Cryogenic gauge

• US 5,479,820 A
• Filed: 10/12/1993
• Issued: 01/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rochester Gauges Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Rochester Gauges Incorporated
• Inventors: Fekete, Nicholas M. G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WORTH, WILLIE M
• Application Number:
  US08/134,050
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 73/309, 73/DIG. 5, 73/319, 73/322, 116/204, 116/228, 116/284, 116/285, 116/291, 116/303, 116/305
• US Class Current: 73/319
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0413 with floats
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/0038 using buoyant probes with floats G01F23/30 - G01F23/76
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/62 using magnetically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 73/05 Liquid levels with magnetic transmission

Abstract

A gauge for measuring fluid level, especially cryogenic fluids, having a head assembly with a passageway to receive the upper portion of a lift rod assembly. The lift rod assembly includes a spring attached at the upper end to the head and at the lower end attached to a spring guide. A lift rod is mounted adjustably on the spring guide, and the upper end of the lift rod has attached a magnet and the lower end of the lift rod a displacement member. The upper end of the lift rod is received in the passageway of the head. Attached to the head adjacent to the passageway is a dial assembly adjustably mounted in relation to the passageway of the head.

Claims

1. A dial assembly for use in conjunction with a float magnet of a float assembly which moves in response to the changes in fluid level in a vessel comprising:

(a) a base having first and second sides;

(b) a pivot pin extending from the first side of said base;

(c) a pointer assembly having a magnet attached thereto pivotally mounted on said pivot pin which is movable in response to movements of said float magnet;

(d) a snap clamp projecting from the second side of said base dimensioned to slidably engage a float assembly; and

(e) an adjustment nut engaging means on said second side of said base for rotational cooperation with an adjustment nut of said float assembly and being movable therewith when said snap clamp engages said float assembly to permit positioning the dial assembly at predetermined locations in relation to said float magnet of the float assembly.

2. The dial assembly of claim 1 further comprising a dial face located between said base and said pointer assembly.

3. The dial assembly of claim 1 wherein said adjustment nut engaging means is an indentation on the second side of the base.

4. A gauge assembly comprising:

(a) a float assembly having;

(1) a head defining a passageway having first and second ends, said first end of said passageway being closed and said second end being open, said head having a threaded surface adjacent to said first end of said passageway;

(2) a spring having first and second ends, said first end attached adjacent to said second end of said passageway in said head;

(3) a lift rod adjustably attached to said second end of said spring, said lift rod having first and second ends;

(4) a magnet attached to the first end of said lift rod and movable within said passageway of said head;

(5) a float attached to said second end of said lift rod;

(6) an adjustment nut engaging said threaded surface of said head; and

(b) a dial assembly adjustably mounted adjacent to said passageway of said head having;

(1) a base having first and second sides and having a pivot pin extending from the first side of said base;

(2) means for slidably attaching said base to said float assembly;

(3) a pointer assembly having a magnet attached thereto, said pointer pivotally attached to said pivot pin and movable in response to changes in the position of said magnet attached to said lift rod; and

(4) an adjustment nut engaging means on said second side of said base which is movable with said adjustment nut for causing said dial assembly to move along said passageway to allow varying the position of said magnet of said pointer assembly with respect to said passageway.

5. The gauge of claim 4 wherein said slidable attaching means comprises a snap clamp projecting from said base.

6. The gauge of claim 4 wherein the float has a density in the range of 0.093 to 0.101 pounds per cubic inch.

7. A float assembly for use in cryogenic gauges comprising:

(a) a head defining a passageway having an axis and having a first and second ends and said head having an outer surface;

(b) a threaded surface adjacent to the said first end of said passageway on the outer surface of said head;

(c) a threaded adjustment nut engaging said threaded surface, said nut being movable along said axis and having means to provide for cooperation and engagement with a sliding dial assembly to provide for adjustment of dial readings;

(d) a first spring guide having a passageway therethrough attached to the second end of said passageway;

(e) a spring having first and second ends, said first end attached to said first spring guide;

(f) a second spring guide attached to the second end of said spring;

(g) a lift rod having first and second ends, said lift rod being adjustably attached to said second spring guide and said lift rod being movable within said passageway of said head;

(h) a magnet attached to said first end of said lift rod; and

(i) a float attached to said second end of said lift rod.

12. The assembly of claim 7 further comprising a spring interspersed between said adjustment nut and said head, said spring applying pressure to said nut to hold said nut at predetermined locations in respect to said head.

8. A gauge assembly comprising:

(a) a float assembly, which moves in response to changes in fluid level in a vessel having;

(1) a head defining a passageway, said passageway having first and second ends, said first end of said passageway being closed and said second end being open and said head having an exterior threaded surface;

(2) a spring having first and second ends, said first end being attached to said head adjacent to said second end of said passageway;

(3) a lift rod, said lift rod having first and second ends;

(4) first magnet attached to said first end of said lift rod, said lift rod being movable within said passageway of said head;

(5) a float adjustably attached to said second end of said lift rod;

(6) said lift rod being adjustably attached to said second end of said spring, thereby allowing for adjustment of said float attached to said lift rod to a desired position in said vessel;

(7) an adjustment nut threadedly engaging said threaded surface with a spring interposed between a top of said adjustment nut and said head;

(b) a dial assembly slidably mounted adjacent to said passageway of said head having;

(1) a base having a pivot pin, said base also having a clamping member for slidably engaging said head of said float assembly; and

(2) a pointer assembly comprising a second magnet attached to an indicating arm which is pivotally attached to said pivot pin;

(3) a dial face located between said base and said pointer assembly;

said dial face having volume indicia;

(4) said second magnet movable in response to changes in position of said first magnet in said passageway;

(5) said dial assembly having an adjustment nut engaging means on the outside of said base for rotatably engaging said adjustment nut to permit positioning of the dial assembly along the head.

9. The gauge of claim 8 wherein said clamping member of said base is a snap clamp projecting from said base and slidably engaging said head.

10. The gauge of claim 8 wherein the float has a density in the range of 0.093 to 0.101 pounds per cubic inch.

11. The float assembly of claim 8 further comprising a spring guide attached to said second end of said spring, said spring guide having a lock nut threadedly mounted thereon and also having a locking sleeve or ferrule interposed in a cavity between said spring guide and said lock nut, wherein said lift rod is adjustably attached to said spring guide at a desired point of attachment when said lock nut is tightened, which squeezes said locking sleeve axially between said lock nut and said spring guide which causes said locking sleeve to expand laterally and substantially engage said lift rod locking it in place, thereby allowing for calibration of said float assembly position inside said vessel.