Solid state fluid level sensor

Details Solid state fluid level sensor Solid state fluid level sensor

2011-05-31

2011-05-31

Williams, Hezron (Department: 2856)

Measuring and testing

Liquid level or depth gauge

C073S30400R, C340S620000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07950279

ABSTRACT:
A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.”

REFERENCES:
patent: 3588859 (1971-06-01), Petree
patent: 3665300 (1972-05-01), Sauer et al.
patent: 4276454 (1981-06-01), Zathan
patent: 4766329 (1988-08-01), Santiago
patent: 4800755 (1989-01-01), Fathauer et al.
patent: 4875497 (1989-10-01), Worthington
patent: 4881873 (1989-11-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5017909 (1991-05-01), Goekler
patent: 5238369 (1993-08-01), Farr
patent: 5287086 (1994-02-01), Gibb
patent: 5404048 (1995-04-01), Panner
patent: 5425624 (1995-06-01), Williams
patent: 5429727 (1995-07-01), Vogt et al.
patent: 5594222 (1997-01-01), Caldwell
patent: 6192752 (2001-02-01), Blaine
patent: 6218948 (2001-04-01), Dana
patent: 6305214 (2001-10-01), Schattke et al.
patent: 6320202 (2001-11-01), Banerjee et al.
patent: 6320282 (2001-11-01), Caldwell
patent: 6457355 (2002-10-01), Philipp et al.
patent: 6479915 (2002-11-01), Hsueh et al.
patent: 6918296 (2005-07-01), Urquidi et al.
patent: 6923056 (2005-08-01), Urquidi
patent: 7017409 (2006-03-01), Zielinski et al.
patent: 2002/0029613 (2002-03-01), Stetter et al.
patent: 2003/0019291 (2003-01-01), Pchelnikov et al.
patent: 2005/0076711 (2005-04-01), Urquidi
patent: 2006/0185977 (2006-08-01), Wide et al.
patent: 2010/0025238 (2010-02-01), Gottlieb et al.
patent: 0373809 (1990-06-01), None
patent: 0613026 (1994-08-01), None
patent: 2064135 (1981-06-01), None
patent: 5288592 (1993-11-01), None
patent: 9043187 (1997-02-01), None
patent: WO 03052933 (2003-06-01), None
patent: WO-03052933 (2003-06-01), None
patent: WO-2004/095388 (2004-11-01), None
patent: WO-2004/104529 (2004-12-01), None
Touchsensor Technology, LLP; Internet Article; Jun. 13, 2004; retrieved from internet at http://web.archive.org/web/20040613100140/http:touchsensor.com/technology—apps—5.html.
International Preliminary Examining Authority; International Preliminary Report on Patentability, Form PCT/IPEA/409; Feb. 15, 2007; 9 pages; IPEA/US; Alexandria, Virginia, United States.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/955,837, filed Dec. 13, 2007.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/976,143, filed Dec. 22, 2010.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Solid state fluid level sensor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Solid state fluid level sensor, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Solid state fluid level sensor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2626004