US3935079A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for displaying active oxygen and sensor temperature
Assignee: Fitterer Engineering Associates Inc
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Filing: 1972-11-03
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Granted: 1976-01-27
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Expires: 1992-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for displaying the active oxygen content of a liquid metal and the sensor temperature of a probe from signals developed by the probe which is capable of being plunged directly into the liquid metal. The probe comprises a small mass of solid oxygen-permeable electrolyte in the end of a refractory insulating tube, an oxygen reference material in contact with the inner surface of the electrolyte, and suitable electrodes for providing both a signal representative of the active oxygen of the liquid metal and a signal representative of the sensor temperature. The apparatus comprises first recording means for displaying the sensor temperature, and second recording means for displaying the active oxygen of the metal, a source of power, and sequencing means which are initially responsive to the probe emf for sequencing the operation of the apparatus. The method and sequence of steps in connection with displaying the sensor temperature and the active oxygen on the instrument and the determination of the active oxygen on the liquid metal therefrom are also disclosed. The apparatus is portable, self-contained and operable from either a conventional a-c source or rechargeable batteries to provide a sequence of signals to the operator to advise that the probe is operative and properly connected, that the apparatus is ready to receive signals from the probe, that the signals are being received, and that the sequence is complete so that the probe may be removed from the liquid metal.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Fitterer
- 👤 Carl D. Cassler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/403; G01N27/406; G01N27/4065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for displaying at least a pair of physical representations which respectively represent at least a first and a second sensed parameter, comprising the combination of: input circuit means for receiving a first signal and a second signal which are respectively electrical representations of said first parameter and said second parameter; first recording means operatively connected to said input circuit means for receiving said first signal representative of said first parameter and for displaying a first physical representation of said signal upon command; second recording means for receiving said second signal representative of said second parameter and for displaying a second physical representation of said second signal, said second recording means including limiting means responsive to a predetermined level of said second signal for initiating the operation of said second recording means; sequencing means initially responsive to said limiting means for causing said first recording means to display said first representation of said first parameter; and a source of power operatively connected to said first recording means and said second recording means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for displaying at least a pair of physical representations which respectively represent at least a first and a second sensed parameter, comprising the combination of: input circuit means for receiving a first signal and a second signal which are respectively electrical representations of said first parameter and said second parameter; first recording means operatively connected to said input circuit means for receiving said first signal representative of said first parameter and for displaying a first physical representation of said signal upon command; second recording means for receiving said second signal representative of said second parameter and for displaying a second physical representation of said second signal, said second recording means including limiting means responsive to a predetermined level of said second signal for initiating the operation of said second recording means; sequencing means initially responsive to said limiting means for causing said first recording means to display said first representation of said first parameter; and a source of power operatively connected to said first recording means and said second recording means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sequencing means (a) operates in response to said limiting means and causes said sequencing means to be operatively connected to said source of power for a predetermined cycle and (b) then causes said first signal to be operatively connected from said input means to said first recording means so that said first recording means displays said first representation of said first signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further including means responsive to said sequencing means for indicating a predetermined time in said predetermined cycle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said input circuit means includes a low input resistance and said sequencing means further causes said low input resistance to be removed therefrom so that input circuit means has a high input resistance, said low input resistance being removed after said sequencing means is operatively connected to said source of power and before said first recording means displays said first signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first recording means includes read and hold means for causing a physical representation on said first recording means to be retained until released by said sequencing means, said sequencing means causing a previous representation to be released prior to causing said first signal to be operatively connected to said first recording means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said source of power includes means for providing power from either a conventional a-c source or from batteries, and means for switching therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes means for charging said battery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said apparatus further includes means for determining whether said battery needs charging.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said input circuit means further includes temperature measuring means for producing said first parameter and dissolved oxygen measuring means for producing said second parameter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
100 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in combination with a solid electrolyte sensor capable of being plunged into liquid metal comprising a small mass of solid oxygen-permeable electrolyte in a refractory insulating tube, an oxygen reference material in contact with said electrolyte and wherein said temperature measuring means includes a plurality of electrodes for providing an emf representative of the temperature of the probe and said dissolved oxygen measuring means includes a plurality of electrodes for providing an emf representative of the dissolved oxygen content of the metal, said electrodes being in circuit with said input circuit means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 further including means for indicating whether said sensor is operatively connected to said apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 further including means for indicating when said sequencing means is operating, indicating that readings from said sensor are being obtained.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for displaying a physical representation which represents a sensed parameter comprising: input circuit means for receiving a signal wich is an electrical representative of said parameter; recording means operatively connected to said input circuit means for receiving said signal and displaying a first physical representation of said signal, said recording means including limiting means responsive to a predetermined level of said signal; and sequencing means initially responsive to said limiting means for causing said input circuit means to exhibit a high input impedance to said signal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for displaying a physical representation which represents a sensed parameter comprising: input circuit means for receiving a signal wich is an electrical representative of said parameter; recording means operatively connected to said input circuit means for receiving said signal and displaying a first physical representation of said signal, said recording means including limiting means responsive to a predetermined level of said signal; and sequencing means initially responsive to said limiting means for causing said input circuit means to exhibit a high input impedance to said signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said sensed parameter is an emf representing the dissolved oxygen content of a liquid metal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 in combination with a solid electrolyte sensor capable of being plunged into liquid metal comprising a small mass of solid oxygen-permeable electrolyte and a plurality of electrodes for providing an emf representative of the temperature of the probe and an emf representative of the dissolved oxygen content of the metal, said electrodes being in circuit with said input circuit means.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for displaying a first signal representing the temperature of a liquid metal, and a second signal representative of the dissolved oxygen content of the liquid metal, said first signal and said second signal being derived from a sensor capable of being plunged into the liquid metal and comprising a small mass of solid oxygen-permeable electrolyte in a refractory insulating tube, an oxygen reference material in contact with said electrolyte, and a plurality of electrodes for providing said first signal and said second signal, comprising the steps of: plunging said probe into said liquid metal, displaying a second physical representation of said second signal when said second signal reaches a predetermined level, displaying a first physical representation of said first signal in response to said second signal reaching said predetermined level, and indicating that said first physical representation and said second physical representation have been displayed.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for displaying a first signal representing the temperature of a liquid metal, and a second signal representative of the dissolved oxygen content of the liquid metal, said first signal and said second signal being derived from a sensor capable of being plunged into the liquid metal and comprising a small mass of solid oxygen-permeable electrolyte in a refractory insulating tube, an oxygen reference material in contact with said electrolyte, and a plurality of electrodes for providing said first signal and said second signal, comprising the steps of: plunging said probe into said liquid metal, displaying a second physical representation of said second signal when said second signal reaches a predetermined level, displaying a first physical representation of said first signal in response to said second signal reaching said predetermined level, and indicating that said first physical representation and said second physical representation have been displayed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as set forth in claim 16 further including the steps of: causing a low input impedance to said second signal to be translated into a high input impedance prior to the step of displaying said first physical representation of said first signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 17 further including the step of causing said first physical representation to be retained for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as set forth in claim 18 further including the step of testing to determine whether said probe is operative.
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) | 1979-01-26 | 1979-07-28 | 1980-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-26 | 1983-07-28 | 1984-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-26 | 1987-07-28 | 1988-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |