Abstract: A system for measuring a level of dry bulk material within a container has at least one vertical cable with a plurality of drag elements supported at spaced locations along a length of the cable. The drag elements each have at least one opening through which the cable extends. The vertical cable can be a single cable extending through the center of the drag elements, or multiple cables extending through spaced apart openings in the drag elements. A load cell is arranged to measure a cumulative weight of the cable and drag elements plus the downward force applied by the dry bulk material to the drag elements to provide a load cell signal proportional to the level of dry bulk material in the container. The drag elements can be provided in various shapes and configurations, including circular disks or cap-shaped elements having substantially flat horizontal upper surfaces.

Abstract: A plug may be deployed within a pipeline along with a fluid. The plug is coupled to a fiber optic line dispensed from fiber optic dispenser located outside or within the pipeline. The plug may transmit a signal via the fiber optic line that is indicative of the location of the plug within the pipeline. The signal may comprise light pulses associated with the traversal of a pipeline joint by the plug. The location may allow the plug to be reclaimed efficiently and economically should the plug become lodged within the pipeline. The plug may communicate other measurement information via the fiber optic line and this information may be used to adjust operational parameters associated with the pipeline.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for detecting oil and mineralized water, if it exists, in a well. The apparatus comprises a sensor assembly for placing down the well, the sensor assembly having a float therein that rises when fluid is detected and adapted to close an electrical contact of a circuit having a power source. The apparatus also has a base assembly used for raising and lowering the sensor assembly into and out of the well. An alarm is electrically coupled to the circuit that includes the sensor assembly and power source, the alarm operable to indicate when the electrical contact is closed.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus (1) for monitoring the level of a liquid within a vessel (3). The apparatus comprises a surface following sensing head (5) adapted to follow the surface (7) of the liquid. A gauging head (9) is mounted outside the vessel (3) at pre-determined fixed distance from the vessel (3). Rotatably mounted within the gauge head (9) is a reel (11) which has wound upon it a flexible elongate tape (13) having its free end (15) connected to the sensing head (5). The flexible tape (13) passes along a defined path of fixed length from the reel (11) to a reference point above the vessel and includes a plurality of level markers (17) which are equally spaced one from another along the length of the tape (13) each pair of adjacent markers (17) being of pre-determined fixed distance apart. A stepper motor (19) is mounted within the gauging head (9) and coupled to the reel (11) to rotate the reel (11) about its axis in two opposite directions.

Abstract: A probe includes a probe foot which is suspended on a cable or a chain attached to a winding drum mounted in a sealed casing above the furnace and which communicates with the interior of the latter via a vertical sleeve passing through the upper wall of the furnace, an electric motor associated with a reducer for actuating the winding drum, and a device for detecting the unwinding and winding up of the winding drum in order to control the speed and torque of the motor. The motor is a servomotor, the speed and torque of which are controlled automatically as a function of the detection device by comparison of the actual speed of the motor with data of desired values dependent on the position of the probe foot.

Abstract: A liquid level gage system is disclosed. This system includes a displacer secured to a cable and movable in response to winding or unwinding said cable around or from around a rotatable drum. The rotatable drum is coupled to a driven shaft, and a drive assembly is provided to drive the driven shaft. An indicator subsystem is included which provides an indication of a change in the apparent weight of the displacer as the displacer is moved across a liquid level. A strain gage is a key component of the indicator subsystem. In one embodiment, an assembly is provided for powering the indicator subsystem and transferring data from the indicator subsystem which involves two pair of coils. In another embodiment, the gage system can be effectively remotely programmed using light signals.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a plumb bob device for determining the bed height of bulk material in a shaft furnace. The winding drum 1 for unwidning and rewinding a cable 5 or a chain with a plumb bob 6 suspended at its end is driven by a hydraulic motor 3. A displacement transducer 9 is driven by the shaft of the winding drum 1. The motor for driving the winding drum 1 is a so-called low-speed hydraulic motor 3. The displacement transducer 9 sends a signal associated with the actual measured depth to a pressure-proportional valve 10 directly, i.e., without an electrical control device. This valve presets a plumb bob holding pressure associated with the actual depth for the hydraulic motor 3.

Abstract: A level gauge is used on a tank containing a liquid. The gauge utilizes a displacer suspended on a support wire or tape which is wound on a storage wheel. The storage wheel is balanced by a counterweight. Any change in liquid level results in an imbalance which causes a servo motor to energize and rotate the wheel to bring the counterweight and displacer back into balance. The change in level is determined by counting the steps of motor operation. The changes in level are determined using the relationship between length and steps of motor operation. The level gauge is operable to continually correct calculation to compensate for changes in wire length per turn of the spool.

Abstract: A method for measuring wireline depths in a borehole using paired encoder wheels frictionally engaging the wireline is disclosed. The method allows for the correction of the measurement from a slipping encoder wheel without corrupting the measurement from the non-slipping encoder wheel.The method comprises incrementing corresponding depth counters whenever a pulse is produced by one of the encoder wheels. The depth counts are compared and if a significant difference exists, the value of the counter corresponding to the slipping encoder wheel is set equal to the value or the other wheel.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating level of material comprises a cable vertically suspended so as to contact and be surrounded by the material. The cable is suspended from a cam follower mechanism that engages a cam coupled to a motor for selectively introducing slack in the cable, such that the upper portion of the cable unsupported by the material engages and is suspended from a load cell. Circuitry is responsive to cable weight measured by the load cell for indicating level of the material. The motor comprises a rotary electric motor having a horizontal axis of rotation perpendicular to the vertical cable. The cam comprises a cam plate coupled to the motor to rotate about the motor axis and having an asymmetric periphery surrounding the axis of rotation. The cam follower mechanism comprises an arm pivotally mounted in fixed position adjacent to the cam plate and supporting a roller that engages the cam plate periphery.

Abstract: A drop-weight material level indicator in which a spool is mounted above material whose level is to be sensed and is coupled to a motor for selectively unwinding and winding a drop line wound on the spool. The drop line is trained over an idler pulley carried at the end of a pivot arm, and over a second idler pulley to a drop weight. Level sensing electronics are coupled to the second idler pulley for measuring the amount of cable unwound as the drop weight descends toward the upper surface of the material. A magnet is carried on the pivot arm, and a reed switch is positioned adjacent thereto for sensing removal of tension from the drop line and consequent pivotal motion of the arm, and thereby indicating rupture of the drop line to an operator.