Fluid analysis system
First Claim
1. A system for analyzing fluid comprising:
- opacity detection means for detecting the opacity of the fluid and for producing a signal indicative of the opacity of the fluid;
signal differentiation means for receiving the signal produced by the opacity detection means and in response thereto producing one of a plurality of signals, each such signal corresponding to a different one of a plurality of preselected opacities, whereby the opacity of the fluid can be determined;
means for transforming the signals from the signal differentiation means into a humanly perceivable form; and
means for recalibrating the system in response to changes in temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for analyzing fluids. In one embodiment, the system measures the water content in an oil/water emulsion. A fluid probe comprising an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor measures the opacity of the fluid. The signal from the phototransistor is input into a series of potentiometers which are set to correspond to different percentages of water content. The outputs of the potentiometers are displayed by a light emitting diode panel. Means for automatically recalibrating the system in response to temperature changes is included. Further, means is included for recalibrating the system to operate in fluids having different API gravities.
In a second embodiment, the system analyzes a fluid to identify and differentiate different fluids in a mixture. The system can distinguish between petroleum products having different opacities; that is, the system can differentiate between crude oil, light oil and distillate. Still further, the system can differentiate between conductive fluids, such as water, and non-conductive fluids, such as oil. An infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor in a fluid probe output a signal indicating by the voltage level the opacity of the fluid. A pair of conductive pins in the fluid probe sense the conductivity of the fluid. The signals from the phototransistor and the conductive pins are input into a series of comparators which are set to preselected levels corresponding to different opacities. The outputs of the comparators are displayed by a light emitting diode panel.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A system for analyzing fluid comprising:
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opacity detection means for detecting the opacity of the fluid and for producing a signal indicative of the opacity of the fluid; signal differentiation means for receiving the signal produced by the opacity detection means and in response thereto producing one of a plurality of signals, each such signal corresponding to a different one of a plurality of preselected opacities, whereby the opacity of the fluid can be determined; means for transforming the signals from the signal differentiation means into a humanly perceivable form; and means for recalibrating the system in response to changes in temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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4. The system of claim wherein the opacity detection means comprises an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor.
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15. A fluid analysis system, comprising:
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opacity detection means for detecting the opacity of the fluid and for producing a signal indicative of the opacity of the fluid; signal differentiation means for receiving the signal produced by the opacity detection means and in response thereto producing one of a plurality of signals, each such signal corresponding to a different one of a plurality of preselected opacities, wherein each of the preselected opacities is selected to correspond to a different one of a plurality of preselected fluid types; and means for transforming the signals from the opacity detection means into a humanly perceivable form. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A fluid analysis system, comprising:
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opacity detection means for detecting the opacity of the fluid and for producing a signal indicative of the opacity of the fluid; conductivity sensing means for sensing if the fluid is electrically conductive and for producing a signal indicative of the conductivity of the fluid; signal differentiation means for receiving the signals produced by the opacity detection means and the conductivity sensing means and in response thereto producing one of a plurality of signals, each such signal corresponding to a different one of a plurality of types of fluids, which fluid types comprise conductive and non-conductive fluids having different selected opacities; and means for transforming the signals produced by the signal differentiation means into a humanly perceivable form. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system for measuring the water content in an oil/water emulsion comprising:
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opacity detection means for detecting the opacity of the fluid and for producing a signal indicative of the opacity of the fluid; signal differentiation means for receiving the signal produced by the opacity detection means and in response thereto producing one of a plurality of signals, each such signal corresponding to a different one of a plurality of preselected opacities, each of which preselected opacities is selected to correspond to a different level of water content; and means for transforming the signals from the signal differentiation means into a humanly perceivable form. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification