Patent US4899047A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4899047A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for selectively detecting one of two immiscible liquids in the presence of the other liquid
Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
•
Filing: 1988-06-24
•
Granted: 1990-02-06
•
Expires: 2008-06-24
Abstract
Abstract Oil is detected in the presence of water by placing a translucent, porous body of hydrophobic material in contact with the oil and water and detecting the amount by which light incident on the body is attenuated on propagation through the body.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Cry
- 👤 Randy R. Kirkham
- 👤 John F. McBride
- 👤 Carver S. Simmons
- 👤 Glendon W. Gee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/59; G01N33/00; G01N33/24; G01N33/241; G01N33/246; G01N15/00; G01N15/06; G01N15/0606; G01N15/0618; G01N15/0631; G01N21/84; G01N21/85; G01N21/8507; G01N2201/00; G01N2201/06; G01N2201/062; G01N2201/0621
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
Apparatus for detecting a first of two immiscible liquids in the presence of the second liquid, comprising a translucent, porous, dimensionally stable body that absorbs the first liquid in preference to the second liquid, and means for detecting the amount by which light incident on the body is attenuated on propagation through the body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus for detecting a first of two immiscible liquids in the presence of the second liquid, comprising a translucent, porous, dimensionally stable body that absorbs the first liquid in preference to the second liquid, and means for detecting the amount by which light incident on the body is attenuated on propagation through the body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light source secured to the porous body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, for detecting an aqueous liquid, wherein the material of the porous body is hydrophilic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the hydrophilic material is fritted glass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, for detecting oil in the presence of water, wherein the material of the porous body is hydrophobic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the hydrophobic material is a porous synthetic polymer material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the material of the porous body is carried by support of cellulosic paper.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for detecting a first of two immiscible liquids in the presence of the second liquid, comprising providing a translucent, porous, dimensionally stable body that absorbs the first liquid in preference to the second liquid, placing the body in contact with a liquid medium that includes the second liquid, and detecting the amount by which light incident on the body is attenuated on propagation through the body.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for detecting a first of two immiscible liquids in the presence of the second liquid, comprising providing a translucent, porous, dimensionally stable body that absorbs the first liquid in preference to the second liquid, placing the body in contact with a liquid medium that includes the second liquid, and detecting the amount by which light incident on the body is attenuated on propagation through the body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 8, for detecting an aqueous liquid, wherein the material of the porous body is hydrophilic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 8, for detecting oil, wherein the material of the porous body is hydrophobic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein the porous body has two opposite sides and the amount by which light incident on the body is attenuated on propagation through the body is detected by using a light detector at one side of the body and a light source at the opposite side of the body.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
40 words
A method for detecting the degree to which a translucent, porous body of biological tissue is saturated with liquid, comprising the steps of illuminating the body and detecting the amount by which light is attenuated on propagation through the body.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
40 words
A method for detecting the degree to which a translucent, porous body of biological tissue is saturated with liquid, comprising the steps of illuminating the body and detecting the amount by which light is attenuated on propagation through the body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the hydrophobic material is fitted polyethylene.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for detecting first and second immiscible liquids in an absorbent and unsaturated body of solid material, comprising providing a translucent, porous body that absorbs the first liquid in preference to the second liquid and a second translucent, porous body that absorbs the second liquid in preference to the first liquid, placing the bodies in contact with the body of solid material, and detecting the amount by which light incident on the first and second bodies is attenuated on propagation through the bodies.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for detecting first and second immiscible liquids in an absorbent and unsaturated body of solid material, comprising providing a translucent, porous body that absorbs the first liquid in preference to the second liquid and a second translucent, porous body that absorbs the second liquid in preference to the first liquid, placing the bodies in contact with the body of solid material, and detecting the amount by which light incident on the first and second bodies is attenuated on propagation through the bodies.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein the first porous body is hydrophilic and the second porous body is hydrophobic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein the first and second bodies are dimensionally stable with respect to the direction of propagation of light through the bodies.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3867837A
Cited
US4221962A
Cited
EP0126600A2
Cited
US4655076A
Cited
US4634856A
Cited
WO1986005589A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-02-05 | 1993-08-07 | 1994-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-05 | 1997-08-07 | 1998-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-05 | 2001-08-07 | 2002-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |