Abstract: An adapter for holding a sample container includes a main body portion and a tapered body portion that forms a continuation of the main body portion. The tapered body portion includes a mouth opening that is of lesser diameter than the diameter of the main body portion. The mouth opening of the adapter is sized to provide direct support of a sample container which holds a liquid sample. During liquid level sensing ultrasonic waves from an ultrasound detector are reflected back to the sound detector as echoes from the lip flange of the sample container and from the liquid level within the sample container. The tapered surface of the adapter deflects sound echoes away from the sound detector. The adapter is thus invisible to the ultrasound detector. The echo from the liquid level is a variable duration echo and the echo from the lip flange of the sample container is a fixed duration echo that is always of lesser duration than the variable duration echo.

Abstract: An improved pressure activated control apparatus is provided for sensing fluid pressure and triggering one or more switches in response to the fluid pressure, as desired. The apparatus is designed to be placed within a fluid of a reservoir. The apparatus includes a first resilient member, such as a pliable rolling diaphragm or bellofram, having an outer surface exposed to the fluid and responsive to the fluid pressure. The pressure activated control apparatus includes a second resilient member, such as a spring with a chosen spring constant, k, that provides a biasing force against the diaphragm that is opposite the fluid pressure. A transducer is operative to monitor changes in pressure of gases within the apparatus causes by movement of the diaphragm. A controller is responsive to the transducer and selectable fluid level thresholds to activate pumps and/or valves for adjusting the level of the fluid in the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for measuring liquid level, comprising a detection set (Si) including two piezoelectric cells (10, 12) associated with control means for transmitting ultrasonic waves respectively opposite a reference reflector (16), located at a known distance (D) from the associated cell, and from the top surface (14) of the liquid, and processing means for determining the level of liquid by operating on the respective propagation times of the ultrasounds emitted by each of the two cells (10, 12). The invention is characterised in that it comprises means for defining, after the device has been charged, an initialising phase (1100, 1100 bis) during which the control means control the piezoelectric cells (10, 12) such that the ratio between the excitation rate of the reference cell (12) and that of the level-measuring cell (10) is higher than the ratio between those same rates during the subsequent stabilised measuring phase (1300).

Abstract: Filling level indicators for washer fluid containers in motor vehicles have hitherto been arranged directly on the washer fluid container or been integrated in the instrument cluster on the motor vehicle. Despite the available information, the filling of the container when the level is too low is often delayed. A filling level indicator more effectively indicates the filling level by arranging the filling level indicator in the region of the tank filler neck, whereby the filling level in the washer fluid container is only indicated to the driver when he has in any case interrupted his journey in order to fill up with fuel and is free from other activities, so that it is virtually impossible for him to be distracted.

Abstract: Volume measuring apparatus is used in a closed space as in the case of volume measurement of liquid in a container placed on an orbit of an artificial satellite and permits the volume measurement in a state without mixture with gas, liquid, or solid. A volume measuring apparatus is an apparatus for measuring the volume of liquid or solid under microgravity, which has two or more containers coupled to each other by a pipe, a device for separating or fixing a gas phase, a liquid phase, or a solid phase, a pressure fluctuation source, a pressure signal receiver, a pressure gage, and a thermometer, wherein the separating or fixing device, the pressure fluctuation source, the pressure signal receiver, the pressure gage, and the thermometer are placed in the containers and wherein the pressure fluctuation source, the pressure signal receiver, the pressure gage, and the thermometer are connected to a signal analyzing unit.

Abstract: An oil-gauge for the axle-end of a vehicle includes a transparent or translucid lid (15) for inspecting the level of oil in a chamber (13) housing the wheel-mounting bearings. A disk partition (23) is bolted to the inside of the lid to form a shallow subchamber (25). The disk is provided with orifices for oil level in the subchamber to follow the oil level in the main chamber. The visible surface (29) of the disk is painted white and the subchamber houses one or more loose elements (31) to wipe the inside of the lid clean.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and a device for determining a filling level and can be applied to the ascertainment of the simmering process of mineral oil products. The method is characterized that by means of at least two stationary sensors, a first filling level and at least a second filling level are defined and the number of drops required for reaching the first and second filling levels is recorded. By way of a further sensor the number of drops dropped in during the simmering process is counted and, by way of calculation, the partial volume at a specified location and the filling level are determined.

Abstract: A device for sensing a level of a fluid, the device including a microcontroller and a probe coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller applies a given DC potential to the probe for a first period of time, measures a voltage associated with the level of the fluid to be sensed after the first period of time, and applies a reference DC potential to the probe for a second period of time.

Abstract: An integrated mesopump-sensor suitable for disposition in two- and three-dimensional arrays having small dimensions is disclosed. One mesopump is formed of an electrostatically attractable flexible diaphragm disposed through cavities or pumping chambers formed between two opposing electrostatically chargeable material layers. Fluid is pumped through the chambers by sequentially moving the diaphragm toward the first chargeable layer, then towards the second chargeable layer, which can pull and push the fluid through a series of chambers, and past the sensor. One group of sensors utilizes multiple and varied chemoresistive sensors which can vary in resistance differently in response to the presence of various analytes. Another group of sensors utilizes chemo-fluorescent sensors that fluoresce in the presence of particular analytes.

Abstract: A wireless (e.g., radio) system and method for automatic water level maintenance of, e.g., a swimming pool utilizing capacitive liquid level sensing. A reference electrode allows water level sensing independent of the water chemistry or temperature. Capacitive electrodes having areas larger than the reference electrode sense various liquid levels when the liquid covers an area of any sensing electrode equal to the area of the reference electrode. Averaging is incorporated to filter out effects of wind or other disturbances. Upon sensing a given condition, the transmitter transmits a sensed condition to a remote receiver for control of valves and pumps for changing the water level in the pool. The receiver includes safety timers for filling and emptying to protect against equipment failure or communications faults. User selectable identification allows identical such radio systems to operate within proximity to each other. Power saving features are used to extend battery life.

Abstract: A digital signal fuel sensor includes a digital sensor and a wiper assembly for rotation relative to the digital sensor. The digital sensor has a plurality of sensing portions having at least one conductive segment thereon forming a fuel level portion. The wiper assembly also includes a plurality of contact arms extending toward the digital sensor for contacting the sensing portions of the digital sensor as the wiper assembly rotates to produce a binary output.

Abstract: The present invention includes tree crown volume measuring devices and measuring systems useful in determining the necessary amount of growth regulator product to be applied to trees near power lines. The present invention also includes measuring methods and processes using the devices of the present invention.

Abstract: A sand penetrability gauge for golf course bunker sand, having a probe shaft for penetrating into bulk sand, a weight or spring for reproducibly applying force to advance the probe shaft into bulk sand, the probe shaft being movably connected to the weight or spring, and measuring indicia associated with the probe shaft for measuring displacement of the probe shaft, with a cross-sectional area of the probe shaft and the force of the weight or spring selected so that the measuring indicia will provide a displacement measurement when the probe is driven into golf course sand bunker sand.

Abstract: An on-line moisture analyzer and method of analyzing the moisture content of an ore concentrate. A sample conveyor moves a sample of the concentrate to be analyzed to an aluminum pan that receives and holds the sample of the concentrate. A horizontal linear slide having a pneumatic vertical lift mounted to rotary arm is detachably connected to the aluminum pan by gripping fingers that detachably engage the pan. A scale is accessible by the conveyance member for weighing the sample. An oven also accessible by the conveyance member has a door that has a complimentary shape relative to a cross section of the sample container and conveyance member is used for heating the sample. A programmable logic controller controls the conveyance member and the oven door. A data processing unit receives data from the scale and determines a moisture content based on the data.

Abstract: During the determination of a fill level of liquid in a container, a measuring chamber, in which there is initially the same fill level as in the container, is completely filled with liquid. The time required for completely filling the measuring chamber is measured and compared with previously determined values. The fill level in the container is then determined by comparison of the measured values with the known values.

Abstract: A portable bin full indicator is disclosed comprising a sensor operable to send a signal when the level of particulate material in a bin reaches the level of the sensor; means to temporarily secure the sensor in a top portion of the bin; an alarm operatively connected to the sensor such that it is activated by the signal; and a battery to supply electrical power to the sensor and alarm. An extensible handle is provided to allow insertion into a bin by an operator standing on the ground, and also an adjustable hook is provided that may be configured for various bins.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for extracting cross-sectional samples of bulk material from a moving belt conveyor with a rotating sample cutter. The sample cutter is driven around a circular sampling path by a pair of double-acting pneumatic cylinders that are connected to angularly offset crank throws. Fluid flow in and out of each pneumatic cylinder pressure chamber is independently regulated as a function of the respective cylinder rod position and direction of movement whereby both chambers may be simultaneously open to the pressure supply or to the atmospheric vent for a brief rotational arc.

Abstract: Level indicator for controlling the levels in a boiler or similar, comprising two conductive material rods, inserted in a single insulating material mold body, suitable for withstanding high pressures and temperatures, said rods protruding at different heights from the body; said insulating body being applied to a single hole of the boiler or tank in which the minimum and maximum level is to be monitored.

Abstract: A fuel quantity transducer (20) suitable for use in a liquid level measurement system (30) uses an AMR device (30) to permit liquid level measurement. A flange (60) is fastened to the inside of a tank (12) and the AMR device (38) on the outside of the tank (12). A support (62) provides a channel shaped piece that is attached to the flange (60) and provides a pivot for a rotor (64). A stop pin (61) is pressed into the support (62) and provides a stop for the rotor (64) at each end of a ninety degree arc. The rotor (64) is a square bar counterbored for a magnet (42) and tapped laterally for a pivot rod. The magnet (42) is placed on the counterbore and retained such that the clearance between the magnet (42) and the flange is small. A float arm (80) is screwed into the axially threaded end of the rotor (64) and secured with a locking jam nut (82).

Abstract: A fuel level sensors eliminates lines to the sensor through the container wall. The novel level transmitter has a sensor made from magnetostrictive material which is stimulated to oscillate by an alternating magnetic field from a transceiver unit. These oscillations are detected by the transceiver unit, fed to an evaluation unit and used to form a signal for the level. The level transmitter and the method are particularly suitable in the case of use in fuel containers of motor vehicles.