Fluid conductivity measurement apparatus
AssigneeSED Systems Inc.
InventorsJames D. J. Robar, David G. Glass, Almand O. Barrett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid conductivity measurement apparatus in which the minimum conductivity of one fluid of a group of fluids is determined by comparing electrical conductivities, and the ratios of each of the conductivities to the minimum conductivity are calculated. Where cow's milk is the fluid passing through the apparatus, a determined deviant increase in ratio has been found to be evidence of a high probability of bovine mastitis.
Claims29
Apparatus for determining deviant conductivity of one or more fluids of a group of fluids from a selected conductivity value, comprising:
- a. first means for providing signals representative of the conductivity values of each fluid, and
- b. second means connected to said first means for comparing said signals and providing output signals representative of predetermined conductivity relationships, depending on the conductivity values, for the respective fluids.
Apparatus for detection of the conductivity of milk comprising:
- a. a group of dielectric tubes each through which milk emanating from the respective teats of a milk producing animal can pass,
- b. coupling means for coupling radio frequency electrical energy through the dielectric of each of the tubes and the milk,
- c. receiving means for receiving the respective signals resulting from passage of the radio frequency energy through the milk,
- d. detecting means for detecting the amplitudes of each of said respective signals, and for providing individual signals corresponding to each of said respective amplitudes, and indicative of corresponding milk conductivity in respective ones of said tubes, and
- e. means connected to said detecting means for determining the amplitude ratios of said individual signals with respect to one of said signals whereby the conductivity ratios of the milk passing through each of the dielectric tubes can be indicated.
Apparatus for detection of the conductivity of fluids comprising:
- a. a plurality of tubes through which the individual fluids can pass,
- b. means for applying a radio frequency signal to each tube in such manner as to pass through the individual fluids, resulting in individual signals of amplitude representative of the conductivity of each of the fluids,
- c. a radio frequency oscillator connected to the (b) means,
- d. multiplexing means for combining said individual signals in a predetermined manner, connected to the (b) means,
- e. detecting means for detecting the signal amplitude representative of the combined said individual signals,
- f. demultiplexing means connected to the detecting means for separating the detected said individual signals, from the combined said individual signals,
- g. comparing means for receiving said individual signals and determining the lowest amplitude one of said individual signals,
- h. dividing means connected to the detecting means and the comparing means for sequentially determining the ratio of the amplitudes of each of said detected individual signals with the amplitude of the lowest of said individual signals, and providing ratio signals,
- i. means for providing an output from the ratio signals, whereby a ratio deviating in value from the other ratios can be determined.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.