Method and apparatus for detecting the level of a liquid in a tank
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for determining the level of a liquid in a vessel, comprising the steps of:
- (a) adjusting the liquid level of a generally upright column means with a liquid to a first predetermined level, the liquid in the column being the same as the liquid in the vessel, the column means being disposed within the vessel, and extending from a position near the bottom of the vessel to a position in an upper portion of the vessel;
(b) adjusting the liquid level of the column means to a second predetermined level with the liquid;
(c) sensing a first pressure head of the column means near the bottom of the column means after the column means liquid level has been adjusted to the first predetermined level;
(d) sensing a second pressure head of the column means near the bottom of the column means after the column means liquid level has been adjusted to the second predetermined level;
(e) sensing the pressure head of the liquid within the vessel outside the column near the bottom of the vessel; and
(f) determining the level of the liquid in the vessel in accordance with the following formula;
##EQU3## where L3 is the level of the liquid in the vessel;
L1 is the first predetermined level;
L2 is the second predetermined level;
P1 is the first pressure head of the first predetermined level;
P2 is the second pressure head of the second predetermined level; and
P3 is the pressure head of the level of the liquid in the vessel.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides for a process and apparatus for detecting the level of a liquid in a vessel. The method involves sensing the pressure head of the liquid level in column disposed with the vessel wherein the column liquid level has been adjusted to a first predetermined level. The level in the column is then adjusted to a second predetermined level. The pressure head of the second predetermined level in the column then sensed. The pressure of the liquid head in the vessel outside the column is sensed. The three pressure values are then used to determine the liquid level in the vessel.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A method for determining the level of a liquid in a vessel, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) adjusting the liquid level of a generally upright column means with a liquid to a first predetermined level, the liquid in the column being the same as the liquid in the vessel, the column means being disposed within the vessel, and extending from a position near the bottom of the vessel to a position in an upper portion of the vessel; (b) adjusting the liquid level of the column means to a second predetermined level with the liquid; (c) sensing a first pressure head of the column means near the bottom of the column means after the column means liquid level has been adjusted to the first predetermined level; (d) sensing a second pressure head of the column means near the bottom of the column means after the column means liquid level has been adjusted to the second predetermined level; (e) sensing the pressure head of the liquid within the vessel outside the column near the bottom of the vessel; and (f) determining the level of the liquid in the vessel in accordance with the following formula;
##EQU3## where L3 is the level of the liquid in the vessel;
L1 is the first predetermined level;
L2 is the second predetermined level;
P1 is the first pressure head of the first predetermined level;
P2 is the second pressure head of the second predetermined level; and
P3 is the pressure head of the level of the liquid in the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. An apparatus for measuring the level of liquid in a vessel comprising:
-
(a) at least one generally upright column disposed within and fixedly secured to the vessel, the column having a top portion open to the interior of the vessel above the liquid level and a bottom portion extending to about the bottom of the vessel; (b) pump means for adjusting the level of the liquid in the column with liquid from the vessel to a predetermined level, the pump means being in communication with the bottom portion of the column; and (c) monitoring means in communication with the interior of the vessel and the column for determining the liquid level in the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification