US3851976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for determining the translucency and/or turbidity of a medium and apparatus for applying the method
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-01-24
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1993-01-24
Abstract
Abstract The translucency or turbidity of a medium is determined by passing a first beam of light from a single light source through it, converting the intensity of the beam to an electrical voltage by means of a photoelectric cell and then converting the voltage into a corresponding frequency. A reference beam undergoes a similar conversion and the resulting frequency is compared with that obtained for the first beam, so that the translucency or turbidity can be found.
Inventors
- 👤 J Meier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/85; G01N21/8507; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/10; G01J1/16; G01J1/1626; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/27; G01N21/47; G01N21/49; G01N21/53; G01N21/534; G06; G06J; G06J1/00; H; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for determining the transparency of a medium comprising the steps of: producing a first and second light beam from a single light source; passing said first light beam through said medium; converting first and second light beams to first and second analog voltages proportional to light beam intensity; converting said first and second analog voltages to first and second corresponding analog frequencies, the frequency corresponding to said first light beam being applied to a first decade counter to obtain a first count, the frequency corresponding to said second light beam being applied to a second decade counter to obtain a second count; storing said first count in a storage unit; disconnecting said storage unit when said second decade counter reaches a preset count; resetting said decade counters; and displaying said first count at a time of disconnecting of said storage unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for determining the transparency of a medium comprising the steps of: producing a first and second light beam from a single light source; passing said first light beam through said medium; converting first and second light beams to first and second analog voltages proportional to light beam intensity; converting said first and second analog voltages to first and second corresponding analog frequencies, the frequency corresponding to said first light beam being applied to a first decade counter to obtain a first count, the frequency corresponding to said second light beam being applied to a second decade counter to obtain a second count; storing said first count in a storage unit; disconnecting said storage unit when said second decade counter reaches a preset count; resetting said decade counters; and displaying said first count at a time of disconnecting of said storage unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of: positioning a color compensating filter in a path of said second light beam so that the transparency of a colored medium in a path of said first light beam can be determined.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of compensating said second light beam for a stratification or sheathing of said medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of displaying said first count occurs when the count of said second decade counter corresponds to a 100 percent transparency of said medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said medium is a solid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said medium is a liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said medium is a gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein said liquid is water.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for determining the transparency of a medium comprising: a light source for producing first and second light beams, only said first light beam being passed through said medium; first and second photodetectors at an end of each light beam to produce a voltage corresponding to the intensity of each respective light beam incident thereon; first and second voltage-to-frequency converters correspondingly connected to each photodetector; first and second decade counters correspondingly connected to said first and second voltage-to-frequency converters; a storage unit connected to said first voltage-to-frequency converter; a comparator circuit means for disconnecting said storage unit when said second decade counter reaches a preset count; and means for digitally displaying a count in said first decade counter when said storage unit is disconnected.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for determining the transparency of a medium comprising: a light source for producing first and second light beams, only said first light beam being passed through said medium; first and second photodetectors at an end of each light beam to produce a voltage corresponding to the intensity of each respective light beam incident thereon; first and second voltage-to-frequency converters correspondingly connected to each photodetector; first and second decade counters correspondingly connected to said first and second voltage-to-frequency converters; a storage unit connected to said first voltage-to-frequency converter; a comparator circuit means for disconnecting said storage unit when said second decade counter reaches a preset count; and means for digitally displaying a count in said first decade counter when said storage unit is disconnected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said light source, said photodetectors and said voltage-to-frequency converters are enclosed in a submergible housing portion, said submergible housing portion being attached to a housing submerging means; said comparator circuit means and said digital display means being enclosed in a non-submergible housing portion, said submergible and non-submergible housing portions being electrically interconnected.
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) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |