Method and apparatus for noninvasively analyzing flowable products
US5922945A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/2695
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for analyzing a liquid product. The apparatus includes a conveyor assembly having a conveyor belt and an agitator. The conveyor belt is constructed to deliver a unit of liquid product from the agitator to an analysis position. The agitator is constructed to impart motion to a unit of liquid product. The apparatus further includes an ultrasound transmissive pad assembly having a pad defining a chamber therein. A liquid acoustical couplant is contained in the chamber. The ultrasound transmissive pad assembly further includes an ultrasonic transducer in ultrasonic contact with the liquid acoustical couplant. The pad is positioned to contact a unit of liquid product at the analysis position. The pad has an upper portion and a lower portion and is orientated such that the upper portion contacts a unit of liquid product delivered to the analysis position before the lower portion contacts the unit of liquid product delivered to the analysis position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.