Linear position indicator system and method
First Claim
9-1. The linear position indicator system of claim 1, further comprising:
- a sensing rod housing surmounting said sensing rod assembly and having a plurality of releasably connected housing segments.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to system and method for determining a fluid level. The system comprises a sensing rod assembly comprised of releasably connectable rod segments. Each rod segment carries a processor and a plurality of inductors. Each inductor generates a position signal responsive to a float signal. A float assembly comprises a housing containing a circuit having an integrally formed coil periodically energizable by a processor to emit the float signal. A control assembly receives the generated position signals and determines the fluid level. The method comprises providing releasably connectable rod segments with inductors that generate a position signal responsive to a float signal, determining a sensing rod assembly length, forming the sensing rod assembly, disposing it within a container, providing a float assembly periodically actuated to generate a float signal, generating position signals responsive to the float signal and analyzing those signals to determine the fluid level.
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Citations
20 Claims
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9-1. The linear position indicator system of claim 1, further comprising:
a sensing rod housing surmounting said sensing rod assembly and having a plurality of releasably connected housing segments.
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18. A method for determining the fluid level of a fluid contained within a container and having a fluid surface, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a plurality of releasably connectable rod segments, each rod segment extending a given rod segment length and having a plurality of inductors located along said length, each said inductor being responsive to a float signal to generate a position signal;
(d) determining a sensing rod assembly length based on the depth of said container;
(e) forming a sensing rod assembly having said rod assembly length by connecting a plurality of rod segments;
(f) disposing said sensing rod assembly generally vertically within said container;
(g) providing a float assembly that floats at said fluid surface and is vertically movable along said sensing rod assembly, said float assembly comprising a circuit having a coil excitable to generate a float signal corresponding to the position of said float assembly;
(g) periodically exciting said float assembly coil to generate said float signal;
(h) sensing said float signal with said inductors to generate a plurality of position signals; and
(i) analyzing said sensed position signals to determine said fluid level of said fluid in said container. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification