US5172332A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic fluid sampling and monitoring apparatus and method
Assignee: American Sigma Inc
•
Filing: 1990-11-13
•
Granted: 1992-12-15
•
Expires: 2010-11-13
Abstract
Abstract An automatic fluid sampling and monitoring apparatus provided as a unitary structure, and capable of collecting fluid samples at selected intervals, monitoring the level of a condition of the fluid at selected intervals, and collecting and storing sampling and fluid condition data for later retrieval. Sampling operations may be controlled on the basis of time and/or levels of a fluid condition being monitored. Where the apparatus also incorporates an internal flow measuring assembly, or is connected with an external flow meter, sampling operations may also be controlled on the basis of flow rate. The apparatus includes a self-contained microprocessor for automatically controlling sampling operations, calculating fluid condition levels on the basis of signals from a sensor, and storing data relating to sample collection and the fluid condition. Stored data can be called up on a display of the apparatus, or transferred via a portable transfer unit to an external output device, such as a printer, for producing a hard copy of the data.
Inventors
- 👤 William G. Hungerford
- 👤 Donald L. Miller
- 👤 Carl Griffith
- 👤 Donald Kaiser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; E; E03; E03F; E03F7/00; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/002; G01F1/005; G01F23/00; G01F23/14; G01F23/16; G01F23/165; G01F23/168; G01F23/18; G01F23/22; G01F23/24; G01F23/245; G01F23/26; G01F23/263; G01F23/28; G01F23/296; G01F23/30; G01F23/40; G01F23/44; G01N1/02; G01N1/10; G01N1/14; G01N1/18; G01N33/00; G01N33/18; G01N1/20; G01N1/2035; G01N2001/1031; G01N2001/1043; G01N2001/1062; G01N2001/1081; G01N2001/1418; G01N2001/1427; G01N2001/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
293 words
An apparatus for automatically collecting samples from a fluid channel and for monitoring a fluid condition, according to modes of operation selected by a user, said modes of operation including sampling on the basis of time and/or at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition being monitored, comprising: means for controlling said apparatus; a fluid sampling assembly having an inlet for receiving fluid from said channel; power means for supplying power to each element of said apparatus; said fluid sampling assembly, said control means and said power means comprising an integral operating unit disposed within a single case, said case being sufficiently compact so as to be receivable in a manhole; said fluid condition being monitored comprises a fluid condition other than flow rate; said integral operating unit further including at least one input connection for receiving at least one detected signal related to said fluid condition; and said control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory and data memory, wherein: said program memory is programmed for computing values of said fluid condition; said data memory stores user-selected input parameters including operating mode selection data, said at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition, and sampling times; said microprocessor receives said at least one signal related to said fluid condition via said input connection and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said fluid condition based on said at least one signal; said microprocessor controls said fluid sampling assembly according to at least one of said modes of operation selected by the user, based on said user input sampling times and/or a deviation of computed values of said fluid condition from said user-selected predetermined value of said fluid condition; and said data memory stores fluid sampling data and fluid condition data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
293 words
An apparatus for automatically collecting samples from a fluid channel and for monitoring a fluid condition, according to modes of operation selected by a user, said modes of operation including sampling on the basis of time and/or at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition being monitored, comprising: means for controlling said apparatus; a fluid sampling assembly having an inlet for receiving fluid from said channel; power means for supplying power to each element of said apparatus; said fluid sampling assembly, said control means and said power means comprising an integral operating unit disposed within a single case, said case being sufficiently compact so as to be receivable in a manhole; said fluid condition being monitored comprises a fluid condition other than flow rate; said integral operating unit further including at least one input connection for receiving at least one detected signal related to said fluid condition; and said control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory and data memory, wherein: said program memory is programmed for computing values of said fluid condition; said data memory stores user-selected input parameters including operating mode selection data, said at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition, and sampling times; said microprocessor receives said at least one signal related to said fluid condition via said input connection and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said fluid condition based on said at least one signal; said microprocessor controls said fluid sampling assembly according to at least one of said modes of operation selected by the user, based on said user input sampling times and/or a deviation of computed values of said fluid condition from said user-selected predetermined value of said fluid condition; and said data memory stores fluid sampling data and fluid condition data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said apparatus further comprises means for conditioning said at least one signal for input to said control means; and said integral operating unit further comprises means for displaying said stored fluid sampling data and fluid condition data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: said display means comprises an alphanumeric display mounted to said case so as to be visible to a user; and said apparatus further comprises user keypad means, mounted to said case and communicating with said data memory, for entering said user-selected input parameters and for retrieving said fluid sampling data and fluid condition data stored in said data memory by a user command to display said data on said alphanumeric display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for selectively transferring said stored data to an external output device, said transfer means being controlled by said microprocessor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said user-selected input parameters further comprise program start and stop criteria, fluid sample size, sample container selection, and intervals and units for storing fluid condition data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: sensor means for producing said at least one detected signal related to said fluid condition when said sensor is mounted in a detecting position relative to said fluid channel, said sensor means being selectively connectable to said at least one input connection of said integral operating unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: said program memory stores a program for prompting a user to perform a calibration procedure for said sensor means, and further stores equations for calculating calibration data for use by said microprocessor in calculating values of said fluid condition based on said at least one signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: said fluid condition comprises pH; and said sensor means comprises at least a pH electrode, a reference electrode and a temperature sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: said fluid condition comprises oxidation reduction potential; and said sensor means comprises an oxidation reduction potential electrode and a reference electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: said fluid condition comprises the activity of a specific ion; and said sensor means comprises at least a specific ion electrode, a reference electrode and a temperature sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: said fluid condition comprises solution conductivity; and said sensor means comprises a conductivity sensor and a temperature sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: said fluid condition comprises turbidity; and said sensor means comprises a sample chamber, means for directing light through said sample chamber, and photocell means, disposed adjacent said sampler chamber, for measuring scattered light therefrom.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: pump means operatively cooperating with said sample chamber to supply a constantly flowing sample through said chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: said fluid condition comprises dissolved oxygen; and said sensor means comprises a dissolved oxygen electrode, a reference electrode and a temperature sensor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said data memory is provided with back-up battery power means for permitting said stored data to remain stored in memory when said main power means of said apparatus is turned off.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said microprocessor automatically initiates fluid sample collection by said fluid sampling assembly when a present calculated value of said fluid condition deviates from said at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition by exceeding a predetermined value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said microprocessor automatically initiates fluid sample collection by said fluid sampling assembly when a present calculated value of said fluid condition deviates from said at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition by falling below a predetermined value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition comprises a pair of values defining an acceptable range for said fluid condition; and said microprocessor automatically initiates fluid sample collection by said fluid sampling assembly when a present calculated value of said fluid condition is outside said acceptable range of values of said fluid condition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a flow meter; said microprocessor being selectively connectable with said flow meter so as to receive signals therefrom; and wherein said modes of operation further include sampling on the basis of flow rate; and said microprocessor controls said fluid sampling assembly according to at least one of said modes of operation selected by the user, based on said user input sampling times, said deviation of said computed values of said fluid condition from said user-selected predetermined value of said fluid condition, and/or flow rate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a fluid sample intake conduit which extends to fluid in said channel, said sample intake conduit being selectively connectable to said fluid sampling assembly inlet; and said user-selected input parameters further comprising data relating to the volume of said sample intake conduit and purging thereof.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
323 words
A method for automatically collecting samples from a fluid channel and for monitoring a fluid condition, according to modes of operation selected by a user, said modes of operation including sampling on the basis of time and/or at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition being monitored, comprising the steps of: connecting, to an input connection of an integral operating unit, a sensor means for detecting a variable related to a fluid condition other than flow rate; connecting a sample intake conduit to an inlet of a sampling assembly of said integral operating unit; mounting said sensor means in a detecting position relative to said channel; lowering a lower intake end of said sample intake conduit into said fluid in said channel; positioning in an operable position said integral operating unit, including said fluid sampling assembly, means for supplying power to said integral operating unit, and means for controlling said integral operating unit, all disposed within a single case which is sufficiently compact so as to be receivable in a manhole; operating said control means, including program memory thereof which is programmed for computing values of said fluid condition, and data memory thereof which stores user-selected input parameters including operating mode selection data, said at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition and fluid sampling times, such that a microprocessor of said control means receives said signal related to said fluid condition from said sensor means via said input connection and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said fluid condition based on said signal, for controlling said fluid sampling assembly according to at least one of said modes of operation selected by the user, based on said user input sampling times and/or a deviation of computed values of said fluid condition from said user-selected predetermined value of said fluid condition; and operating said data memory of said control means for automatically storing fluid sampling data and fluid condition data.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
323 words
A method for automatically collecting samples from a fluid channel and for monitoring a fluid condition, according to modes of operation selected by a user, said modes of operation including sampling on the basis of time and/or at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition being monitored, comprising the steps of: connecting, to an input connection of an integral operating unit, a sensor means for detecting a variable related to a fluid condition other than flow rate; connecting a sample intake conduit to an inlet of a sampling assembly of said integral operating unit; mounting said sensor means in a detecting position relative to said channel; lowering a lower intake end of said sample intake conduit into said fluid in said channel; positioning in an operable position said integral operating unit, including said fluid sampling assembly, means for supplying power to said integral operating unit, and means for controlling said integral operating unit, all disposed within a single case which is sufficiently compact so as to be receivable in a manhole; operating said control means, including program memory thereof which is programmed for computing values of said fluid condition, and data memory thereof which stores user-selected input parameters including operating mode selection data, said at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition and fluid sampling times, such that a microprocessor of said control means receives said signal related to said fluid condition from said sensor means via said input connection and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said fluid condition based on said signal, for controlling said fluid sampling assembly according to at least one of said modes of operation selected by the user, based on said user input sampling times and/or a deviation of computed values of said fluid condition from said user-selected predetermined value of said fluid condition; and operating said data memory of said control means for automatically storing fluid sampling data and fluid condition data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method according to claim 21, further comprising the steps of: inputting user commands, via a user input keypad means of said integral operating unit, relating to parameters including sample collection time intervals, said at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition, program start and stop criteria, sample size, sample container selection, and data relating to the volume of said sample intake conduit and purging thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of: displaying the stored fluid sampling data and fluid condition data on an alphanumeric display of said integral operating unit, in response to a user display command input via said keypad means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of: transferring the stored fluid sampling data and fluid condition data to a portable data transfer unit by selectively connecting said transfer unit to a connector connected with said microprocessor and inputting a command to transfer said data to said transfer unit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of: after said transferring step, connecting said portable data transfer unit to an auxiliary output device and inputting a command to transfer said data from said transfer unit to said output device.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
371 words
An apparatus for automatically collecting samples from a fluid channel, for measuring a fluid flow-related variable, and for monitoring a fluid condition other than flow rate, according to modes of operation selected by a user, said modes of operation including sampling on the basis of time, said fluid flow-related variable, and/or said fluid condition being monitored, comprising: means for controlling said apparatus; a fluid sampling assembly having an inlet for receiving fluid from said channel; power means for supplying power to each element of said apparatus; said fluid sampling assembly, said control means, and said power means comprising an integral operating unit disposed within a single case, said case being sufficiently compact so as to be receivable in a manhole; said integral operating unit including a first input connection for receiving a detected signal related to fluid flow in said channel, and a second input connection for receiving at least one detected signal related to said fluid condition; and said control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory and data memory, wherein: said program memory is programmed for computing values of said fluid condition, and is programmed for computing values of said fluid flow-related variable; said data memory stores user-selected input parameters including operating mode selection data, at least one fluid flow-related parameter, at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition, and sampling times; said microprocessor receives said signal related to fluid flow via said first input connection and utilizes said program memory to calculate a value of said fluid flow-related variable based on said signal and said at least one user-selected fluid flow-related parameter; said microprocessor receives said at least one signal related to said fluid condition via said second input connection and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said fluid condition based on said at least one signal; said microprocessor controls said fluid sampling assembly according to at least one of said modes of operation selected by the user, based on said user input sampling times, computed values of said fluid flow-related variable, and/or a deviation of computed values of said fluid condition from said user-selected predetermined value of said fluid condition; and said data memory stores fluid sampling data, fluid flow-related data, and fluid condition data.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
371 words
An apparatus for automatically collecting samples from a fluid channel, for measuring a fluid flow-related variable, and for monitoring a fluid condition other than flow rate, according to modes of operation selected by a user, said modes of operation including sampling on the basis of time, said fluid flow-related variable, and/or said fluid condition being monitored, comprising: means for controlling said apparatus; a fluid sampling assembly having an inlet for receiving fluid from said channel; power means for supplying power to each element of said apparatus; said fluid sampling assembly, said control means, and said power means comprising an integral operating unit disposed within a single case, said case being sufficiently compact so as to be receivable in a manhole; said integral operating unit including a first input connection for receiving a detected signal related to fluid flow in said channel, and a second input connection for receiving at least one detected signal related to said fluid condition; and said control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory and data memory, wherein: said program memory is programmed for computing values of said fluid condition, and is programmed for computing values of said fluid flow-related variable; said data memory stores user-selected input parameters including operating mode selection data, at least one fluid flow-related parameter, at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition, and sampling times; said microprocessor receives said signal related to fluid flow via said first input connection and utilizes said program memory to calculate a value of said fluid flow-related variable based on said signal and said at least one user-selected fluid flow-related parameter; said microprocessor receives said at least one signal related to said fluid condition via said second input connection and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said fluid condition based on said at least one signal; said microprocessor controls said fluid sampling assembly according to at least one of said modes of operation selected by the user, based on said user input sampling times, computed values of said fluid flow-related variable, and/or a deviation of computed values of said fluid condition from said user-selected predetermined value of said fluid condition; and said data memory stores fluid sampling data, fluid flow-related data, and fluid condition data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
88 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein: said apparatus further comprises first conditioning means for conditioning said signal related to fluid flow for input to said control means, and second conditioning means for conditioning said at least one signal related to said fluid condition for input to said control means; said at least one user-selected fluid flow-related parameter comprises data relating to the size and type of fluid channel from which fluid samples are collected; and said fluid flow-related variable comprises the fluid flow rate in said channel.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising: means for selectively transferring said stored data to an external output device, said transfer means being controlled by said microprocessor, and wherein said integral operating unit further comprises means for displaying said stored data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
110 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising: first sensor means for producing said signal related to fluid flow in said channel when said sensor is mounted in a detecting position relative to said channel, said first sensor means being selectively connectable to said first input connection of said integral operating unit; second sensor means for producing said at least one signal related to said fluid condition, said second sensor means being selectively connectable to said second input connection of said integral operating unit; and a fluid sample intake conduit which extends to fluid in said channel, said sample intake conduit being selectively connectable to said fluid sampling assembly inlet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3507156A
Cited
US3838719A
Cited
US3927701A
Cited
US3727464A
Cited
US3929017A
Cited
US4022059A
Cited
US3996786A
Cited
US4221127A
Cited
US4766550A
Cited
US4660422A
Cited
US4697462A
Cited
US4660607A
Cited
US4799169A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-15 | 1996-06-15 | 1996-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-15 | 2000-06-15 | 2000-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-15 | 2004-06-15 | 2004-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |