US 4,375,170 A · Decontaminating fluid sensor mechanism

Abstract

A sensor mechanism for measuring a property of a fluid which must not be allowed to escape into the environment. A sensor housing provides a chamber from which a sensing element may be extended into contact with the fluid to be measured, and into which the sensing element may be retracted prior to being sealed off from the fluid. When the sensing element is in its retracted position, the closure of a valve seals the chamber off from contact with the fluid. A purging inlet and a purging outlet allow the interior of the sensor housing to be purged of traces of fluid trapped therein by the closure of the valve, prior to the time that the sensor housing is disassembled for the servicing or replacement of the sensing element. An improved sealing arrangement allows the interior of the sensor housing to remain sealed off from the environment without the use of sliding seals. An improved cleaning arrangement allows the sensing element to be cleaned without removing it from the sensor housing.

Claims23

Dependent claims

An improved sensor mechanism for performing measurements on sample fluids that are not to be allowed to escape into the environment, said sensor mechanism comprising, in combination,

(a) a housing having first and second sections;
(b) a retractable sensing assembly within said housing, said sensing assembly having an extended position in which the sensing assembly extends into or through the first housing section, and a retracted position in which the sensing assembly occupies the second housing section;
(c) a closure device in said first housing section, said closure device having an open state in which an open path is provided for the movement of the sensing assembly between the first and second housing sections, and having a closed state in which the second housing section is sealed off from the source of sample fluid;
(d) an inlet and an outlet in said housing whereby fluids trapped within the housing by the closure of the closure device may be removed for safe disposal;
(e) fastening means for fastening and unfastening the first and second sections of the housing;
and
(f) a seal between the sensing assembly and the housing for preventing the leakage of fluid for all positions of the sensing assembly.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Decontaminating fluid sensor mechanism

Life of this patent

Decontaminating fluid sensor mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23