Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hygrometer is an electrolytic hygrometer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means for drying the carrier gas connected between the pump outlet and the barrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the barrier material has an average pore size of about 5 microns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the barrier material has an average pore size of about 0.45 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the maximum pore size is about 1.5 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the barrier mAterial is a woven metal screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the barrier material is an organic membrane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the membrane is a material comprising polyvinylidene fluoride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means for shielding the first surface of the barrier material from turbulence in the fluid to which it is exposed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including an apertured diaphragm supporting the barrier material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the size of the aperture is such that the flow rate of water across the barrier is not more than about 100 micrograms water per minute.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the size of the aperture is such that the water vapor concentration in the carrier gas will be not greater than about 750 parts per million.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the size of the aperture is such that the water vapor concentration in the carrier gas will be not greater than about 300 parts per million.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the diameter of the aperture is from about 0.008 inch to about 0.219 inch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the diameter of the aperture is about 0.100 inch.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
119 words
The method of determining water vapor concentration in a fluid which comprises: a. exposing a first surface of a layer of semipermeable barrier material having two surfaces to the fluid; b. circulating a carrier gas in a closed loop across the second surface of the barrier and through a hygrometer so that the total pressure of the carrier gas reaches equilibrium with the total pressure of the fluid and water vapor passes through the barrier from the fluid into the carrier gas at a transfer rate proportional to the difference in partial water vapor pressure across the barrier, whereby the water concentration in the fluid can be determined from the proportional water vapor concentration as measured by the hygrometer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 including the additional step of drying the circulating carrier gas.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the pressure of the circulating gas across the second surface of the barrier is maintained at the same level as the pressure of the fluid on the first surface of the barrier.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 17 including the additional step of shielding the first surface of the barrier from turbulence in the fluid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the flow rate of the circulating gas is maintained from about 10 to about 400 milliliters per minute.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the flow rate of the circulating gas is maintained from about 75 to about 125 milliliters per minute.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the flow rate of the circulating gas is maintained at about 100 milliliters per minute.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 17 including the additional step of controlling the passage of water vapor through the barrier so that the concentration of water vapor in the carrier gas is not greater than about 300 parts per million.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 17 including the additional step of controlling the passage of water vapor through the barrier to a flow rate of not more than about 100 micrograms water per minute.