US3896673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous automatic liquid sampler
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-05-22
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Granted: 1975-07-29
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Expires: 1993-05-22
Abstract
Abstract This invention concerns the continuous automatic sampling of a flowing fluid. The sampler comprises a number of bottles initially filled with an auxiliary fluid of lower density than the fluid to be sampled, and inert in relation to it; each bottle is connected to a central suction pump with an adjustable uniform flow-rate by an electro-valve controlled by a programmed clock, and each bottle is also fitted with a tube conveying liquid to it from a container forming part of a branch circuit from the main flow of liquid; this tube siphons the liquid into each bottle, and it contains an aperture above the maximum level reached by the sample fluid. The main applications of this invention are in the testing of factory effluents and canal and river pollution.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Audouze
- 👤 Guy Bonometti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/10; G01N1/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for continuously taking average samples of a fluid flowing in a channel, comprising a container for holding fluid to be sampled, pump means connected to feed fluid to be sampled at a uniform flow rate from a sampling point of said channel to said container, overflow spout means connected to empty fluid from said container back to said channel at a point below said sampling point in the direction of flow of fluid in said channel, a plurality of sampling bottles, an auxiliary fluid in said bottles, said auxiliary fluid having a density lower than the density of said fluid to be sampled and which will not mix with nor effect the fluid to be sampled in any manner, a suction pump having an adjustable uniform flow rate, tube means connected between said suction pump and the upper portion of each bottle, said tube means terminating above the maximum upper level to which the respective bottle is to be filled during a sampling operation, electro-valve means connected to control flow of fluid in said tube means, programmed clock means connected to control said electro-valve means, and separate siphon tubes connecting each of said bottles, at a point near the bottom thereof, to said container, whereby suction applied to each bottle during a filling operation draws fluid to be sampled from said container to the respective bottle, and the auxiliary fluid in the respective bottle consequently occupies the upper portion of the respective bottle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for continuously taking average samples of a fluid flowing in a channel, comprising a container for holding fluid to be sampled, pump means connected to feed fluid to be sampled at a uniform flow rate from a sampling point of said channel to said container, overflow spout means connected to empty fluid from said container back to said channel at a point below said sampling point in the direction of flow of fluid in said channel, a plurality of sampling bottles, an auxiliary fluid in said bottles, said auxiliary fluid having a density lower than the density of said fluid to be sampled and which will not mix with nor effect the fluid to be sampled in any manner, a suction pump having an adjustable uniform flow rate, tube means connected between said suction pump and the upper portion of each bottle, said tube means terminating above the maximum upper level to which the respective bottle is to be filled during a sampling operation, electro-valve means connected to control flow of fluid in said tube means, programmed clock means connected to control said electro-valve means, and separate siphon tubes connecting each of said bottles, at a point near the bottom thereof, to said container, whereby suction applied to each bottle during a filling operation draws fluid to be sampled from said container to the respective bottle, and the auxiliary fluid in the respective bottle consequently occupies the upper portion of the respective bottle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the siphon tube connected between each said bottle and said container has an aperture above the maximum Upper level reached by a sample of fluid in each said bottle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said bottle is connected to said suction pump by a separate electro-valve in the respective tube means, and each said bottle is connected to said container by a separate siphon tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said programmed clock is connected to simultaneously control a plurality of electro-valves for simultaneously collecting average samples of said fluid to be sampled in a plurality of said bottles.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
191 words
An apparatus for continuously sampling a fluid flowing in a channel, comprising a container for holding the fluid to be sampled, pump means for continuously directing fluid from a sampling point of said channel to said container at a uniform rate, overflow means for feeding back fluid from said container to said channel at a point below said sampling point in the direction of flow of fluid therein for maintaining the level of fluid in said container, a plurality of sealed bottles, suction pump means, a separate electro-valve for each said bottle, tube means connecting the upper portion of each said bottle by way of the respective electro-valve to said suction pump means, separate siphon means coupled between the bottom portion of each said bottle to said container, such siphon means having apertures above the maximum level within each bottle to which the respective bottle is to be filled during a sampling operation, and an auxiliary fluid in each bottle, said auxiliary fluid having a density less than the density of said fluid to be sampled and being immiscible with and chemically inert with respect to said fluid to be sampled.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
191 words
An apparatus for continuously sampling a fluid flowing in a channel, comprising a container for holding the fluid to be sampled, pump means for continuously directing fluid from a sampling point of said channel to said container at a uniform rate, overflow means for feeding back fluid from said container to said channel at a point below said sampling point in the direction of flow of fluid therein for maintaining the level of fluid in said container, a plurality of sealed bottles, suction pump means, a separate electro-valve for each said bottle, tube means connecting the upper portion of each said bottle by way of the respective electro-valve to said suction pump means, separate siphon means coupled between the bottom portion of each said bottle to said container, such siphon means having apertures above the maximum level within each bottle to which the respective bottle is to be filled during a sampling operation, and an auxiliary fluid in each bottle, said auxiliary fluid having a density less than the density of said fluid to be sampled and being immiscible with and chemically inert with respect to said fluid to be sampled.
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) | 1978-07-28 | 1979-01-27 | 1979-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-28 | 1983-01-27 | 1983-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-28 | 1987-01-27 | 1987-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |