Patent US4974448A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4974448A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrodes for measuring the level of milk in flowmeters
Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
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Filing: 1989-07-18
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Granted: 1990-12-04
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Expires: 2009-07-18
Abstract
Abstract Electrodes for measuring the level of milk flowmeters and positioned together in a holder of a non-conductive material that extends tight through the bottom of the flowmeter with their active surfaces vertically separated. The electrodes are adjacent pins with their cylindrical surfaces inside the milk flowmeter completely surrounded by the holder to the extent that only the faces of the electrodes are active.
Inventors
- 👤 Friedrich Icking
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/24; G01F23/241; G01F23/242; A; A01; A01J; A01J5/00; A01J5/007; A01J5/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An electrode assembly for measuring milk levels in a flowmeter, comprising: electrodes comprising electrically conductive pin-shaped members with insulated cylindrical surfaces and planar end faces; and a holder for mounting the electrodes in a bottom wall of a flowmeter with the electrodes projecting thereabove and said holder composed of an electrically non-conductive material fixing the electrodes spaced apart and parallel with the end faces at different heights above the bottom wall when mounted in the flowmeter, wherein the electrically non-conductive material of the holder completely surrounds the cylindrical surfaces of said electrodes and extends above the bottom wall when mounted with only the planar end faces of the electrodes exposed to liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
An electrode assembly for measuring milk levels in a flowmeter, comprising: electrodes comprising electrically conductive pin-shaped members with insulated cylindrical surfaces and planar end faces; and a holder for mounting the electrodes in a bottom wall of a flowmeter with the electrodes projecting thereabove and said holder composed of an electrically non-conductive material fixing the electrodes spaced apart and parallel with the end faces at different heights above the bottom wall when mounted in the flowmeter, wherein the electrically non-conductive material of the holder completely surrounds the cylindrical surfaces of said electrodes and extends above the bottom wall when mounted with only the planar end faces of the electrodes exposed to liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a pin-shaped ground electrode fixed in the holder with its cylindrical surface exposed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the end face of the ground electrode is at a height between the other electrode end faces and wherein the exposed cylindrical surface of the ground electrode extends below the height of the end faces of the other electrodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1993-12-03 | 1994-06-04 | 1994-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-03 | 1998-06-04 | 1998-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-03 | 2002-06-04 | 2002-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |