Abstract: An indicator assembly for determining a liquid level condition within a tank includes a dial assembly with a base and a lens or cover connected to the base. A channel is formed in the lens and a go-no-go protrusion projects into the channel. An actuator is located between the base and the cover and is movable in response to a change in liquid level in the tank. The indicator assembly also includes a sensor module for insertion into the channel. The sensor module has a housing with a sensor for determining movement of the actuator in response to a change in liquid level. A go-no-go cavity complementary in shape with the go-no-go protrusion is formed in the housing so that the sensor module can be fully inserted into the housing with the sensor aligned with the actuator for generating signals related to the liquid level condition.

Abstract: A liquid level transducer (10) for mounting to a cryogenic tank includes a mounting head assembly (14) for connection to the tank (12) and an elongate sensing probe assembly (16) extending from the mounting head assembly (14) and into the tank. The mounting head assembly (14) has a lower mounting member (40) connected to the sensing probe assembly (16). The mounting head assembly also includes a tank mounting member (42) with a central bore (74) and a transverse wall (87) located within the bore. An upper connecting section (60) of the member (40) is threaded into the bore (74). A seal (147) is positioned between the transverse wall (87) and the upper connecting section (60). The upper connecting section (60) has a corrugated feature that receives and deforms the seal to interlock the components together and increase the sealing surface area therebetween.

Abstract: A transducer for determining the level of liquid within a container includes a mounting head for connection to the container; a senor tube extending from the mounting head; a substrate located in the sensor tube; at least one sensor positioned on the substrate for sensing a level of liquid within the container; and a float constrained to move along the sensor tube. The float has an actuator for changing an electrical state of the sensor to thereby indicate liquid level. At least one damping section having at least one damping beam integrally formed with the substrate is normally in contact with a surface associated with the sensor tube and is movable toward and away from the substrate to dampen forces acting on the transducer and thus on the at least one sensor. An electronic assembly with integral damping sections is also described.

Abstract: A liquid level transducer includes a mounting head connectable to a tank, a probe assembly extending into the tank, and a hose connecting assembly positioned on the mounting head outside of the tank. The probe assembly can include liquid withdrawal and return tubes and a sensor tube for determining the level of liquid within the tank. Bores are formed in the mounting head in alignment with the liquid withdrawal, return, and sensor tubes. First retaining features at least partially surround the withdrawal/return bores. The hose connecting assembly includes hose connectors with bases that have second retaining features that cooperate with the first retaining features so that the hose connectors can be aligned with the bores and adjusted to different angular positions about the central axes of the bores during assembly.

Abstract: A liquid level transducer includes a mounting head connectable to a tank, a probe assembly extending into the tank, and a hose connecting assembly positioned on the mounting head outside of the tank. The probe assembly can include liquid withdrawal and return tubes and a sensor tube for determining the level of liquid within the tank. Bores are formed in the mounting head in alignment with the liquid withdrawal, return, and sensor tubes. First retaining features at least partially surround the withdrawal/return bores. The hose connecting assembly includes hose connectors with bases that have second retaining features that cooperate with the first retaining features so that the hose connectors can be aligned with the bores and adjusted to different angular positions about the central axes of the bores during assembly.

Abstract: A liquid level transducer (10) for mounting to a cryogenic tank includes a mounting head assembly (14) for connection to the tank (12) and an elongate sensing probe assembly (16) extending from the mounting head assembly (14) and into the tank. The mounting head assembly (14) has a lower mounting member (40) connected to the sensing probe assembly (16). The mounting head assembly also includes a tank mounting member (42) with a central bore (74) and a transverse wall (87) located within the bore. An upper connecting section (60) of the member (40) is threaded into the bore (74). A seal (147) is positioned between the transverse wall (87) and the upper connecting section (60). The upper connecting section (60) has a corrugated feature that receives and deforms the seal to interlock the components together and increase the sealing surface area therebetween.

Abstract: A vertically-oriented cryogenic fluid cylinder includes an inner vessel for holding cryogenic fluid, an outer vessel surrounding the inner vessel, and a liquid level gauge for indicating a liquid level within the inner vessel. The liquid level gage includes a level indicator located outside of the outer vessel, a support arm extending down into the inner vessel, a swing arm pivotably secured to the support arm and connected to the level indicator so that angular position of the swing arm provides an indication of liquid level within the inner vessel on the level indicator, and a float on the swing arm that pivots the swing arm as the liquid level rises and lowers. The support arm forms an acute angle with the central longitudinal axis of the inner vessel so that the swing arm can be longer to move over a larger portion of the length of the inner vessel.

Abstract: A vertically-oriented cryogenic fluid cylinder includes an inner vessel for holding cryogenic fluid, an outer vessel surrounding the inner vessel, and a liquid level gauge for indicating a liquid level within the inner vessel. The liquid level gage includes a level indicator located outside of the outer vessel, a support arm extending down into the inner vessel, a swing arm pivotably secured to the support arm and connected to the level indicator so that angular position of the swing arm provides an indication of liquid level within the inner vessel on the level indicator, and a float on the swing arm that pivots the swing arm as the liquid level rises and lowers. The support arm forms an acute angle with the central longitudinal axis of the inner vessel so that the swing arm can be longer to move over a larger portion of the length of the inner vessel.

Abstract: Ad adjustable gauge 10 is disclosed for use in indicating the level of LP gas in a tank within a range of tank diameters, for example between thirty and forty-one inches. A significant advantage of the LP gas gauge 10 is that a single gauge can be easily adapted for use in a tank of diameter within the pre-selected range by simply removing a length of portion 44 of the float rod roughly equal to the difference in the diameter of the maximum tank for which the gauge is adapted and the actual diameter of the tank in which the tank is entitled.

Abstract: A density compensating float is used in conjunction with a stop-fill valve for limiting the filling of a tank. The primary application of the density compensating float is for use in LPG tanks. The compensating float includes a portion thereof having graded volumetric segments which correspond to the changes in density for a particular fluid, such as propane. For a given quantity of fluid in the tank, the float has an essentially constant angular position despite variations in the density of the fluid, and therefore changes in buoyancy of the fluid, as a result of changes in temperature. Thus, fluid at any temperature can be input into the tank and the stop-fill valve will be activated when a given quantity of fluid has been received without regard to the temperature of the fluid. This provides maximum filling of the tank while limiting the fluid to the maximum safe quantity.

Abstract: A direct indicating automatic stop fill valve is mounted to the inlet to an LPG tank whereby inlet ports to the tank volume are covered by a slidably mounted cylinder which is raised through contact with a float/cam arrangement until the tank level reaches a predetermined level. The cylinder is then driven into a sealing position to stop the flow into the tank by a differential pressure force resulting from the inlet pressure being higher than tank fluid pressure. The cylinder also supports a drive magnet for actuating a gauging mechanism to visibly indicate the open or closed status of the stop fill valve.