed as a film which dissolves upon contact with said liquid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method as in claim 21, wherein said material is in the form of a porous film.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method as in claim 21 wherein said material is in the form of a pendulous suspension and dissolvable in said liquid.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
Method as in claim 21 wherein said path is a pipeline for conducting said liquid and said material is in the form of an elongated strip disposed there along.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method as in claim 21 wherein the signal is in the form of a fluidic signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method as in claim 21, wherein said material is an elongated member and longitudinally prestressed to accelerate its breaking.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method as in claim 21 further comprising the step of storing part of the liquid which comes in contact with said material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method as in claim 21 wherein said signal is provided by the operation of a microswitch.
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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) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |