Jet level sensor for fuel tanks

• US 5,285,812 A
• Filed: 09/09/1992
• Issued: 02/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Woodward HRT Incorporated (Woodward Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.
• Inventors: Morales, Gerald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US07/942,551
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 137/386, 137/393, 137/842, 141/198, 73/290 R, 73/548
• US Class Current: 137/393
• CPC Class Codes: F15C 1/14 Stream-interaction devices; Momentum-exchange devices, e.g. operating by exchange between two orthogonal fluid jets ; Proportional amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/14 by measurement of pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/161 for discrete levels G01F23/162 - G01F23/165 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2273 Device including linearly-aligned power stream emitter and power stream collector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7287 Liquid level responsive or maintaining systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/731 With control fluid connection at desired liquid level

Abstract

A jet level sensor used for controlling the liquid level in a tank such as a fuel tank. The sensor includes a nozzle and receiver supported within a bracket so that the nozzle and receiver and the associated conduits are freely rotatable with respect to the bracket. A manifold is coupled to the receiver for providing a plurality of output pressure signals indicative of the liquid level within the tank. The sensor is connected to a system which includes a main inlet valve and redundant relay valves which are fluid pressure responsive and which shut off responsive to the absence of a pressure signal from the sensor when the liquid within the tank reaches a predetermined desired level. Also provided are shut-off valves connected to be responsive to a tank and nozzle failure over-pressure condition at the inlet or within the tank.

Claims

1. A jet level sensor for detecting the level of liquid in a tank comprising:

(A) a nozzle including a tip defining an orifice having a first predetermined diameter;

(B) a receiver including a tip defining an orifice having a second predetermined diameter;

(C) first conduit means coupled to said nozzle for providing a jet liquid stream emanating from said nozzle;

(D) bracket means receiving said nozzle and said receiver in axially aligned spaced apart position;

(E) said second predetermined diameter being smaller than said first predetermined diameter so that said receiver orifice is fully engulfed by said jet liquid stream when said liquid level in said tank is below said sensor;

(F) a manifold coupled to said receiver;

(G) a plurality of conduit means coupled to said manifold for providing a plurality of output pressure signals from said sensor indicating that said tank liquid level is below said sensor; and

(H) means for securing said nozzle to said bracket means so that at least said nozzle and said first conduit means are free to rotate with respect to said bracket means thereby to allow positioning of said bracket and said first conduit means at the time of installation of said jet level sensor to accommodate various applications of said jet level sensor.

2. A jet level sensor as defined in claim 1 wherein said nozzle defines a circumferential groove displaced from said tip, said bracket defines a first opening therethrough adjacent said nozzle and said first opening receives a first pin member which engages said nozzle circumferential groove.

3. A jet level sensor as defined in claim 1 which further includes a second conduit means coupling said receiver to said bracket means so that said receiver and said second conduit means are free to rotate with respect to said bracket means thereby to allow positioning of said bracket and said second conduit means at the time of installation of said jet level sensor to accommodate various applications of said jet level sensor.

4. A jet level sensor as defined in claim 3 wherein said receiver defines a circumferential groove displaced from the tip thereof, said bracket defines a second opening therethrough adjacent said receiver and said second opening receives a second pin member which engages said receiver circumferential groove.

5. A jet level sensor as defined in claim 1 wherein said bracket means includes a body defining a bore therethrough, said nozzle being received in one end of said bore and said receiver being received in the other end of said bore, said bore being interrupted adjacent said receiver orifice, said bore surrounding said jet liquid stream.

6. A jet level sensor as defined in claim 5 wherein said bore defines an opening adjacent said nozzle orifice for permitting entry of liquid from said tank into said bore to interrupt said jet liquid stream when liquid in said tank reaches a predetermined level.

7. A jet level sensor for detecting when liquid in a tank reaches a predetermined level comprising:

(A) bracket means including a body defining a bore therethrough, said bore having first and second ends and being interrupted adjacent said second end;

(B) a nozzle including a tip defining an orifice having a first predetermined diameter received within said first end of said bore;

(C) a receiver including a tip defining an orifice having a second predetermined diameter received within said second end of said bore, said orifice in said nozzle being in axial alignment with said receiver orifice;

(D) first conduit means coupled to said nozzle for providing a jet liquid stream emanating from said nozzle;

(E) said second predetermined diameter being smaller than said first predetermined diameter so that said receiver orifice is fully engulfed by said jet liquid stream when said liquid level in said tank is below said sensor;

(F) a manifold coupled to said receiver;

(G) a plurality of conduit means coupled to said manifold for providing a plurality of output pressure signals from said sensor indicating that said tank liquid level is below said sensor; and

(H) means for securing said nozzle to said bracket means so that at least said nozzle and said first conduit means are free to rotate with respect to said bracket means thereby to allow positioning of said bracket and said first conduit means at the time of installation of said jet level sensor to accommodate various applications of said jet level sensor.

8. A jet level sensor as defined in claim 7 wherein said nozzle defines a circumferential groove displaced from said tip, said bracket defines a first opening therethrough adjacent said nozzle and said first opening receives a first pin member which engages said nozzle circumferential groove.

9. A jet level sensor as defined in claim 8 which further includes a second conduit means coupling said receiver to said bracket means so that said receiver and said second conduit means are free to rotate with respect to said bracket means thereby to allow positioning of said bracket and said second conduit means at the time of installation of said jet level sensor to accommodate various applications of said jet level sensor.

10. A jet level sensor as defined in claim 9 wherein said receiver defines a circumferential groove displaced from the tip thereof, said bracket defines a second opening therethrough adjacent said receiver and said second opening receives a second pin member which engages said receiver circumferential groove.