Abstract: An ambulatory infusing device including a housing, a reservoir defining an interior volume, a wall associated with the housing and having an inner surface that faces into the reservoir interior volume, and a filter assembly. The filter assembly may include a filter assembly housing with a housing filter portion having a filter supporting volume, a filter located within the filter supporting volume, and a bubble guard, including a bubble guard wall and at least one bubble guard aperture that extends through the bubble guard wall, associated with the filter assembly housing such that the bubble guard wall is located in spaced relation to the filter.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing liquid from a container, and for monitoring the level of liquid within said container, comprises a container for storing liquid to be dispensed; and a conduit, the conduit comprising: a feed tube extending from the container to an appliance; a dip tube extending in the container to the bottom of the container; a liquid supply channel extending through the feed tube and dip tube and having an open first end defined by a lower end of the dip tube, which, in use, is arranged to be immersed in said liquid in said container, and a second end arranged, in use, to extend outside of said container; and a pressure measurement channel branching from the feed tube at a point located between said first and second ends of the liquid supply channel.

Abstract: An ambulatory infusing device including a housing, a reservoir defining an interior volume, a wall associated with the housing and having an inner surface that faces into the reservoir interior volume, and a filter assembly. The filter assembly may include a filter assembly housing with a housing filter portion having a filter supporting volume, a filter located within the filter supporting volume, and a bubble guard, including a bubble guard wall and at least one bubble guard aperture that extends through the bubble guard wall, associated with the filter assembly housing such that the bubble guard wall is located in spaced relation to the filter.

Abstract: A device arranged for measuring a level of a liquid in a container. The device has a sensor, arranged to sense a pressure of a liquid in a tube, a pump arranged to pump the liquid from the container through the tube, and a valve located along the tube between the sensor and the pump and arranged to impede back flow of the liquid into the container when the pump stops pumping the liquid. The device is arranged to measure the level of the liquid into the container on the basis of the hydrostatic pressure measured by the sensor after each stop of the pump. Also disclosed is a method for measuring a level of a liquid in a container by a pressure sensor.

Abstract: Method for registering filling potential of a waste container of a microplate washing device has a needle for aspirating liquids, a waste container, a pump for generating a partial vacuum and a pressure sensor for determining air pressure in the container, a sensor controller, and a first valve for blocking the line between the needle and the waste container. The pump and needle are connected to the container and the method includes closing the first valve, generating a partial vacuum in a test range, closing a further valve between the container and the pump, opening the first valve, triggering a partial vacuum dissipation in the container, measuring a test time for the partial vacuum dissipation in the test range, comparing the test time to a known threshold time, and deciding that the waste container is fillable or not.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for filling a pressurised gas tank, especially a pressurised tank for a protective airbag-type system, with a gas or a gaseous mixture. Said method comprises a first step wherein a determined first quantity of a gas or a gaseous mixture in the liquid state is introduced into the tank. The inventive method is characterised in that the first introduction step comprises an intermediate introduction step wherein an intermediate quantity of a gas or a gaseous mixture in the liquid state is introduced into the tank, the intermediate quantity being larger than the first quantity. The inventive method also comprises a step for removing part of the gas in the liquid state, in excess of the first quantity, from the tank, in such a way as to dose the first quantity of gas in the liquid state in the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a pump or other device includes first and second proximity sensors adapted to sense level of a fluid or powder in a vessel and a control circuit adapted to receive and process the sensor outputs and output one or more control signals to control a controlled device. The first and second sensor locations can be interchanged without affecting performance of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method and a system for hydrostatic level readings of liquids in a container comprising the steps of providing a pressure sensor capable of determining a pressure value in a suction pipe, correlating said result to a predetermined liquid level value, and thereby obtaining a reading result of the level of the liquid in said container. The invention further discloses the use of the method and system for example for monitoring a heat system, for the petrochemical industry, for petrol containers in cars, for tank trucks and for Jacuzzis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly universal out-of-liquid sensor that allows an out-of-liquid condition to be accurately detected for a long time, and provides a liquid supply device using the same.

Abstract: An ALC circuit is turned on (S1), a nozzle is shifted to a sampling position (S2), and after the ALC circuit has been turned off (S3), the nozzle is allowed to start discharging air from its tip (S4). While the nozzle is being lowered, the inner pressure of the nozzle is monitored (S5, S6), and upon detection of an increase in the pressure, the discharging process of air and the nozzle lowering process are stopped (S7), while the monitoring of the magnitude of the pressure is continued (S8). When the magnitude of the pressure is being maintained within a permissible range of the change for a predetermined time, it is judged that the tip of the nozzle has come into contact with the true liquid level, and after a suction operation of a sample (S9), the nozzle is raised (S10).

Abstract: An inlet/outlet pipe extending downward from a bottom face of a body for a ladle is bent at its tip end into an S-shape in an intermediate portion of the pipe, and its tip end is located at a level higher than that of the bent portion. When a negative pressure in the ladle body is increased, a height of range of a molten metal is increased before and after an occurrence of disturbance in the ladle body, so that the negative pressure in the ladle body is made balance with a weight of the molten metal. Thereby, the molten metal is measured and held at a constant volume in the ladle body.

Abstract: A deep fat fryer system includes a vat for holding a quantity of cooking medium. A tube or conduit is disposed between a position in the vat corresponding to a lower desired level of cooking medium in the vat and a blower for creating a vacuum in the tube. A pressure sensitive switch is disposed for sensing differences in pressure between the inside of the conduit and the outside of the conduit. The pressure sensitive switch provides an electrically detectable indication of when the difference in pressure between the inside of the conduit and the outside of the conduit is in excess of a predetermined difference in pressure indicative of cooking medium covering the end of the tube disposed in the vat.

Abstract: The vacuum tester has a housing which is small enough to be held in one hand in which is contained a small vacuum pump, an activator switch and a vacuum gauge. A non-return flap valve, or check valve, is disposed between the vacuum pump and the vacuum gauge so that the vacuum within the chamber under test is not lost once the vacuum pump has been turned off. A connector with a vacuum hose extending therefrom is provided to apply the vacuum to the chamber. Interchangeable adapters can be attached at the end of the vacuum hose to provide a seal with the opening in the chamber. Detection and quantization of leaks in closed systems is provided by observing the leak-back rate on the vacuum gauge once the vacuum pump has been turned off.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining whether a liquid in a liquid reservoir is above a certain level includes suction means operable by a user to create suction when the user desires to determine if the liquid in the reservoir is above the certain level, a conduit extending from the suction means and adapted to be positioned in the reservoir so that a passage in the conduit which communicates with the suction created by the suction means opens into the reservoir above the liquid therein when the liquid is below the certain level, and indicator for indicating whether or not the passage in the conduit is opening into the reservoir above the liquid therein. The indication that the liquid is above the certain level is given by either observing that liquid is being drawn into the passage or that the passage opening is closed. This may be done by observing the liquid itself in the passage or an indicating reservoir, or observing the operation of the suction means which given an indication of flow into the passage.

Abstract: A lubricant level monitor for gear covers of locomotives uses a vacuum probe tube to determine if the lubricant is below a predetermined level. The vacuum is only activated if the locomotive has been at rest for a predetermined period of time, so that the lubricant has time to settle. The monitor employs a minimal amount of electrical devices and uses pneumatic logic wherever possible insure trouble-free operation. The monitor eliminates the requirement of inspection personnel going beneath the locomotive, and it eliminates the need for the locomotive to be arbitrarily pit-inspected every two weeks for a lubricant level check.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus comprises: at least one ink jet head to emit a recording ink; main and sub ink tanks to store the ink which should be supplied to the head; a negative pressure generating device to generate a negative pressure to supply the ink from the sub ink tank into the head under the suction action; a pressure sensor, provided in the ink passage, for detecting whether the recording ink substantially remains or not in the sub ink tank when the negative pressure generating device operates. In response to a pressure variation in the ink passage, the pressure sensor determines that no ink substantially remains in the sub ink tank when the pressure in the ink passage is higher than a preset value, thereby generating a detection signal to supplement a new ink into the tank to a control circuit.

Abstract: A sensing device for determining the amount of liquid in an oil crankcase of a vehicle. A hollow dipstick, closed at one end and having a metering hole therein, is inserted into the crankcase of a car. The other end of the dipstick is connected by flexible tubing to a suction diaphragm and sensing diaphragm in a sensing module. The suction bellows and sensing diaphragm are linked together and to the dipstick by branches of a T-tubing. An opposed end of the suction diaphragm is connected to a piston of a solenoid. The sensing diaphragm is mounted to move in response to the amount of oil suctioned into the dipstick. An electrical circuit is formed between a push button, a solenoid, ground, and the car battery, such that, when the push button is closed, the solenoid becomes excited, drawing in the piston to thereby move the suction diaphragm. Movement of the suction diaphragm draws oil into the dipstick.

Abstract: A liquid level indicator apparatus including a selecting device intended to indicate the level of at least two liquid bodies. The apparatus comprises a chamber having a display tube and containing an indicator liquid. An air passage is connected between the chamber and the selecting device. Air conduits extend from the selecting device to the liquid bodies, whereby these air conduits and dip tubes are immersed in the liquid bodies. The indicator apparatus contains an air displacing member. Upon operation of the air displacing member the volume of the liquid which level is to be measured present inside the dip tube is expelled due to the air pressure built up inside the conduit. Thereafter the pressure of the liquid body is brought into communication with the chamber containing the indicator liquid, such that the level of the indicator liquid inside the display tube is raised to a level corresponding to the level of the selected liquid body.

Abstract: A sensing device for determining the amount of liquid in an oil crankcase of a vehicle. A hollow dipstick, closed at one end and having a metering hole therein, is inserted into the crankcase of a car. The other end of the dipstick is connected by flexible tubing to a suction bellows and a sensing bellows in a sensing module. The suction bellows and sensing bellows are linked together and to the dipstick by branches of a T-tubing. An opposed end of the suction bellows is connected to a piston of a solenoid. The sensing bellows is mounted to move in response to the amount of oil suctioned into the dipstick. An electrical circuit is formed between a push-button, a solenoid, ground and the car battery, such that when the push-button is closed, the solenoid becomes excited, drawing in the piston to thereby expand the suction bellows. Expansion of the suction bellows draws oil into the dipstick. An electrical circuit coupled to the sensing bellows indicates if oil is sampled by the dipstick.

Abstract: A device enabling the operator of an internal combustion engine to visually inspect the quality and level of a fluid held within an associated fluid sump of the engine, transmission, or other adjacent fluid sump. The device operates directly from the vacuum system of the associated engine to selectively draw fluid from the sump upwardly into a viewing chamber. A lamp behind the chamber illuminates the fluid to facilitate visual inspection. If the fluid is below a prescribed level, no fluid will be drawn into the chamber, thereby indicating to the operator that the fluid level is below a specified minimum. The device may also be provided with a continuous monitoring system whereby fluid may be initially drawn into the visual inspection chamber and held there indefinitely or until the fluid drops below a prescribed level. When this happens, the continuous monitoring system may function to activate an annunciator giving warning to the engine operator that the fluid level is low.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing probe for gravity induced flow liquid level regulators used for maintaining a desired level of a liquid in a sump of a device having moving components within or adjacent the sump, such as maintaining a desired oil level in the crankcase of an engine, increases the accuracy of the regulator by being resistant to wind forces which impinge upon the liquid and gases entrained within the liquid.

Abstract: An indicating apparatus for enabling a motor car driver to read the crankcase oil level by depressing a diaphragm forming part of an indicating unit. The diaphragm then opens and closes connections between a measuring tube reaching down into the crankcase oil and the indicating unit in such a manner as to reproduce the crankcase oil level in an indicating tube forming part of the indicating unit, regardless of pressure and temperature variations of the crankcase oil and ambient air.

Abstract: A liquid level indicator as applied to an internal combustion engine, having a crankcase forming an oil reservoir therein, has conduit means extending downwardly generally into the reservoir with a lower open end of said conduit means being positioned at an elevation corresponding to a preselected minimum level of such oil within the reservoir. A cylinder chamber, connected to the other end of the conduit means, contains a manually depressable plunger-like piston which is resiliently urged in a first direction. When the piston plunger is fully depressed in a second direction (opposite to the first direction) the air within the cylinder chamber is displaced through the conduit means. Upon subsequent release of piston plunger, an associated spring urges the piston plunger in the first direction creating a reduced atmospheric pressure within the cylinder chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for checking the presence of liquid at a predetermined level in a container is disclosed. The apparatus comprises valve means disposed externally of such container, manually operable suction means to generate vacuum pressure and connected to the valve means, elongate duct means having constriction means between a first end portion extending into such container to define an opening in the duct means at the predetermined level and a second end portion connected to the valve means, the valve means being actuable by the suction means to close the duct means only on liquid being present at the predetermined level in such container, and indicator means responsive to the closure of the duct means by the valve means to indicate the presence of liquid at the predetermined level in such container.