Patent US3973430A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3973430A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water pollution monitor
Assignee: Mesa Laboratories Inc
•
Filing: 1975-03-11
•
Granted: 1976-08-10
•
Expires: 1995-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A system for detecting the concentration of hydrocarbons (petroleum products) or other pollutants in water having a differential sound velocimeter which compares the velocity of sound in the liquid under study with the velocity of sound in the liquid (largely water) from which the oil or other pollutant has been separated by mechanical and/or solvent extraction means. A suitably calibrated frequency-to-analog converter is utilized to indicate the amount of the oil concentration and/or shutdown the water transporting system if the concentration exceeds a predetermined value.
Inventors
- 👤 Uldis Cirulis
- 👤 Ellis M. Zacharias, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/02; G01N29/024; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02881
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
In a system for measuring the concentration of hydrocarbons in water while the liquid is flowing from a source thereof, the improvement comprising: means for selecting a continuous sample of the flowing liquid; separator means for separating the hydrocarbons from the water to deliver a standard solution at its output; means for diverting a portion of the same sample to the separator means; a differential transducer assembly having a first transducer assembly having a first electroacoustic transducer and a first housing, and a second transducer assembly having a second electroacoustic transducer and a second housing; first connecting means connecting the standard solution output of the separator to the first housing; second connecting means connecting the second housing to the source of the sample (unknown); pressure equalizing means connected to the output of the first housing and the output of the second housing; a discharge line connected after the pressure equalizing means such that the standard solution flows through the first housing to the discharge line and the unknown solution flows through the second housing to the discharge line; excitation means for exciting the first transducer and the second transducer to thereby produce an acoustic wave in each of the housings; difference measuring means for measuring the difference between the sound velocity in the second housing and that in the first housing which difference is a function of the concentration of hydrocarbons in the unknown.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a system for measuring the concentration of hydrocarbons in water while the liquid is flowing from a source thereof, the improvement comprising: means for selecting a continuous sample of the flowing liquid; separator means for separating the hydrocarbons from the water to deliver a standard solution at its output; means for diverting a portion of the same sample to the separator means; a differential transducer assembly having a first transducer assembly having a first electroacoustic transducer and a first housing, and a second transducer assembly having a second electroacoustic transducer and a second housing; first connecting means connecting the standard solution output of the separator to the first housing; second connecting means connecting the second housing to the source of the sample (unknown); pressure equalizing means connected to the output of the first housing and the output of the second housing; a discharge line connected after the pressure equalizing means such that the standard solution flows through the first housing to the discharge line and the unknown solution flows through the second housing to the discharge line; excitation means for exciting the first transducer and the second transducer to thereby produce an acoustic wave in each of the housings; difference measuring means for measuring the difference between the sound velocity in the second housing and that in the first housing which difference is a function of the concentration of hydrocarbons in the unknown.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the excitation means comprises: a first oscillator associated with the first transducer; a second oscillator associated with the second transducer; and means for alternately exciting the transducers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 2 including: means for maintaining the temperature of the standard solution and the unknown in their respective housings substantially the same.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention of claim 4 including: a first reflector mounted in the first housing such that the acoustic wave transmitted through the standard solution is returned to the first transducer; and a second reflector mounted in the second housing such that the acoustic wave transmitted through the unknown is returned to the second transducer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the difference measuring means comprises: amplitude servo means connected to the transducers such that the amplitude of the signal received by each of them is maintained constant; frequency servo means having its input connected to the transducer and its output connected to the oscillator associated therewith such that the frequency of said oscillator is maintained within predetermined limits; and means for obtaining the difference between the frequencies of the two oscillators.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 8 including: means for converting the difference between the frequencies into an analog display.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 8 including: means for actuating an alarm when the difference between the frequencies exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 8 including: means for shutting down the system when the difference between the frequencies exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 13 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 8 including: means for converting the difference between the frequencies into a digital signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention of claim 8 including calibration means comprising: means for determining which of the two sound paths operates at the higher frequency with a standard solution in both housings; and means for adjusting the output of the frequency servo means associated with the sound paths having the higher frequency to obtain the same frequency over both sound paths.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 17 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the pressure equalizing means comprises a valve connected between the output of the first housing and the output of the second housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 21 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 21 wherein the excitation means comprises: a first oscillator associated with the first transducer; a second oscillator associated with the second transducer; and means for alternately exciting the transducers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 23 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 23 including: means for maintaining the temperature of the standard solution and the unknown in their respective housings substantially the same.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 25 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention of claim 25 including: a first reflector mounted in the first housing such that the acoustic wave transmitted through the standard solution is returned to the first transducer; and a second reflector mounted in the second housing such that the acoustic wave transmitted through the unknown is returned to the second transducer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 27 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
77 words
The invention of claim 27 wherein the difference measuring means comprises: amplitude servo means connected to the transducers such that the amplitude of the signal received by each of them is maintained constant; frequency servo means having its input connected to the transducer and its output connected to the oscillator associated therewith such that the frequency of said oscillator is maintained within predetermined limits; and means of obtaining the difference between the freqencies of the two oscillators.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 29 including: means for converting the difference between the frequencies into an analog display.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 30 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 29 including: means for actuating an alarm when the difference between the frequencies exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 32 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 29 including: means for shutting down the system when the difference between the frequencies exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 34 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 29 including: means for converting the difference between the frequencies into a digital signal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 36 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention of claim 29 including calibration means comprising: means for determining which of the two sound paths operates at the higher frequency with a standard solution in both housings; and means for adjusting the output of the frequency servo means associated with the sound paths having the higher frequency to obtain the same frequency over both sound paths.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 38 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 29 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention of claim 21 including temperature correcting means for applying a temperature correction signal to the measurement of the difference between the sound velocity in the second housing and the sound velocity in the first housing to thereby minimize any error in the measurement of the concentration of hydrocarbons in the unknown.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 41 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially indentical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 41 wherein the excitation means comprises: a first oscillator associated with the first transducer; a second oscillator associated with the second transducer; and means for alternately exciting the transducers.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 43 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 43 including: means for maintaining the temperature of the standard solution and the unknown in their respective housings substantially the same.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 45 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention of claim 45 including: a first reflector mounted in the first housing such that the acoustic wave transmitted through the standard solution is returned to the first transducer; and a second reflector mounted in the second housing such that the acoustic wave transmitted through the unknown is returned to the second transducer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
77 words
The invention of claim 47 wherein the difference measuring means comprises: amplitude servo means connected to the transducers such that the amplitude of the signal received by each of them is maintained constant; frequency servo means having its input connected to the transducer and its output connected to the oscillator associated therewith such that the frequency of said oscillator is maintained within predetermined limits; and means for obtaining the difference between the frequencies of the two oscillators.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 48 including: means for converting the difference between the frequencies into an analog display.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 49 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 48 including: means for actuating an alarm when the difference between the frequencies exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 51 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 48 including: means for shutting down the system when the difference between the frequencies exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 53 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 48 including: means for converting the difference between the frequencies into a digital signal.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 55 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention of claim 48 including calibration means comprising: means for determining which of the two sound paths operates at the higher frequency with a standard solution in both housings; and means for adjusting the output of the frequency servo means associated with the sound paths having the higher frequency to obtain the same frequency over both sound paths.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 57 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 48 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 47 wherein: the first transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly are side by side and have substantially identical dimensions and thermal characteristics.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB784146A
Cited
US3359788A
Cited
US3710615A
Cited
US3791200A
Cited
US3789655A
Cited
US3892127A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-10 | 1980-02-09 | 1980-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-10 | 1984-02-09 | 1984-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-10 | 1988-02-09 | 1988-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |