Multi-probed sonde including microprocessor
First Claim
1. A multi-probed metering apparatus for measuring electrical magnitudes comprising:
- (a) at least one sonde unit, wherein said sonde unit comprises;
(i) a plurality of pick-up means,(ii) an analog/digital converter means,(iii) a selector circuit for identifying each of said plurality of pick-up means with which said sonde unit is associated, said selector circuit interfaces said plurality of pick-up means with said analog/digital converter means,(iv) primary digital signal processing circuit, said primary digital signal processing circuit being in bi-directional digital communication with said analog/digital converter means and in uni-directional digital communication with said selector circuit, and(v) an improved fluid flow-maintaining means, said fluid flow-maintaining means comprising;
stirrer control, stirrer driving component, and propeller component interconnected with said stirrer driving component, said stirrer control being in uni-directional digital communication with said sonde unit primary digital signal processing and with said stirrer driving component; and
(b) a central processing unit, wherein said central processing unit comprises;
(i) a power supply for said central processing unit and said sonde unit,(ii) a real-time clock means,(iii) a random access memory storage unit means for handling at least 500 bytes of information,(iv) an arithmetic and logic unit means for making multi-pass linearization mathematical computations,(v) a digital output means,(vi) a secondary digital signal processing circuit supplying a digital output, said secondary digital signal processing circuit being in bi-directional digital communication with said sonde unit primary digital signal processing circuit, said real-time clock means, said random access memory storage unit means, said arithmetic and logic unit means, and said digital output means, and(vii) means for processing said digital output from said secondary signal processing circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sonde is provided which includes a plurality of discrete sensing electrodes of analog output projecting from a housing within which are accommodated a micro-processor and an analog-digital converter to digitize the output of the electrodes. A stirrer is fully integrated into the housing and projects from the housing centrally with the electrodes around it. The stirrer motor and the stirrer control are integrated into the housing. The micro-processor controls the stirrer control. The sonde also has a readily attachable and detachable calibration cup with wells defined therein. Each well is designed to receive its own liquid. The calibration cup is designed such that all the electrodes can be calibrated simultaneously.
54 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A multi-probed metering apparatus for measuring electrical magnitudes comprising:
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(a) at least one sonde unit, wherein said sonde unit comprises; (i) a plurality of pick-up means, (ii) an analog/digital converter means, (iii) a selector circuit for identifying each of said plurality of pick-up means with which said sonde unit is associated, said selector circuit interfaces said plurality of pick-up means with said analog/digital converter means, (iv) primary digital signal processing circuit, said primary digital signal processing circuit being in bi-directional digital communication with said analog/digital converter means and in uni-directional digital communication with said selector circuit, and (v) an improved fluid flow-maintaining means, said fluid flow-maintaining means comprising;
stirrer control, stirrer driving component, and propeller component interconnected with said stirrer driving component, said stirrer control being in uni-directional digital communication with said sonde unit primary digital signal processing and with said stirrer driving component; and(b) a central processing unit, wherein said central processing unit comprises; (i) a power supply for said central processing unit and said sonde unit, (ii) a real-time clock means, (iii) a random access memory storage unit means for handling at least 500 bytes of information, (iv) an arithmetic and logic unit means for making multi-pass linearization mathematical computations, (v) a digital output means, (vi) a secondary digital signal processing circuit supplying a digital output, said secondary digital signal processing circuit being in bi-directional digital communication with said sonde unit primary digital signal processing circuit, said real-time clock means, said random access memory storage unit means, said arithmetic and logic unit means, and said digital output means, and (vii) means for processing said digital output from said secondary signal processing circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A multi-probed metering apparatus for measuring electrical magnitudes comprising:
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(a) at least one sonde unit, wherein said sonde unit comprises; (i) a plurality of pick-up means, (ii) an analog/digital converter means, (iii) a selector circuit for identifying each of said plurality of pick-up means with which said sonde unit is associated, said selector circuit interfaces said plurality of pick-up means with said analog/digital converter means, (iv) primary digital signal processing circuit, said primary digital signal processing circuit being in bi-directional digital communication with said analog/digital converter means and in uni-directional digital communication with said selector circuit, and (v) an address selector which identifies said at least one sonde, said address selector being in uni-directional digital communication with said sonde unit primary digital signal processing circuit; and (b) a central processing unit, wherein said central processing unit comprises; (i) a power supply for said central processing unit and said sonde unit, (ii) a real-time clock means, (iii) a random access memory storage unit means for handling at least 500 bytes of information, (iv) an arithmetic and logic unit means for making multi-pass linearization mathematical computations, (v) a digital output means, (vi) a secondary digital signal processing circuit supplying a digital output, said secondary digital signal processing circuit being in bi-directional digital communication with said sonde unit primary digital signal processing circuit, said real-time clock means, said random access memory storage unit means, said arithmetic and logic unit means, and said digital output means, and (vii) means for processing said digital output from said secondary signal processing circuit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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17. A multi-probed metering apparatus as in 16 wherein said at least one of said plurality of pick-up means further comprises means for securing said at least one of said plurality of pick-up means to said sonde unit, said securing means being positioned between said pick-up means monitoring end portion and said sealing means.
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23. A sonde comprising a housing, a plurality of discrete sensing electrodes of analog output attached to said housing for sensing a corresponding plurality of parameters to be measured, means for selectably activating each said electrode, said housing comprises:
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(a) a built-in, integral stirrer unit, said stirrer unit consisting of; (i) a liquid agitator portion mounted externally of the housing adjacent the active portions of said electrodes, (ii) an entirely internal agitator drive means, and (iii) an entirely internal agitator drive control means; (b) a built-in integral microprocessor; (c) an entirely internal analog-digital converter means for digitizing the analog output generated by said electrodes and passing said digitized output to said microprocessor; and (d) output porting connected to receive said digitized output, said agitator drive control means being electrically controlled by said microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A sonde comprising a housing, a plurality of discrete sensing electrodes of analog output attached to said housing for sensing a corresponding plurality of parameters to be measured, and means for selectably activating each said electrode,
wherein said electrodes have connected thereto an analog/digital converter which is effective to digitize the analog output signal from each electrode, wherein said housing comprises a digital signal processor for controlling said means for selectably activating each electrode, wherein said housing comprises an output means, wherein said digital signal processor is connected for bi-directional digital communication with said analog/digital converter and with said output means, wherein said sonde is adapted for bi-directional digital communication through said output means with a discrete apparatus which is effective to process, store and/or display digital data derived from sensing electrodes of at least one other sonde, wherein a stirrer is attached to said housing, wherein means for rotating said stirrer is located substantially wholly within said housing, and wherein said stirrer drive control means is located substantially wholly within said housing and electrically integrated with said digital signal processor.
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30. A sonde comprising a housing, a plurality of discrete electrodes of analog output attached to said housing for sensing a corresponding plurality of parameters to be measured, and means for selectably activating each said electrode, said housing comprising a calibration cup in attachable and detachable configuration with said housing, wherein said calibration cup defines a plurality of calibration wells designed to receive and encompass the lower portion of said sensing electrode, wherein each said well is provided with liquid identification indicia, and wherein each said well is designed to prevent undesired overflow of liquid from one well into another.
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31. A sonde comprising a housing, a plurality of discrete sensing electrodes of analog output attached to said housing for sensing a corresponding plurality of parameters to be measured, and means for selectably activating each said electrode, said housing comprises:
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(a) a built-in, integral stirrer unit, wherein said unit consists of; (i) a liquid agitator portion mounted externally of said housing and adjacent the active portions of said electrodes; (ii) an entirely internal agitator drive means, and (iii) an entirely internal agitator drive control means; (b) a built-in, integral microprocessor; (c) an entirely internal analog-digital converter means for digitizing the analog output generated by said electrodes and passing said digitized output to said microprocessor; and (d) output porting connected to receive said digitized output, wherein said agitator drive control means is electrically controlled by said microprocessor, wherein one end of each said electrode is mounted in a seat in said housing, said seat and the adjacent said one end of said electrode each being formed with co-operable quick-release coupling means for the ready attachment and release therebetween, and wherein each said electrode having a sealing means for preventing the ingress of liquid into said seat.
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Specification