Patent US1044303A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5088833A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5088833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for monitoring cloud point or like transition temperature
Assignee: NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd
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Filing: 1989-12-21
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Granted: 1992-02-18
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Expires: 2009-12-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for monitoring the cloud point of a liquid, or the temperature at which any light scattering phase occurs therein, comprising a light-proof and light-absorbing chamber, and a liquid sample-receiving receptacle within the chamber having a bottom formed by a non-light-scattering surface; this surface being in thermal contact with a heating or cooling device, such as a thermoelectric cooler, and with a temperature measurement device. The chamber can be opened to allow access to the receptacle so that sample liquid can be placed therein. A light beam source is located to direct a beam of light onto the surface at an incident angle so that light from the beam is reflected or absorbed by the surface. A light detector including a lens and an array of detection cells is arranged so as to detect scattered light which is produced when solid material forms in the liquid as it is cooled or disappears on heating. The melting point of a solid, or the boiling point of a liquid, can be detected, in additoin to cloud points.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Y. Tsang
- 👤 Victoria S. Ker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/26; G01N33/28; G01N33/2811
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
Apparatus for measuring the temperature at which a transition occurs in a material between a non-light scattering, transparent or translucent liquid phase and a light scattering phase, and capable of measuring cloud point, freezing point and melting point of a liquid, comprising; a substantially light proof chamber having light-absorbing internal surfaces, gas purge inlet, said bottom temperature corresponding to the transition temperature of the sample when a change in scattered light is detected; a light beam source located to direct a beam of light towards said upper surface at an incident angle of from 20° to 80° measured between the light beam and the surface so that light from the beam is largely reflected or absorbed by said upper surface; and scattered light detection means carried by said top part and arranged perpendicularly above said receptacle so as to detect light scattered by said sample and changes in intensity of the scattered light and connected into circuit means capable of registering change in light scattered from the said sample as said bottom is heated or cooled, said detection means including a lens which concentrates the light from the sample onto at least one light detecting element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
Apparatus for measuring the temperature at which a transition occurs in a material between a non-light scattering, transparent or translucent liquid phase and a light scattering phase, and capable of measuring cloud point, freezing point and melting point of a liquid, comprising; a substantially light proof chamber having light-absorbing internal surfaces, gas purge inlet, said bottom temperature corresponding to the transition temperature of the sample when a change in scattered light is detected; a light beam source located to direct a beam of light towards said upper surface at an incident angle of from 20° to 80° measured between the light beam and the surface so that light from the beam is largely reflected or absorbed by said upper surface; and scattered light detection means carried by said top part and arranged perpendicularly above said receptacle so as to detect light scattered by said sample and changes in intensity of the scattered light and connected into circuit means capable of registering change in light scattered from the said sample as said bottom is heated or cooled, said detection means including a lens which concentrates the light from the sample onto at least one light detecting element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a data processing and control means to control changing the temperature of said upper surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said upper surface is a flat mirror surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cooling means is a thermoelectric cooler in thermal contact with said upper surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said chamber is a housing having a bottom closure carrying said receptacle, and wherein said readily removable top part carries said light beam source as well as said light detection means, said light detection means including an array of light detecting elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the main components of said closure, housing and top part are formed of plastic material, and wherein the cooling means is capable of reducing the temperature of the receptacle to less than -50° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the housing is annular and the top part is connected to the housing by a two component connecting means cmoprising radial pins projecting from one component arranged to fit within grooves in the other component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said array of light detecting elements is vertically movable relative to said lens for adjusting the focus of light received from the sample onto the array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said array of light detecting elements receives light from substantially the whole of area of said upper surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said light beam source is a light-emitting diode mounted within the readily removable top part.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light beam source is a light-emitting diode mounted within said chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle has a transprent top which is removable for cleaning.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lens concentrates the light from the sample onto an array of light detecting elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said array of light detecting elements is movable relative to the lens for adjusting the focus of light received from the sample onto the array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a data processing and control means to control changing the temperature of said upper surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said upper surface is a flat mirror surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas purge inlet means is connected to a source of dried gas.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
206 words
Apparatus for measuring the temperature at which a transition occurs in a material between a transparent or translucent liquid phase and a light scattering phase, comprising: a generally light proof chamber having lightabsorbing internal surfaces; a liquid sample-receiving receptacle within said chamber having a bottom formed of a heat conductive material with an upper surface which is non-light scattering; a removable, transparent top adapted to fit over the receptacle; means allowing access to the chamber for placing a sample of the material in said receptacle and allowing removal of the material from the receptacle at the termination of the test; means in thermal contact with said bottom for changing the temperature of said bottom and means for determining the temperature of said bottom in thermal contact therewith; a light beam source located to direct a beam of light towards said surface at an incident angle so that light from the beam is largely reflected or absorbed by said surface; and scattered light detection means arranged so as to detect light scattered by said sample and changes in intensity of the scattered light and connected into circuit means capable of registering a change in light scattered from the said sample as said surface is heated or cooled.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
206 words
Apparatus for measuring the temperature at which a transition occurs in a material between a transparent or translucent liquid phase and a light scattering phase, comprising: a generally light proof chamber having lightabsorbing internal surfaces; a liquid sample-receiving receptacle within said chamber having a bottom formed of a heat conductive material with an upper surface which is non-light scattering; a removable, transparent top adapted to fit over the receptacle; means allowing access to the chamber for placing a sample of the material in said receptacle and allowing removal of the material from the receptacle at the termination of the test; means in thermal contact with said bottom for changing the temperature of said bottom and means for determining the temperature of said bottom in thermal contact therewith; a light beam source located to direct a beam of light towards said surface at an incident angle so that light from the beam is largely reflected or absorbed by said surface; and scattered light detection means arranged so as to detect light scattered by said sample and changes in intensity of the scattered light and connected into circuit means capable of registering a change in light scattered from the said sample as said surface is heated or cooled.
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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) | 1995-02-17 | 1995-08-19 | 1996-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-17 | 1999-08-19 | 2000-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-17 | 2003-08-19 | 2004-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |