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Bin level control circuit and transducer mounting system for an ice making machine

  • US 5,060,484 A
  • Filed: 06/12/1990
  • Issued: 10/29/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for controlling the volume of a substance within a container comprising:

  • (a) transmitter-receiver means having a transmitter portion for emitting a pulsed electromagnetic signal and a receiver portion for receiving a reflected pulsed electromagnetic signal;

    (b) transducer means mounted at a fixed position above the bottom of the container for converting an emitted electromagnetic pulse into an acoustic energy pulse directed at the upper surface of the substance and for converting a reflected acoustic energy pulse into a reflected pulsed electromagnetic signal;

    (c) switching means for starting and stopping changes in the level of the substance within the container;

    (d) reference level means for generating a pulsed reference signal whose pulse width determines the desired level of the substance within the container;

    (e) level detector means for producing control signals for controlling the switching means and for comparing the pulsed reference signal with the reflected pulsed electromagnetic signal, said substance reaching the desired level when the reflected pulsed electromagnetic signal overlaps the pulsed reference signal in time; and

    (f) triggering means for producing triggering signals for establishing the phase relationships between the reflected pulsed electromagnetic signal and the emitted pulsed electromagnetic and pulsed reference level signals.

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