Immersible Electrode Type Patents (Class 73/304R)
  • Patent number: 4935727
    Abstract: A device for measuring the quantity of light in a tank is disclosed, including three level sensors housed within a tank in a predetermined relative position. Alternative processors are disclosed for processing information supplied by the level sensor, wherein the information depends on the liquid level sensed by each of the sensors. An indicator, controlled by the processor, indicates the quantity of liquid contained in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Fiat Auto S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Re Fiorentin, Piero Tonello
  • Patent number: 4921129
    Abstract: A disposable liquid dispensing module in the form of a hollow plastic container for holding liquid, such as a cleaning solution or soap, has at least one liquid level sensing probe permanently mounted in it. The module is made to be inserted into a lavage machine or similar apparatus and includes a connector to which a connection plug having a liquid withdrawal pipe and connectors to the liquid level sensing probe is attached. The pipe is connected to an elongated flexible tube and the connectors for the liquid level sensing probe are connected to flexible wires, so that the plug including these components may be attached to the container outside the lavage machine in which it is used. When the level of liquid falls below a predetermined threshold, a signal is provided to the apparatus indicating that replacement of the container is to be made. The entire module then is withdrawn and the plug to the apparatus is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Pacific BioSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Tom Jones, Richard J. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 4915145
    Abstract: A monitoring system for the filling of containers from a tank station, which is secured with a shut-off device, with the cooperation of at least one connecting line possessing a preferably electrical measuring device which determines the maximum permissible level of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Schering Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Manfred Schirmacher
  • Patent number: 4916678
    Abstract: A capillary tube viscometer is provided in which the viscosity of a fluid can be measured at a temperature above the normal boiling point of at least one component in the fluid. The fluid is heated to the desired temperature in a sealed viscometer which is constructed so as to withstand high pressure. The fluid is then allowed to flow through a capillary tube and the time required for the fluid to flow through the capillary tube is measured. The viscosity of the fluid is then calculated based on the Hagen-Poiseuille law.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Timothy W. Johnson, Marion T. O'Shaughnessy
  • Patent number: 4914948
    Abstract: A burden distribution monitoring apparatus, according to the present invention, includes a hollow cylindrical sonde having an inner end radially movable within the internal space of a furnace, such as a shaft furnace. The sonde carries a burden layer depth sensor and/or a burden grain distribution sensor for radially shifting working ends of the sensors. With the foregoing construction, burden depth and/or grading of the burden can be monitored in a plurality of radial points in the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corp.
    Inventors: Shigemi Murakawa, Seiji Taguchi, Makoto Nomura, Ryoji Takabe, Yoshiharu Iwashita, Masahiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 4914384
    Abstract: A driver circuit for magnetic gages that electrically simulates the gage, both with and without a parallel resistor joined in conjunction therewith. An averaging circuit assists in preventing the circuit from responding to transient variations in the monitored parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Cirtek Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Taylor, Philip R. Peterson, Arthur C. Kovacic
  • Patent number: 4912977
    Abstract: A measuring device for determination of the distribution and position of different material compositions, preferably liquids and gases, with the aid of the thermodynamic properties of the material. Through the arrangement of sensor elements as sectors on the inside of a hollow body, it is possible to record the flow direction of the medium being measured at different levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Bjorn R. Hope
  • Patent number: 4912646
    Abstract: The level indicated on the instrument panel of the motor vehicle results from a processing operation, including the calculation of a weighted average value, whereby the effects of accidental phenomena such as agitation of the fuel within the tank during movement of the motor vehicle are dispensed with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Fiat Auto S.p.A.
    Inventor: Eraldo Cerruti
  • Patent number: 4908783
    Abstract: A liquid level sensor system well suited for sensing the level of fuel in aircraft fuel tanks includes a plurality of capacitive sensors which provide an output capacitance that is a function of the fraction of the sensor wetted by the fuel. A plurality of sensors are positioned in the liquid-containing tank with each sensor having a first and at least a second probe-specific liquid-quantity profile corresponding to a first and at least a second attitude of the tank. The capacitance of the sensors are determined as function of the length of the respective sensor wetted by the liquid. A memory is provided with a first and second sets of address locations containing liquid-quantity profile information for the sensors for their respective first and second attitudes. The memory is addressed by determining an address offset as a function of the attitude of the system, the relative location of the profile information for the sensor, and the fraction of the sensor wetted by the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Maier
  • Patent number: 4905743
    Abstract: A valve and coacting control circuitry for filling variously sized and shaped receptacles to an exact settable level with a relatively high impedance fluid such as maple syrup. Errors caused by bubbles are avoided by controlling the flow rate through a shaped orifice for essentially laminar flow. Dripping is eliminated by shaping the exit orifice to prevent gravitational emptying of the faucet cavity when the valve is closed. Sensing of the fluid is accomplished with a flexible wire probe, not sensitive to the receptacle shape but may be adjusted to a desired height, connected to a sensitive electronic circuit with a very high input impedance which allows sensing a voltage through the high impedance fluid. Once started, the filling process need not be monitored by an operator who is then free to do other tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventor: Alden J. Gray
  • Patent number: 4903530
    Abstract: Multiple contact sensors located at axially spaced measurement zones, inside or outside of an elongated probe, closes a variable resistance circuit through the conducting substance being monitored, with monitoring means being a three-way or multicolored light emitting diode, which in connection with an AC power source and a transistor, changes color and luminosity as the substance being monitored reaches the various levels of the contact sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Inventor: Harold L. Hull
  • Patent number: 4902962
    Abstract: In an apparatus for detecting the surface of a liquid or foam, for example in a fermentation vessel a detector electrode (10) is surrounded at its lower end by a protective shroud (12) so as to protect a confined vapor space (14) surrounding the detector electrode. The vapor in the space (14) is maintained at a relatively low humidity either by heating the detector electrode or some other part of the apparatus or by purging the space (14) with a relatively dry air or gas. It is thereby ensured that no condensation onto the O-ring seal (20) and surrounding parts takes place. The shroud (12) also protects the parts from splashing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Able Corporation
    Inventor: Yoichi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 4896142
    Abstract: A moisture detection device that is responsive to moisture or foam in the vacuum port of a water extraction unit, which creates a circuit break in the electrical power to the extraction unit. The device includes two conductors mounted in the vacuum port of an extraction unit, a monitoring system, by pass switch, and delay for fool proof detection of moisture overflow from the recovery tank of water extractors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Inventors: Dale G. Aycox, Kenneth Aycox
  • Patent number: 4890492
    Abstract: A strip of resistive carbon is deposited on a longitudinal plastic film and a strip of conductive copper is deposited on a second film. The two film strips are glued together with the resistive and conductive strips opposing to form a sealed envelope having a longitudinal cavity. This sandwich is placed in a flexible extruded tube membrane and the whole inserted in a longitudinal slot in a frame, with a channel communicating with the slot and the exterior of the frame. Liquid in a tank compresses the envelope, causing the copper and carbon strips to contract at a point depending on the level. The change in resistance of the carbon-copper circuit with level produces a changing voltage which is processed to provide a signal indicative of the level of in the tank. Temperature sensors in the frame provide the temperature of the at various levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Andrejasich, Laurence S. Slocum, Sara M. Mussmann
  • Patent number: 4890491
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for displaying the level of liquid in the fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. A liquid-level detector 1 and a display device 3 for indicating liquid level are included in the device. The measurement values of the liquid level are provisionally stored at predeterminable time intervals and compared with the instantaneous measurement values. During travel, increasing measurement values determined by the comparison are not displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Egon Vetter, Thomas Pfeifer, Heinz-Georg Burghoff, Werner Daub
  • Patent number: 4888097
    Abstract: A distillation type of water purification system has a raw water inlet valve for admitting raw water continuously to a boiling tank at a rate greater than the rate at which raw water is converted to treated water. A drain valve located at the bottom of the boiling tank is energized by a raw water level sensing device whenever the raw water level reaches a predetermined level, to discharge water from the boiling tank. Treated water is stored in a storage tank having a pump for discharging treated water to the user upon demand. A single conductivity sensor in the storage tank controls the pump to allow it to operate only if the sensed conductivity is above a first predetermined value but not at or above a second predetermined value greater than the first value. An improved condenser has two sets of tubes, each set is arranged in a pair of planes oriented transverse the flow of cooling air with the tubes parallel. The internal cross-sectional area of one set is about twice that of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Pure Water, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Palmer, David J. Shannon, Keith L. Vacha
  • Patent number: 4879902
    Abstract: An electronic level control structure for regulating a fluid level in a vessel, such as a humidifier tank. The electronic level control has at least two Teflon.RTM. coated probes for sensing fluid level in the tank and extending downwardly from a main body member. A downwardly extending sleeve positions about a portion of the upper regions of each of the probes. The Teflon.RTM. coating and the sleeve at the upper region of each probe inhibits the formation of scale between the probes at the upper end of each probe by preventing or minimizing the amount of contact by vaporous gases, mineral salts and other contaminants about the upper regions of each probe. This also prevents buildup of electrical conductive scale. In one embodiment, three probes of different lengths extend downwardly from a body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: DRI Steem Humidifier Co.
    Inventor: Peter J. Loniello
  • Patent number: 4877489
    Abstract: An electronic control and dosing system for desalinators (10) has a baffle, disposed between the evaporation and condensation chambers, fitted with probes (70, 71) which detect the presence of liquid created by entrained bubbles, that pass through the holes in the baffle. A control circuit (72), connected to the probes (70,71), closes a solenoid valve (62) to shut off the supply of feed water to the desalinator (10) until the threat of entrainment has passed. A foaming and/or scale inhibiting polymer, contained in a tank (64), is periodically introduced to the feed water inlet line (63) by a solenoid valve (65) controlled by a timer circuit (66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Nautical Services Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Ian Lloyd
  • Patent number: 4871000
    Abstract: A method of continuous measurement of the depth of fill of a radioactive ss melt flowing from a melting furnace or from a storage container into a chill mold (special steel receiver) consists in measuring the electrical resistance of the flowing jet stream. From the measured electrical resistance, which is proportional to the length of the jet of molten glass, the length of the stream of molten glass is determined. The length is a measure of the depth of fill. It decreases with increasing depth of fill. In an apparatus for the performance of the method the jet of molten glass is part of an electrical circuit which includes a current measuring instrument connected to an evaluator unit. The method and the apparatus enable the measurement of the depth of fill with the lowest outlay and the possibility of performing redundant diversionary measurements, whereby a high degree of availability may be achieved. Work of operation by hand on the chill mold is not impeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Wiederaufarbeitung von Kernbrennstoffen mbH
    Inventor: Harald Ritter
  • Patent number: 4855706
    Abstract: An electrical sensor and sensor material for detecting the presence of an organic liquid by contact that is not sensitive to the presence of organic vapors from the liquid. The sensor material includes a relatively large concentration of electrically conductive particles within a swellable matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Inventor: Paul D. Hauptly
  • Patent number: 4849739
    Abstract: The detector includes an electrically conductive probe located within a drum drip adjacent the bottom end thereof, close to the conventional discharge gate valve. Water which accumulates in the drum drip makes contact with the probe, and a circuit is completed between the probe and the conductive wall of the drum drip. This circuit includes a local and/or remote alarm or indicating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Ala Inc., a New Jersey Corporation
    Inventor: Dominic Loiacono
  • Patent number: 4843830
    Abstract: A differential ice sensing system and method for a cold drink beverage dispenser or the like is disclosed. The beverage dispenser has an ice bath cooling tank containing a supply of water. A refrigerated cooling surface is provided within the tank so as to freeze a portion of the water into a body of ice. The beverage dispenser has a beverage flow path which is cooled by the liquid in the ice bath. The differential ice sensing system comprises a first conductivity (or impedance) probe which is disposed in the water of the ice bath at a position where it will sense the conductivity of the ice when the body of ice formed on the refrigerated surface attains a predetermined size. A second conductivity probe is disposed within the liquid so that it is maintained in conductivity sensing relationship with the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Robert W. Haul
  • Patent number: 4827769
    Abstract: A fuel level sensor 16 comprises a vertical member 20 and float 22 wherein said vertical member 20 comprises a steel substrate 26 encased in porcelain 28 with a thick film cermet resistive track 34 deposited thereon. A nickel deposit 36 at the bottom portion of the vertical member 20 facilitates electrical continuity between the substrate 26 and the resistive track 34 such that the substrate acts as a buried conductor enabling proportionality between magnitude of resistance and liquid level while diminishing the likelihood of conductor erosion and float interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Hamilton Standard Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Riley, Kenneth Brown
  • Patent number: 4827246
    Abstract: Combination hydrocarbon and water level sensor systems for use in connection with underground storage sites, such as gasoline storage tanks, industrial waste sites, and the like, with a solar cell power source and an LCD display located above ground and providing directly viewable indication of the presence or absence in the underground environment of "HYDROCARBON" and/or "WATER", with the absence of such being indicated by "OK". In the preferred form, a pod containing an adsorptive type hydrocarbon gas sensor and a galvanic cell type liquid water sensor is suspended by electrical cable means from a well cap in which the solar cell and LCD display are installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Inventors: James P. Dolan, Patrick M. Dolan
  • Patent number: 4818976
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing the leakage of hydrocarbons from underground storage tanks having a hydrocarbon vapor sensor, a liquid sensor to determine the level of the groundwater and the positioning of the vapor sensor; and, alarm and trouble circuitry to indicate the presence of a hydrocarbon leak or a malfunctioning circuit. The apparatus also contains a timer mechanism to accurately determine whether or not the hydrocarbon has actually leaked from an underground storage tank or is present in the test area due to natural gases or above-ground spills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Paul W. Schmitt, Charles W. Gardner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4799047
    Abstract: A liquid level detecting and indicating system for detecting a liquid level of a measured object such as fuel on the basis of a resistance changed in accordance with level variation of the measured object and indicating the liquid level in response to a magnetic field produced to correspond to the resistance. The system comprises a gauging circuit coupled through a switch to a battery and including a bridge circuit comprising at least a variable resistor and two groups of coils, the variable resistor being arranged such that its resistance is changed in accordance with the level variation of the measured object. Also included in the system is a disturbance detecting circuit coupled to one end of the variable resistor of the gauging circuit for comparing the voltage thereof with a reference to detect a abrupt variation of the voltage at the one end of the variable resistor and generating a control signal in accordance with the result of the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignees: Nippondenso Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Saitoh
  • Patent number: 4796658
    Abstract: Basement flooding due inter alia, to drain overflow or sump pump failure is a common problem. An apparatus for solving the problem includes a cover for closing a basement floor drain, a tubular casing extending through the cover into the drain, a pair of spaced apart conductors in the casing for completing an electrical circuit when water rises through the open bottom end of the casing to a predetermined level, and a control circuit connected to the conductors and to a solenoid valve in the building water supply pipe for closing the latter, so that no additional water enters the drain to exacerbate an already bad condition. A second pair of spaced apart conductors on the floor of the basement is coupled to the control circuit to give the same response in the presence of floor moisture. An audible alarm is sounded as part of the response to detected water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: Roderick Caple
  • Patent number: 4788861
    Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring supply of electrically conductive writing fluid in a reservoir for an ink printing device which has three electrodes with one pair of the electrodes mounted in a region of the reservoir which is constantly moistened by the writing fluid and provides a first signal which produces a fluid comparison resistance. An additional electrode together with one of the pair of electrodes produces a signal which indicates the change of resistance as a function of the fluid level of the fluid. A control electronics component receives the first and second signals and supplies an output to a shutoff device. A generator and an inverter which receives an input from the generator supply pulses to two of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Reiner Lichti
  • Patent number: 4786857
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the relative proportions of intermixed constituents of a multiphase fluid system. The constituents for which relative proportions are being measured must have measurably different electrical permittivities. The systems use at least one electrically conductive probe having two conductors which are spaced apart and capable of receiving the fluid system therebetween. Time domain reflectometers present a stimulating time varying electrical signal to the probes and receive and measure reflected signals generated at impedance changes in the transmission line and probe. The probe transit time and/or associated average probe velocity provide a measure of the fluid system conditions which can be compared to predetermined values corresponding to various relative proportions of the intermixed constituents. A measure of the relative portions of the constituents is thus provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Charles L. Mohr
    Inventors: Charles L. Mohr, Frederick R. Reich
  • Patent number: 4780663
    Abstract: A liquid level gauge consists of two main cells comprising a measuring electrode, a compensation electrode and their respective counter electrodes. Circuitry is provided to determine the conductance of the liquid in each cell. Further circuitry is provided to calculate the quotient of the respective cell conductances, which is indicative of the liquid level. The surface areas of the measuring and compensating electrodes are kept equal, but the distance between the measuring electrode and its counter electrode increases linearly, while the distance between the compensation electrode and its counter electrode is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Inventor: Richard Mulder
  • Patent number: 4771271
    Abstract: A low liquid level sensor fabricated on a silicon substrate having four temperature dependent elements formed thereon in a Wheatstone Bridge configuration. A thin, wire-like extension of the substrate between two openings within the substrate provides a mounting member for the fourth element. The other three elements are spacially separated from the fourth element such that the fourth element becomes exposed to air during a low liquid level condition while the other three elements remain submerged within the liquid. Accordingly, the Wheatstone bridge configuration and relative positioning of the elements on the substrate eliminates the need for corrections due to temperature variations and power supply fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Margherita Zanini-Fisher
  • Patent number: 4769217
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically selectively introducing successive samples of a liquid from at least one pressurized line into a receiving funnel having an outlet port and at least one inlet port. The receiving funnel has main receiving chamber for receiving liquid samples and a sensing device is also provided in the receiving funnel for sensing the level of liquid present in the receiving funnel for controlling flow in and out of the funnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Servomex Company
    Inventors: Peter M. Sienkiewicz, Roger Mavrides
  • Patent number: 4765187
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to measure the thickness of liquid 12 on a surface 14 independent of liquid conductivity. Two pairs of round, corrosion resistant wires, 18 and 20, are mounted in an insulating material 16 such that the cross-sectional area of each wire is flush with and normal to the surface 14. The resistance between each pair of wires 18 and 20 is measured using two AC resistance measuring circuits 22 and 24 wherein the ratio of the outputs of the two resistance measuring circuits is indicative of the thickness of the liquid 12 on the surface 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Leonard M. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 4763054
    Abstract: A level detector includes first and second comparators each having two inputs and an output wherein the first comparator receives an input signal and a first reference signal at the two inputs thereof and develops a first comparison signal when the input signal level is greater than the first reference signal level and wherein the second comparator receives the input signal and a second reference signal at the two inputs thereof and develops a second comparison signal when the input signal is less than the second reference signal level. A flip-flop includes first and second inputs coupled to the outputs of the first and second comparators, respectively. The flip-flop develops a high state signal when the first comparator develops the first output signal and develops a low state signal when the second comparator develops the second output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Bundy
  • Patent number: 4745806
    Abstract: A level gauge for liquid helium suitable for use under a higher vapor pressure comprising a sensing element in the form of a ribbon wire made of superconductive alloys and a tube supporting the sensing element which tube is inserted into liquid helium upon measurement. Chemical composition of the superconductive alloys are represented by a formula, Zr.sub.100-x (Ru.sub.1-y Rh.sub.y).sub.x, in which x represents a content of Ru and/or Rh in atomic % and in a numerical value of 17.0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.22.5 and y represents a numerical value of .ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1. The alloys are made of an amorphous phase obtained by rapid quenching of a molten alloy material and have a superconducting transition temperature, Tc, of 4.5.degree. to 5.2.degree. K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Masumoto, Uichiro Mizutani, Masami Ishii, Hiroshi Motoyama, Ryohei Yabuno, Tetsuo Oka
  • Patent number: 4742244
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic float switch circuit which employs simple immersion probes, one of which is associated with a high fluid level and the other with a low fluid level. Each of the immersion probes operates in conjunction with an oscillator, a detector and a comparator. Essentially, when the associated immersion probe is immersed in a fluid, the oscillator ceases oscillations which therefore provides a first low voltage level via the detector to the comparator to therefore change the state of the comparator. The comparator associated with the high and low level probes operate to set and reset a DC flip-flop which in turn controls an opto-isolator device to trigger a triac. The triac operates the pump. When the fluid level reaches below the level of the low probe, the circuit is disabled allowing the vessel again to be filled with water to allow the pump to operate between the high and low levels by means of the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: ITT Avionics
    Inventor: Charles B. Koerner
  • Patent number: 4739786
    Abstract: A monitoring assembly (20) which has a plurality of sensors (24) arranged in spaced relationship along a body (23) which may be suspended from a coded multicore cable (25) in a reservoir to monitor liquid levels therein. Each sensor (24) is connected to a respective coded core (43) of the multicore cable (25) such that any sensor (24) may be selectively coupled to remote control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Inventor: Craig Parkinson
  • Patent number: 4736622
    Abstract: In using the method for testing for leaks, in an above ground tank of liquid having a lower specific gravity and a lower electrical or thermal conductivity than water, first an amount of water sufficient to cover the bottom of the tank is introduced into the tank after which the level of the water in the tank is determined and changes in the level of the water in the tank over time are sensed. Additionally, the amount and rate of leakage relative to the capacity of the tank and the change in the level of the water of the tank over a selected time period are determined from the given parameters and the change in water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Miller, Arthur R. Brown
  • Patent number: 4730490
    Abstract: A container (1) formed of two half shells has wall ribs (3, 4) extending parallel to each other from one side down to the lowest point in the container. A conductive foil (5) is fastened by rivets to said wall ribs. The conductive foil serves for measuring the level in the container. It is wetted on both sides by the liquid in the container. As a result, the resistance of the conductive foil (5) changes, as can be determined in an evaluation device. It is important that the conductive foil be held by holding means of the container wall (2) so that it can positively reach the lowermost point of the container and participate in deformations of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Kant, Hans-Georg Lauth
  • Patent number: 4728005
    Abstract: In connection with a beverage dispensing machine, an automatic self-fill control apparatus for the machine for controlling the filling of the liquid tank, which liquid tank is fed with a combination of water and a concentrate syrup adapted to be mixed with the water within the tank. A sensor member is disposed in the tank in a position so as to be responsive to the rise and fall of liquid in the tank. Pump means are provided adapted to pump the syrup to the tank. Control of water flow to the tank is also carried out. The sensor member has a low probe for detecting a low predetermined level of liquid in the tank and a high probe for detecting a high predetermined level of liquid in the tank and adapted to respectively generate low and high probe signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Jet Spray Corp.
    Inventors: Leonard Jacobs, William Arzberger, Peter Coppola, Thomas A. O. Gross
  • Patent number: 4724705
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the quantity of fuel in a fuel tank having a contoured interior wall. The apparatus includes a buoyant member for floating on the top surface of fuel in the fuel tank, a conductor supported on the buoyant member to float therewith, and a pattern of resistance in electrical contact with the floating conductor. The pattern of resistance is selected to correspond to the contour of the interior wall. Thus, the resistance pattern is coded to represent the volume profile of the fuel tank. A voltage is applied across the conductor and the pattern of resistance. The floating conductor and the pattern of resistance cooperate to provide a value of resistance corresponding to the depth of fuel in the fuel tank at the measurement location. An indicator interprets that value of resistance to determine the instantaneous quantity of fuel in the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Harris
  • Patent number: 4720997
    Abstract: The electronic monitor includes a level-sensing circuit, a reference circuit, a comparator circuit, and a logic circuit. The level sensing-circuit includes at least one level sensor positioned within the reservoir adjacent to and below a predetermined level. The reference circuit includes a reference sensor positioned in the air adjacent to the maximum allowed level for the material. A current source applies current to all the sensors. The comparator circuit compares the voltage across the reference sensor and the voltage across the level sensor and provides a difference voltage to a logic circuit that activates selective signaling devices depended upon the level of the monitored material. The sensors are preferably negative-coefficient thermistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Inventors: Roni K. Doak, Frank Poag
  • Patent number: 4719475
    Abstract: An ink tank suitable for use in an ink-jet recording apparatus, comprises a closed ink bladder of a flexible material, the ink bladder being formed by assembling two double-folded sheets with each other or by folding a single sheet with the peripheral matched portions of the folded sheets or sheet adhered to each other, and the larger sheet or said single sheet includes a plug member sealingly attached thereto at a position adjacent to the folded portion of the larger sheet or adjacent to the corresponding portion of said single sheet, said plug member having an ink outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Kiyohara, Hideo Fukazawa
  • Patent number: 4716762
    Abstract: The sensor comprises an elongate housing fixed in a liquid-containing casing, said housing having a V-shaped heat sensitive resistive wire disposed longitudinally therein and connectable to a feeder and processor circuit enabling the liquid level inside the casing to be monitored at any moment. The sensor includes means for positioning the heat sensitive wire (6) so as to ensure that there is a substantially constant gap between the two branches thereof, and also so as to ensure that the plane defined by the the wire remains in a substantially stable position relative to the housing. A resilient fastening member (11) is provided for fastening the point of the V-shape and for bearing against some of said positioning means. The invention is applicable, in particular, to monitoring the level of oil in the sump of the engine or the gearbox of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Jaeger
    Inventor: Denis H. Eynard
  • Patent number: 4714189
    Abstract: A sensor for assessing conditions within a metallic high pressure boiler 10, has a sensitive tip section 12, which is insulated from the boiler by virtue of a ceramic spacing member 101. The joins between the member 101 and sensor body 15 and tip 12 respectively are subject to full boiler pressure. The present invention provides a pressure seal by virtue of forming a brazed seal between the parts by forming a ceramic component to be brazed in a ceramic of average gain size of substantially between 5 and 15 microns and of purity exceeding 99% with a maximum silica content of substantially 0.2%, introducing between components a eutectic of substantially the composition: 80% to 90% silver; 5% to 6% copper; less than 6% titantium; and sufficient in quantity to fill gap therebetween, and subjecting the components to a temperature in excess of eutectic liquids temperature while maintaining the components in a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Schlumberger Electronics (U.K.) Limited
    Inventor: Stuart J. Tovey
  • Patent number: 4706203
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for deriving a correction factor used in calculating corrected liquid (e.g., fuel) quantity of a tank having a probe capacitance which varies in accordance with the quantity of liquid contained within the tank. The correction factor reduces sensing diode voltage drop errors and stray capacitance errors (affecting the capacitance of the probe) through use of a switchable high/low amplitude Lo-Z oscillator. All oscillator outputs are "low" amplitude relative to the output amplitudes of conventional devices. Signal processing is effected by inputting raw data (both reference and probe-sensed signals) to an analog-to-digital sampling circuit, which raw data are used for deriving the correction factor. The correction factor is then applied to the raw data to determine a corrected liquid quantity indication. Recalibration of the correction factor periodically permits automatic adaption to changing error magnitudes (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt A. Ramsdale, Keith E. Coffman
  • Patent number: 4700754
    Abstract: An arrangement for indicating the refilling level of a collapsible ink container (1,2) comprising a measuring circuit having an alternating voltage source (U.about.) to form an electric control signal which depends on the capacitance (8) between the liquid ink and an electrically conductive coating (5) which is insulated with respect to the ink by the wall of the ink container wherein the electrically conductive coating (5) is provided on the outside of the lower part (1) of the ink container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Horst Kringe
  • Patent number: 4697453
    Abstract: A burden distribution monitoring apparatus, according to the present invention, includes a hollow cylindrical sonde having an inner end radially movable within the internal space of a furnace, such as a shaft furnace. The sonde carries a burden layer depth sensor and/or a burden grain distribution sensor for radially shifting working ends of the sensors. With the foregoing construction, burden depth and/or grading of the burden can be monitored in a plurality of radial points in the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corp.
    Inventors: Shigemi Murakawa, Seiji Taguchi, Makoto Nomura, Ryoji Takabe, Yoshiharu Iwashita, Masahiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 4686857
    Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the performance of a dielectric substance includes: at least a pair of electrodes disposed in contact with the dielectric substance to be measured; a power supply for applying a pulse voltage to the electrodes; a current detector for detecting a transient response current flowing between the electrodes dependent on the component of the dielectric substance disposed between the electrodes; and a signal processor for evaluating the performance of the dielectric substance. The performance evaluation may be performed based on at least one of a peak value of the transient response current at a certain period of time, a difference between the peak value and a value at a fixed period of time after the peak value, and a ratio of the peak value to the difference between the two values. With this method and apparatus, the performance of the dielectric substance can quantitatively be evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventor: Takayuki Kato
  • Patent number: 4679431
    Abstract: A capacitance fuel-gauging probe is supported at its upper end in a fuel tank by a stress-relieving mount. The mount includes a disc assembly formed of two identical steel discs each with a central aperture. The discs are joined together at their respective outer edges and around their respective central apertures by steel rings which separate the discs from one another, forming an annular recess. The ratio of the estimated disc stress to the disc material proof stress, and the ratio of the estimated probe stress to the probe material proof stress are substantially the same and as small as possible. A bolt extends through the aperture, the probe being clamped to the center of the disc assembly by a nut. The outer edge of the disc assembly is clamped securely with the wall of the fuel tank by a collar screwed into a sleeve within which the disc assembly is located. Any vibration of the probe during use causes flexing of the disc assembly so as to damp the vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Neil R. Jacob, John R. Suiter