TANK FLUID LEVEL MONITOR AND INDICATOR
First Claim
1. A device for monitoring a fluid level within a tank equipped with a sensor that is adapted to provide electrical signals indicative of whether or not the fluid level within the tank has dropped below a predetermined minimum level, the device comprising:
- a battery;
a microprocessor;
a strobe light; and
a lens that cooperates with a housing to encase at least the strobe light, the lens being adapted to allow light emitted from the strobe light to be observable from any angle in a horizontal plane that includes the strobe light;
wherein the microprocessor is programmed toquery the sensor and determine, based on electrical signals received from the sensor, whether or not the fluid level within the tank has dropped below a predetermined minimum level, andsend signals to the strobe light to flash when it is determined that the fluid level within the tank has dropped below the predetermined minimum level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and system for monitoring a fluid level within a tank and for indicating when the fluid level within the tank has dropped below a predetermined minimum level. The device includes a strobe light, which is switched on when a sensor determines that the fluid level within the tank has dropped below a predetermined level. The flashing strobe light can be viewed during the day and at night from any viewing angle, and can thereby alert an observer that the tank needs to be filled before the tank becomes empty.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A device for monitoring a fluid level within a tank equipped with a sensor that is adapted to provide electrical signals indicative of whether or not the fluid level within the tank has dropped below a predetermined minimum level, the device comprising:
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a battery; a microprocessor; a strobe light; and a lens that cooperates with a housing to encase at least the strobe light, the lens being adapted to allow light emitted from the strobe light to be observable from any angle in a horizontal plane that includes the strobe light; wherein the microprocessor is programmed to query the sensor and determine, based on electrical signals received from the sensor, whether or not the fluid level within the tank has dropped below a predetermined minimum level, and send signals to the strobe light to flash when it is determined that the fluid level within the tank has dropped below the predetermined minimum level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for monitoring a fluid level within a tank equipped with a sensor that is adapted to provide electrical signals indicative of whether or not the fluid level within the tank has dropped below a predetermined minimum level, the method comprising:
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providing a device comprising; a battery; a microprocessor; a strobe light; and a lens that cooperates with a housing to encase at least the strobe light, the lens being adapted to allow light emitted from the strobe light to be observable from any angle in a horizontal plane that includes the strobe light; verifying that the battery is sufficiently charged to allow the device to be placed into service; mounting the device to the tank; connecting a cable extending from the microprocessor to the sensor; and activating the device such that the microprocessor; queries the sensor and determines, based on electrical signals received from the sensor, whether or not the fluid level within the tank has dropped below a predetermined minimum level, and sends signals to the strobe light to flash in either a double-pulse mode or a single-pulse mode when it is determined that the fluid level within the tank has dropped below the predetermined minimum level. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification