Liquid level controller

• US 4,530,372 A
• Filed: 09/09/1982
• Issued: 07/23/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Conoco Incorporated (ConocoPhillips)
• Original Assignee: Conoco Incorporated (ConocoPhillips)
• Inventors: Overton, Raymond C., Cole, Charles F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US06/416,207
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 137/392, 73/290 R, 73/304 C, 307/118, 340/620, 361/178, 222/52, 222/64
• US Class Current: 137/392
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/263 by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/266 measuring circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 9/12 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7306 Electrical characteristic sensing

Abstract

A level control apparatus is disclosed for controlling a liquid level between a maximum and a minimum. An elastic circuit generates a reference pulse which receives the pulse and triggers the generation of first and second reference pulses. The first reference pulse has a width which corresponds to the function of the maximum level of liquid and the second reference pulse has a width which corresponds to the function of the minimum of liquid. A capacitance probe supplies an output to a level sensing means which generates an output control pulse which varies in time with respect to the liquid level. A response circuit receives the first and second reference pulses and the control pulse and generates a first response when the reference pulse and the control pulse occur at a time which indicates that the fluid is at the maximum level and a second response signals when the second response indicates that the fluid has dropped to a minimum level with a time provided between the minimum and maximum where no response is developed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for controlling a liquid level between a maximum and a minimum in a container means comprising:

(a) clock means generating an output timing pulse;

(b) reference pulse means receiving said timing pulse and triggering the generation of first and second reference pulses, said first reference pulse having a width corresponding to a function of the maximum level of said liquid and said second reference pulse having a width corresponding to a function of the minimum level of said liquid;

(c) capacitive probe means disposed in said container means in contact with liquid level between a maximum and a minimum to provide a proportional capacitive signal output;

(d) level sensing means triggered by said timing pulse to produce and output control pulse, and receiving said capacitive signal output to vary said control pulse width proportional to said liquid level;

(e) first and second gate means each receiving respective first and second output pulses as well as respective control pulse inputs and generating a first response signal when said first reference pulse and said control pulse occur at a time indicating that said fluid is at said maximum level, and a second response signal when said second reference pulse and said control pulse occur at a time indicating that said fluid level has dropped to said minimum level;

(f) means energizible to stop and to begin flow of fluid to said container means; and

(g) means responsive to first and second response signals to control said means energizible to stop the flow of liquid when said maximum level has been reached and begin the flow of fluid when said minimum level has been reached.

2. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said reference pulse means comprises a second circuit means which generates said second pulse, the period of which is determined by an adjustable resistance means, and first circuit means which generates said first reference pulse having a period which is determined by a second resistance means and said first resistance means, whereby the spacing between the fall time of said second pulse and the fall time of said first pulse comprises a dead band, said dead band providing a fluid level change which will not cause additional fluids to flow into said container.

3. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said level sensing means comprises a first circuit that generates an output pulse which is initiated by said timing pulse and has a width determined by said liquid level capacitive signal, and a second circuit which receives said output pulse for said level sensing means and generates said control pulse.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said capacitive probe means comprises an elongated cylinder having insulation means along its outer surface, first and second conductors wrapped around said circumference of said cylinder means and along its length, said first and second conductor means being each insulated along its length and at the end adapted to be inserted in said liquid, and means for coupling said conductors to said level sensing means.

5. Apparatus as described in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said capacitive probe means comprises an elongated cylinder having insulation means along its outer surface, first and second conductors wrapped around said circumference of said cylinder means and along its length, said first and second conductor means being each insulated along its length and at the end adapted to be inserted in said liquid, and means for coupling said conductors to said level sensing means, and probe means wherein at least one of said conductor means comprises first and second insulated conductors spaced on each side of said second conductor means.