Patent GB-749572-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus and method for automatic titration
IPC: G01N31/16
Filed: 1951-11-19
Abstract: 749,572. Electric tests. BECKMAN INSTRUMENTS, Inc. Nov. 19, 1951 [March 3, 1951], No. 27076/51. Class 37. For automatic titration, Fig. 11, a glass electrode 95 and a calomel or other reference electrode 96 are associated with the liquid to be titrated and the voltage produced is applied, in opposition to a reference voltage from a potentiometer 156, to the gridcathode circuit of a thermionic valve 190 controlling, through a two-stage D.C. amplifier 199, 200, the energization of a relay 152. Potentiometer 156 is set for each titration so that the input to valve 190 is positive or negative at the commencement of titration according to whether the liquid to be titrated is acid or alkali and becomes zero at the end point. Relay 152 is thus energized or deenergized respectively until the end point is reached whereupon it changes over contacts 203. A ganged selector switch 205 is set in the position shown for titration of acid or in the other extreme position for titration of alkali and contacts 205a ensure in both cases that operation of contacts 203a, when the resultant input to valve 190 is zero, causes de-energization of a solenoid 74 to shut a fluid valve (not shown) and cut off the supply of titrant. When titration is commenced, the positions of contacts 205d, 205e and 203b are such that a condenser 213 is charged positively or negatively through a high resistance potentiometer 211, the voltage across the condenser being applied to the screengrid of valve 190 so that after a time, relay 152 operates to stop titration. Simultaneous operation of contacts 203b, however, allows condenser 213 to discharge through resistances 214, 215 so that after a further period, titration commences again. Charge and discharge of condenser 213 thus takes place alternately to produce intermittent titration. As the end point is approached periods of titration become shorter and the intervals between them become longer to ensure accurate titration without overshoot. Potentiometer 211 is adjusted to produce behaviour suited to the particular titration. Contacts 205b ensure that lamp 184 is illuminated whenever titration is not taking place. Lamp 28 is illuminated and a motor 90 operates a stirrer during titration. A two-way switch 180 in the position shown introduces in circuit with potentiometer 156 a rheostat 182 which must be manually adjusted to correspond with the temperature of the liquid to be titrated so that a scale of potentiometer 156 may be calibrated in pH. In the alternative position of switch 180 resistance 182 is disconnected and a mV scale of potentiometer 156 is used. Titration may thus be carried out to an end point corresponding to a given pH or mV value. The scales of potentiometer 156 are adjustable and may be correctly set, e.g. to allow for electrode asymmetry potential, by checking a standard solution with switch 205 at its central position so that solenoid 74 and the charging circuit of condenser 213 are disconnected. In this condition the system may be used for measurement of pH or mV. Amplifier zero is set by adjustment of a rheostat 191 when a switch 26 is set to short-circuit the electrodes. Electrodes and valve solenoids associated with other titration units (not shown) may be selected by operation of switch 26.