US4074561A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means for measuring the plasticity of coal
Assignee: FUEL RES AND INSTRUMENT Co
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Filing: 1976-11-15
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Granted: 1978-02-21
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Expires: 1996-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A device for measuring the plastic characteristics of coal includes a bath of molten metal and a crucible with a coal sample therein positioned within said bath. A drive motor is connected through a hysteresis brake to a stir rod positioned in the coal sample. As the coal sample plasticizes due to heat from the molten metal, a calibrated disc connected to the stir rod will be driven by the motor. Optical sensing means including a phototransistor and a light source positioned on opposite sides of the calibrated disc are connected to a counter which is used to record stir rod movement within a given time reference.
Inventors
- 👤 Willis H. Brockschmidt
- 👤 Robert W. Brockschmidt
- 👤 John D. Grabenhofer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N25/00; G01N25/02; G01N25/04; G01N11/00; G01N11/10; G01N33/00; G01N33/22; G01N33/222
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A means for measuring the plastic characteristics of coal including a bath of molten metal, a crucible with a coal sample therein positioned in said bath, a stir rod in said coal sample and a drive motor for said stir rod, and means for measuring movement of the stir rod as the coal plasticizes, including a calibrated disc having a uniformly slotted periphery operatively engaged for rotation with said stir rod, means for counting the number of revolutions of said calibrated disc, optical sensing means positioned adjacent said disc, including a pair of spaced light sources positioned on one side of said slotted periphery and a pair of spaced phototransistors, in alignment with said light sources and positioned on the opposite side of said slotted periphery, and a counter connected to said optical sensing means for recording stir rod movement within a given time reference.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A means for measuring the plastic characteristics of coal including a bath of molten metal, a crucible with a coal sample therein positioned in said bath, a stir rod in said coal sample and a drive motor for said stir rod, and means for measuring movement of the stir rod as the coal plasticizes, including a calibrated disc having a uniformly slotted periphery operatively engaged for rotation with said stir rod, means for counting the number of revolutions of said calibrated disc, optical sensing means positioned adjacent said disc, including a pair of spaced light sources positioned on one side of said slotted periphery and a pair of spaced phototransistors, in alignment with said light sources and positioned on the opposite side of said slotted periphery, and a counter connected to said optical sensing means for recording stir rod movement within a given time reference.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The means of claim 1 further characterized in that said light sources are infrared.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The means of claim 1 further characterized in that said phototransistors are connected to a flip-flop circuit, with the output of said flip-flop circuit being connected to said counter, said flip-flop circuit providing a single output pulse after receipt of input pulses from both of said phototransistors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The means of claim 1 further characterized by and including a brake connected between said drive motor and stir rod for controlling the amount of torque applied by the drive motor to said coal sample.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The means of claim 1 further characterized by and including means for agitating said molten metal bath to maintain a uniform temperature therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3436655A
Cited
US3814934A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-20 | 1981-08-22 | 1982-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-20 | 1985-08-22 | 1986-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-20 | 1989-08-22 | 1990-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |