US3962916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for the measurement of a closed air space
Assignee: MCNAY EQUIPMENT CO Inc
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Filing: 1974-01-23
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Granted: 1976-06-15
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Expires: 1994-01-23
Abstract
Abstract In a system for measuring the volume of a closed air space as for example the volume of the air space above the liquid in a container, a regulated gas supply provides a source of predetermined pressure which is used to charge a small vessel of known volume to the same pressure. A fluidic sensing system detects when the pressure in the vessel is equal to the pressure of the regulated supply and then automatically interrupts the connection between the gas supply and the vessel and then connects the vessel to discharge into the volume being measured. The resulting pressure in the volume will be inversely proportional to the volume.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean C. Bouchy
- 👤 Theodore J. Hardman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
A system for measuring an unknown volume comprising a source of predetermined pressure, a vessel of predetermined volume, first valve means having an open condition and a shut condition and being operable to provide a first fluid connection between said source of predetermined pressure and said vessel in said open condition and to interrupt said first fluid connection in said shut condition, second valve means having an open condition and a shut condition and being operable in said open condition to provide a second fluid connection between said vessel and the unknown volume to be measured and to interrupt said second fluid connection in said shut condition, control means for initially setting said first valve means in an open condition and said second valve means in its shut condition and being responsive to the pressure in said vessel and to the said predetermined pressure to switch said said first valve means to its shut condition and switch said second valve means to its open condition in response to the pressure in said vessel becoming equal to said predetermined pressure, and gauge means for measuring the pressure in said unknown vessel when said second valve means is in said open condition, said pressure sensitive control means comprising pressure differential sensing means connected to said vessel and said source of predetermined pressure and generating a pneumatic signal when the pressure in said vessel rises to equal said predetermined pressure, and fluidic means responsive to said pneumatic signal to switch said first valve means to its shut condition and to switch said second valve means to its open condition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
266 words
A system for measuring an unknown volume comprising a source of predetermined pressure, a vessel of predetermined volume, first valve means having an open condition and a shut condition and being operable to provide a first fluid connection between said source of predetermined pressure and said vessel in said open condition and to interrupt said first fluid connection in said shut condition, second valve means having an open condition and a shut condition and being operable in said open condition to provide a second fluid connection between said vessel and the unknown volume to be measured and to interrupt said second fluid connection in said shut condition, control means for initially setting said first valve means in an open condition and said second valve means in its shut condition and being responsive to the pressure in said vessel and to the said predetermined pressure to switch said said first valve means to its shut condition and switch said second valve means to its open condition in response to the pressure in said vessel becoming equal to said predetermined pressure, and gauge means for measuring the pressure in said unknown vessel when said second valve means is in said open condition, said pressure sensitive control means comprising pressure differential sensing means connected to said vessel and said source of predetermined pressure and generating a pneumatic signal when the pressure in said vessel rises to equal said predetermined pressure, and fluidic means responsive to said pneumatic signal to switch said first valve means to its shut condition and to switch said second valve means to its open condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said fluidic means comprises a fluidic flip-flop having a set condition and a reset condition and being reset in response to said pneumatic signal, means responsive to said fluidic flip-flop being in said set condition to set said first valve means in its open condition and said second valve means in its shut condition and responsive to said fluidic flip-flop being in said reset condition to set said first valve means in its shut condition and to set said second valve means in its open condition, and means for initially setting said fluidic flip-flop to be in said set condition.
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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) | 1979-06-15 | 1979-12-15 | 1980-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-12-15 | 1984-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-15 | 1987-12-15 | 1988-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |