Buoyancy Type Patents (Class 73/309)
  • Patent number: 4696261
    Abstract: In order to accurately detect the coolant level in the coolant jacket of a cylinder head, a separate chamber member is mounted to the cylinder head and fluidly communicated with the coolant jacket of the cylinder head in a manner to contain therein the coolant by the same level as that in the coolant jacket, and a level sensor is mounted to the chamber member to detect the level of coolant contained in the chamber member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4685332
    Abstract: A liquid level sensing device utilizing a conductive hollow sphere buoyed by the liquid and guided vertically within a metal tube. An elongated resistance card is mounted in the tube adjacent the sphere to permit the sphere to slide along its surface as the liquid level changes thereby electrically connecting a portion of the resistance card to the metal housing through the conductive sphere. The resistance card is mounted so as to be flexed from its normal flat configuration with the flexed configuration producing a light force on the sphere to maintain good electrical contact therewith and between the sphere and the housing but insufficient to deter the sphere from following liquid level changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover
  • Patent number: 4537061
    Abstract: A level detecting device for detecting the level of liquid in a tank includes a displacer or float displaceable in response to the level of the liquid in the tank, an enclosure tube disposed on the tank and sealed thereagainst so that the exterior of the enclosure tube is isolated from the liquid in the tank and a variable transformer for detecting the displacement of the float. The transformer includes at least two windings disposed adjacent the outside of the enclosure tube and an elongate core disposed within the enclosure tube and coupled to the float so as to be movable therewith, the amount of magnetic coupling between the windings being dependent upon the position of the core in the enclosure tube. Means are provided for generating an output signal representing the amount of magnetic coupling between the windings to derive an indication of the level of the liquid in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Magnetrol International, Incorporated
    Inventors: Roy W. DeMeyer, Martin F. Kozi
  • Patent number: 4483192
    Abstract: A water level indicator for a pressure vessel is provided which employs a plurality of vertically spaced cantilevered mounted spring members. The free end of each spring member is connected to a depending float member. The float member has sufficient mass and density to depress its spring member when the float member is in a gaseous medium. The float member has sufficient buoyancy to elevate its spring member when the float member is in a water medium. One or more strain gauges is secured to each spring member to indicate the instantaneous position of the spring member and thereby provide an indication of the instantaneous water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Inventor: William J. Wachter
  • Patent number: 4397183
    Abstract: An apparatus useful in detecting changes in distance comprises: a signal emitter capable of emitting a substantially constant signal; a signal reflector capable of reflecting at least a portion of the substantially constant signal and being moveable in a substantially straight line direction toward or away from the emitter; and a signal receiver capable of receiving the reflected signal, whereby a change in the received signal is indicative of a change in the distance between the emitter and reflector. This apparatus is particularly useful in detecting changes in the amount of liquid in a liquid storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Edmund W. Ballou, Frederick L. Voelz, Thomas A. Collins
  • Patent number: 4387778
    Abstract: A fluid measuring device comprises a plunger positioned within a tank containing fluid to be weighed by a load measuring cell and weight indicator. The weight of the plunger exceeds the maximum fluid upthrust exerted on it, and the net weight is transmitted to the load measuring cell and weight indicator through levers. At any fluid level there is a constant ratio between the horizontal cross-sectional areas of the plunger and the tank, and the weight indicator multiplies the measured load by this factor and any leverage ratios not accounted for by the load measuring cell. Callibration and testing is achieved, without having to remove the plunger from the tank or having to manipulate the fluid contained in the tank, by operating a lifting means to raise the plunger sufficiently to disconnect a hook joint, by applying a compensating moment to the lever through the application of the weight, by adjusting a counterpoise weight, and by using callibration weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1983
    Inventor: Josef Wohrl
  • Patent number: 4368640
    Abstract: A liquid level sensing device comprising a load cell supporting a column or stack of segments freely resting on one another. The density of each element is substantially identical to that of the surrounding liquid. The elements are freely guided within a surrounding tube. As each element is exposed above the liquid level, its weight will be impressed through the column to the load cell, thereby providing a signal at the load cell directly proportional to the liquid level elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Richard D. Tokarz
  • Patent number: 4345467
    Abstract: A high temperature pressure transducer for measuring the total pressure adjacent the exit orifice of a crucible containing molten metal used in a continuous casting operation is disclosed. The pressure sensed includes a pressure head of the molten metal as well as the gas gauge pressure in the crucible above the metal. The transducer includes a sensor rod assembly having an immersible sensor rod fabricated of fused quartz and having a sensing surface, a sensor rod extension, an intermediate shaft, and a load cell connected to the intermediate shaft. A bellows provides a gas tight seal for the internal gas pressure in the crucible. The bellows is characterized by folds projecting inwardly and outwardly and providing equal volume in the two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4320775
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the accurate measurement and control of liquid flow at low flow rates. The invention is particularly applicable to the measurement and control of continuous liquid blending operations, e.g. gasoline blending, in which a liquid additive, e.g. tetraethyl lead, is fed into a continuously flowing liquid stream, the additive being added in precisely controlled amounts requiring precise control of liquid flow at very low flow rates. According to the invention the additive is fed from a stock tank 1 alternately into one or the other of two reservoirs 6, 7 connected in parallel between the inlet line 3 from the stock tank and an outlet line 20. As the one reservoir is being charged, the other is being discharged through the four-way valve 5 to the outlet. Flow through the outlet line 20 is controlled by a valve 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignees: The Associated Octel Company Limited, Octel S.A.
    Inventors: William Stirling, Robert L. Peres
  • Patent number: 4300388
    Abstract: A method of high sensitivity for measuring leakage of liquid from a storage tank which comprises introducing a sensor into the liquid in the tank, the sensor being coupled to means for sensing displacement of mass, measuring the displacement over a known period of time and calculating the leakage rate. The sensor is designed to compensate for evaporative losses and temperature changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: Sun Oil Company of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: William B. Hansel, Earl W. Smith
  • Patent number: 4281534
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring leakage from a liquid containing tank comprises a main body portion suspended from a balance arm or other mass displacement detector and has a liquid holding portion in the main body. The cross-sectional area of the liquid holding portion is essentially equal to the cross-sectional area of the main body portion in contact with the liquid in the tank. This arrangement enables evaporation losses to be compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Sun Oil Company of Pennsylvania
    Inventor: William B. Hansel
  • Patent number: 4244211
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring small weight capacities of liquids comprises a vessel to be filled with the liquid; a pipe for the delivery of said liquid from said vessel; a body immersed in said liquid and supported in a substantially fixed position, within the vessel, by a lever adapted to transmit the buoyancy acting on said body to an electric transducer; an electronic shunt circuit fed by the output of said transducer; and a measuring instrument fed by the output of said electronic shunt circuit through an amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: T.E.A. Tecniche Elettroniche Applicate S.r.l.
    Inventor: Ugo Carpino
  • Patent number: 4244218
    Abstract: A fluid measuring device comprises a body suspended by a force transmission means within a container for receiving the fluid to be measured. The weight of the body is counterbalanced by a tare weight acting on a lever connected to the force transmission means. A gyroscopic load cell measures the vertical force exerted on the body by the fluid in the container and is calibrated so that a load cell display expresses the quantity of fluid received discharged or existing in the container as its volume or its weight. Servo-operable inlet and outlet valves to the container can be controlled by signals from the load cell whereby the device will meter predetermined quantities of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: Eric Thomas Scriven
    Inventor: Josef Wohrl
  • Patent number: 4244219
    Abstract: A liquid level meter having a first and second rotatable shaft mounted within a housing coaxially one within the other and coupled for relative rotation. A drum is mounted on one shaft and has a float suspended therefrom, for engagement with the liquid. Detecting means for sensing the torque on the drum is provided comprising an energy source and an energy receiver and a pair of relatively movable shield means located therebetween. One of the shield means is conjointly movable with one shaft and the other shield means is conjointly movable with the second shaft. Each of the shield means has spaced apertures aligned respectively with each other to permit selective passage of energy between the source and receive depending upon the degree of relative movement of the shield plates. A signal is produced in response to the sensing of energy variation which operates a motor coupled to one shaft to drive the same and consequently to rotate the other shaft in the direction of the torque exerted on the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: Sakura Instrument Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4203463
    Abstract: A so-called "visual" flow-regulation system ensuring a constant flow-rate and presenting an impenetrable barrier to air-bubbles even after completion of the perfusion, the system comprising a central tube on which a sleeve is arranged to slide, the sleeve being provided with a float and further comprising a flexible diaphragm intended to cooperate with the extremity of the fixed central tube, the unit imparting to the liquid passing through it a downward and then an upward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Inventors: Victor Ponlot, Jacques Ponlot
  • Patent number: 4188726
    Abstract: A level determining-device wherein a chain is suspended from a mechanism which is adapted to raise and lower the chain. Means are provided for sensing the weight of a part of the chain hanging freely from the mechanism, whereby the length of the freely hanging part, and hence a desired level, can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Inventor: William A. Wemyss
  • Patent number: 4184011
    Abstract: A battery refill indicator including a cap having a screw type base and an enlarged cover including a central opening and a float-type liquid level indicator supported by said cap and including a stem extending outwardly through said central opening in said cap and a float connected to the stem in a position to be suspended within the electrolyte in the battery cell. The stem is limited in its upward travel to a height less than the height of the battery cables and the float is adapted to be adjusted in length to accomodate different size batteries. A guide disc is provided in the cap which limits the upward travel of the indicator and also acts as a splash guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Inventor: Edward R. Strazewski
  • Patent number: 4103552
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for cleaning the movable parts of a displacement-type liquid level sensor while the sensor is maintained in continuous service. Alternatively, the sensor may be isolated from the process and cleaned without disassembly. In either use a cleaning fluid is introduced to the housing of the sensor containing the movable parts. The flow of the fluid flushes solid particles off of and away from the movable parts of sensor, thus providing reliable operation for measuring the level of chemical liquids such as Phosam solution (diammonium phosphate), that are likely to form solid materials during processing or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1978
    Assignee: United States Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard A. Bucchianeri, Robert A. Senchur
  • Patent number: 4032444
    Abstract: An improved gravitational separator for mixtures of immiscible liquids of different densities, particularly oil and water, includes a reaction member in the form of a dome or diaphragm immersed in more dense liquid to be separated and which floats upwardly in the more dense liquid under the influence of liquid of less density accumulated beneath the dome or diaphragm, and a precise, passive balance means for the reaction member used to sense the accumulation of a predetermined volume of less dense liquid in the separator. The balance means is a system of weight masses contained entirely in the separator that are raised by the upward movement of the reaction member under the influence of accumulated less dense fluid, in combination with remote sensing means outside the separator for sensing the respective balance conditions and signalling appropriate system controls to cause suspension of the influx of mixture into the separator and discharge therefrom of accumulated lighter liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Assignee: National Marine Service, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Wright, Chester H. Walters
  • Patent number: 4019363
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for the calibrating in the field of media and process condition change transmitters and controllers. Means and method for high resolution calibrating of condition change measuring and indicating apparatus by spring means external to the measuring by, and having a spring rate multiplyingthe change response of, such apparatus. Means and method of calibrating media and process change transmitters and controllers by inferentially simulating full span condition changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: Masoneilan International, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Horton Sanford
  • Patent number: 3937084
    Abstract: A liquid level indicator for a liquid container, such as the crankcase oil reservoir of an internal combustion engine, comprises a source of fluid at a predetermined pressure and a fluid conduit system connected to the fluid source. A gage responsive to fluid pressure and a valve mechanism are coupled to the conduit system downstream of a restriction orifice in the system. The valve mechanism includes an outlet orifice for fluid in the system and a valve body that is movable axially of the orifice so as to vary its cross-sectional flow area. The valve body is coupled to a float that is mounted for limited vertical movement in the container so that when the liquid in the container is at any particular level within a predetermined range, the liquid exerts a buoyancy force on the float which is balanced by opposing forces, including the float weight and a force exerted by the pressurized fluid on the float through the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1976
    Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter M. May
  • Patent number: RE31884
    Abstract: A method of high sensitivity for measuring leakage of liquid from a storage tank which comprises introducing a sensor into the liquid in the tank, the sensor being coupled to means for sensing displacement of mass, measuring the displacement over a known period of time and calculating the leakage rate. The sensor is designed to compensate for evaporative losses and temperature changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Hunter Environmental Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Hansel, Earl W. Smith