Abstract: Apparatus, including an ultrasonic liquid level gauge and control system, includes a gauge configured to be coupled on the outside of a device, having a boiler or hot water tank, having liquid contained therein. The gauge is also configured to receive and contain a small part of the liquid of the device; and an ultrasonic transducing and signal processing arrangement configured to: reflect an ultrasonic pulse off a liquid surface of the small part of the liquid of the device contained in the gauge, and determine the level of liquid in the device based at least partly on a time of flight analysis related to the ultrasonic pulse reflected off the liquid surface of the small part of the liquid of the device contained in the gauge.

Abstract: Apparatus, including an ultrasonic liquid level gauge and control system, includes a gauge configured to be coupled on the outside of a device, having a boiler or hot water tank, having liquid contained therein. The gauge is also configured to receive and contain a small part of the liquid of the device; and an ultrasonic transducing and signal processing arrangement configured to: reflect an ultrasonic pulse off a liquid surface of the small part of the liquid of the device contained in the gauge, and determine the level of liquid in the device based at least partly on a time of flight analysis related to the ultrasonic pulse reflected off the liquid surface of the small part of the liquid of the device contained in the gauge.

Abstract: A conductance probe is provided for adapting in a device having a container for holding a fluid therein. The a conductance probe is installed therein for providing a conductance signal indicating whether it is in contact with the fluid. The conductance probe features a conductance probe cleaner having a temperature sensitive element arranged on a tip thereof that is responsive to a change in the temperature of the fluid, for wiping the conductance probe to keep deposits from building up thereon. The scope of the invention includes any and all bi-metal configurations using temperature changes to create probe cleaning. The device may be a boiler or other suitable device having a heating element for boiling water contained therein. The temperature sensitive element is arranged on a metal tip of the conductance probe so as to move axially when wiping the same.

Abstract: A device, having a container for holding a fluid moving therein and a conductance probe installed therein for providing a conductance signal indicating whether it is in contact with the fluid, features a jiggler arrangement having a jiggler arranged on the conductance probe so as to form a mechanical self-cleaning conductance probe, which responds to movement of the fluid, for wiping the conductance probe to keep deposits from building up on the conductance probe. The jiggler arrangement may include one or more grooves thereon so that the jiggler can be loosely fitted on the tip between one or more retaining rings arranged in the one or more grooves. The jiggler arrangement may include one or more retaining rings snap-fit on the tip for loosely arranging and retaining the jiggler on the tip.