Abstract: A self-compensating fluid level sensor is described, including a dual array of capacitive sensors on a dielectric substrate, the dual array of sensors forming multiple sensor pairs. Multiple signal detection circuits including comparators are configured to compare the capacitance of a first sensor pair with a second sensor pair. The internal capacitance comparisons allow the fluid level sensor to compensate for variations in the dielectric of the fluid being measured, as well as for manufacturing and materials variations that affect capacitive sensing. The passive level sensor also provides a platform for providing additional circuitry for providing additional information regarding the liquid, such as liquid composition.

Abstract: A method of communicating data between points along a fluid flow includes providing a plurality of remotely writable and readable data storage units capable of flowing in the fluid flow; remotely writing data to the data storage units as they pass a first point in the fluid flow; and remotely reading data from the data storage units as they pass a second point in the fluid flow downstream of the first point. The system of the present invention includes a plurality of remotely writable and readable data storage units capable of flowing in the fluid flow; a data writer at the first point for remotely writing data to the data carriers as they pass the first point in the fluid flow; and a data reader at the second point for remotely reading data from the data carriers as they pass the second point in the fluid flow.

Abstract: Increased efficiency coagulation and washing of latex particles is achieved by coagulating the latex to form particle flocks by application of a combination of mechanical and thermal energy, with up to about 85% of the applied energy being thermal energy. The flocks are thereafter washed by passage in counter-current relationship with wash water. The invention is particularly useful in the coagulation of fluorocarbon latices generated by polymerization, particularly emulsion polymerization.