Contamination capacitance probe system
First Claim
1. A contamination capacitance probe system for indicating that at least two fluids having different dielectric constants that should be kept separated have been mingled, comprising:
- a capacitor constituted by first and second capacitor plates of preselected dimensions and spaced-apart a preselected dimension that are selected such that the capacitor exhibits a first capacitance whenever the plates thereof are subjected in a first predetermined manner to a nominal one of the two or more fluids having different dielectric constants and exhibits a second capacitance different from the first capacitance whenever the plates thereof are subjected in a second predetermined manner to an undesired at least one of the two or more fluids having different dielectric constants after having been subjected to said nominal one of the two or more fluids and in such a way as to render negligible any residual effect that the nominal fluid had on the plates in their having been first subjected to the nominal fluid, said nominal fluid being oil and said undesired fluid being seawater, said preselected dimensions of said first and second capacitor plates and said preselected dimension by which the first and second capacitor plates are spaced apart being selected to render negligible the effect of residual coating of the first and second plates by the oil upon their being subjected to the seawater, said plates being about ten (10) centimeters by ten (10) centimeters in size and being spaced apart about one and one forth centimeters (1.25); and
means coupled to said capacitor and responsive to said first capacitance to provide a signal indication that the first and second plates are being subjected to the nominal fluid and responsive to said second capacitance to provide a signal indication that the first and second plates are being subjected to said undesired fluid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A contamination capacitance probe system is disclosed that capacitively mtors whether or not two or more fluids or materials that have to remain separated have been mixed or mingled and that provides first and second control signals respectively representative of the unmingled and mingled conditions. The system includes a capacitance sensor constituted by spaced-apart first and second capacitor plates of preselected size and spacing. The plate size and spacing is selected to render negligible any effect that the different materials or fluids or materials might have on the capacitance of the sensor. Circuit means are disclosed that includes a capacitance to frequency convertor, a frequency to voltage convertor, and a Schmidt trigger operative to provide the first and second control signals. The contamination capacitance probe system of the present invention is operable with any two or more fluids or materials having different dielectric constants and that are either immiscible or miscible.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A contamination capacitance probe system for indicating that at least two fluids having different dielectric constants that should be kept separated have been mingled, comprising:
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a capacitor constituted by first and second capacitor plates of preselected dimensions and spaced-apart a preselected dimension that are selected such that the capacitor exhibits a first capacitance whenever the plates thereof are subjected in a first predetermined manner to a nominal one of the two or more fluids having different dielectric constants and exhibits a second capacitance different from the first capacitance whenever the plates thereof are subjected in a second predetermined manner to an undesired at least one of the two or more fluids having different dielectric constants after having been subjected to said nominal one of the two or more fluids and in such a way as to render negligible any residual effect that the nominal fluid had on the plates in their having been first subjected to the nominal fluid, said nominal fluid being oil and said undesired fluid being seawater, said preselected dimensions of said first and second capacitor plates and said preselected dimension by which the first and second capacitor plates are spaced apart being selected to render negligible the effect of residual coating of the first and second plates by the oil upon their being subjected to the seawater, said plates being about ten (10) centimeters by ten (10) centimeters in size and being spaced apart about one and one forth centimeters (1.25); and means coupled to said capacitor and responsive to said first capacitance to provide a signal indication that the first and second plates are being subjected to the nominal fluid and responsive to said second capacitance to provide a signal indication that the first and second plates are being subjected to said undesired fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current Assigneethe united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
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Original Assigneethe united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
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InventorsFrank, Thomas A., O'Connell, Thomas A.
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Primary Examiner(s)Williams, Hezron E.
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Assistant Examiner(s)NOT, DEFINED
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Application NumberUS07/594,537Time in Patent Office630 DaysField of Search324/661, 324/663, 324/664, 324/665, 324/667, 324/658, 73/61 R, 73/61.1 RUS Class Current73/61.41CPC Class CodesG01N 27/221 by investigating the dielec...G01N 27/223 for determining moisture co...
