US3909598A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic volatility computer
Assignee: CEM Corp
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Filing: 1973-07-20
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1993-07-20
Abstract
Abstract An automatic volatility computer is described as well as a method for automatically determining weight changes in substances containing volatile material. In particular, there is described an apparatus which automatically determines the percentage of volatiles in a substance which contains unknown quantities of polar volatiles such as water or moisture, solvents, plasticizers and the like. The apparatus provides rapid automatic analysis without operator assistance other than the placing of a sample on the automatic balance. In the preferred embodiment, a digital panel meter provides rapid readout coupled with the ability to recall the original weight and the weight obtained after removal of the volatiles.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael John Collins
- 👤 Jr Bernard William Cruse
- 👤 Ronald James Goetchius
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:43
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N5/00; G01N5/04; G01N5/045; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S131/00; Y10S131/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An automatic volatility computer comprising automatic weighing means, microwave heating means, a program controller means, memory circuit means, differential amplifier means, analog divider means and information readout means, said automatic weighing means being positioned within said microwave heating means, said controlling means being electrically connected to and programmed to sequentially actuate said weighing means and mircrowave heating means, said weighing means being electrially connected to said memory circuit means and hence to said differential amplifier means, said analog divider means being electrically connected to said differential amplifier means and said memory circuit means, the output thereof being electrically connected to said information readout means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
An automatic volatility computer comprising automatic weighing means, microwave heating means, a program controller means, memory circuit means, differential amplifier means, analog divider means and information readout means, said automatic weighing means being positioned within said microwave heating means, said controlling means being electrically connected to and programmed to sequentially actuate said weighing means and mircrowave heating means, said weighing means being electrially connected to said memory circuit means and hence to said differential amplifier means, said analog divider means being electrically connected to said differential amplifier means and said memory circuit means, the output thereof being electrically connected to said information readout means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said microwave heating means is a magnetron radiation tube of 500 to 800 watts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said information readout means is a digital panel meter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said digital panel meter is equipped in conjunction with said program controller means and memory circuit means with memory recall means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said information readout means is a printer for the production of printed copy of recorded and calculated results.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein analog divider means is preset to calculate the weight differential as percentage weight loss.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microwave heating means has radiation coupling means asssociated therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microwave heating means has radiation mixing means associated therewith.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein heating means in addition to microwave means is provided.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for automatically computing the amount of volatile matter in a substance containing the same comprising programming an electrobalance positioned within a microwave oven to sequentially weigh the substance, actuate an electrical signal from said electrobalance to a memory circuit to record the weight, subjecting the substance to mircrowave heating for a period of time sufficient to remove the volatiles, reactuate said electrobalance to reweigh and record in a memory circuit the weight of said substance, electrically feeding said recorded weights to a differential amplifier and hence to an analog divider, compute the change in weight in said analog divider and transcribe the output signal from said analog divider into readable form.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for automatically computing the amount of volatile matter in a substance containing the same comprising programming an electrobalance positioned within a microwave oven to sequentially weigh the substance, actuate an electrical signal from said electrobalance to a memory circuit to record the weight, subjecting the substance to mircrowave heating for a period of time sufficient to remove the volatiles, reactuate said electrobalance to reweigh and record in a memory circuit the weight of said substance, electrically feeding said recorded weights to a differential amplifier and hence to an analog divider, compute the change in weight in said analog divider and transcribe the output signal from said analog divider into readable form.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the volatile matter computed as present in a substance is the polar solvent therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the microwave heating is for a period of 5 seconds to 10 minutes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the weight of the substance containing volatiles is within the range of about 2 grams to 1000 grams.
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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) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |