US5641972A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and a sensor for measuring the content of water in the liquid state in a moving gas
Assignee: Thales Avionics SAS
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Filing: 1995-01-13
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Granted: 1997-06-24
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Expires: 2015-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A sensor for measuring the concentration of water in liquid phase in a gas moving relative to the sensor. The sensor itself comprises a device for illuminating the water drops transiting a measurement volume, an optical screen, a device imaging the measurement volume onto the optical screen, and photo-detectors to sense the light radiation transmitted by the optical screen.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Marc Breda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P5/00; G01P5/26; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/02; G01N15/0205; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N21/49; G01N21/53
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for measuring the concentration of water in the liquid state in a moving gas, comprising the steps of: illumination water drops crossing a measurement volume to form an image of the measurement volume on an optical screen, detecting light radiation transmitted by the optical screen, and determining said concentration from the detected radiation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for measuring the concentration of water in the liquid state in a moving gas, comprising the steps of: illumination water drops crossing a measurement volume to form an image of the measurement volume on an optical screen, detecting light radiation transmitted by the optical screen, and determining said concentration from the detected radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
Method defined in claim 1, wherein the speed of the water drops is determined from the frequency of the variation of said radiation and the measurement volume is deduced therefrom, the concentration stated in number of drops is determined from said measurement volume and from the rate at which a drop is present in this volume, the average drop-volume being determined from the amplitude of the variation of said radiation, and the concentration per unit volume is determined from the drop concentration stated in number of drops and from the average volume of a drop.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
Sensor to measure the concentration of water in liquid form in a gas moving relative to said sensor, comprising: means to illuminate water drops transiting a measurement volume, an optical screen, means to image said measurement volume on said optical screen, photo-detectors to sense the light radiation transmitted by the optical screen, and data processing means to determine said concentration of water in liquid form in a gas from the sensed radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
Sensor to measure the concentration of water in liquid form in a gas moving relative to said sensor, comprising: means to illuminate water drops transiting a measurement volume, an optical screen, means to image said measurement volume on said optical screen, photo-detectors to sense the light radiation transmitted by the optical screen, and data processing means to determine said concentration of water in liquid form in a gas from the sensed radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
Sensor defined in claim 3, wherein said data processing means determine the speed of the water drops from the variation in frequency of said radiation and infer therefrom the measurement volume, deduce the concentration stated in number of drops of said measurement volume and the rate at which a drop is present in this volume, determine the average drop volume from the amplitude of the variation of said radiation, and infer the concentration per unit volume from the concentration stated in number of drops and from the average drop volume.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Sensor defined in claim 3, wherein the illuminating means include a light-emitting diode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
Sensor defined in claim 3, wherein the illuminating means include a laser diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Sensor defined in claim 3, wherein the optical screen includes at least one set of mutually parallel opaque bars.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Sensor defined in claim 7, wherein the optical screen comprises several sets of parallel bars, the bars of the different sets not being parallel from set to set.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Sensor defined in claim 3, wherein the optical screen comprises at least one set of opaque bars which are mutually non-parallel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
Sensor defined in claim 7, comprising bars of different widths.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
Sensor defined in claim 3, comprising means in the path of the light backscattered by the water drops to polarize said light in a plurality of different directions depending on the screen position on which said light will be focused.
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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) | 2000-06-23 | 2000-12-23 | 2001-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-23 | 2004-12-23 | 2005-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-23 | 2008-12-23 | 2009-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |