Ultrasonic hydrometer
- Naperville, IL
The disclosed ultrasonic hydrometer determines the specific gravity (density) of the electrolyte of a wet battery, such as a lead-acid battery. The hydrometer utilizes a transducer that when excited emits an ultrasonic impulse that traverses through the electrolyte back and forth between spaced sonic surfaces. The transducer detects the returning impulse, and means measures the time "t" between the initial and returning impulses. Considering the distance "d" between the spaced sonic surfaces and the measured time "t", the sonic velocity "V" is calculated with the equation "V=2d/t". The hydrometer also utilizes a thermocouple to measure the electrolyte temperature. A hydrometer database correlates three variable parameters including sonic velocity in and temperature and specific gravity of the electrolyte, for temperature values between 0.degree. and 40.degree. C. and for specific gravity values between 1.05 and 1.30. Upon knowing two parameters (the calculated sonic velocity and the measured temperature), the third parameter (specific gravity) can be uniquely found in the database. The hydrometer utilizes a microprocessor for data storage and manipulation. The disclosed modified battery has a hollow spacer nub on the battery side wall, the sonic surfaces being on the inside of the nub and the electrolyte filling between the surfaces to the exclusion of intervening structure. An accessible pad exposed on the nub wall opposite one sonic surface allows the reliable placement thereagainst of the transducer.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4442700
- OSTI ID:
- 864957
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
hydrometer
disclosed
determines
specific
gravity
density
electrolyte
wet
battery
lead-acid
utilizes
transducer
excited
emits
impulse
traverses
forth
spaced
sonic
surfaces
detects
returning
means
measures
time
initial
impulses
considering
distance
measured
velocity
calculated
equation
2d
thermocouple
measure
temperature
database
correlates
variable
parameters
including
values
degree
40
05
30
knowing
third
parameter
uniquely
found
microprocessor
data
storage
manipulation
modified
hollow
spacer
nub
wall
inside
filling
exclusion
intervening
structure
accessible
pad
exposed
opposite
surface
allows
reliable
placement
thereagainst
measured temperature
parameters including
surface allows
data storage
specific gravity
measured time
sonic velocity
electrolyte fill
lead-acid battery
ultrasonic hydrometer
variable parameters
temperature value
sonic surface
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