Abstract: A device for measuring a fill level of a liquid includes an ultrasonic sensor with two sensor elements. One of the sensor elements determines the echo time of an ultrasonic wave to a float which follows the liquid level. The other of the sensor elements determines the echo time of the ultrasonic wave up to a measuring reflector arranged at a known distance from the other of the sensor elements. An evaluation unit compares the echo times and determines the fill level of the liquid from the ratio of echo times and from the known distance to the measuring reflector.

Abstract: A level transmitter for a liquid container includes a simple construction without feed lines to the sensors through the container wall. The level transmitter has a plurality of sensors made from magnetostrictive material, which are excited to oscillate by an alternating magnetic field emitted by a transceiver unit. The sensors oscillate at different frequencies which are detected by the transceiver unit. The detected signals are fed to an evaluation unit and used to form a signal for the level. The level transmitter and the method are particularly suitable for use in fuel tanks in motor vehicles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the highly accurate determination of the filling level (q) of a product (4) in a container (2), measuring signals being transmitted in the direction of the surface (5) of the filled product (4) and reflected at the surface (5) as echo signals and the filling level (q) in the container (2) being determined by evaluation of the amplitude values (A) and phase values (&psgr;) of the reflected echo signals by means of a pulse delay-time method. Furthermore, an apparatus suitable for carrying out the method is proposed. The invention is based on the object of proposing a method and an apparatus which permit highly accurate filling level measurements in containers (2), even if multipath propagation or multimode propagation occurs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for monitoring select purge water parameters and determining when the parameters have stabilized. The method includes the steps of selecting which parameters are to be monitored and selecting the time interval between which evaluation readings are performed. The time interval may be selected in set time increments from within a predetermined time range. With the passing of each interval, the results of the evaluation readings are stored in a memory device for at least one, and more preferably a plurality, of consecutive readings. If the readings do not fall within the defined stabilization ranges for the selected parameters, the oldest scan is deleted from the memory device. The comparison of the reading results is again performed with the start of the next interval, with the new reading results being compared to the two old reading results.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring properties of a textile test specimen in a measuring gap (2), in which the textile test specimen is introduced, the measuring gap being formed by two walls. In order to provide a device of the type described, with which adjustment of the guide is simplified and with which the test specimen is nevertheless guided with sufficient accuracy, there is provided in the measuring gap a guide element (15) for the test specimen, which is associated with a wall and adjusted in a stationary manner relative to said wall.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a capacitive filling-level sensor, which is suitable in particular for filling-level determination in oil separator tanks. The capacitive sensor includes a measuring probe with at least one sensor electrode. According to the invention, the measuring probe is at least partially sheathed with at least one outer layer of a fluorinated plastic and at least one inner layer of a mica-filled plastic. Important exemplary embodiments concern an outer layer of perfluoroethylene-perfluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), an inner layer of mica-coated glass fiber tape impregnated with epoxy resin and possibly silanized and an incompressible, thermally adapted filling of the measuring-probe pipe with silicone oil and glass spheres or glass polyhedrons and/or an inner rod of AlMgSi-filled epoxy resin. The sheathing is electrically insulating, chemically inert, hydrophobic, oleophobic, waterproof, mechanically robust and easy to produce.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a level of fluid within a container. The apparatus includes a support coupled to the container. The apparatus additionally includes first and second floats. Each of the first and second floats is pivotally coupled to the support proximate a first end. The apparatus further includes a position sensing mechanism for sensing the relative positions of the first and second floats and responsively determining the level of fluid within the container.

Abstract: The invention concerns a microwave level measuring device for measuring of material levels in containers, suitable for operation at extreme container conditions, comprising high temperatures, high pressures, and/or chemically aggressive substances.

Abstract: A liquid level detection device having a contact portion or a conductor electrode withstanding degradation is provided. The liquid level detection device 1 includes a moving element including a float 9 and an arm 10 operating according to the level in a fuel tank 2, a contact portion 7 provided at a sliding body 8 operating in synchronization with the movement of the moving element, and an insulating substrate 6 provided with a conductor electrode 4 which the contact portion 7 slides on, and the contact portion 7 is formed of an alloy free from Ag (silver).

Abstract: Comparable values for the heights of the individual jumps in a series of multiple jumps can be achieved, if defined initial conditions for first and second successive integrations of measured vertical forces are given for each individual jump. The initial condition for the first integration is taken as a zero velocity in the middle of the flight time interval for each individual jump. For every second integration, as initial condition for the jump height, a constant initial height is taken. This is a characteristic value of the test person.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for establishing and/or monitoring the filling level of a medium in a container and to the determination of the density of a medium in a container. It is the object of the invention to propose a method and an apparatus which permit reliable determination and/or monitoring of the filling level or the density of a medium. With reference to the apparatus according to the invention, the object is achieved by virtue of the fact that at least a first mode and a second mode of the oscillations of the oscillable unit (2) are evaluated, and the evaluated modes are used to detect a change in mass at the oscillable unit (2).

Abstract: A gas trap liberates subterranean gases entrained in drilling muds. The trap introduces a stripping gas into a flow of mud gas for liberating mud gases. The trap comprises a pair of opposing truncated right circular vessels and having a concentric bottom mud inlet, a side mud outlet and a gas collection port in the freeboard area, at the top. A stirrer depends vertically into the trap. The stirrer has radial tubes extending from its lower end and inlet ports at its top end for forming a continuous bore and flow passage therethrough. The radial tube ends are bevelled on the trailing edge. The trap is partially immersed in mud forming a mud level in the trap and a freeboard area above containing air. When rotated, the hollow shaft spins the mud, establishing a flow through the trap and forming a turbulent low pressure area at the bevels, drawing air down the shaft from the upper ports and injecting stripping air into the mud, all of which aids in liberating gases from the mud.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a level of fluid within a container. The apparatus includes a first cantilevered arm having a first float coupled to the container. The apparatus additionally includes a second cantilevered arm having a second float coupled to the first cantilevered arm. The apparatus further includes a position sensing mechanism for sensing the relative positions of the first and second cantilevered arms and responsively determining the level of fluid within the container.

Abstract: A vehicle oil level monitoring system for verifying the amount of oil in an engine without requiring the user to access the engine compartment. The vehicle oil level monitoring system includes a vehicle with an engine and a fuel port, a dipstick, a sensor coupled to the dipstick for sensing the level of oil in the engine, and a monitoring assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fuel sensor suited for sensing the level of fuel in a motor vehicle fuel tank. The fuel tank includes an interior mounting to which the fuel sensor is affixed. The fuel sensor has a cantilever member extending in a substantially horizontal direction from the mounting to a free end. The cantilever member is substantially rigid but can be deflected in the vertical direction. A probe is affixed at the free end of the cantilever member to extend in a substantially vertical orientation approximately the full height of the fuel tank. A stabilizer member is affixed at one end to the mounting and at an opposing end to the probe. The stabilizer member has a pivot segment between the ends permitting the probe to move vertically but not horizontally. According to Archimedes's principle, the probe encounters a buoyant force equal to the weight of displaced fuel which induces strain in the cantilever member.

Abstract: An embodiment of the apparatus comprises a hollow tubular body (a) of a cross-section size larger than the diameter of any single particle but smaller than twice the diameter to accommodate passage of a single particle at a time through the hollow tubular body and (b) of a length to accommodate a predetermined number of particles. The apparatus includes an obstruction within the body that permits passage of fluid but prevents passage of a particle. The apparatus also includes a force applicator at one end of the tubular body to apply a force to draw a flow of fluid and particles into an end of the element to fill the hollow tubular body with particles along a length of the body up to the obstruction and to maintain the force so as to retain the particles within the body while transporting the retained particles to a location.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted soil sampler is provided. The soil sampler is designed to be mounted inside the vehicle proximal the operator. A mounting plate secures the soil sampler to the interior of the vehicle. A opening is provided in the floorboard underneath the soil sampler to permit the soil sampler to leave the vehicle, take a sample, and return to the vehicle with the sample. The soil sampler includes a first hydraulic motor and a second hydraulic motor. The first hydraulic motor is operates a chain drive which moves a guide member in an upward or downward fashion. The guide member is affixed to the auger assembly. The auger assembly includes an auger, a second hydraulic motor which rotates the auger as well as a sample chamber. The operator will drive the vehicle to a location where a soil sample is desired to be taken. The first hydraulic motor is actuated, lowering the auger assembly through the floor of the vehicle to the soil surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of for measuring fluid levels in a fluid tank (30) utilizing a no moving parts fluid level sensor (20). The apparatus comprises a hollow sensing tube (24) sealed to a pressure sensor (22). The pressure sensor (22) measures air column pressure as a function of hydrostatic pressure within the fluid tanks (30). By modifying the design of the hollow sensing tube (24) to incorporate at least 30% of the volume at its bottom end, the accuracy of the fluid level measurements may be increased by decreasing the meniscus level (34) deviation in the hollow sensing tube (24). Further, by adding a flexible diaphragm (62) to the bottom end that does not allow fluid to enter the hollow sensing tube (24), the accuracy of the fluid level measurements may be further increased by eliminating the meniscus level (34) altogether.

Abstract: A water based level measuring system including a water containing container with a base portion, a bottom and an upright defining chamber for containing water. The water containing chamber has a lower portion with an access opening communicating with the water and having an upper end portion. A measuring indica mechanism is operably linked to the water containing container. The measuring indica mechanism has a housing with a front element and a back element with the front element having a retaining recess for a moveable marked indicator element. The back element of the measuring indica mechanism is configured having a pair of retaining grooves for receiving and retaining a corresponding pair of retaining edges in the front element of the measuring indica mechanism. A tube connects the access opening of the fluid containing container and the measuring indica mechanism.

Abstract: A water level controller for a tank has control circuitry and multiple conductance terminals connected to the control circuitry and located at different heights from the other. By such an arrangement, the water level can be determined when the conductance of the water measured by corresponding conductance terminals becomes zero. The water inlet can be controlled to add to the tank by the control circuitry as the conductance measured by two of the corresponding terminals becomes practically negligible. Consequently, the water level in the tank can be accurately controlled, and the controller can be used with pure water so as to enlarge the useful scope of the controller.