Abstract: An apparatus and a method for filling vessels with liquid has a non-electric fill indicator having an air passageway leading up and out of the vessel to an air flow indicator, air escaping during filling causes the indicator to whistle and when the whistle stops, the vessel is filled and the user stops filling. The air flow is not stopped until the height level of opened air inlet port is covered by the vessel liquid. The funnel has a full height slot along one side and a vertically slidable air tube in the slot; air is admitted transversely into an aperture through the tube with the aperture being vertically movable along with the tube for easy adjustment of relative fill level.

Abstract: An indicator assembly generates a sound when a liquid is flowing through a fill conduit for a storage tank. The assembly has a body with a first connection device for connection with the fill conduit, and has a second connection device for connection to the storage tank. There is a passageway for liquid which extends between the first and second connection devices. An aspirator has an outer opening outside the body which communicates with an inner opening positioned to contact liquid flowing through the passageway from the fill conduit. A sound generator generates a sound with a flow of air therethrough. The sound generator is connected to the outer end of the aspirator so that, when liquid flows through the passageway for liquid, air is drawn through the aspirator from the storage tank, and the sound generator generates sounds.

Abstract: Combination hydrocarbon and water level sensor systems for use in connection with underground storage sites, such as gasoline storage tanks, industrial waste sites, and the like, with a solar cell power source and an LCD display located above ground and providing directly viewable indication of the presence or absence in the underground environment of "HYDROCARBON" and/or "WATER", with the absence of such being indicated by "OK". In the preferred form, a pod containing an adsorptive type hydrocarbon gas sensor and a galvanic cell type liquid water sensor is suspended by electrical cable means from a well cap in which the solar cell and LCD display are installed.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for controlling the flow of liquid accumulated in a closed vessel through a drain port in the bottom wall of the vessel. The assembly includes a body member having a first section disposed within the drain port. The body member has a second section extending outwardly from the first section. The first and second sections are provided with a first passage for air venting the vessel interior, a second passage for controlled draining of the accumulated liquid from the vessel interior, and a common opening, the latter having an exposed end. Adjustably mounted on the body member is a valve member having a first segment adjustably disposed with respect to the opening of the body member and a second segment projecting outwardly from the first segment and subtending the body member second section. The valve member second segment is provided with first and second passages corresponding with the first and second passages of the body member.

Abstract: An ink jet recorder comprises a first tank as an ink supply source, a second tank as an ink supply source for the first tank, and three switching means and a pump arranged in an ink supply path. By controlling open/close states of the switching means and operation condition of the pump, print mode, supply mode, pressure mode, circulation mode or store mode can be selectively established.

Abstract: An offshore drilling tower has at least one upright hollow member extending from below the water to support an above-water platform. A detector in or on the hollow member, usually below the water, responds to a water leak into the hollow member. The detector includes a signal generator responsive to pressure or chemical effect of the water. The detector is effective when actuated by water intrusion into the hollow member and into contact with the detector to send a signal of a unique or distinct frequency through the member itself to a signal receiver, preferably on the platform. The receiver is tuned to the distinct frequency and is effective upon receipt of such signal to afford an indication that the detector has been actuated by a water leak at a particular location.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir with a fluid-level sensor includes a manual testing device consisting of two separate but cooperative rods. The fluid-level sensor consists of a float within the reservoir and a reed switch which is closed to cause a low fluid-level alarm when the float is lower than a predetermined level. The testing device serves to depress the float to below that level to ensure that the switch and the alarm are working. A first rod is supported by a filter mounted at the top of the reservoir. A second rod is supported by a flexible cover which fits over the top of the reservoir. The rods are coaxial and free to move downward far enough to push the float to below the above level. Having the two rods separable allows the cover to be removed easily without damaging the manual testing device.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for controlled draining of a liquid accumulated in a closed vessel. The assembly includes a body member mounted on the vessel and a valve piece adjustably mounted on the body member for movement between open and closed positions. The body member has a first section extending into the vessel interior wherein the liquid accumulates, a second section secured to the vessel, and a substantially exposed third section. The first, second, and third sections are provided with a common primary passage and an independent common secondary passage. Each passage has one end terminating within the vessel interior and a second end terminating externally of the vessel. The body member first section is provided with a stationary valve seat disposed in aligned and spaced relation with respect to the primary passage one end. The valve piece includes an elongated first element slidably and sealingly mounted within the primary passage.

Abstract: In a sea vessel having a bilge pump energized in response to bilge water level, an operating parameter of the bilge pump, such as on-time or water output, is monitored and compared with a normal or expected reference value of the parameter to indirectly detect leakage into the bilge. The reference value may be manually set by the operator or may be automatically set in response to circuitry for obtaining the running average of the parameter previously monitored. In one embodiment, an alarm is triggered if the reference is exceeded by the monitored parameter indicative of excessive leakage. In a second embodiment, the monitored parameter is compared with two references. A first alarm at the vessel is triggered if the monitored bilge pump parameter is above the first reference indicating slightly excessive leakage into the bilge whereas a second alarm, which may be remote, is triggered if the monitored parameter is above the second, higher reference indicating grossly excessive leakage.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooperation with an existing opening within a cooling radiator of a vehicle for determining the liquid level in the radiator. The radiator, which may be an automobile or truck radiator, is connected to an electrical power source of the vehicle through the vehicle chassis. An insulator is established relative to the vehicle radiator in a substantially fixed relation. A sensor is mounted to the insulator for extending into the liquid in the radiator when a sufficient quantity of liquid is contained therein. The sensor has a plurality of curved surfaces for increasing the surface area of the sensor. An indicator interconnects the sensor with the electrical power source of the vehicle for indicating the level of liquid contained in the radiator by conductivity through the liquid in contact with the sensor. The increased surface area of the sensor enables the indicator means to be a conventional incandescent lamp connected in series with the sensor and the electrical power source of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a movement detector, more particularly a sensor comprising a container partially filled with a liquid into which three electrodes extend. An input alternating signal is applied to two of the electrodes and an output signal amplitude modulated in accordance with movement of the liquid in the container, is detected from another two of the electrodes by means of a sensing circuit which includes a demodulator for detecting the amplitude modulation and a circuit arrangement which provides a container movement signal in response to successive peaks in the demodulated signal which are in excess of a given threshold value being spaced apart in time from one another by a time dependent upon the peak magnitudes of the demodulated signal.

Abstract: A dispensing valve for controlling the flow of a liquid from a container into a receptacle is described. Such valve is designed to terminate liquid flow automatically when the liquid level within the receptacle reaches a predetermined height. It includes a cap to be secured hermetically on the mouth of a liquid container and a stud to project axially from the cap into the interior of such container. At least two passages extend through the stud, one of such passages being a liquid passage for the flow of liquid from the container and the other being an air passage for the flow of air in the container to replace the liquid. A conduit projects outwardly from the cap to have its free end immersed by liquid within the receptacle being filled when the liquid therein reaches the desired height. Such conduit has an air inlet in its free end which communicates with the air passage extending through the stud.

Abstract: A measuring or sampling probe is to be lowered to a desired depth in a molten metal. The probe is mounted on a probe carrier which can be lowered and raised. A contact detector, which emits a control signal when the detector comes into contact with the upper surface of the molten metal, is fixed on the probe carrier at a distance above the probe.

Abstract: A liquid level detecting device for vapour generators is characterized by a stack tube for connection to the vapour generator and preferably two separate side tubes in the form of loops each having an upper vapour inlet to the stack tube and a lower outlet disposed respectively at a low water level and a high water level. In use the loops fill with cooled condensate. When the water level moves past either of the cooling tube outlets the condition of that tube is disturbed, and the cooled water is displaced from one portion of the loop to another and steam occupies the previously cooled portion of the tube. The temperature change is sensed and used to give an alarm.