Patents by Inventor Edmund W. Ballou

Edmund W. Ballou has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Apparatus for detecting level changes in distance
    Patent number: 4397183
    Abstract: An apparatus useful in detecting changes in distance comprises: a signal emitter capable of emitting a substantially constant signal; a signal reflector capable of reflecting at least a portion of the substantially constant signal and being moveable in a substantially straight line direction toward or away from the emitter; and a signal receiver capable of receiving the reflected signal, whereby a change in the received signal is indicative of a change in the distance between the emitter and reflector. This apparatus is particularly useful in detecting changes in the amount of liquid in a liquid storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Edmund W. Ballou, Frederick L. Voelz, Thomas A. Collins