US4552019A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for measuring a colloidal potential
Assignee: Dorr Oliver Inc
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Filing: 1984-05-21
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Granted: 1985-11-12
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Expires: 2004-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for measuring a colloidal potential are described using pulses of ultrasonic energy that are directed along a path within a liquid suspension of colloidal particles. A vibration potential is measured at at least a pair of positions along the path. The positions are known relative to the source of ultrasonic pulses. The vibration potential measurements are then used to derive a colloidal potential which is independent of its attenuation encountered by the ultrasonic energy inside the suspension. In one embodiment several potential measuring probes are used and in another embodiment one probe is moved between predetermined positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark P. Freeman, deceased
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:31
CPC Classifications
D; D21; D21F; D21F1/00; D21F1/66; D21F1/82; G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for determining a colloidal potential of a liquid suspension of colloidal particles comprising: means for directing pulses of ultrasonic energy along a path within said liquid suspension; means for sensing a vibration potential at at least a first probe means and a second probe means, said first and second probe means each comprising a pair of electrodes, wherein said first and second probe means are separated from each other and from said pulse directing means by known predetermined distances, and each probe means producing signals indicative of said vibration potential at their respective positions; and means for combining said signals so as to derive an indication of a colloidal potential of said liquid suspension.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for determining a colloidal potential of a liquid suspension of colloidal particles comprising: means for directing pulses of ultrasonic energy along a path within said liquid suspension; means for sensing a vibration potential at at least a first probe means and a second probe means, said first and second probe means each comprising a pair of electrodes, wherein said first and second probe means are separated from each other and from said pulse directing means by known predetermined distances, and each probe means producing signals indicative of said vibration potential at their respective positions; and means for combining said signals so as to derive an indication of a colloidal potential of said liquid suspension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: means for detecting said ultrasonic pulses after their traversal through said suspension along a predetermined length of said path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first and second probe means are approximately positioned at one-third and at two-thirds of the predetermined length of the path between said means for directing pulses of ultrasonic energy and means for detecting said ultrasonic pulse, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pair of electrodes are spaced apart by a distance of approximately an odd half multiple of the wavelength of the ultrasonic frequency.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for determining a colloidal potential of a liquid suspension of colloidal particles comprising: means for directing pulses of ultrasonic energy along a path within said liquid suspension; a movable probe means for detecting a vibration potential along said path, said probe means being movable along said path between at least a first position and a second position, said probe means producing signals indicative of said vibration potential at said respective positions; and means for combining said signals so as to derive an indication of a colloidal potential of said liquid suspension.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for determining a colloidal potential of a liquid suspension of colloidal particles comprising: means for directing pulses of ultrasonic energy along a path within said liquid suspension; a movable probe means for detecting a vibration potential along said path, said probe means being movable along said path between at least a first position and a second position, said probe means producing signals indicative of said vibration potential at said respective positions; and means for combining said signals so as to derive an indication of a colloidal potential of said liquid suspension.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 and further comprising: means for detecting said ultrasonic pulses after their traversal through said suspension along a predetermined length of said path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first and second positions of said movable probe means are at one-third and at two-thirds of the predetermined length of the path between said means for directing pulses of ultrasonic energy and means for detecting said ultrasonic pulses, respectively.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for determining a colloidal potential of a liquid suspension of colloidal particles comprising the steps of: directing pulses of ultrasonic energy along a path within said liquid suspension; measuring an electrical potential at at least a first probe means and a second probe means, said first and second probe means each comprising a pair of electrodes, wherein said first and second probe means are separated from each other and from said pulse directing means by known predetermined distances; and deriving from measured electrical potentials at said positions an indication of a colloidal potential of said liquid suspension.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for determining a colloidal potential of a liquid suspension of colloidal particles comprising the steps of: directing pulses of ultrasonic energy along a path within said liquid suspension; measuring an electrical potential at at least a first probe means and a second probe means, said first and second probe means each comprising a pair of electrodes, wherein said first and second probe means are separated from each other and from said pulse directing means by known predetermined distances; and deriving from measured electrical potentials at said positions an indication of a colloidal potential of said liquid suspension.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said measuring step further comprises the step of: detecting the ultrasonic pulses after their traversal through said suspension along a predetermined length of said path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4294656A
Cited
US4497208A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-11 | 1989-05-13 | 1989-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-11 | 1993-05-13 | 1993-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-11 | 1997-05-13 | 1997-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |