The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 21, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 29, 1998
Bernd Roesicke, Mannheim, DE;
Boehringer Mannheim GmbH, Mannheim, DE;
Abstract
A liquid transfer device for an analysis unit includes a transfer needle having a tip, and a capacitive liquid level detector for detecting immersion of the tip of the needle into an analysis liquid by detecting a change in capacitance between a signal electrode and a counter electrode. The analysis liquid is contained in a vessel. The capacitive liquid level detector includes a signal electrode, a counter electrode, and a detection circuit connected to the signal electrode and the counter electrode. The detection circuit detects a change in capacitance between the signal electrode and the counter electrode. A temperature dependent detection resistor is disposed adjacent the tip of the liquid transfer needle. The tip of the liquid transfer needle and the temperature dependent detection resistor are movable into and out of the analysis liquid. The detection circuit includes a current supply for supplying current to the detection resistor. The detection circuit is configured to detect a change in resistance of the detection resistor during a immersion thereof into the analysis liquid.