Measuring and testing – Liquid analysis or analysis of the suspension of solids in a...
Patent
1996-11-11
1998-09-29
Williams, Hezron E.
Measuring and testing
Liquid analysis or analysis of the suspension of solids in a...
73 6176, 374 16, 374 25, 374164, G01N 2508, G01N 3328
Patent
active
058147217
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fluid analyzer suitable for use in indicating the boiling point of fluids especially hygroscopic fluids such as hydraulic fluids, for example 5 automotive brake and clutch fluid thereby to monitor the fluid for possible contamination thereof with water etc.
Brake fluid as used in the hydraulic braking systems of motor-cars and vans is hygroscopic i.e. is capable of absorbing moisture, and this can have an adverse effect on braking performance especially in the long term. In particular, the absorption of moisture in the brake fluid causes a lowering of the boiling point of the fluid and very possibly to such a degree that a temperature increase in the braking system due for example to heavy braking or some fault condition can result in the brake fluid boiling and as will be appreciated this has a very deleterious effect on braking. Therefore, it is beneficial to be aware of a serious lowering of the boiling point of brake fluid so that steps can be taken to change the faulty fluid.
Several devices have been previously proposed for this purpose but have suffered from various disadvantages such as being cumbersome and only suitable for laboratory use; providing unstable cyclically fluctuating outputs which make it difficult to obtain reliable accurate results; not being particularly accurate; and/or forming noxious vapours due to the evaporation of hydraulic fluid; and needing to be immersed to a precise depth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to avoid or minimize one or more of these disadvantages.
The present inventor has recognized that where it is desired to measure the boiling points of fluids with widely differing boiling point values e.g. anywhere between 120.degree. C. and 260.degree. C., problems arise due to the widely differing heat loss rates. Thus, at higher temperatures there is a relatively large heat loss rate requiring a relatively high heat input rate in order to sustain boiling of the fluid. On the other hand, at lower temperatures there is a substantially lower heat loss rate so that if a high heat input rate is used there will be excessive uncontrolled vaporization and toxic, or at least unpleasant, smoke generation. Thus the present inventor has found that in order to provide an apparatus suitable for monitoring a relatively wide temperature range as is often the case with motor vehicle applications involving a wide range of hydraulic brake and clutch fluids and the like, it is necessary to provide an apparatus which can automatically adapt to these widely differing thermal requirements.
The present invention pro rides an apparatus for use in indicating the boiling point of fluids across a wide temperature range which apparatus comprises a meter of the portable hand held type including a probe portion for insertion substantially vertically into fluid in a fluid reservoir for fluid testing, heating means being provided in the probe portion for heating of said fluid, said meter including monitoring mean for monitoring the temperature rise of fluid heated by said heating means for use in indicating the boiling point temperature of the fluid, said probe portion having an inner chamber, in which are located said heating means and said temperature monitoring means, said inner chamber being provided with thermal insulation means for restricting heat loss from said inner chamber, in use of the apparatus, during heating up of said fluid in the inner chamber up to its boiling point, said inner chamber being provided with port means formed and arranged for allowing entry of fluid into said inner chamber upon immersion of the probe portion into said fluid for semi-encapsulation of fluid in the inner chamber and substantially restricting loss of heated fluid therefrom to the exterior during said heating up of said fluid in the inner chamber up to its boiling point, whilst allowing loss of boiling fluid to the exterior thereby substantially increasing heat loss from aid inner chamber once said fluid has
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Alba Tools Limited
Larkin Daniel S.
Williams Hezron E.
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