Apparatus and method for sensing solute concentration
AssigneeNEC Corporation
InventorHajime Kuroda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus includes a rotation member having a pair of floats having different weights. The floats are fixed thereto at such positions that turning moment is produced due to one of a floating force and a sinking force for each of the floats. The apparatus further includes a rotation angle sensor for sensing a change in rotation angle of the rotation member as a change in concentration of the solute in the solution.
Claims21
An apparatus for sensing concentrations of a solute in a solution, comprising:
- a rotation member having a pair of floats fixed thereto at such positions that turning moment is produced due to one of a floating force and a sinking force for each of the floats, wherein the floats have different weights;
- a weight unit having a weight member adapted to extend in a direction of gravity when the apparatus is attached in a solution reservoir;
- and
- a rotation angle sensor for sensing a change in rotation angle of the rotation member as a change in concentration of the solute in the solution.
An apparatus for sensing concentrations of a solute in a solution stored in a reservoir, comprising:
- a rotation member having a pair of floats fixed thereto at such positions that turning moment is produced due to one of a floating force and a sinking force for each of the floats, wherein the floats have different weights;
- a rotation angle sensor for sensing a change in rotation angle of the rotation member as a change in concentration of the solute in the solution, wherein a shaft of the rotation member is mechanically connected to a rotation axis of the rotation angle sensor;
- and
- a casing containing the rotation member and having a plurality of openings formed so that the solution can flow through the openings, wherein the casing is fixed to the rotation angle sensor.
A method for sensing concentrations of a solute in a solution, comprising the steps of:
- placing a pair of floats fixed to a rotation member into the solution, wherein the floats having different weights and are fixed to the rotation member at such positions that turning moment is produced due to one of a floating force and a sinking force for each of the floats;
- and
- sensing a change in rotation angle of the rotation member to determine a change in concentration of the solute in the solution.
A solution reservoir containing an apparatus for sensing concentration of a solute in a solution stored in the reservoir, comprising:
- the reservoir adapted to store the solution;
- and
- the apparatus adapted to sense concentration of the solute in the solution, the apparatus being attached to the reservoir, and the apparatus comprising:
- a rotation member having a pair of floats fixed thereto at such positions that turning moment is produced due to one of a floating force and a sinking force for each of the floats, wherein the floats have different weights;
- a rotation angle sensor for sensing a change in rotation angle of the rotation member as a change in concentration of the solute in the solution, wherein a shaft of the rotation member is mechanically connected to a rotation axis of the rotation angle sensor;
- and
- a casing containing the rotation member and having a plurality of openings formed so that the solution can flow through the openings, wherein the casing is fixed to the rotation angle sensor.
An apparatus for sensing concentrations of a solute in a solution, comprising:
- a rotation member having a pair of floats fixed thereto at such positions that turning moment is produced due to one of a floating force and a sinking force for each of the floats, wherein the floats have different weights and wherein the rotation member is shaped such that a turning moment is not produced due to buoyant force;
- and
- a rotation angle sensor for sensing a change in rotation angle of the rotation member as a change in concentration of the solute in the solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.