Liquid detector
United States Patent Miyazaki et a1.  
 [ LIQUID DETECTOR [75] Inventors: Ken Miyazaki; Toshitaka Terai;  
 Kazutoshi Takahashi, all of Yokohama; Hiroshi Sato, Kawasaki, all of Japan [73] Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaishia, Osaka, Japan 22 Filed: Mar. 30, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 346,426  
 [30] Foreign Application Priority Data 73/322.5, 312, 305, 308, 40, 49.1, 316; 340/224, 236, 244 A; 200/84 R; 324/65 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 479,482 7/1892 Wright 73/307 2,004,421 6/1935 Smulski 73/312 UX 2,161,441 6/1939 Vickers 73/322.5 X  
 2,320,720 6/1943 Croft 73/452 2,634,608 4/1953 Sorber 73/305 3,152,572 10/1964 Allhoff 73/305 [451 Apr. 1, 1975 3,155,792 11/1964 Werts 73/308 UX 3,326,042 6/1967 Ross et a1. 73/305 X 3,388,587 6/1968 Hara et a1 73/40 3,415,268 12/1968 Tweed 73/316 X 3,428,074 2/1969 Perrin 73/32 X 3,603,952 9/1971 Smith 340/224 3,675,614 7/1972 Ward et a1. 73/307 X 3,719,936 3/1973 Daniels et a1. 340/224 X 3,721,898 3/1973 Dragoumis et al 73/49.1 X 3,721,970 3/1973 Niemoth 73/49.1 X 3,733,594 5/1973 Orth 73/453 X Primary Examiner-Richard C. Queisser Assistant Examiner-Stephen A. Kreitman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cooper, Dunham, Clark, Griffin &amp; Moran [57] ABSTRACT A detector element is provided which is responsive to contact with a liquid to be detected to assume at least one of dissolution, softening, shrinkage and absorption conditions to result in a change in its apparent specific gravity. Upon change in the apparent specific gravity of the detector element, a rotation or movement of the element itself or another body or a cut-off of the detector element by dissolution occurs to cause electrical, mechanical or fluidic signal generating means to operate for providing an indication of the liquid to be detected.  
 30 Claims, 79 Drawing Figures PATENTED 874 223 SHEET DZUF 20 24 F/G 234 FIG. 23  
  ATENTED H975 3.874.223  
 saw cam- 20 Pmmzum 5 3.874.223  
 SHEET CuBF 2O F/G. 5 FIG. 5  
 file /4,223  
 PATENTEBAPR 1 1975 SHEET USDF 2O PATEHTEB APR 1 I975 SHEET [:SSF 2O PATEHTED APR 1 SHEET BSUF 2O PATENTEDAPR&#39; 1 ms SHEET llUF 20 FIG. 25  
 PATENTED 11975 374223 SHEET 170! 20 WWW AQWM PATENTED 1 I975 SHEET 180F2O PATENTED APR 119. 5 3.874.228  
 sum 19 0F 20