US4490236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and means for electrode calibration
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-04-27
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Granted: 1984-12-25
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Expires: 2003-04-27
Abstract
Abstract An electrode calibration apparatus which automatically calibrates a sensing electrode by providing a flow sensitive valve member which seals off flow of calibrating solution to the electrode during flow of a test solution past the electrode, but which permits calibrating solution to contact the electrode when the flow of test solution is interrupted.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Petty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/416; G01N27/4163; G01N27/4165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
Apparatus for calibrating a tipped sensing electrode used to measure the quantity of a particular substance in a flowing test solution comprising: a cell body enclosing a cavity having an upper portion and a lower portion; a reservoir for a calibration solution removably positioned above said cell body; a reservoir conduit means for flowingly connecting said reservoir to said cavity upper portion; aperture means in said cavity lower portion adapted to removably receive the tip of said sensing electrode; first conduit means for permitting a test solution to flowingly enter said cavity; second conduit means for permitting said test solution to flowingly exit said cavity; and valve means entirely located within said cavity and powered solely by the flow of said test solution, for closing said reservoir conduit means when said test solution flows through said cavity and opening said reservoir conduit means when said test solution ceases flowing through said cavity; so that calibration solution may automatically be afforded to said sensing electrode tip upon termination of test solution flow.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
Apparatus for calibrating a tipped sensing electrode used to measure the quantity of a particular substance in a flowing test solution comprising: a cell body enclosing a cavity having an upper portion and a lower portion; a reservoir for a calibration solution removably positioned above said cell body; a reservoir conduit means for flowingly connecting said reservoir to said cavity upper portion; aperture means in said cavity lower portion adapted to removably receive the tip of said sensing electrode; first conduit means for permitting a test solution to flowingly enter said cavity; second conduit means for permitting said test solution to flowingly exit said cavity; and valve means entirely located within said cavity and powered solely by the flow of said test solution, for closing said reservoir conduit means when said test solution flows through said cavity and opening said reservoir conduit means when said test solution ceases flowing through said cavity; so that calibration solution may automatically be afforded to said sensing electrode tip upon termination of test solution flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first conduit means enters said cavity at its lower portion and said second conduit means exits said cavity at its upper portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said valve means comprises a freely movable piston which is urged against said reservoir conduit means by said test solution when it is flowing thereby sealing said reservoir conduit, and drops under force of gravity when said test solution ceases flowing thereby opening said reservoir conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said reservoir conduit means terminates in said cavity in an annular collar and said freely movable piston has a recessed seat in its uppermost surface adapted to form an effective seal with said annular collar when said piston is urged against said reservoir conduit means by said flowing test solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said reservoir is removably mounted on said cell body above said cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the lower portion of said cavity is sufficiently small to prevent said valve means from contacting said sensing tip when it is inserted in said aperture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a freely movable piston which is urged against said reservoir conduit means by said test solution when it is flowing thereby sealing said reservoir conduit, and drops under force of gravity when said test solution ceases flowing thereby opening said reservoir conduit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the lower portion of said cavity is sufficiently small to prevent said valve means from contacting said sensing tip when it is inserted in said aperture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said reservoir conduit means terminates in said cavity in an annular collar and said freely movable piston has a recessed seat in its uppermost surface adapted to form an effective seal with said annular collar when said piston is urged against said reservoir conduit means by said flowing test solution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said freely movable piston is longitudinally grooved, to facilitate the passage of test solution and calibration solution.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said cavity upper portion forms a cylinder operatively associated with said freely movable piston.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said reservoir is removably mounted on said cell body above said cavity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first conduit means and said second conduit means both extend upward.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cell body is constructed of acrylic plastic, polypropylene or glass and said valve means is constructed of an inert material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in combination with a combination-pH electrode inserted in said aperture means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in combination with a combination-redox electrode inserted in said aperture means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in combination with a dissolved oxygen electrode inserted in said aperture means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in combination with a calibration solution in said reservoir selected from one of the group consisting of an aqueous mixture of monohydrogen phosphate and dihydrogen phosphate ions in the pH range of 6.0 to 8.0; an aqueous solution of hypochlorite ions; or an aqueous solution of sulphite ions.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of calibrating an electrode comprising directing a test solution past said electrode, and opening a closure to a source of calibrating solution which contacts said electrode when said test solution is not flowing past said electrode, the opening of said closure being activated by the absence of test solution flow past said electrode.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of calibrating an electrode comprising directing a test solution past said electrode, and opening a closure to a source of calibrating solution which contacts said electrode when said test solution is not flowing past said electrode, the opening of said closure being activated by the absence of test solution flow past said electrode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the said calibration solution is an aqueous mixture of monohydrogen phosphate and dihydrogen phosphate ions in the pH range 6.0 to 8.0.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the calibration solution is an aqueous solution of hypochlorite ions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the calibration solution is an aqueous solution of sulphite ions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-12-25 | 1988-06-25 | 1988-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-25 | 1992-06-25 | 1992-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-25 | 1996-06-25 | 1996-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |