US3930726A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for measuring volumetric ratios of liquid suspended solids
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-05-29
•
Granted: 1976-01-06
•
Expires: 1994-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A system for determining the volumetric ratio of solids suspended in a liquid comprises a photometer or similar means for passing a beam of electromagnetic energy through a sample of the liquid having solids suspended therein. Means for measuring a characteristic representative of the amount of energy absorbed by the sample is provided, as a photo detector for example. The volumetric ratio is then computed by applying a proportionality factor characteristic of the solids suspended in the liquid to the output of the measuring means.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen E. Dolive
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/06; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/31; G01N21/35; G01N21/3577
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A system for determining the volumetric ratio of solids suspended in a liquid, comprising: means for passing a beam of electromagnetic energy through a sample of a liquid having solids suspended therein; means for measuring a characteristic representative of the amount of said energy absorbed by said sample; means for computing said volumetric ratio by electronically applying a proportionality factor to an output of said measuring means; means for passing said beam through a standard sample of said liquid having a known volumetric ratio, said measuring means further comprising means for measuring a characteristic representative of the amount of said energy absorbed by said standard liquid sample; and means for electronically calculating said proportionality factor as a ratio of said known volumetric ratio to the amount of said beam absorbed by said standard liquid sample.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A system for determining the volumetric ratio of solids suspended in a liquid, comprising: means for passing a beam of electromagnetic energy through a sample of a liquid having solids suspended therein; means for measuring a characteristic representative of the amount of said energy absorbed by said sample; means for computing said volumetric ratio by electronically applying a proportionality factor to an output of said measuring means; means for passing said beam through a standard sample of said liquid having a known volumetric ratio, said measuring means further comprising means for measuring a characteristic representative of the amount of said energy absorbed by said standard liquid sample; and means for electronically calculating said proportionality factor as a ratio of said known volumetric ratio to the amount of said beam absorbed by said standard liquid sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system recited in claim 1 further comprising means for diluting said liquid sample.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein said beam passing means comprises: means for holding a liquid sample container; said beam of electromagnetic energy comprising a source of light positioned adjacent said container-holding means such that said container is interposed in said beam; first means for receiving energy in said beam after having passed through a portion of said container filled with said liquids; and second means for receiving a light output directly from said source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system recited in claim 3 wherein said source comprises a light source complementary to said solids suspended in said liquids.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system recited in claim 3 further comprising reference charge storing means coupled to said second receiving means whereby charge is stored therein corresponding to the amount of light received directly from said source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system recited in claim 5 wherein said measuring means comprises other charge storing means coupled to said first receiving means, whereby charge is stored therein corresponding to the amount of light received through said liquidfilled portion of said container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system recited in claim 6 further comprising: amplifying means coupled between both said charge storing means and first and second receiving means; first switching means interposed between said first and second receiving means and said amplifying means for alternately switching said amplifier between said receiving means; and second switching means coupled between said amplifying means and said two charges storing means for alternately switching said amplifying means between said two charge storing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system recited in claim 7 further comprising stabilizing circuit means coupled to said amplifier for correcting offset voltages out of said amplifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system recited in claim 8 further comprising sequencing means for alternatively energizing said first and second switching means and said stabilizing circuit means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system recited in claim 9 wherein said stabilizing circuit means comprises: a capacitor coupled to the output of said amplifying means; and third switching means coupled between said capacitor and the output of said amplifier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system recited in claim 10 wherein said sequencing means comprises means for energizing said third switching means prior to each energization of each of said first and second switching means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system recited in claim 6 further comprising: means for draining charge from said reference charge storage means; and means for measuring the time required for draining the difference in charge stored in said reference charge storing means with respect to said other charge storing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system recited in claim 12 wherein said charge draining means comprises: an impedance; and means for sequentially applying said impedance across said reference charge storing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system recited in claim 13 wherein said time measuring means comprises: repetitive pulsing means; and means for counting the number of repetitive pulses from said pulsing means during said charge difference draining time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system recited in claim 14 further comprising a comparator circuit coupled to both said charge storing means for interrupting said counting means when both said charge storing means have equal charges stored therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system recited in claim 12 further comprising means for altering the discharge rate from said two charge storing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system recited in claim 16 further comprising means for adjusting said correction voltage to the sum of any offset voltage out of said amplifier and any noise voltage across said charge storing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein said solid consists essentially of blood cells, and wherein said volumetric ratio comprises the hematocrit ratio of said blood cells.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system recited in claim 18 wherein said measuring means comprises means for measuring the amount of said electromagnetic energy transmitted through said sample.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
188 words
A system for determining the hematocrit ratio of blood cells suspended in a liquid, comprising: means for passing a beam of electromagnetic energy through a sample of said liquid having said blood cells therein; means for determining a characteristic representative of the amount of energy absorbed by said blood cells in said sample; means for storing a charge corresponding to the magnitude of said absorbed energy characteristic; means for storing a charge corresponding to the magnitude of energy in said beam before passing through said sample; means for determining the logarithm of the difference of charges stored in said two charge storing means; means for computing said volumetric ratio by electronically applying a proportionality factor to an output of said logarithm determining means; means for passing said beam through a standard blood sample having a known hematic ratio, said determining means further comprising means for determining a characteristic representative of the amount of energy absorbed by said standard blood sample; and means for electronically calculating said proportionality factor as a ratio of said known hematic ratio to the amount of said energy absorbed by said standard blood sample.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
188 words
A system for determining the hematocrit ratio of blood cells suspended in a liquid, comprising: means for passing a beam of electromagnetic energy through a sample of said liquid having said blood cells therein; means for determining a characteristic representative of the amount of energy absorbed by said blood cells in said sample; means for storing a charge corresponding to the magnitude of said absorbed energy characteristic; means for storing a charge corresponding to the magnitude of energy in said beam before passing through said sample; means for determining the logarithm of the difference of charges stored in said two charge storing means; means for computing said volumetric ratio by electronically applying a proportionality factor to an output of said logarithm determining means; means for passing said beam through a standard blood sample having a known hematic ratio, said determining means further comprising means for determining a characteristic representative of the amount of energy absorbed by said standard blood sample; and means for electronically calculating said proportionality factor as a ratio of said known hematic ratio to the amount of said energy absorbed by said standard blood sample.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system recited in claim 20, further comprising: repetitive pulsing means; and means for counting the number of said repetitive pulses during operation of said stored charge difference determining means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system recited in claim 21, further comprising means for providing a visual indication of the number of said repetitive pulses counted.
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) | 1979-01-05 | 1979-07-07 | 1980-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-05 | 1983-07-07 | 1984-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-05 | 1987-07-07 | 1988-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |