Measuring and testing – Liquid level or depth gauge – Float
Patent
1993-06-11
1994-11-29
Gutierrez, Diego F. F.
Measuring and testing
Liquid level or depth gauge
Float
73313, 338 33, G01F 2368
Patent
active
053679075
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a liquid level indicator comprising a rod of insulating material, which rod is a carrier for two parallel helically wound resistance wires and is surrounded by a float of insulating material displaceable along the rod by variations in the liquid level, which resistance wires are connected to electrically conducting contacts by means of a contact element arranged on the float with a resilient contact plate on each side of the rod for respective resistance wires to achieve a circuit through the wires and the contact element, whose resistance varies depending on the position of the float along the rod.
BACKGROUND ART
A liquid level indicator of the type mentioned above is known from SE 460 451 and is principally used in fuel tanks in vehicles. It is normal that the contact element is rigidly affixed to the float. This implies that the side forces which act on the float as it is displaceably carried with a certain clearance on the rod must be completely accommodated by the resilient contact plates. The side forces arise for example from mass-induced forces during cornering, acceleration and braking. It is important that the contact plate which is not acted upon during full sideways force does not lose contact with "its" helical wire. Thus, a relatively high contact pressure must be used for these contact elements. Because of the friction between the contact plates and the windings, the float is not so easily displaced along the rod.
Technical Problem
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a liquid level indicator in which the contact plates maintain an equal contact pressure on both sides of the rod, independent of the external forces which affect the sender.
Solution
This is achieved according to the invention in that the contact element is pivotably carried on the float so that the contact element can rotate a little about an axis which normally extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rod. By means of this pivotability, compensation for side forces can be provided whilst still maintaining an unchanged contact pressure against both sides of the rod.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a liquid level indicator is provided which may comprise elongated guide element means having a vertical axis for providing a vertical guide path along the particular volume of liquid to be monitored. The liquid level indicator may also include electrically conductive wire helically arranged on the elongated guide element means with respect to the vertical axis extending therethrough. The electrically conductive wire should preferably extend along the vertical guide path provided by the elongated guide element means. Float means may be arranged for vertical movement along the vertical axis of the elongated guide element means to adapt to varying levels of the volume of liquid to be monitored. To complete the structure of the present liquid level indicator, a contact element may be pivotably mounted on the float means about a horizontal axis extending generally transverse to the vertical axis of the elongated guide element means. The contact element should be electrically conductive and preferably includes at least one contact plate arranged in correspondence with the conductive wire so that a circuit is formed which permits current to flow between the conductive wire and the contact element. The resistance of this circuit may vary in accordance with the relative position of the float means along the elongated guide element means.
In a preferred embodiment, the float means of the liquid level indicator may include a pair of bearing pins arranged at opposite sides thereof. It is also preferable for the contact element to comprise a pair of fastening rings arranged at opposite sides thereof so that the fastening rings may be mounted on respective ones of the pair of bearing pins to obtain the pivotable mounting of the contact element on the float means.
In another preferred embodiment, the contact element may comprise a main body and
REFERENCES:
patent: 4220047 (1980-09-01), Mauboussin
patent: 4641523 (1987-02-01), Andreasson
patent: 4702107 (1987-10-01), Guerrini et al.
patent: 5020366 (1991-06-01), Elfverson et al.
patent: 5129261 (1992-07-01), Riley
Gutierrez Diego F. F.
Scandmec AB
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