Method and apparatus for sensing average temperature
First Claim
1. A temperature averaging sensor for measuring the average temperature of a fluid confined within a tank having a nonuniform depth-volume profile comprising, in combination:
- a length of wire with a known electrical resistance versus temperature characteristic;
an extensible cylindrical, multi-turn helical coil of plastic tubing in which said length of wire is contained;
means for extending said coil to a predetermined length corresponding to the depth of fluid within said tank and means for arranging the spacing between coil turns so that the density of coil turns is commensurate with the depth-volume profile of the liquid in said tank; and
an electrical connector connected to each end of said wire and adapted to be connected to a measuring circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method for detecting average temperature, particularly adapted for determining the average liquid temperature in an underground horizontally disposed cylindrical tank. The sensing element, in the form of a wire of known temperature versus electrical resistance characteristic is contained within an extensible cylindrical helical coil of plastic tubing which can be introduced into the tank and extended to the overall height of the liquid by gravity through a weight on one end of the coil or by the use of an extendible rod inserted into the center of the coil. The tubing is preformed or arranged relative to the extensible rod to present a greater number of coil turns at the center of the tank to compensate for greater liquid volume.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A temperature averaging sensor for measuring the average temperature of a fluid confined within a tank having a nonuniform depth-volume profile comprising, in combination:
- a length of wire with a known electrical resistance versus temperature characteristic;
an extensible cylindrical, multi-turn helical coil of plastic tubing in which said length of wire is contained;
means for extending said coil to a predetermined length corresponding to the depth of fluid within said tank and means for arranging the spacing between coil turns so that the density of coil turns is commensurate with the depth-volume profile of the liquid in said tank; and
an electrical connector connected to each end of said wire and adapted to be connected to a measuring circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- a length of wire with a known electrical resistance versus temperature characteristic;
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11. The method of determining the average temperature of a liquid within a tank having a nonuniform depth-volume profile comprising the steps of:
- determining the level of the liquid in the tank;
introducing an extensible helical coil of plastic tubing vertically into said tank, said tubing having a temperature responsive medium within it extending the length of said tubing, said medium having a known physical property versus temperature characteristic;
arranging the relative spacing between coil turns so that the density of coil turns is commensurate with the depth-volume profile of the liquid in said tank;
extending the length of said tubing coil to extend over the depth of the liquid being tested;
sensing said physical property and reducing it to a temperature value. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- determining the level of the liquid in the tank;
Specification