US4531402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for measuring the concentration of large particles in a gas
Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
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Filing: 1983-05-02
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Granted: 1985-07-30
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Expires: 2003-05-02
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides apparatus and method for measuring the concentration of large particles in a gas which may also contain small particles. The apparatus comprises a triboelectric charging means which effects triboelectric charging of the large particles in the gas, and charge measuring means for measuring charges on the particles in the gas after it has passed the triboelectric charging means. The triboelectric charging means can be a curved section of an air intake duct or the compressor of a turbocharger. The apparatus enables the operation of an engine or other air consuming device to be interrupted when the concentration of large particles in the incoming air is sufficient to damage the engine, but avoids unnecessary shutdowns due to the presence of small particles, e.g. smoke particles, which are too small to damage the engine or other device.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert B. Reif
- 👤 Loren R. Albrechtson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/60; G01N15/00; G01N15/02; G01N15/0266
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for measuring the concentration of large particles in a gas containing both large and smaller particles comprising: a charge neutralizing device for neutralizing pre-existing charges on particles in said gas; a triboelectric charging means for effecting triboelectric charging of said large particles in said gas after said gas has passed said charge neutralizing device; and charge measuring means for measuring charges on particles in said gas after said gas has passed said triboelectric charging means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for measuring the concentration of large particles in a gas containing both large and smaller particles comprising: a charge neutralizing device for neutralizing pre-existing charges on particles in said gas; a triboelectric charging means for effecting triboelectric charging of said large particles in said gas after said gas has passed said charge neutralizing device; and charge measuring means for measuring charges on particles in said gas after said gas has passed said triboelectric charging means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said triboelectric charging means comprises a conduit member having walls defining a conduit through which said gas can flow, at least part of said conduit being curved.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said triboelectric charging means comprises a conduit member having walls defining a conduit through which said gas can flow and a rotatable member disposed within said conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said triboelectric charging means comprises a turbocharger.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said charging neutralizing device comprises an alternating current ionizer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said charge measuring means comprises: a conduit member formed of electrically-conductive material and having walls defining a conduit through which said gas can flow; an electrode at least part of which is disposed within said conduit; an insulator disposed between said conduit member and said electrode, thereby electrically insulating said electrode from said conduit member; current measuring means electrically connected to said electrode; and potential maintaining means for maintaining said conduit member and said electrode at substantially the same potential.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said potential maintaining means comprises a connection between said conduit member and ground and a connection between said current measuring means and ground such that current from said electrode will flow through said current measuring means to ground.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said electrode has the form of an elongate rod extending part-way across said conduit in a direction substantially perpendiculer to the flow of gas therealong.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said electrode has the form of a cylinder having its axis substantially perpendicular to said flow of gas, said cylinder having walls defining an aperture passing through said cylinder in a direction substantially parallel to said flow of gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said charge measuring means comprises: a conduit member formed of electrically-conductive material and having walls defining a conduit through which said gas can flow; an electrode at least part of which is disposed within said conduit; an insulator disposed between said conduit member and said electrode, thereby electrically insulating said electrode from said conduit member; pulse counting means electrically connected to said electrode; and potential maintaining means for maintaining said conduit member and said electrode at substantially the same potential.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said potential maintaining means comprises a connection between said conduit member and ground and a connection between said current measuring means and ground such that current from said electrode will flow through said current measuring means to ground.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said electrode has the form of an elongate rod extending part-way across said conduit in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flow of gas therealong.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said electrode has the form of a cylinder having its axis substantially perpendicular to said flow of gas, said cylinder having walls defining an aperture passing through said cylinder in a direction substantially parallel to said flow of gas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a filter for removing particles from said gas before it enters said triboelectric charging means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a gas receiving device which receives said gas after said gas has passed said charge detection means and cut-off means for preventing damage to said gas receiving device whenever said charge measuring means indicates that the concentration of said large particles in said gas exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said gas receiving device is an engine and said cut-off means comprises means for preventing gas passing said charge detection means from reaching said engine.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said engine is provided with a turbocharger which serves as said triboelectric charging means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said cut-off means further comprises means for providing a warning signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said cut-off means further comprises means for stopping said engine.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of measuring the concentration of large particles in a gas containing both large and smaller particles comprising: neutralizing any pre-existing charges on particles in said gas; thereafter passing said gas through a triboelectric charging means, thereby effecting triboelectric charging of said large particles in said gas; and thereafter measuring the charges on particles in the gas.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of measuring the concentration of large particles in a gas containing both large and smaller particles comprising: neutralizing any pre-existing charges on particles in said gas; thereafter passing said gas through a triboelectric charging means, thereby effecting triboelectric charging of said large particles in said gas; and thereafter measuring the charges on particles in the gas.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 20 wherein said triboelectric charging means comprises a conduit member having walls defining a conduit through which said gas can flow, at least part of said conduit being curved.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 20 wherein said triboelectric charging means comprises a turbocharger.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-29 | 1989-01-28 | 1989-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-29 | 1993-01-28 | 1993-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-29 | 1997-01-28 | 1997-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |