Electrodeless conductivity sensor with inflatable surface
First Claim
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1. An inductive conductivity sensor for communicating with a liquid to measure its conductivity, the sensor comprising:
- a transducer for generating a changing magnetic field and for inductively measuring an electric current induced in the liquid by the changing magnetic field, the transducer having an external surface facing the liquid;
an elastic membrane separating the external surface from the liquid; and
means for inflating and deflating the elastic membrane such that the membrane is changed in shape to remove deposits formed on the membrane.
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Abstract
An inductive conductivity sensor is immersed in a liquid to measure its conductivity. The sensor comprises a transducer for generating a changing magnetic field and for inductively measuring an electric current induced in the liquid by the changing magnetic field. The transducer has an external surface facing the liquid. A elastic membrane separates the external surface from the liquid. The elastic membrane is periodically inflated and deflated to deform its outer shape and thereby remove deposits formed on the membrane.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. An inductive conductivity sensor for communicating with a liquid to measure its conductivity, the sensor comprising:
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a transducer for generating a changing magnetic field and for inductively measuring an electric current induced in the liquid by the changing magnetic field, the transducer having an external surface facing the liquid; an elastic membrane separating the external surface from the liquid; and means for inflating and deflating the elastic membrane such that the membrane is changed in shape to remove deposits formed on the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A self-cleaning inductive conductivity transducer for immersion in a liquid to measure conductivity of the liquid, the transducer comprising:
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electromagnetic means for generating a changing magnetic field and for inductively measuring an electric current induced in the liquid by the changing magnetic field; and means for deforming an exterior shape of the transducer to remove deposits formed on the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An inductive conductivity sensor for communicating with a liquid to measure its conductivity, the sensor comprising:
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a first toroidal transformer coil for generating a changing magnetic field which induces an electric current in the liquid, the electric current having a magnitude indicative of the conductivity; a second toroidal transformer coil for sensing the electric current and for generating an output current representative of the conductivity; a body supporting the first and second transformer coils, the body having an external surface facing the liquid; an elastic membrane separating the external surface from the liquid; and a passage through the body to an interface between the body and the elastic membrane for permitting pressurized fluid to inflate and deflate the elastic membrane around the body and to thereby dislodge deposits formed on the elastic membrane. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of cleaning an inductive conductivity transducer immersed in a liquid without removing the transducer from the liquid, the method comprising:
deforming an exterior shape of the transducer to remove deposits formed on the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An inductive conductivity sensor for communicating with a liquid to measure its conductivity, the sensor comprising:
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a first toroidal transformer coil for generating a changing magnetic field which induces an electric current in the liquid, the electric current having a magnitude indicative of the conductivity; a second toroidal transformer coil for sensing the electric current and for generating an output current representative of the conductivity; a strut having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end being threaded to allow attachment of the strut within a container holding the liquid; a body supported at the distal end of the strut and carrying the first and second transformer coils; an elastic membrane separating the strut and the body from the liquid; a passage through the strut and the body to an interface between the body and the elastic membrane; and a controlled fluid source for forcing pressurized fluid through the passage to inflate and deflate the elastic membrane to thereby dislodge deposits formed on the elastic membrane.
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Specification