Patent US4597285A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4597285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Humidity monitor and method
Assignee: Honeywell UOP LLC
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Filing: 1984-10-01
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Granted: 1986-07-01
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Expires: 2004-10-01
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for determining water content of gases and vapors. The primary sensing device is a fluidic oscillator through which a sample of gas is passed. It is primarily useful in systems where the moisture content is large and there is a small difference between the molecular weight of water and the average molecular weight of the other components of the gas (or vapor) or systems where there is a large difference between the molecular weight of water and the average molecular weight of the other components.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul J. Kuchar
- 👤 Robert W. Sampson
- 👤 Ronald F. Pacanowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:11
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/22; F15C1/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for determining the moisture content of a sample of gas comprising the steps of: (a) passing the sample of gas having an unknown moisture content through a fluidic oscillator at a controlled pressure; (b) measuring the temperature of the sample at said oscillator and transmitting a signal representative of said measured temperature; (c) measuring the frequency of oscillation of said oscillator and transmitting a signal representative of said measured frequency; (d) adjusting the moisture content of said subsequent to steps (b) and (c) to provide a second gas sample having a known moisture content which differs from that of the sample passed through the fluidic oscillator in step (a); (e) passing said second gas sample through said fluidic oscillator at a controlled pressure; (f) repeating steps (b) and (c) for said second gas sample; and (g) calculating the moisture content of said gas sample passing through said fluidic oscillator in step (a) by reference to the differences in signals transmitted in connection with the measurement of the respective temperatures of the samples and the frequencies of oscillation in steps (b), (c) and (f).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for determining the moisture content of a sample of gas comprising the steps of: (a) passing the sample of gas having an unknown moisture content through a fluidic oscillator at a controlled pressure; (b) measuring the temperature of the sample at said oscillator and transmitting a signal representative of said measured temperature; (c) measuring the frequency of oscillation of said oscillator and transmitting a signal representative of said measured frequency; (d) adjusting the moisture content of said subsequent to steps (b) and (c) to provide a second gas sample having a known moisture content which differs from that of the sample passed through the fluidic oscillator in step (a); (e) passing said second gas sample through said fluidic oscillator at a controlled pressure; (f) repeating steps (b) and (c) for said second gas sample; and (g) calculating the moisture content of said gas sample passing through said fluidic oscillator in step (a) by reference to the differences in signals transmitted in connection with the measurement of the respective temperatures of the samples and the frequencies of oscillation in steps (b), (c) and (f).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the moisture content of said gas sample is adjusted by passing said gas sample through a drying means to decrease the moisture content of said sample.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein substantially all moisture is removed from said gas sample in said drying means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the moisture content of said gas sample is adjusted by passing said gas sample through a humidifying means to increase the moisture content of said sample.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the moisture content of the gas sample is increased by spraying water into said sample.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 wherein water droplets are removed from said sample subsequent to water being sprayed into the sample.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said gas sample is caused to be substantially saturated with moisture in said humidifying means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the moisture content of said gas sample is adjusted by periodically passing the gas sample through means to adjust the moisture content of the gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the moisture content of said gas sample is calculated in computing means using equations and data stored in said computing means and said measurements transmitted during steps (b), (c) and (f).
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) | 1989-06-30 | 1989-12-30 | 1990-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-30 | 1993-12-30 | 1994-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-30 | 1997-12-30 | 1998-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |