US4902962A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Detection of the surface of a liquid or foam including moisture inhibiting
Assignee: Able Corp
•
Filing: 1988-11-09
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Granted: 1990-02-20
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Expires: 2008-11-09
Abstract
Abstract In an apparatus for detecting the surface of a liquid or foam, for example in a fermentation vessel a detector electrode (10) is surrounded at its lower end by a protective shroud (12) so as to protect a confined vapor space (14) surrounding the detector electrode. The vapor in the space (14) is maintained at a relatively low humidity either by heating the detector electrode or some other part of the apparatus or by purging the space (14) with a relatively dry air or gas. It is thereby ensured that no condensation onto the O-ring seal (20) and surrounding parts takes place. The shroud (12) also protects the parts from splashing.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoichi Ishikawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/24; G01F23/241; G01F23/242; G01F23/26; G01F23/263; G01F23/268
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for detecting the surface of a liquid or of a foam comprising a detector electrode (10) arranged to be touched by the liquid or foam, an insulator (20, 64) for the detector electrode (10), a counter-electrode (48) for electrical contact with the liquid or foam being provided, a change in electrical conductivity (or capacitance) between the electrodes being indicative as to whether the detector electrode (10) is touching the surface of the liquid or foam, characterized in that the detector electrode (10) is surrounded by a shroud (12) having an open lower end and means are provided for maintaining vapour surrounding the detector electrode (10) and confined by the shroud (12) in an unsaturated state, said means for maintaining the vapour surrounding the detector electrode unsaturated comprising a drying device, said drying device comprising a heater for heating the detector electrode (10).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for detecting the surface of a liquid or of a foam comprising a detector electrode (10) arranged to be touched by the liquid or foam, an insulator (20, 64) for the detector electrode (10), a counter-electrode (48) for electrical contact with the liquid or foam being provided, a change in electrical conductivity (or capacitance) between the electrodes being indicative as to whether the detector electrode (10) is touching the surface of the liquid or foam, characterized in that the detector electrode (10) is surrounded by a shroud (12) having an open lower end and means are provided for maintaining vapour surrounding the detector electrode (10) and confined by the shroud (12) in an unsaturated state, said means for maintaining the vapour surrounding the detector electrode unsaturated comprising a drying device, said drying device comprising a heater for heating the detector electrode (10).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the heater is disposed inside the detector electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the heater surrounds the rear end of the detector electrode.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus for detecting the surface of a liquid or of a foam comprising a detector electrode (10) arranged to be touched by the liquid or foam, an insulator (20, 64) for the detector electrode (10), a counter-electrode (48) for electrical contact with the liquid or foam being provided, a change in electrical conductivity (or capacitance) between the electrodes being indicative as to whether the detector electrode (10) is touching the surface of the liquid or foam, characterized in that the detector electrode (10) is surrounded by a shroud (12) having an open lower end and means are provided for maintaining vapour surrounding the detector electrode (10) and confined by the shroud (12) in an unsaturated state, said means for maintaining the vapour surrounding the detector electrode unsaturated comprising a drying device, said drying device comprising means for supplying dry air or other gas to the space between the shroud and the detector electrode, said detector electrode (60) being tubular and having a lateral opening (74) spaced from its tip which is closed and opening within said space (64) through which the dry air is directed into the space between the detector electrode shroud.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus for detecting the surface of a liquid or of a foam comprising a detector electrode (10) arranged to be touched by the liquid or foam, an insulator (20, 64) for the detector electrode (10), a counter-electrode (48) for electrical contact with the liquid or foam being provided, a change in electrical conductivity (or capacitance) between the electrodes being indicative as to whether the detector electrode (10) is touching the surface of the liquid or foam, characterized in that the detector electrode (10) is surrounded by a shroud (12) having an open lower end and means are provided for maintaining vapour surrounding the detector electrode (10) and confined by the shroud (12) in an unsaturated state, said means for maintaining the vapour surrounding the detector electrode unsaturated comprising a drying device, said drying device comprising means for supplying dry air or other gas to the space between the shroud and the detector electrode, said detector electrode (60) being tubular and having a lateral opening (74) spaced from its tip which is closed and opening within said space (64) through which the dry air is directed into the space between the detector electrode shroud.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of detecting the surface of a liquid or of a foam in which a change in the electrical resistance between a detector electrode, arranged to be touched by the liquid or foam, and a counter-electrode, electrically in contact with the liquid or foam, is sensed, is characterized by inhibiting the formation or deposition of moisture on insulating parts surrounding the detector electrode, said step of inhibiting the formation or deposition of moisture comprising heating the space between the detector electrode and the shroud.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of detecting the surface of a liquid or of a foam in which a change in the electrical resistance between a detector electrode, arranged to be touched by the liquid or foam, and a counter-electrode, electrically in contact with the liquid or foam, is sensed, is characterized by inhibiting the formation or deposition of moisture on insulating parts surrounding the detector electrode, said step of inhibiting the formation or deposition of moisture comprising heating the space between the detector electrode and the shroud.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method set forth in claim 5 wherein said step of heating comprises heating the detector electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method set forth in claim 6 including the step of purging the space between the detector electrode and the shroud with dry air or other gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method set forth in claim 7 wherein said step of purging the space comprise supplying dry air or other gas through the detector electrode into the space.
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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) | 1993-02-19 | 1993-08-21 | 1994-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-19 | 1997-08-21 | 1998-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-19 | 2001-08-21 | 2002-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |