US4417212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for measuring the amount of oil in an essentially nonconductive liquid
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-07-08
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Granted: 1983-11-22
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Expires: 2001-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A method of measuring relatively small amounts of saturated hydrocarbon oil in an essentially nonconductive liquid, comprises the steps of mixing the oil and liquid with a conductivity additive such as colloidal metal-containing particles to render the oil conductive without rendering the nonconductive liquid conductive and then measuring an electric current passed through the mixture to obtain an indication of the amount of oil in the mixture. The metal-containing particles may for example be selected from the group consisting of chromium dicarbide, chromium silicide and silver peroxide.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Baum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:57
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/06; G01N33/00; G01N33/18; G01N33/1826; G01N33/1833
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of measuring relatively small amounts of saturated hydrocarbon oil in an essentially nonconductive liquid comprising: providing a conductivity additive which renders the hydrocarbon oil conductive but does not render the essentially nonconductive liquid conductive; mixing the conductivity additive, the oil and the essentially nonconductive liquid to form a mixture whereby the oil of the mixture is rendered electrically conductive and the essentially nonconductive liquid remains essentially nonconductive; and passing an electric current through the mixture after the oil is rendered conductive to obtain an indication of the amount of oil in the mixture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of measuring relatively small amounts of saturated hydrocarbon oil in an essentially nonconductive liquid comprising: providing a conductivity additive which renders the hydrocarbon oil conductive but does not render the essentially nonconductive liquid conductive; mixing the conductivity additive, the oil and the essentially nonconductive liquid to form a mixture whereby the oil of the mixture is rendered electrically conductive and the essentially nonconductive liquid remains essentially nonconductive; and passing an electric current through the mixture after the oil is rendered conductive to obtain an indication of the amount of oil in the mixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of mixing includes simultaneously mixing the conductivity additive, the oil and the nonconductive liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the essentially nonconductive liquid is selected from the group consisting of tetrachloromethane, tetrachloroethylene, and tetrachloroethane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said conductivity additive includes colloidal metal-containing particles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 4, wherein said metal-containing particles are selected from the group consisting of chromium dicarbide, chromium silicide, and silver peroxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as defined in claim 4, further comprising the steps of dispersing said metal-containing particles in said mixture subsequent to said step of mixing and subjecting the mixture to a magnetic field during said step of passing an electric current.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of providing a conductivity additive includes providing an additive which includes a salt of a polyvalent metal and an alkylated salicylic acid containing at least one alkyl substituent having eight or more carbon atoms.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of measuring relatively small amounts of hydrocarbon oil contained in a mixture of the hydrocarbon oil and an essentially nonconductive liquid, said method comprising: adsorbing colloidal metal-containing particles on the hydrocarbon oil of the mixture to render the hydrocarbon oil conductive without rendering the essentially nonconductive liquid conductive; applying a known voltage across a sample of said mixture; and measuring the electric current through said mixture sample to obtain an indication of the amount of oil in the mixture.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of measuring relatively small amounts of hydrocarbon oil contained in a mixture of the hydrocarbon oil and an essentially nonconductive liquid, said method comprising: adsorbing colloidal metal-containing particles on the hydrocarbon oil of the mixture to render the hydrocarbon oil conductive without rendering the essentially nonconductive liquid conductive; applying a known voltage across a sample of said mixture; and measuring the electric current through said mixture sample to obtain an indication of the amount of oil in the mixture.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2878106A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-11-21 | 1987-05-23 | 1987-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-21 | 1991-05-23 | 1991-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-21 | 1995-05-23 | 1995-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |