Hydrologic data acquisition system
First Claim
1. A means for recording fluid levels by recording electrical signals comprising:
- a transducer;
a transducer interface including a potentiometer and a master pulley on and coupled to the potentiometer, said transducer interface providing a signal that indicates an angular position of the potentiometer;
a float for identifying a fluid level position;
a tape having one end attached to the float and extending over the master pulley to a counterweight, means for attaching the other end of the tape to the counterweight;
an impactor proximate said tape adapted to provide impact to the tape of sufficient magnitude that resultant movement and oscillation of the tape will overcome static friction in the transducer interface;
a microprocessor that, when energized at preset system time intervals, interrogates said transducer interface, and transfers said dignal from said transducer interface into a solid state data memory; and
a read-out means for reading and displaying said signal from said solid state data memory.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus records fluid level movement using a potentiometer that is rotated by a tape attached to a float and a counterweight. The output from the potentiometer is recorded by a microprocessor which is presettable for desired time intervals. Static friction in the moving parts causes small fluid displacement to go unrecorded until they accumulate to produce a larger rotation of the potentiometer, resulting in inaccurate data recording termed "staircasing." To overcome staircasing, before a reading is taken, an impactor made up of a solenoid with a spring-loaded core impacts the tape with sufficient magnitude such that the resultant movement and oscillation of the tape will overcome the static friction, resulting in a smooth, accurate data record.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A means for recording fluid levels by recording electrical signals comprising:
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a transducer; a transducer interface including a potentiometer and a master pulley on and coupled to the potentiometer, said transducer interface providing a signal that indicates an angular position of the potentiometer; a float for identifying a fluid level position; a tape having one end attached to the float and extending over the master pulley to a counterweight, means for attaching the other end of the tape to the counterweight; an impactor proximate said tape adapted to provide impact to the tape of sufficient magnitude that resultant movement and oscillation of the tape will overcome static friction in the transducer interface; a microprocessor that, when energized at preset system time intervals, interrogates said transducer interface, and transfers said dignal from said transducer interface into a solid state data memory; and a read-out means for reading and displaying said signal from said solid state data memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification