US3736431A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for monitoring a fluid stream
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1971-04-30
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1991-04-30
Abstract
Abstract The specific disclosure provides a device which includes a circuit having a pair of phototransistors. One of the phototransistors senses the amount of light transmission from a light source through an oil chamber. The other phototransistor is in direct optical communication with the light source, and generates a signal in response to ambient temperature which is used as a basis for adjusting the intensity of light emitted by the light source. A diminution of light transmission through the chamber is indicative of a degradation of the oil therein.
Inventors
- 👤 E Childs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/255; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/10; G01J1/16; G01J1/1626
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A system for determining the light absorption characteristics of a fluid medium under varying temperature conditions which comprises: means for passing a fluid stream through a confined chamber provided with opposing side means transparent to light, means for passing light of controlled intensity from a light source means through said transparent side means and the fluid stream therebetween, a first temperature sensitive non-linear phototransistor means provided on one side of said chamber and a second temperature sensitive non-linear phototransistor means provided on the opposite side of said chamber in line with the transparent sides thereof, said first and second temperature sensitive nonlinear phototransistor influenced by temperature variations to the system in the same direction, said first non-linear phototransistor means used to measure light transmitted through said fluid stream from said light source, said first non-linear phototransistor means generating a signal from the light transmitted through said fluid to indicate the light absorption characteristics of said fluid stream, means for adjusting the intensity of said light source through a signal generated by said second non-linear phototransistor means so that both phototransistors response to the intensity of the light source will remain the same irrespective of directional changes due to temperature influencing said phototransistors response to the light source intensity whereby temperature variations in the fluid medium and system does not undesirably influence determining the light absorption characteristics of the fluid medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
230 words
A system for determining the light absorption characteristics of a fluid medium under varying temperature conditions which comprises: means for passing a fluid stream through a confined chamber provided with opposing side means transparent to light, means for passing light of controlled intensity from a light source means through said transparent side means and the fluid stream therebetween, a first temperature sensitive non-linear phototransistor means provided on one side of said chamber and a second temperature sensitive non-linear phototransistor means provided on the opposite side of said chamber in line with the transparent sides thereof, said first and second temperature sensitive nonlinear phototransistor influenced by temperature variations to the system in the same direction, said first non-linear phototransistor means used to measure light transmitted through said fluid stream from said light source, said first non-linear phototransistor means generating a signal from the light transmitted through said fluid to indicate the light absorption characteristics of said fluid stream, means for adjusting the intensity of said light source through a signal generated by said second non-linear phototransistor means so that both phototransistors response to the intensity of the light source will remain the same irrespective of directional changes due to temperature influencing said phototransistors response to the light source intensity whereby temperature variations in the fluid medium and system does not undesirably influence determining the light absorption characteristics of the fluid medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the signal generated by the first non-linear phototransistor means is converted for readout by a meter means which will warn of unacceptable fluid medium conditions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the signal generated by the first non-linear phototransistor means is converted for readout by a recorder means which will warn of unacceptable fluid medium conditions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the signal generated by the first non-linear phototransistor means is converted for readout by an alarm system arranged to warn of unacceptable fluid medium conditions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said opposing side means transparent to light comprise a combination of opticaL flats and lens means arranged to transmit parallel light rays through said fluid medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein filter means are provided between the light sensitive phototransistor means and said light source means to compensate for changes in light wavelength as the light intensity is varied.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 relied upon to continuously monitor during in flight conditions the condition of a jet fuel supplied to an aircraft jet engine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |