US5483078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink penetrometer having fiber optic cables and stationary ink paddle
Assignee: CYTEC
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Filing: 1994-04-14
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Granted: 1996-01-09
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Expires: 2014-04-14
Abstract
Abstract An improved penetrometer includes a stationary ink delivery system and an improved photohead, which connects to a light source and a photodetector via two fiber optic cables. A solid state electronic circuit automatically controls the operation cycle of the penetrometer, with a single start button controlling all operations of the instrument. In particular, there is no need to reset the clock timer to zero or to adjust the 100% reflectance value prior to each test. A ratio meter displays the ratio of the current reflectance to the locked-in initial reflectance in real time as the test proceeds.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond A. Hermann
- 👤 Peter L. Fagan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/34; G01N33/346; G01N21/00; G01N15/00; G01N15/08; G01N33/26; G01N33/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A penetrometer for measuring the rate of penetration of a fluid through a sample, said penetrometer comprising: means for applying fluid to a first surface of said sample; means for optically detecting the penetration of said fluid to, or proximate to, a second surface of said sample; and timing means, coupled to said means for applying and said means for optically detecting, for measuring the time between the application of said fluid to said first surface and the optical detection of said fluid on, or proximate to, said second surface; wherein said means for applying fluid remains in a fixed position with respect to said sample.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A penetrometer for measuring the rate of penetration of a fluid through a sample, said penetrometer comprising: means for applying fluid to a first surface of said sample; means for optically detecting the penetration of said fluid to, or proximate to, a second surface of said sample; and timing means, coupled to said means for applying and said means for optically detecting, for measuring the time between the application of said fluid to said first surface and the optical detection of said fluid on, or proximate to, said second surface; wherein said means for applying fluid remains in a fixed position with respect to said sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for applying fluid comprises a fixed paddle having a fluid well.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for applying fluid further comprises a fill port for providing fluid to said well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for applying fluid further comprises a drain port for removing fluid from said well.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
138 words
A penetrometer for measuring the rate of penetration of a fluid through a sample, said penetrometer comprising: means for applying fluid to a first surface of said sample; means for optically detecting the penetration of said fluid to, or proximate to, a second surface of said sample comprising: means for illuminating said second surface comprising a light source and a first fiber optic cable; and means for detecting light reflected from said second surface comprising a second fiber optic cable and a photodetector; and timing means, coupled to said means for applying and said means for optically detecting, for measuring the time between the application of said fluid to said first surface and the detection of a diminished level of light reflected from said second surface indicating that said fluid is on or proximate to said second surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
A penetrometer for measuring the rate of penetration of a fluid through a sample, said penetrometer comprising: means for applying fluid to a first surface of said sample; means for optically detecting the penetration of said fluid to, or proximate to, a second surface of said sample comprising: means for illuminating said second surface comprising a light source and a first fiber optic cable; and means for detecting light reflected from said second surface comprising a second fiber optic cable and a photodetector; and timing means, coupled to said means for applying and said means for optically detecting, for measuring the time between the application of said fluid to said first surface and the detection of a diminished level of light reflected from said second surface indicating that said fluid is on or proximate to said second surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 5 wherein said source and said photodetector are physically separated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 5 wherein said photodetector is isolated from the fluid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A penetrometer as defined claim 5, wherein said first fiber optic cable couples light from said light source to a photohead.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 5, wherein said second fiber optic cable couples said reflected light from a photohead to said photodetector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 6, further comprising means for automatically locking in an initial reflectance value at the start of each test cycle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 8, further comprising means for holding said photohead proximate to said means for applying ink and for holding said sample in between.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for detecting light reflected from said second surface further comprises a built-in amplifier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 5, further comprising means for automatically storing, at the start of each test, an initial reflectance value indicative of the light reflected from the second side of said sample before any fluid has been applied to said sample.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 13, further comprising means for generating a threshold signal indicative of a predetermined percentage of said initial reflectance value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 14, further comprising means for comparing said threshold signal to a signal indicative of the light currently reflected off the second side of said sample.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 15, further comprising a counter for counting the time from the application of ink to the first surface of said sample to the time at which the light reflected off the second surface of said sample drops below the value of said threshold signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 13, further comprising means for continuously displaying a value indicative of the ratio of the light reflected off the second surface of said sample to the value of said threshold signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 5, wherein said first and second fiber optic cables merge to form a bifurcated fiber optic cable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 5, wherein said means for applying fluid is adapted to remain in a fixed position during operation of the penetrometer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A penetrometer as defined in claim 5 wherein said timing means comprises a microprocessor.
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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) | 1999-01-08 | 1999-07-10 | 2000-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-08 | 2003-07-10 | 2004-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-08 | 2007-07-10 | 2008-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |