Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the level or quantity of a particulate material contained in a vessel by means of an agitating and/or delivering member while agitating the particulate material which needs to be agitated from time to time. The agitating member is arranged in the vessel for rotation about a horizontal axis, the center of gravity of the agitating member deviating from said horizontal axis. A driving and a driven disks disposed in spaced juxtaposed relationship constitute drive means for driving the agitating member. Arranged between the driving and driven disks is coupling means which, while permitting the disks to rotate relative to each other through a predetermined angle, connects the two disks to each other when the disks reach an end of said angle.

Abstract: Measurement of the depth of material in a container is achieved through the use of an elongated sensor having a flexible member capable of being maintained in a collapsed condition to the extent of immersion by the material. A fluid control and measurement system in communication with a fluid passage in the sensor defined in part by the flexible member is operable to alternately force fluid into and drawn fluid from the portion of the sensor which is not maintained in a collapsed state by immersion in the material. The quantity of fluid thus measured is an indication of the extent of the sensor not yet covered by the material, and hence an indication of the depth of the material in the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the level and dielectric constant of a liquid which includes a device for generating a subnanosecond baseband pulse that propagates through a transition device to a single wire transmission line that extends through an air filled region into the liquid. A discontinuity created at the air liquid interface produces a reflection of the baseband pulse that is compared with the transmitted pulse with respect to time of arrival and amplitude to determine the liquid level and the reflection coefficient at the air liquid interface. The reflection coefficient is then utilized to determine the dielectric constant of the liquid.

Abstract: A water wave height and fluid level measuring system is disclosed as having buoyant support mast which floats partially above water and partially below water in a substantially vertical disposition. A radio frequency transmitter is mounted on said mast above said water, and a plurality of radio frequency receivers are mounted on said mast at spatially disposed positions along said mast and submerged within said water. Telemetering, receiving data processing, and readout means are effectively connected to said receivers for communicating the output signals therefrom to predetermined remote or other locations, with said output signals being analog signals which represent water wave height or other fluid level at any given instant.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the location of a liquid-liquid or a liquid-gas interface in tanks or cavities and has particular use in determining the position of the explosive collar level in boreholes charged with water gel explosives. The apparatus consists of a sensing element which may be lowered into a cavity. Air is exhausted from the sensing element into the surrounding medium. Any restriction to air flow caused by the surrounding medium causes an increase in air pressure which increase signals the presence of an interface.

Abstract: A solids level indicator adapted for use in a vessel having solids flowing downwardly therein. A shaft is fixedly mounted at one end thereof while a generally flat plate is mounted at the free end thereof, the plate being perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. Strain gauges are mounted adjacent the fixed end of the shaft for indicating the twisting thereof in response to the weight of solids acting on the plate, the plate being in a generally horizontal plane. The fixed end of the shaft may be hollowed-out-having a thin-walled portion to which the strain gauges are affixed. Shear pins may be connected from a stationary member to the shaft to allow for rotation of the shaft relative to the stationary member should a force larger than a predetermined amount act upon the plate, whereby damage to the plate and shaft may be avoided. The shear pins and the strain gauges may be readily accessible from the exterior of the vessel allowing replacement thereof without interrupting the operation of the vessel.

Abstract: A level-sensing head is suspended from a capstan above a vessel by means of a flexible link which is wound around the capstan to raise or lower that head upon rotation thereof in one direction or the other. Depending upon the position of the sensing head relative to the level of a liquid or other flowable mass in the vessel, the head causes emission of either of two control signals triggering a pulse generator to step a motor, coupled with the capstan, in a sense tending to maintain that relative level between two narrow limits. The output of the pulse generator is also fed to recording equipment and/or to a digital comparator designed to establish a preselected level which may be modified from time to time by a programmer. The flexible link may serve as an electrical or fluidic transmission channel for control signals originating at the sensing head; with a floating sensing head such control signals can also be generated by a torsion monitor inserted between the motor shaft and the capstan.

Abstract: A temperature compensated inductive liquid metal level detection system and a preferred probe structure is detailed. The temperature compensation is provided by provision of a separate temperature compensation coil as part of the inductive probe.

Abstract: A probe of the mutual inductance type with a linear response which is independent of temperature comprises a rigid support, two insulated cables disposed in interengaged relation and wound on the support, means for supplying one of the cables C.sub.1 with alternating current having constant amplitude and frequency, means for measuring the voltage between the two extremities of the second cable C.sub.2. A single resistor R is placed between the extremities of the cable C.sub.2, the resistance value of the resistor and the value of the frequency f being determined so as to ensure that the variations in voltage measured between the extremities of the cable C.sub.2 are reduced to zero in respect of any given level of liquid outside the probe.

Abstract: A non-contact inductive pickup for determining the interface between two media. The media have different specific density, different specific resistance and at least one of the media is electrically conductive and non-magnetic. The pickup comprises two open U-shaped magnetic circuits disposed parallel to each other and embraced by excitation and measuring windings.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the level of bulk material stored in a bin, tank, silo or the like. A multiple link chain is disposed along an axis between two vertically displaced reference points with the chain having an upper end above and a lower end below the top surface of bulk material in a bin. All chain links above the top surface of the bulk material are free to rotate with respect to their adjacent links about the chain axis by a predetermined angular displacement before interferingly engaging the adjacent links. A rotational driving means is coupled to the upper end of the chain, said driving means having a predetermined torque limit. The driving means rotates the upper end of the chain about its axis until it encounters a torsional impedance exceeding its torque limit, that impedance being due to bulk material in contact with the lateral surfaces of the chain links which are below the top surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluidic clinometer for automatically operating servomechanisms according to the angular displacements of a structure on which the inclinometer is fixedly mounted for integral movement therewith.