Fluid level sensor
First Claim
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1. In a fluid level sensor for sensing a range of changes in the level of fluid in a vessel;
- said sensor comprising an inclinometer housed within a stilling basin coupled to a fluid containing vessel and having means for ingress and egress of said fluid to and from said stilling basin, said inclinometer outputting a signal indicative of the fluid level within said stilling basin;
the improvement comprising;
an electronics package slidably coupled to and within said stilling basin;
a slide track affixed to said stilling basin;
an inclinometer-bearing-float in fluid contact with the fluid within said stilling basin, said inclinometer being electrically coupled to said electronics package; and
a float support shaft having a first end thereof coupled to said electronics package, a second end thereof pivotally coupled to said float, and the length thereof rigidly, slidably coupled to said slide track,whereby the slidable adjustment of said electronics package within said stilling basin produces a corresponding adjustment in the fluid contact of said inclinometer-bearing-float with the fluid within said stilling basin to thereby initially set the desired level of fluid in said vessel.
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Abstract
A fluid level sensor comprising a pivoted float which contains a solid-state inclinometer that produces sensitive electrical output signal responsive to angular displacement of the float from the direction of gravity. The float is capable of resolving very small changes in liquid level in a vessel, and thereby indicating or warning of small leaks from the vessel. A reference inclinometer may also be provided for producing a reference signal to compensate for fluid level signal errors caused by motion of the vessel.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. In a fluid level sensor for sensing a range of changes in the level of fluid in a vessel;
- said sensor comprising an inclinometer housed within a stilling basin coupled to a fluid containing vessel and having means for ingress and egress of said fluid to and from said stilling basin, said inclinometer outputting a signal indicative of the fluid level within said stilling basin;
the improvement comprising;an electronics package slidably coupled to and within said stilling basin; a slide track affixed to said stilling basin; an inclinometer-bearing-float in fluid contact with the fluid within said stilling basin, said inclinometer being electrically coupled to said electronics package; and a float support shaft having a first end thereof coupled to said electronics package, a second end thereof pivotally coupled to said float, and the length thereof rigidly, slidably coupled to said slide track, whereby the slidable adjustment of said electronics package within said stilling basin produces a corresponding adjustment in the fluid contact of said inclinometer-bearing-float with the fluid within said stilling basin to thereby initially set the desired level of fluid in said vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- said sensor comprising an inclinometer housed within a stilling basin coupled to a fluid containing vessel and having means for ingress and egress of said fluid to and from said stilling basin, said inclinometer outputting a signal indicative of the fluid level within said stilling basin;
Specification