Apparatus for determining the density of a liquid

Abstract

An instrument for measuring the density of a liquid is disclosed comprising a housing having a solution chamber, and a separate instrument chamber. The solution and instrument chambers are separated by an isolating means, a portion of which is flexible. A lever passes through the flexible portion of the isolating means and is supported by a pivot assembly. A float is attached to one end of the lever and is at least partially submerged in the liquid being measured. Variations in the density of the liquid causes the float to rise and fall, and consequently, the lever rotates about the pivot axis. Position sensing electronics contained within the instrument chamber sense the position of the lever which is indicative of the liquid density. The isolating means includes an isolating partition having an opening formed therein, and a diaphragm. The diaphragm is clamped to a raised collar surrounding the opening in the isolating partition by a clamping ring. The clamping ring includes two integrally formed and diametrically opposed pivot blocks having pivot holes formed therein. The pivot assembly is mounted to the pivot blocks by pivot pins which lie within the plane of the diaphragm. This arrangement minimizes the deformation of the diaphragm caused by rotation of the lever, and also minimizes the effect of the force exerted by the diaphragm on the lever.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.