Patent Publication Number: US-10309886-B2

Title: Liquid density measuring device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/934,714 filed Nov. 6, 2015 and titled, “Liquid Density Measuring Device,” which claims priority to now expired U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 62/076,268 and 62/146,664, filed Nov. 6, 2014 and Apr. 13, 2015, respectively, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In many industries, it is desirable to be able to continually test and measure the density of a liquid being processed to determine what stage the liquid is at. A hydrometer is often used to measure the specific gravity or relative density of the liquid being processed. To use such a hydrometer, a sample of liquid may be drawn into a testing cup. The hydrometer may then be placed into the cup and the level at which the hydrometer floats within the sample is recorded from a graduated scale on the hydrometer. The raw reading of this sort of measuring device can be affected by temperature. If the liquid being tested is warmer, the liquid may be less viscous, even if it has the same amount of material suspended in the same volume of water. So, at different temperatures, the hydrometer reading for the same density may differ. These differences in reading based on temperature are usually compensated for by reference to a table showing, for a given density, a list of values that should be read at different temperatures. 
     By way of a non-limiting example, in the maple syrup industry, it desirable to test the sugar content of the sap as it is being processed to determine progress. As the sugar concentration increases (as the sap is reduced), the temperature of boiling or vaporization increases. Thus, as the sap being processed gets closer to the desired concentration of sugar, the value to be read from the hydrometer differs from when the sap is first introduced into the process. Conventional approaches to determining the density (and sugar concentration) of the sap being processed into syrup recommend sampling the liquid at as close to the same temperature as possible each time. Standard hydrometers used in the industry are calibrated for use at a set temperature, typically either reading in the BRIX scale and/or the Baume scale. When readings are taken at a different temperature from the set temperature, the user consults a table to determine the reading that should be read from the hydrometer to achieve the BRIX or Baume reading for the desired sugar concentration. This conventional process is shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Other industries, such as but not limited to the brewing and the distilling industries, also use hydrometers to measure density or concentrations at different points in the brewing and/or distilling process. These industries also deal with temperature ranges that can affect the readings taken directly from the hydrometer and which are corrected to a proper baseline through the use of conversion tables. 
     Improvements to these conventional approaches to measuring the density or specific gravity of a liquid to determine concentration of elements within the liquid are desirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention is a method of testing for a desired specific gravity of a liquid including the steps of: providing a temperature calibration gauge with a thermo sensing end operatively connected to a readout configured to indicate a desired hydrometer reading for the liquid at the current temperature of the liquid; providing a hydrometer; placing the temperature calibration gauge and the hydrometer in contact with the liquid; and comparing the desired hydrometer reading on the readout of the temperature calibration gauge with the hydrometer reading. The readout provided in the method may be a dial and a needle and it can also be a digital display. 
     The method may further include the steps of providing a vessel configured to removably receive the temperature calibration gauge, with the thermo sensing end extending within the vessel, and pouring the liquid into the vessel. 
     The method may also include the steps of providing a cup configured to receive the temperature calibration gauge with the thermo sensing end extending out of the cup, and placing the cup in contact with the surface of the liquid. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a method including the steps of: placing a first device in contact with a liquid, the first device configured to sense a first characteristic of the liquid; sensing the first characteristic of the liquid using the first device; displaying on the first device a target on a scale corresponding to a second characteristic of the liquid. 
     The first device may be a thermometer, and the second characteristic may be specific gravity. Further, the scale may be selected from the group consisting of API Gravity, Baume, BRIX, Degrees Balling, Oechsle, Plato and Twaddell. 
     The method may also include the step of measuring the second characteristic of the liquid with a second device. The second device may be a hydrometer. 
     The method may further include the step of comparing the measured second characteristic to the target. The method may also further include the step of changing the second characteristic of the fluid. The step of changing the second characteristic may include boiling the liquid. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawing figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. A brief description of the figures is as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a first image of a liquid density measuring device according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a second image of the liquid density measuring device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a closer image of a dial of a temperature calibration gauge of the liquid measuring device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective image of the temperature calibration gauge of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a table for use with a sample hydrometer, showing the reading that a user should read on a hydrometer for a reduced maple sap liquid that has reached the desired concentration of sugar at a range of temperatures, illustrated in BRIX units, with different values highlighted that correspond to reading for desired density at particular temperatures. 
         FIG. 6  is an instruction page describing a conventional prior art approach to the use of a hydrometer to determine if a reduced maple sap liquid has adequate sugar concentration to become syrup, with a more generalized version of the table of  FIG. 5 , also illustrated in BRIX units. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a gauge insert for a hydrometer according to the present disclosure that incorporates a temperature correction marking for a desired concentration of a liquid. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a floating temperature cup according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a second perspective view of the floating temperature cup of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a liquid density measuring device  100  according to the present disclosure may include a liquid receiving vessel or cup  102  with an open top  104  and a closed base  106 . Base  106  may also include a larger diameter disk  108  or other structure to assist in stabilizing the device when it is in use. Positioned between top  104  and base  106  may be a mounting bung or tap  110  into which a temperature calibration gauge  112  may be removably mounted. Tap  110  should include an opening through an outer wall  114  of device  100  permitting gauge  112  to be in fluid communication with any liquid within cup  102 . A handle  116  may also be included as part of device  100  to improve ease of handling, particularly when hot liquids may be tested using device  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , temperature calibration gauge  112  may include a calibrated dial  118  with a needle  120  that moves about the dial in response to the temperature of the liquid being tested within device  100 . Dial  118  and needle  120  may be contained within a housing  122 . Housing  122  may include a threaded portion  124  extending opposite dial  120  and which is sized and configured to be threadably received within tap  110 . Extending beyond threaded portion  124  may be a thermo sensing portion  126  that would be in fluid communication with any fluid within cup  102  of device  100  when gauge  112  is received within tap  110 . While gauge  112  is shown as being configured to be threadably received within tap  110 , it is not intended to limit the nature of the connection between the gauge and the cup or tap. While not preferable, it is anticipated that gauge  112  may be permanently mounted to cup  102 . It is further anticipated that other removable mounting arrangements may be included, such as but not limited to a  114  tum connection, a friction fit, or other similar and/or suitable connection options. 
     Alternatively, it may be desirable for a user to be able to determine if the density of a liquid is at a desired level without removing a sample from the vessel holding the liquid. If the liquid depth in its current vessel is sufficient, a floating temperature cup  160 , illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9  may be used to bring gauge  112  into fluid communication with the liquid while maintaining the dial above the surface of the liquid so the user can read the gauge. Floating cup  160  will preferably have a mounting opening  162  permitting gauge  112  to be mounted, as described above, so that thermos sensing portion  126  extends through floating cup  162  and into contact with any liquid the cup is floated on. Once the gauge shows the hydrometer reading of the corresponding to the current temperature and the desired density, the user may then place a hydrometer into the liquid adjacent the floating cup to see if the liquid is at the desired density. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the function and operation of device  100  permits a user to place a reduced maple sap liquid sample whose specific gravity is to be tested into cup  102  and in contact with portion  126  of gauge  112 . By letting the gauge sense the temperature of the liquid and the needle to move about dial  118  in response to the temperature sensed, the user can then read an adjusted value from dial  118 . This adjusted value is the reading the hydrometer should produce when the liquid being tested is at the desired concentration. As shown, dial  118  is configured to indicate the reading from a hydrometer placed in the reduced maple sap liquid when the liquid has reached the desired percentage of sugar concentration. A most commonly used standard for a desired BRIX reading for a reduced maple sap liquid that is at the desired level of sugar concentration is 60. However, the reduced maple sap liquid sample would need to be at precisely 190 degrees when the reading is taken for this BRIX value to match the hydrometer reading. 
     If a liquid sample that is at exactly 190 degrees Fahrenheit were to be placed in cup  102  of device  100 , needle  120  would indicate a reading of 60 BRIX on dial  120 , which is the target reading for the hydrometer. For use in the maple syrup processing industry, this reading equates to 66.9% sugar within the reduced maple sap liquid being tested. At a standardized high temperature of 211 degrees Fahrenheit, the needle on the dial may indicate that the hydrometer should read 58.9 BRIX (marked on dial  112  with a first large dash  128 ) if the liquid is at the desired 66.9% sugar concentration. At a standardized low temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the needle on the dial may indicate that the hydrometer reading should be 66.9 BRIX (marked on dial  112  with a second large dash  130 ) for reduced maple sap liquid that is at the desired 66.9% sugar concentration. At any other temperature between these two extremes, the needle will indicate the correct hydrometer reading that should be observed for reduced maple sap liquid that is at the desired concentration of 66.9%. When a reading on the hydrometer shows a specific gravity below the desired level of concentration, the reduced maple sap liquid may continue to be heated and further reduced. When the reading on the hydrometer indicates a specific gravity that is at or higher than the desired level of concentration, then heating and reduction can be stopped and the liquid may be transferred for further processing and packaging.  FIG. 6  illustrates a general procedure for the use of a hydrometer in the analysis of the sugar content of a reduced maple sap liquid and is provided as general information on the process used. The device of the present disclosure will render the steps of measuring the liquid at a precise temperature (either 211 degrees Fahrenheit or 60 degrees Fahrenheit corresponding to the red calibration marks on the hydrometer), or the determination of the desired correction to the BRIX reading corresponding to 66.9% sugar concentration unnecessary. The table shown in  FIG. 6  is more generalized than the table in  FIG. 5  but both represent the same adjusted hydrometer readings that should be read if the liquid tested is at the desired concentration. 
     As with any mechanical device, it is possible that the needle of gauge  112  may be pointing to an incorrect number at particular temperature. The mis-calibration may come about from a variety of reasons but needs to be addressed regardless of the cause. A zero calibration mark  132  (marked as a large dash  132  on dial  112 ), may be provided and positioned so that when portion  126  of gauge  112  is exposed to a liquid at 35 degrees Fahrenheit, the needle should be pointing at the calibration mark  132 , located at 68.1. Gauge  112  will preferably be provided with an adjustment mechanism so that needle  118  may be moved left or right as needed until it points directly at mark  132 . Since the remaining indications based on temperature are all relative, once the needle is adjusted to point at this zero mark, the remaining calibration should be correct as well. 
     An alternative embodiment of a temperature correction approach according to the present disclosure is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . A gauge insert  150  for positioning within a hydrometer may include a density scale  152 , such as but not limited to the BRIX scale shown, and a temperature compensation scale  154 , such as but not limited to the temperatures associated with or common to maple syrup processing. For this alternative embodiment to work, a liquid measuring device similar to device  100  might be used with a more traditional thermometer in place of the temperature calibration gauge. It is preferable that the thermometer and compensation scale  154  be listed in the same units for ease of use. 
     By way of a non-limiting example, a hydrometer configured with a gauge insert such as insert  150  may be used in conjunction with processing of maple sap into maple syrup. With gauge insert  150  positioned within a hydrometer, and properly calibrated, a person using the hydrometer would gather a sample of the processed sap to determine if it had reached the desired sugar concentration to be called syrup, within a liquid measuring device with a thermometer. The hydrometer with gauge insert  150  would then be placed in the sample cup so that the level of the liquid relative to the gauge insert may be visually inspected. The user would then consult the thermometer to see the temperature of the liquid within the cup. If the level of the liquid along the hydrometer relative to the compensation scale corresponds to the temperature of the liquid, then the liquid will have reached the desired density. If the liquid level corresponds to a higher number on the compensation scale, the liquid has not yet reached the desired density. Whereas conversely, if the level of the liquid corresponds to a lower number than the temperature, the liquid is too dense compared to the desired consistency. 
     Both embodiments of devices to measure liquid density according to the present disclosure represent approaches that will allow users to dispense with one or more of the separate elements that must be used to measure the density of a liquid in question. Most desirably, the user will no longer need to carry or consult a compensation chart or table such as shown in  FIG. 6  after reading the temperature of the liquid. Integration of the temperature calibration gauge into the liquid cup itself combines several elements and further reduces the number of separate items that a user must access to measure liquid density. It is anticipated that other implementations of similar approaches that incorporate the compensation scale or table within the density measuring device may be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the relevant technical field and it is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure to any one or more particular embodiments. By way of a non-limiting example, it is anticipated that device according to the present disclosure may include a digital readout that indicates a desired reading of a hydrometer for a given temperature instead of the analog dial arrangement illustrated in the attached drawings. 
     Many other industries have need for calibrated hydrometers that are read with an eye toward the temperature of the liquid to be able to precisely determine the concentration of, for example, sugar, alcohol, salt, etc., suspended within a liquid. The concentration of these compounds, suspended or dissolved within a water substrate, will determine the specific gravity of the liquid and thus determine the height that a hydrometer will float within the liquid. The device of the present application may be used in any number of industrial, workshop, facility or hobby settings where an accurate determination of the concentration of a liquid is to be measured. The device of the present disclosure will permit the user of such a device to measure the liquid at whatever temperature it might be at and still be able to quickly and accurately determine the desired reading on the hydrometer. No longer will such users have to carry and consult manual adjustment tables, such as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Dial  120  of the gauge  112  may be configured as needed to indicate the correct value for whatever the desired reading of the hydrometer might be for whatever level of concentration and thus specific gravity is desired in the liquid being tested. The scale on the dial may be shown in BRIX, as in the illustrated example or may be adapted to other commonly used scales and ranges of hydrometer readings that may be used in other settings. Several non-limiting examples of such other users for the device of the present disclosure may include: petroleum refiners, industrial chemical producers, pharmacological producers, fruit juice producers, wineries, distilleries, breweries, waste water treatment operations, analysis of automotive fluids and bleach and dye manufacturers. Several non-limiting examples of scales that may be used with the device of the present application may include: API Gravity, Baume, BRIX, Degrees Balling, Oechsle, Plato and Twaddell. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Thus, it is recognized that those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations, modifications, and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the invention, and should not limit the scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.