US3791200A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid pollution monitoring apparatus and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-09-09
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1991-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A new and improved method and apparatus for monitoring fluids to determine the presence of pollutants in the fluid and further to identify the type and quantity of pollutants in the fluid by analysis of the acoustic impedance properties of the fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 H Hayre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/02; G01N29/028; G01N29/024; G01N29/34; G01N29/348; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/01; G01N2291/011; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/021; G01N2291/024; G01N2291/02416; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02809; G01N2291/02818; G01N2291/04; G01N2291/042; G01N2291/0421; G01N2291/0428; G01N2291/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of determining the presence of pollutants in a medium under examination comprising the steps of: a. sending incidence pressure wave signals at three known frequencies into a medium of unknown acoustical impedance properties; b. sensing the amplitude of the incidence pressure wave signals returned from the medium; at each of the three known frequencies; c. monitoring the return signal at each of the three known frequencies to determine the ratio between the amplitude of the sent signal and the returned signal at each frequency; and d. determining and identifying the pollutant From the thickness, density and propagation velocity of the medium as calculated from the ratios resulting from said step of monitoring.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of determining the presence of pollutants in a medium under examination comprising the steps of: a. sending incidence pressure wave signals at three known frequencies into a medium of unknown acoustical impedance properties; b. sensing the amplitude of the incidence pressure wave signals returned from the medium; at each of the three known frequencies; c. monitoring the return signal at each of the three known frequencies to determine the ratio between the amplitude of the sent signal and the returned signal at each frequency; and d. determining and identifying the pollutant From the thickness, density and propagation velocity of the medium as calculated from the ratios resulting from said step of monitoring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the medium has a plane interface with a material of known acoustical impedance properties; and said step of sensing comprises the step of: monostatically sensing the returned signals reflected from the plane interface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
means for receiving the pulsed pressure wave after passage thereof through the medium; and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
means for receiving the pulsed pressure wave after passage thereof through the medium; and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
threshold means for controlling said flip-flop means responsive to receipt of the pulsed pressure wave, wherein the propagation velocity of the pressure wave in the medium may be monitored to determine the presence of pollutants in the medium; and c. means for monitoring the sensed return signal to determine the acoustical impedance of the medium on the basis of the reflected signal wherein the presence of the pollutant may be determined on the basis of the acoustical impedance properties of such medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
threshold means for controlling said flip-flop means responsive to receipt of the pulsed pressure wave, wherein the propagation velocity of the pressure wave in the medium may be monitored to determine the presence of pollutants in the medium; and c. means for monitoring the sensed return signal to determine the acoustical impedance of the medium on the basis of the reflected signal wherein the presence of the pollutant may be determined on the basis of the acoustical impedance properties of such medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the medium has a plane interface with a material of known acoustical impedance properties and said step of sensing comprises the step of: bistatically sensing the returned signals reflected from the plane interface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the incidence pressure waves are pulsed pressure waves and said step of sensing comprises the steps of: a. receiving the pulsed pressure waves after passage thereof through the medium; and b. generating timing signals indicative of the time duration between said steps of sending and receiving, wherein the propagation velocity of the pressure wave in the medium may be monitored to determine the presence of pollutants in the medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said step of sensing comprises the step of: converting the timing signals into signals proportional in amplitude to the propagation velocity of the medium.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
46 words
An apparatus for determining the presence of pollutants in a medium under examination, comprising: a. means for sending a pulsed incidence pressure wave signal into a medium of unknown acoustical impedance; b. means for sensing a signal returned from the medium, said means for sensing comprising:
Claim 12
Independent Claim
46 words
An apparatus for determining the presence of pollutants in a medium under examination, comprising: a. means for sending a pulsed incidence pressure wave signal into a medium of unknown acoustical impedance; b. means for sensing a signal returned from the medium, said means for sensing comprising:
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 6, further including: means for converting the timing signal into a signal proportional in amplitude to the propagation velocity of the medium.
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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |