Gravity cell for liquid level monitoring

• US 3,906,795 A
• Filed: 03/20/1974
• Issued: 09/23/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eugene Kask
• Original Assignee: Eugene Kask
• Inventors: Kask, Eugene
• Primary Examiner(s): Queisser, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roskos, Joseph W.
• Application Number:
  US05/452,716
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 73/309,322.5 116/110 340/244R,244A,244D 137/404,401
• US Class Current: 73/309
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/0038 using buoyant probes with floats G01F23/30 - G01F23/76
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7342 In sinking or bucket type float

Abstract

A gravity type cell for liquid level monitoring is presented wherein the sensor is cup shaped or has a hollow interior to receive the fluid whose level is to be monitored. The weight of the liquid contained in the cell provides an actuating force.

Claims

1. A liquid level monitoring device for determining a liquid level state in a container, the device including:

a shell for insertion in the liquid whose level is to be monitored;

a hollow interior chamber in said shell, said hollow interior chamber being in fluid communication with the liquid in the container whereby said hollow interior chamber contains some of said liquid at all times during liquid level mOnitoring, which contained liquid provides an actuating force for the liquid level monitoring device;

an end cap on said shell, said end cap having opening means to provide said fluid communication between said interior chamber and the liquid whose level is to be monitored;

means for determining at least one position of said shell in the container; and

means for balancing said shell, said balancing means being the sole suspension for said shell and imposing a force opposite to the actuating force of said contained liquid.

2. A liquid level monitoring device as in claim 1 wherein:

the specific gravity of said shell is equal to or slightly greater than the specific gravity of the liquid whose level is to be monitored.

3. A liquid level monitoring device as in claim 2 wherein:

said balancing means imposes a force to balance the force resulting from the specific gravity of said shell exceeding the specific gravity of the liquid to be monitored.

4. A liquid level monitoring device for determining the liquid level state in a container, the device including:

a shell for insertion in the liquid whose level is to be monitored;

a hollow interior chamber in a first part of said shell, said hollow interior chamber being in fluid communication with the liquid in said container when the level of the liquid is above a predetermined value whereby said hollow chamber contains some of said liquid at all times;

an end cap on said hollow interior chamber, said end cap having opening means to provide said fluid communication between said interior chamber and the liquid whose level is to be monitored;

ballast means in a second part of said shell to provide an actuating force for the liquid level monitoring device;

means mounting said shell for pivotal movement induced by said ballast means at a predetermined level of the liquid whose level is to be monitored; and

balancing means for balancing said shell, said balancing means imposing a force opposite to the actuating force of said ballast.

5. A liquid level monitoring device as in claim 4 wherein said means mounting said shell for pivotal movement includes:

elongated slot means in said shell and pin means engaging said slot.

6. A liquid level monitoring device as in claim 4 wherein:

the specific gravity of said shell is equal to or slightly greater than the specific gravity of the liquid whose level is to be monitored.

7. A liquid level monitoring device as in claim 4 wherein:

the weight of said ballast means is at least equal to the weight of said first part of said shell filled with the liquid whose level is to be monitored.