Liquid level control device
First Claim
1. A fluid amplifier adapted for sensing the level of a liquid in a reservoir, storage tank or other container and for generating a differential in pressure signal in response to the static presence of the liquid level at a predetermined level, comprising:
- inlet means for developing a liquid flow stream;
an access region downstream of said inlet means;
first passage means in communication with said inlet means and of major cross-sectional dimensions for delivering a major portion of said flow stream through said access region to said reservoir, storage tank or other container;
second passage means in communication with said inlet means for receiving a portion of said flow stream, said second passage means being of minor cross-sectional dimensions spaced laterally of said first passage means for developing a liquid power stream through said access region independent of and generally parallel to said major portion of the flow stream delivered by said first passage means;
sensing means responsive to said static presence of the liquid level at said predetermined level for altering said liquid power stream from said generally parallel condition; and
signal developing means for receiving a fluid pressure signal of one magnitude when said liquid power stream is generally parallel and of a second magnitude when said liquid power stream is altered from said generally parallel condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid amplifier for sensing the level of a liquid in a reservoir, storage tank or other container and for generating a differential in pressure signal in response to the static presence of the liquid level at a predetermined level. An inlet develops a liquid flow stream. A first passage of major cross-sectional dimensions is provided for delivering a major portion of the flow stream to the reservoir or storage tank. A second passage of minor cross-sectional dimensions is spaced laterally of the first passage for developing a small signal fluid power stream substantially parallel to the major supply stream. A sensor is responsive to the static presence of the liquid level at the predetermined level for altering the smaller fluid power stream from its substantially parallel flow condition to a condition in which it diverts and attaches to the major supply stream. A signal developing device is provided for receiving a fluid pressure signal of one magnitude when the fluid power stream is parallel to the major supply stream and of a second magnitude when the fluid power stream is diverted.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A fluid amplifier adapted for sensing the level of a liquid in a reservoir, storage tank or other container and for generating a differential in pressure signal in response to the static presence of the liquid level at a predetermined level, comprising:
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inlet means for developing a liquid flow stream; an access region downstream of said inlet means; first passage means in communication with said inlet means and of major cross-sectional dimensions for delivering a major portion of said flow stream through said access region to said reservoir, storage tank or other container; second passage means in communication with said inlet means for receiving a portion of said flow stream, said second passage means being of minor cross-sectional dimensions spaced laterally of said first passage means for developing a liquid power stream through said access region independent of and generally parallel to said major portion of the flow stream delivered by said first passage means; sensing means responsive to said static presence of the liquid level at said predetermined level for altering said liquid power stream from said generally parallel condition; and signal developing means for receiving a fluid pressure signal of one magnitude when said liquid power stream is generally parallel and of a second magnitude when said liquid power stream is altered from said generally parallel condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A liquid level control device for controlling the flow of liquid into a reservoir, storage tank or other container, comprising:
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nozzle means including inlet means for developing a liquid flow stream therethrough, valve means in said liquid flow stream for opening and closing the nozzle, and an access region downstream of said inlet means; fluid amplifier means in said liquid flow stream and operatively associated with said valve means for generating a positive fluid pressure to maintain said valve means open, said fluid amplifier including first passage means of major cross-sectional dimensions for delivering a major portion of said flow stream through said access region to said reservoir, storage tank or other container, second passage means for receiving a portion of said flow stream and being of minor cross-sectional dimensions spaced laterally of said first passage means for developing a substantially parallel liquid power stream through said access region spaced from said major portion of the flow stream delivered by said first passage means, and signal developing means for receiving a fluid pressure signal of one magnitude when said liquid power stream is parallel and of a second magnitude when said liquid power stream is altered from its parallel condition; and sensing means responsive to the static presence of the interface at a predetermined sensing level of liquid in said reservoir for altering said liquid power stream from said parallel condition. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A fluid amplifier adapted for sensing the level of a liquid in a reservoir, storage tank or other container and for generating a differential in pressure signal in response to the static presence of the liquid level at a predetermined level, comprising:
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inlet means for developing a liquid flow stream; first passage means of major cross-sectional dimensions for delivering a major portion of said flow stream to said reservoir, storage tank or other container; second passage means of minor cross-sectional dimensions spaced laterally of said first passage means for developing a substantially parallel fluid power stream; outlet means having its terminus positioned at said predetermined level whereby the static presence of the liquid level at the terminus of said outlet means causes said parallel fluid power stream to be diverted toward said major portion of said liquid passing through said first passage means; and signal developing means for receiving a fluid pressure signal of one magnitude when said fluid power stream is parallel and of a second magnitude when said fluid power stream is diverted.
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15. A liquid level control device for controlling the flow of liquid into a reservoir, storage tank or other container, comprising:
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nozzle means for developing a liquid flow stream therethrough, valve means in said liquid flow stream for opening and closing the nozzle; fluid amplifier means in said liquid flow stream and operatively associated with said valve means for generating a positive fluid pressure to maintain said valve means open, said fluid amplifier including first passage means of major cross-sectional dimensions for delivering a major portion of said flow stream to said reservoir, storage tank or other container, second passage means of minor cross-sectional dimensions spaced laterally of said first passage means for developing a substantially parallel fluid power stream, and signal developing means for receiving a fluid pressure signal of one magnitude when said fluid power stream is parallel and of a second magnitude when said fluid power stream is diverted from its parallel condition; and outlet means having its terminus located at said predetermined level whereby the static presence of the liquid level at the terminus of said outlet means causes said parallel fluid power stream to be diverted toward said major portion of said liquid passing through said first passage means.
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16. A fluid amplifier adapted for sensing the level of a liquid in a reservoir, storage tank or other container and for generating a differential in pressure signal in response to the static presence of the liquid level at a predetermined level, comprising:
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inlet means for developing a liquid flow stream; first passage means of major cross-sectional dimensions for delivering a major portion of said flow stream to said reservoir, storage tank or other container; second passage means of minor cross-sectional dimensions spaced laterally of said first passage means for developing a substantially parallel fluid power stream; sensing means responsive to said static presence of the liquid level at said predetermined level for diverting said fluid power stream away from said parallel condition; and signal developing means for receiving a fluid pressure signal of one magnitude when said fluid power stream is parallel and of a second magnitude when said fluid power stream is diverted from said parallel condition.
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17. A liquid level control device for controlling the flow of liquid into a reservoir, storage tank or other container, comprising:
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nozzle means for developing a liquid flow stream therethrough, valve means in said liquid flow stream for opening and closing the nozzle; fluid amplifier means in said liquid flow stream and operatively associated with said valve means for generating a positive fluid pressure ot maintain said valve means open, said fluid amplifier including first passage means of major cross-sectional dimensions for delivering a major portion of said flow stream to said reservoir, storage tank or other container, second passage means of minor cross-sectional dimensions spaced laterally of said first passage means for developing a substantially parallel fluid power stream, and signal developing means for receiving a fluid pressure signal of one magnitude when said fluid power stream is parallel and of a second magnitude when said fluid power stream is diverted from its parallel condition; and sensing means responsive to the static presence of the interface at a predetermined sensing level of liquid in said reservoir for diverting said fluid power stream away from said parallel condition.
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Specification