Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing – Automated chemical analysis – With aspirator of claimed structure
Patent
1996-12-17
1999-02-02
McKane, E. Leigh
Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
Automated chemical analysis
With aspirator of claimed structure
436180, 422 62, 422 681, 422106, 422108, 7386424, 73304C, 340620, G01N 3510, G01N 110
Patent
active
058664262
ABSTRACT:
A sensor detects when a probe contacts liquid in a container due to a change in frequency of a probe oscillator. The sensor can have its output compared to a reference level to determine the presence or absence of liquid wherein the reference level is changed to follow the output of the detector. In one embodiment, it can be determined that liquid has been contacted when a count has been reached several times in a row (the count being a function of the probe output and changeable). In another embodiment of the invention, it can be determined that liquid has been contacted when a count has been reached within a certain threshold several times in a row, while still having the reference count change to follow the probe output (regardless of the threshold). A digital counter can be provided to determine the frequency of the probe oscillator. A reference counter can also be provided to tune the count (frequency) from the probe oscillator counter to thereby compensate for drift. And, the adjustable detection threshold permits control of the sensitivity by changing the parameters of the circuit.
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Akzo Nobel N.V.
McKane E. Leigh
Muir Gregory R.
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