US5205151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alcohol concentration sensor testing apparatus
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
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Filing: 1991-05-22
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Granted: 1993-04-27
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Expires: 2011-05-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for testing an alcohol concentration sensor used in measuring an alcohol concentration of a fluid containing alcohol. The alcohol concentration sensor includes a capacitive probe having a capacity dependent upon the alcohol concentration of the fluid, and a circuit sensitive to the capacity of the capacitive probe for producing an output signal indicative of a sensed alcohol concentration. The apparatus comprises a plurality of capacitors having different capacities each corresponding to a predetermined alcohol concentration. A selected one of the capacitors is connected in parallel with the capacitive probe. When the selected capacitor is connected with the capacitive probe, the output signal is read.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiko Shimamura
- 👤 Kazumitsu Koboyashi
- 👤 Hideki Kamioka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/22; G01N27/221; G01N33/00; G01N33/26; G01N33/28; G01N33/2835; G01N33/2852
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for testing an alcohol concentration sensor used in measuring an alcohol concentration of a fluid containing alcohol, the alcohol concentration sensor including a capacitive probe having a capacitance dependent upon the alcohol concentration of the fluid, and a circuit responsive to the capacitance of the capacitive probe for producing an output signal indicative of a sensed alcohol concentration, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of capacitors having different capacitances each corresponding to a predetermined alcohol concentration; first means for connecting a selected one of the capacitors in parallel with the capacitive probe; second means for reading a value of the output signal when the selected capacitor is connected with the capacitive probe; and third means for comparing the read value with a value to be produced when the alcohol concentration sensor is exposed to an alcohol concentration predetermined for the selected capacitor to test the alcohol concentration sensor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for testing an alcohol concentration sensor used in measuring an alcohol concentration of a fluid containing alcohol, the alcohol concentration sensor including a capacitive probe having a capacitance dependent upon the alcohol concentration of the fluid, and a circuit responsive to the capacitance of the capacitive probe for producing an output signal indicative of a sensed alcohol concentration, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of capacitors having different capacitances each corresponding to a predetermined alcohol concentration; first means for connecting a selected one of the capacitors in parallel with the capacitive probe; second means for reading a value of the output signal when the selected capacitor is connected with the capacitive probe; and third means for comparing the read value with a value to be produced when the alcohol concentration sensor is exposed to an alcohol concentration predetermined for the selected capacitor to test the alcohol concentration sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second means includes a display for indicating the read value thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first means includes means for connecting the capacitors in parallel with the capacitive probe in a predetermined sequence.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second means includes means for reading a value of the output signal each time the capacitor connected to the capacitive probe is changed from one capacitor to another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the capacitive probe includes a conducting tube member for the fluid and a conducting rod member extending axially through the tube member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first means includes a conductive tube for resilient gripping engagement around the rod member, the conductive tube being covered with an insulating material having a small dielectric constant.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for testing an alcohol concentration sensor used in measuring an alcohol concentration of a fluid containing alcohol, the alcohol concentration sensor including a capacitive probe having a capacitance dependent upon the alcohol concentration of the fluid, and a circuit responsive to the capacitance of the capacitive probe for producing an output signal indicative of a sensed alcohol concentration, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of capacitors having different capacitances each corresponding to a predetermined alcohol concentration; first means for connecting the capacitors in parallel with the capacitive probe in a predetermined sequence; second means for reading a value of the output signal each time the capacitor connected to the capacitive probe is changed from one capacitor to another; and third means for comparing the read values with respective values specifying an output characteristic of a normal alcohol concentration sensor to test the alcohol concentration sensor.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for testing an alcohol concentration sensor used in measuring an alcohol concentration of a fluid containing alcohol, the alcohol concentration sensor including a capacitive probe having a capacitance dependent upon the alcohol concentration of the fluid, and a circuit responsive to the capacitance of the capacitive probe for producing an output signal indicative of a sensed alcohol concentration, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of capacitors having different capacitances each corresponding to a predetermined alcohol concentration; first means for connecting the capacitors in parallel with the capacitive probe in a predetermined sequence; second means for reading a value of the output signal each time the capacitor connected to the capacitive probe is changed from one capacitor to another; and third means for comparing the read values with respective values specifying an output characteristic of a normal alcohol concentration sensor to test the alcohol concentration sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second means includes a display for indicating the read values thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the capacity probe includes a conducting tube member for the fluid and a conducting rod member extending axially through the tube member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first means includes a conductive tube for resilient gripping engagement around the rod member, the conductive tube being covered with an insulating material having a small dielectric constant.
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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) | 1996-04-26 | 1996-10-26 | 1997-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-26 | 2000-10-26 | 2001-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-26 | 2004-10-26 | 2005-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |