Having Conductance Probe Structure Patents (Class 324/446)
  • Patent number: 11852601
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an electrode terminal assembly for a liquid quality meter apparatus for measuring liquid quality on the basis of the electrical resistance of a liquid to be measured comprises: a pair of electrode terminals comprising a body, which contacts the liquid being measured when liquid quality is measured and has an overall rod shape, and a protruding step formed at a predetermined portion between the opposite ends of the body; and a fixing body comprising a pair of electrode through-holes through which the pair of electrode terminals pass. In the electrode terminal assembly having the above-described structure, each of the pair of electrode terminals is arranged such that, when the electrode terminals are inserted into the electrode through-holes of the fixing body by a predetermined length, the protruding step is caught by the fixing body so that the electrode terminals are no longer inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Kyungdong Navien Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Seong Kwon, Ji Hyung Yoon, Jong Kil Kim
  • Patent number: 11435306
    Abstract: A method of determining moisture content in an emulsified asphalt-aggregate system is disclosed. The method includes: placing a first electrode in an emulsified asphalt-aggregate system (Mixture) at a first depth, placing a second electrode in the Mixture at a second depth, applying an alternating current (AC) signal between the first electrode and the second electrode, measuring impedance, determining the frequency which yields the minimum measured impedance, recording the minimum measured impedance, repeating the above steps at a predetermined time interval until the recorded minimum impedance is about 10 times of the first recorded minimum impedance, and alerting a user that the Mixture has sufficiently cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: John Ernest Haddock, William Jason Weiss, Miguel Angel Montoya Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11352880
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a wellbore can include a plurality of sensors positioned external to a casing string. The plurality of sensors can be positioned for detecting an amount of a hydrocarbon that is present in a fluid in the wellbore and a pH of the fluid in the wellbore. The plurality of sensors can be positioned for wirelessly transmitting signals representing the amount of the hydrocarbon that is present in the fluid and the pH of the fluid to a receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Rodney, Mark W. Roberson, Batakrishna Mandal, Vimal V. Shah, Scott Goodwin
  • Patent number: 11185306
    Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes a first assembly having a first case, a second assembly coupled with the first assembly, having a second case, and configured to be rotatable between a first position of being unfolded with respect to the first assembly and a second position of being folded on the first assembly, a first acoustic module disposed in the inside of the first case, a second acoustic module disposed in the inside of the second case, and a first space reducing portion disposed in at least one of a portion of the first case toward the second assembly and a portion of the second case toward the first assembly, and configured to reduce a space between the first acoustic module and the second acoustic module when the second assembly is at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Soon Ho Kwon
  • Patent number: 11092510
    Abstract: A multi-directional water sensor comprises a housing having multiple conductive pads on the outer surface of the housing at locations spaced around the periphery of the housing, an electrical power source located inside the housing, a buzzer located inside the housing, and multiple electrical conductors located inside the housing and connecting multiple pairs of the contacts so that electrical current can flow between different pairs of the contacts when they are connected by water. The buzzer produces a sound when electrical current flows between any pair of the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Glentronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ilya Ostashev
  • Patent number: 11054297
    Abstract: A fluid sensing switch comprising a flex sensor having a plurality of conductive sensing areas and an energizing conductive area and a synchronous detector that detects a presence and a content of a bilge and produces a signal that is used to activate a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Bilge Sense LLC
    Inventors: David A. Durfee, Petar Horvatic, Courtney Pauline Medeiros, Walmen Dumaliang, Jeanette Numbers, Alexander M. Wang, Benjamin Ricci
  • Patent number: 10753900
    Abstract: Improved sensor assemblies are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides microelectrode array (“MEA”) real-time in situ global sensing assemblies for enhancing efficiency and stability of wastewater treatment systems. In general, the present disclosure provides for a novel global sensing technology utilizing a microelectrode array (MEA) to solve various problems of monitoring wastewater treatment systems. The present disclosure provides for improved systems/methods for monitoring wastewater treatment systems, with the improved systems/methods obtaining a substantially complete global profile of multiple parameters simultaneously. More particularly, the present disclosure provides that by patterning multiple electrodes (e.g., mm-sized electrodes) on a film (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: University of Connecticut
    Inventors: Baikun Li, Yu Lei, Zhiheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10571419
    Abstract: A conductivity cell includes a cylindrical flow tube holder having a closed first end and an open second end, a first end fitting positioned on the first end of the flow tube holder, a second end fitting positioned on the second end of the flow tube holder, a flow tube positioned within the flow tube holder, an end cap positioned in the open second end of the flow tube holder and adjacent the flow tube and the second end fitting, a plurality of electrodes positioned in the flow tube, a plurality of o-rings positioned on the electrodes, and a flow through hole extending from the first end fitting through the flow tube holder, the flow tube, and the end cap to the second end fitting. The plurality of electrodes are press-fit into the flow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Lenagh, Rudy Pitera, Tomas Lorincz
  • Patent number: 10416016
    Abstract: A grid sensor system for characterizing a fluid flow includes a sensor insert having a grid sensor element and a flow guide having an inlet line, an outlet line, and an insert holder arranged between the same to hold the sensor insert. A rectilinear flow path is formed by the flow guide. The insert holder is formed in such a way that the sensor insert can be inserted into the insert holder along an insertion direction extending transversely with respect to the flow path. When the sensor insert is held in the insert holder, none of the electrodes extends parallel to the insertion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Hemlholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf e.V.
    Inventors: Eckhard Schleicher, Martin Tschofen, Heiko Pietruske
  • Patent number: 10393687
    Abstract: A multi-directional water sensor comprises a housing having multiple conductive pads on the outer surface of the housing at locations spaced around the periphery of the housing, an electrical power source coupled to the conductive pads, and multiple electrical conductors located inside the housing and connecting multiple pairs of the contacts so that electrical current can flow between different pairs of the contacts when they are connected by water. The housing may have a generally rectangular shape, with the contacts located at the corners of the housing. The multiple electrical conductors are connected to an alarm that is energized when electrical current flows between any pair of the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Glentronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ilya Ostashev
  • Patent number: 10294132
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to convert high resistivity (18 MOhm/cm) deionized water into lower resistivity deionized water with a tight resistivity range. The apparatus is diminished in size to require less space, has an improved sensitivity resistivity probe to permit a lower operating range, an increased communication rate with updated control logic to permit holding tighter tolerances. The method is environmentally friendly in that it replaces the use of harsh chemistries and eliminates the generation of hazardous waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: VEECO PRECISION SURFACE PROCESSING LLC
    Inventors: John Taddei, Jonathan Yutkowitz
  • Patent number: 9921177
    Abstract: Monitoring of conductivity within a steam generating system may proceed in real time and without interruption of the steam generating system by use of a boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor placed within the steam generating system. The boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor has a diamond body and a plurality of boron doped diamond band electrodes disposed within the diamond body. At least a portion of each of the plurality of boron doped diamond band electrodes is doped with boron to provide metallic conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence N. Kremer, Sidney A. Dunn, David N. Fulmer, Regis R. Rumpf
  • Patent number: 9869629
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for conducting high temperature corrosion tests on metallic alloys without the need for extensive laboratory equipment and attendant safety measures through the use of a two-compartment ampoule where a vestibule connects these two compartments. A pre-selected mixture of salts is placed in one compartment in order to generate a specific partial pressure of halogen gas; and a metallic alloy is placed in the other compartment. The ampoule is then heated to a pre-determined temperature and held at this temperature for a pre-determined time period. A halogen gas of a specific partial pressure is thereby generated from the mixture of salts which comes into contact with the metallic alloy. Because the ampoule creates a sealed environment, the metallic alloy is under constant halogenation during the pre-determined time period. The metallic alloy is removed for examination when the pre-determined time period expires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Cal Poly Pomona Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Vilupanur A Ravi, Juan Carlos Nava, Shahan Kasnakjian
  • Patent number: 9698456
    Abstract: A fill level measuring device (3) operating with the transit time method and a termination element (1) for a waveguide (2) of the fill level measuring device (3) has a carrier element (13) that is arranged between a first cylinder element (11) and a second cylinder element (12) and has an impedance-matching component (15) that is arranged on the carrier element (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Krohne S.A.S.
    Inventor: Vincent Pichot
  • Patent number: 9000769
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application describe a process to perform activation of carbon based electrodes in a controlled manner, where the degree of activation is monitored and calculated simultaneously with the ongoing activation process. Such an approach is intended to improve the reproducibility of electrodes that may include, but are not limited to, the following parameters: electrochemical capacitance, electrochemical transfer coefficient, amperiometric response to enzymatic reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Proxim Diagnostics
    Inventor: Mikhail Briman
  • Patent number: 8988079
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application describe a carbon-based electrode with graphene platelets. The addition of graphene platelets is intended to improve properties of the electrode. These properties include, but are not limited to, physical, electrical, and biochemical properties of the electrode. Enhanced reproducibility of these properties can also result from the addition of the graphene platelets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Proxim Diagnostics
    Inventors: Mikhail Briman, Vikram Joshi
  • Patent number: 8975901
    Abstract: Measurement devices, systems, and methods to measure a high field conductivity of a fluid are provided herein. The measurement device includes a fluid cell, a pair of electrodes, a voltage switch, and a measurement unit. The fluid cell is on an inclined plane to receive the fluid. The pair of electrodes are connected to the fluid cell. The pair of electrodes are spaced apart from one another to receive the fluid therebetween and positioned parallel to one another to pass an electrical current therethrough. The power unit provides a high voltage power supply to one electrode of the pair of electrodes. The measurement unit measures the electrical current that passes between the pair of electrodes through the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Henryk Birecki, Omer Gila, Michael H Lee, William D Holland
  • Patent number: 8917105
    Abstract: A testing apparatus for measuring the material properties of solder balls includes a frame and a chuck base moveable in X, Y, Z dimensions, relative to the frame. A probe tip is fixed to the frame. A measuring device is mounted to the frame and maintains a spacing with relationship to the probe tip and which has an initial, known height above the chuck base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Gardell
  • Patent number: 8760185
    Abstract: An improved system for capacitive testing electrical connections in a low signal environment. The system includes features that increase sensitivity of a capacitive probe. One feature is a spacer positioned to allow the probe to be partially inserted into the component without contacting the pins. The spacer may be a collar on the probe that contacts the housing of the component, contacts the substrate of the circuit assembly, or both. In some other embodiments, the spacer may be a riser extending beyond the surface of the sense plate that contacts the component, a riser portion of the component, or a combination of both. The spacer improves sensitivity by establishing a small gap between a sense plate of the probe and pins under test without risk of damage to the pins. A second feature is a guard plate of the probe with reduced capacitance to a sense plate of the probe. Reducing capacitance also increases the sensitivity of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Anthony J. Suto
  • Patent number: 8330604
    Abstract: Disclosed is a handheld salinity analyzer including a body, in which a circuit board and a battery are installed, a cell block provided with one end inserted into one end of the body and the other end on which a projecting part provided with a salinity sensor hole and a depressed part provided with a temperature sensor hole are formed, a salinity sensor inserted into the salinity sensor hole and provided with one end connected to the circuit board, a temperature sensor inserted into the temperature sensor hole and provided with one end connected to the circuit board, an ON/OFF switch installed on the end of the body, a light emitting lamp connected to the circuit board, and a body cover connected to the end of the body provided with the ON/OFF switch or to the cell block, and provided with an operating piece to operate the ON/OFF switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: Dae Yoon Scale Industrial Co., Ltd., Republic of Korea (Management: Rural Development Administration)
    Inventors: Gil mo Yang, Eun gi Cho, Kang jin Lee, Gi young Kim, Jae yong Son, Suk won Kang, Chang yeun Mo, Jai gyu Kim, In ho Seo
  • Patent number: 8283939
    Abstract: A test probe includes a filtering unit and a contact unit. The filtering unit includes an inductive component, a capacitive component, and an insulation component insulates the inductive component from the capacitive component. The contact unit contacts a test point to get a test signal. The filtering unit filters noise from the test signal. The test probe can be assembled and disassembled easily, and parameters of the filtering unit can be changed by changing structure of each component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shen-Chun Li, Shou-Kuo Hsu
  • Publication number: 20120242345
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application describe a process to perform activation of carbon based electrodes in a controlled manner, where the degree of activation is monitored and calculated simultaneously with the ongoing activation process. Such an approach is intended to improve the reproducibility of electrodes that may include, but are not limited to, the following parameters: electrochemical capacitance, electrochemical transfer coefficient, amperiometric response to enzymatic reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: PROXIM DIAGNOSTICS
    Inventor: Mikhail Briman
  • Patent number: 7971425
    Abstract: The concentration of the urea of a urea solution is identified accurately and immediately. A pulse voltage is applied for a predetermined time to a urea concentration identifying sensor heater including a heater and an identifying liquid temperature sensor provided in the vicinity of the heater, a urea solution to be identified is heated by the heater, and the concentration of the urea is identified with a voltage output difference V0 corresponding to a temperature difference between an initial temperature and a peak temperature in the identifying liquid temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Takahata, Toshiaki Kawanishi, Kiyoshi Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 7772854
    Abstract: An improved contacting-type conductivity measurement system and method are provided. A first conductivity measurement is obtained by driving a contacting-type conductivity sensor with an excitation voltage at a first frequency, a second conductivity is obtained by driving the contacting-type conductivity sensor with the excitation voltage at a second frequency. The first and second conductivity measurements are used to provide a more accurate conductivity output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Rosemount Analytical Inc.
    Inventor: Behzad Rezvani
  • Patent number: 7696762
    Abstract: A non metallic flow through electrodeless conductivity sensor is provided with a conduit having primary and secondary process fluid flowpaths to form a fluid loop. At least one drive and one sense toroid surround the conduit on the fluid loop. Voltage supplied to the drive toroid induces a current in the sense toroid via the fluid loop to eliminate any need for metallic electrodes in contact with the process fluid. At least one additional drive and/or sense toroid is disposed on the fluid loop to enhance induction. Optionally one or more sense coils are disposed about the conduit outside of the fluid loop to cancel out stray electrical noise. An optional conductor disposed along the conduit detects any fluid leakage through changes in resistance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kevin Quackenbush, Michael M. Bower, Stephen B. Talutis, Donald S. McKinlay
  • Patent number: 7660349
    Abstract: Transmit equalization over high speed digital communication paths may be compensated in a receiver for a probe on that path. In one example, a probe input provides a signal from an electronic communications path, the signal having been processed by a transmit equalizer. A filter circuit processes the signal to compensate for the transmit equalizer, and a decoder decodes the processed signal and produces an output for use by test equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Larry R. Tate, Harry R. Rogers
  • Patent number: 7619419
    Abstract: A wideband differential signal probe includes separate paths to convert a lower frequency component and a higher frequency component of a differential signal to a lower frequency single ended signal and a higher frequency single ended signal which are combined for the probe's output which is commonly input to instrumentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Campbell
  • Patent number: 7545148
    Abstract: In an electrochemical sensor, the potential difference applied to the electrochemical cell is raised to a measuring value at a rate determined to reduce the transient current. The maximum rate of change of the voltage is set to prevent saturation of an IE converter. The electrochemical cell may contain micro-electrodes as working and reference electrodes. The method may be applied to a battery powered, handheld device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Oxford Biosensors Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Lorimer, John Griffiths, Mark Hyland, Herbert Frank Askew, John Morton Broughall
  • Patent number: 7492161
    Abstract: The current invention relates to a nanosized electrical probe for measuring an electrical signal of charged colloidal particles, and a device for measuring an electrical signal of charged colloidal particles using the same, thus exhibiting excellent effects on measurement of variations in internal charge or voltage of the charged colloidal particles (e.g., mitochondria) in a solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: INJE University Industry—Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Jin Han, Na-Ri Kim, Jae-Boum Youm, Hyun Joo, Dae-Young Hur
  • Patent number: 7456638
    Abstract: A MEMS-based silicon CTD sensor for ocean environment is presented. The sensor components are a capacitive conductivity sensor, a gold doped silicon temperature sensor, and a multiple diapghram piezoresistive pressure sensor. The sensor elements have further been packaged to protect them from harsh marine environment. The sensor components showed good linear response, resolution and mechanical integrity to the harsh ocean environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Shekhar Bhansali, Lawrence C. Langebrake, Shreyas Bhat
  • Publication number: 20080258735
    Abstract: A non metallic flow through electrodeless conductivity sensor is provided with a conduit having primary and secondary process fluid flowpaths to form a fluid loop. At least one drive and one sense toroid surround the conduit on the fluid loop. Voltage supplied to the drive toroid induces a current in the sense toroid via the fluid loop to eliminate any need for metallic electrodes in contact with the process fluid. At least one additional drive and/or sense toroid is disposed on the fluid loop to enhance induction. Optionally one or more sense coils are disposed about the conduit outside of the fluid loop to cancel out stray electrical noise. An optional conductor disposed along the conduit detects any fluid leakage through changes in resistance thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: John Kevin Quackenbush, Michael M. Bower, Stephen B. Talutis, Donald S. McKinlay
  • Patent number: 7436187
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detecting and responding to foaming of a fluid being heated, and more particularly, for operating a device having a container with fluid therein, wherein a resistance of an electrical path from a probe is measured through the fluid to a ground resistance. In operation, a control probe having a foam detecting conductance microcontroller module shuts off the device based on a predetermined volatility/variability of two or more resistance readings, because such may indicate the presence of foam in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Thomson
  • Publication number: 20080246489
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device and a measuring method for investigating particles which are suspended in a carrier liquid, including several measuring electrodes for carrying out electrical measuring of the particles. It is proposed that during electrical measuring, the particles be fixed in a field cage (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: EVOTEC TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Hans Gerard Leonard Coster, Terry Calvin Chilcott, Stefan Lupke, Torsten Muller, Thomas Schnelle
  • Patent number: 7323887
    Abstract: A contacting-type conductivity sensor includes a plurality of electrodes disposed on a distal surface of a substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of vias through which electrical interconnection to the electrodes is accomplished. The conductivity sensor can employ two or four electrodes and may have a temperature sensitive element disposed on the distal surface. The electrodes may be patterned or otherwise deposited using semiconductor processing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Rosemount Analytical Inc.
    Inventor: Chang-Dong Feng
  • Patent number: 7259566
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention is a miniature planar oceanographic conductivity, temperature pressure (CTD) system based on a thin film material fabricated on a Liquid Crystalline Polymer (LCP). The micro-CTD system in accordance with the present invention analyzes water for salinity by measuring conductivity, temperature and depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Heather A. Broadbent, David P. Fries, George T. Steimle, Stanislav Ivanov
  • Patent number: 7176692
    Abstract: A measuring probe for potentiometric measurements has a housing (2) formed of an electrically insulating material that encloses at least one hollow space (8, 10) containing a half-cell element defining a first electrode. At least one additional electrode (12) is provided on a portion (4) of the housing adapted for immersion in a measuring solution (6) and is connected to a contact terminal (K3) that is arranged outside of the immersible portion (4). Each additional electrode (12) is defined by an electrically conductive coating (14) applied to the outside of the housing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Jean-Nicolas Adami, Philippe Ehrismann, Markus Bernasconi
  • Patent number: 7126343
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated process for constructing a conductivity probe are disclosed. The conductivity probe includes at least two magnetic circuits in toroidal shape. Each of these “toroids” includes a ferrite core around which is wrapped a conductive wire (i.e., coil winding). To construct the conductivity probe, a toroid keeper having an upper annulus and a lower annulus separated by a spacer is provided. One of the two toroids is set on the upper annulus and the other toroid is set on the lower annulus. Connection leads extending from the coil wrappings of the toroids are routed from the keeper through wiring channels build into an elongated neck coupled to the keeper. The connection leads terminate at the distal end of the elongated neck relative to the keeper for connection to a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Bruce Howes, Jr., John Ellwood Thomas, Paul Joseph Pankratz
  • Patent number: 7106067
    Abstract: A calibration plug provides resistance simulation for calibrating toroidal conductivity sensors. This calibration plug includes a resistive element of predetermined electrical resistance coupled in series between electrical leads which may be engaged with a circuit element to form an electrical circuit. The toroidal sensor includes one or more toroidal coils defining a central bore extending therethrough, a cell factor, and a full scale conductivity value. The predetermined resistance of the resistive element is determined in accordance with the following equation: Resistance ? ? in ? ? Ohms = [ geometric ] ? ? cell ? ? factor ? ( of ? ? EC ? ? sensor ) × 1000 Full ? ? scale ? ? conductivity value ? ? in ? ? millisiemens / cm and the calibration plug further includes indicia identifying one or more toroidal conductivity sensors for which the plug is configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Quackenbush, Stephen B. Talutis
  • Patent number: 7078910
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating and improving the properties of fluid formulations is disclosed. The inventive concept employs impedance spectroscopy (IS) measurements and data analyses to determine IS parameters of fluids representative of a fluid formulation. Correlations are determined between the IS parameters and the properties of the fluids, and a modified or new fluid formulation may be developed responsive to the correlations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Walter Hirthe, Jianxun Hu, Charles John Koehler, Martin Arthur Seitz, David Richard Sosnowski, Ronald Mark Johnson, David Lee Wooton, Anne Matthews Brunson
  • Patent number: 7038459
    Abstract: An oil deterioration detection apparatus includes a sensor, an evaluation circuit, and a malfunction detecting circuit. The evaluation circuit has a determination circuit. The malfunction detecting circuit has a resistor and a switch. The evaluation circuit evaluates a condition of the oil based on a normal voltage. The normal voltage is measured when the switch is opened so that the resistor is not electrically conducted. The determination circuit determines whether the sensor malfunctions based on a relation between the normal voltage and a divided voltage. The divided voltage is measured when the switch is closed so that the resistor is electrically conducted in parallel with the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 7006929
    Abstract: A sensor capable of simply and quickly measuring the electrical activities of a number of cells simultaneously and a device comprising the sensor and capable of detecting the signal transmission between subject cells are provided. The sensor comprises a plurality of electrodes provided on a substrate. The electrodes individually measure a signal generated by a biological sample held by each of the electrodes. Each of the electrodes comprises a depression for holding the biological sample, a throughhole which is in communication with the depression and penetrates to a rear side of the substrate, an electrode portion, and a drawing line from the electrode portion. The electrodes are arranged so that the samples held by the depressions electrically communicate with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., The Ritsumeikan Trust
    Inventors: Hiroaki Oka, Nobuhiko Ozaki, Hirokazu Sugihara, Satoshi Konishi
  • Patent number: 6930486
    Abstract: A conductivity probe having a modular design. A probe body has a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end includes a recessed portion for providing a seat for an O-ring that seals an electrode tip assembly. The probe body also includes a set of internal threads for engaging with cooperating threads disposed on the electrode tip assembly. The distal end of the body terminates in a bottom wall having an opening leading to a connection pipe attached to a junction box. The exterior of the probe body includes a stepped down profile of varying constant diameters with a side port formed in the probe body for receiving a temperature compensation probe. The probe body includes a set of external threads and wrench flats for installing the probe into a boiler conduit. The design is completely modular with minimal assembly required. The probe body is machined easily and features hard stops for trouble-free assembly. Also, there is no potting of the electrical components required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Pulsafeeder, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Muscarella, Philip T. Pascoe
  • Patent number: 6894502
    Abstract: The invention relates to an internal solution ground for primary use with a pH sensor, and preferably with a multi-sensing instrument monitoring a pH sensor and one or more additional secondary sensors having non-isolated circuits. In one aspect, a pH sensor assembly includes a pH electrode, a reference electrode, and an internal solution ground wire. The internal solution ground wire shares a liquid junction with the reference electrode but is protected by the reference fill solution. In one embodiment, the internal solution ground can be electrically isolated through a capacitor or, alternately, a capacitor and resistor in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Rosemount Analytical Inc.
    Inventors: Chang-Dong Feng, Joe N. Covey, Beth Meinhard Covey, Richard N. Baril, Roland H. Koluvek
  • Patent number: 6861843
    Abstract: An AC powered device detecting the presence of a conducting fluid using a source of detecting current through the fluid other than a grounded supply. All paths between the source of current and the fluid include large impedances, termed protecting impendances. The protecting impedances are sufficient to prevent the fluid from posing a shock hazard should the source have or develop a connection to AC. Protection does not rely on the isolation of the source from AC. The source may be either AC or an ungrounded supply generated by the device. Using AC as the source of detecting current eliminates the need to generate an ac signal to limit plating. The sensing circuit may remain isolated by using AC leakage current to drive the sensing means. Fluid detection is possible in devices in which the fluid is in contact with a probe, typically the chassis, whether the probe is grounded as intended or is floating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Alfred Wade Muldoon
  • Patent number: 6836123
    Abstract: A sensing device is featured that electrochemically measures methanol concentration. The sensing device has a flexible composite of layered materials wrapped about a flexible tube having aperture contact with a methanol flow stream. The layered materials sequentially wrapped on the tube are: a polytetrafluoroethylene insulation sheet; an electrically conducting mesh representing the anode current collector; a carbon-based material representing an anode diffusion medium; a catalyst-coated membrane with both sides coated by catalysts such as Pt/Ru and Pt; a carbon-based material serving as the cathode diffusion medium; and an electrically conducting mesh representing the cathode current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: H Power Corporation
    Inventors: Zhigang Qi, Chunzhi He, Arthur Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20040212370
    Abstract: An electrochemical impedance spectroscopy apparatus includes a conduit having a first conductive probe positioned therein. One end of the conduit is coupled in a fluid tight manner to a surface of an electrically conductive object or a coating thereon whereupon an electrolyte solution disposed in the conduit is in fluid communication with the first conductive probe and the surface or the coating. A second conductive probe outside the conduit is moved into electrical contact with the object, either directly or via the coating. An AC signal applied between the first and second conductive probes is swept between a first frequency and a second frequency. A characteristic or property of the surface and/or the coating is determined from the response thereof to the swept AC signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Robert F. Cunningham, Charles R. Coleman
  • Patent number: 6771074
    Abstract: A probe assembly for use in monitoring fluid conditions in real time in a transducer utilizing impedance spectroscopy and having two closely spaced tubular concentric electrodes. The electrodes have a surface area of about 8.1 to 10.8 cm2 spaced in the range of about 0.1 to 0.55 mm. In one embodiment a concentric outer tubular Faraday shield is employed for monitoring fluid in a non-metallic vessel. The probe assembly is particularly suitable for monitoring hydraulic fluid including automatic transmission fluid and mineral based engine oil for diesel and gasoline engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Lian Q. Zou, James E. Hansen, Victor E. Shtaida
  • Publication number: 20040075439
    Abstract: A conductivity probe having a modular design. A probe body has a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end comprises a recessed portion for providing a seat for an O-ring that seals an electrode tip assembly. The probe body further comprises a set of internal threads for engaging with cooperating threads disposed on the electrode tip assembly. The distal end of the body terminates in a bottom wall having an opening leading to a connection pipe attached to a junction box. The exterior of the probe body includes a stepped down profile of varying constant diameters with a side port formed in the probe body for receiving a temperature compensation probe. The probe body includes a set of external threads and wrench flats for installing the probe into a boiler conduit. The design is completely modular with minimal assembly required. The probe body is machined easily and features hard stops for trouble-free assembly. Also, there is no potting of the electrical components required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen B. Muscarella, Philip T. Pascoe
  • Patent number: 6720773
    Abstract: A conductivity sensor configuration which has essentially no external electrical field so that the calibration of the sensor is not affected by the existence of nearby external objects or fouling on the exterior parts of the sensor. Additionally, the sensor is relatively insensitive to electrode fouling or electrode polarization. The sensor includes a tube through which the liquid to be measured flows. An inner electrode plate extends partially along the length of the tube dividing the central portion of the tube into two sections. Two inner electrodes are located on the inner wall, one on each side, and two outer electrodes are located on the inside of the tube opposite the inner electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Neil L. Brown
  • Patent number: 6653843
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a reduction of a level of electrolyte in a wet cell battery includes an electrically conductive sensing rod in contact with an electrolyte in a battery cell, a voltage comparator connected to the rod for generating a first output signal when an input voltage is greater than a reference voltage and generating a second output signal when an input voltage is less than the reference voltage, and an indicator responsive to the output signals for generating a green visual signal when the rod is immersed in the electrolyte and generating a red visual signal when the rod is not immersed in the electrolyte. The apparatus also include an audio alarm device sounding an audio indication when the red visual signal is generated. A sensing circuit can be connected between the voltage comparator and a pair of battery voltage input terminals to selectively connect the terminals to the comparator when a voltage of a battery connected to the terminals exceeds a predetermined voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Pacer Engineered Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Norton W. Whitchurch