Apparatus for detecting the internal liquid level in a vessel

Details Apparatus for detecting the internal liquid level in a vessel Apparatus for detecting the internal liquid level in a vessel

2005-09-27

2005-09-27

Cygan, Michael (Department: 2855)

Measuring and testing

Liquid level or depth gauge

Thermal type

C073S29000R, C702S055000, C340S622000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06948364

ABSTRACT:
The liquid level detector system of the present invention comprises a heater thermally coupled to the interior of the vessel. A linear sensor, having a vertical longitudinal axis, is located in proximity to the heater such that discrete elevations of the interior of the vessel are thermally coupled to corresponding longitudinal portions of the sensor. The correspondence is incrementally continuous such that the elevations corresponding to the portions of the sensor increase from one to the other end of the sensor. The sensor may be actuated resulting in a resistance measurement indicative of the temperature detected by it. The vertical dimension of the sensor is sufficiently large such that the resistance measurement will vary in proportion to the longitudinal portion of the sensor thermally coupled to the liquid. The sensor generates an electrical signal defining a temperature signal indicative of the resistance measurement and thereby the temperature detected by the sensor. A processor is electrically connected to the sensor for receiving and measuring the temperature signal after actuation of the heater. The processor is programmed to use the temperature signal to calculate the elevation of the upper surface of the liquid in the vessel.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3161050 (1964-12-01), Exner
patent: 3461446 (1969-08-01), Sergeant
patent: 3485100 (1969-12-01), Petersen
patent: 3696675 (1972-10-01), Gilmour
patent: 3911564 (1975-10-01), Marcoux
patent: 4036053 (1977-07-01), Jenkins
patent: 4065967 (1978-01-01), Beeston
patent: 4089209 (1978-05-01), Grana et al.
patent: 4135186 (1979-01-01), Minorikawa et al.
patent: 4248087 (1981-02-01), Dennis et al.
patent: 4358955 (1982-11-01), Rait
patent: 4425795 (1984-01-01), Albrecht et al.
patent: 4466282 (1984-08-01), Kuhnel
patent: 4513616 (1985-04-01), Bezard et al.
patent: 4590797 (1986-05-01), Beaubatie et al.
patent: 4609913 (1986-09-01), Arbogast et al.
patent: 4665385 (1987-05-01), Henderson
patent: 4720997 (1988-01-01), Doak et al.
patent: 4774838 (1988-10-01), Rickson et al.
patent: 4796471 (1989-01-01), Sabin
patent: 4845486 (1989-07-01), Knight et al.
patent: 5023806 (1991-06-01), Patel
patent: 5092170 (1992-03-01), Høonstvet et al.
patent: 5167154 (1992-12-01), Lee
patent: 5174153 (1992-12-01), Nakano
patent: 5209115 (1993-05-01), Bond
patent: 5234527 (1993-08-01), Nozawa et al.
patent: 5297393 (1994-03-01), Thompson
patent: 5323652 (1994-06-01), Parker
patent: 5719332 (1998-02-01), Wallrafen
patent: 5730026 (1998-03-01), Maatuk
patent: 5782131 (1998-07-01), Lord et al.
patent: 5908985 (1999-06-01), Maatuk
“Accu-Level® Propane Tank Gauge”, Hammerhead Tower, Inc., 1988-1996, 1 page.
U.S. Appl. No. 09/080,689, filed May 18, 1998, abandoned Jul. 7, 1999.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Apparatus for detecting the internal liquid level in a vessel does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Apparatus for detecting the internal liquid level in a vessel, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus for detecting the internal liquid level in a vessel will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3385721