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US4447775A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus and method for continuous pH monitoring

Assignee: Gerber Products Co
•
Filing: 1982-07-12
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Granted: 1984-05-08
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Expires: 2002-07-12
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Abstract

Abstract An apparatus and method are disclosed for the continuous monitoring of pH in a fluid stream flowing at a low volumetric flow rate. The stream is directed through an enclosed conduit with a glass electrode sealed therein. The conduit wall facing the electrode has contour approximately complementary in shape to the sensing surface of the electrode with a narrow gap between the opposing surfaces through which the fluid passes, forcing rapid and uniform flow of the fluid over the electrode surface. Continuous operation is thereby permitted for extended time periods without substantial fouling of the surfaces.

Inventors

  • 👤 Stephen J. Breuker
  • 👤 Harold L. Richmann

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 12:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/28; G01N27/30; G01N27/38

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 164 words
An apparatus for the continuous and substantially current measurement of the pH of a fluid in a process stream conduit using a glass electrode not in contact with said process stream and entailing a minimal loss of process fluid, said apparatus comprising: an enclosed sample conduit extending laterally from said process conduit to divert therefrom a portion of said fluid, said portion completely filling said sample conduit, with means in the wall of said sample conduit for receiving the pH-sensing surface of said electrode in fluid-tight relation to said wall, the portion of said wall facing said pH-sensing surface having a contour approximately complementary in shape to said surface with a gap therebetween of less than about 0.5 cm on the average and substantially smaller than the diameter of said sample conduit, the diameter ratio of said process conduit to said sample conduit ranging from about 5:1 to about 50:1, and means for drawing said stream through said conduit at a controlled steady rate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 164 words
An apparatus for the continuous and substantially current measurement of the pH of a fluid in a process stream conduit using a glass electrode not in contact with said process stream and entailing a minimal loss of process fluid, said apparatus comprising: an enclosed sample conduit extending laterally from said process conduit to divert therefrom a portion of said fluid, said portion completely filling said sample conduit, with means in the wall of said sample conduit for receiving the pH-sensing surface of said electrode in fluid-tight relation to said wall, the portion of said wall facing said pH-sensing surface having a contour approximately complementary in shape to said surface with a gap therebetween of less than about 0.5 cm on the average and substantially smaller than the diameter of said sample conduit, the diameter ratio of said process conduit to said sample conduit ranging from about 5:1 to about 50:1, and means for drawing said stream through said conduit at a controlled steady rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said gap is from about 0.05 cm to about 0.3 cm on the average.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 24 words
An apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, in which said fluid is a suspension and said pH-sensing surface of said electrode is bulb-shaped.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 167 words
A method for the continuous and substantially current measurement of the pH of a stream of fluid in a process stream conduit using a glass electrode in a non-intrusive manner and entailing a minimal loss of process fluid, said method comprising: drawing a portion of said stream at a controlled steady rate into an enclosed sample conduit extending laterally from said process conduit, said sample conduit containing the pH-sensing surface of said electrode enclosed therein, the diameter ratio of said process conduit to said sample conduit ranging from about 5:1 to about 50:1, said portion completely filling said sample conduit, passing said portion through a passage within said sample conduit defined by the pH-sensing surface of said electrode and an opposing face of said conduit wall having a contour approximately complementary in shape to said surface with a gap therebetween of less than about 0.5 cm on the average and substantially smaller than the diameter of said sample conduit, and detecting the signal generated by said electrode.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 167 words
A method for the continuous and substantially current measurement of the pH of a stream of fluid in a process stream conduit using a glass electrode in a non-intrusive manner and entailing a minimal loss of process fluid, said method comprising: drawing a portion of said stream at a controlled steady rate into an enclosed sample conduit extending laterally from said process conduit, said sample conduit containing the pH-sensing surface of said electrode enclosed therein, the diameter ratio of said process conduit to said sample conduit ranging from about 5:1 to about 50:1, said portion completely filling said sample conduit, passing said portion through a passage within said sample conduit defined by the pH-sensing surface of said electrode and an opposing face of said conduit wall having a contour approximately complementary in shape to said surface with a gap therebetween of less than about 0.5 cm on the average and substantially smaller than the diameter of said sample conduit, and detecting the signal generated by said electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 28 words
A method according to claim 4 in which the flow rate of said portion through said sample conduit is from about 2 to about 40 liters per hour.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 28 words
A method according to claim 4 in which the flow rate of said portion through said sample conduit is from about 4 to about 20 liters per hour.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 28 words
A method according to claim 4 in which the flow rate of said portion through said sample conduit is from about 4 to about 12 liters per hour.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 26 words
A method according to claims 4, 5, 6, or 7 in which said gap is from about 0.05 cm to about 0.3 cm on the average.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2768135A Cited
US3997420A Cited
US4160714A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-05-08 1987-11-07 1988-05-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-05-08 1991-11-07 1992-05-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-05-08 1995-11-07 1996-05-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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