Direct liquid level reading device

• US 5,483,831 A
• Filed: 11/09/1993
• Issued: 01/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George A. Steiner
• Original Assignee: George A. Steiner
• Inventors: Steiner, George A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Worth, Willie Morris
• Application Number:
  US08/149,599
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 73/310, 73/319, 73/313, 250/900, 250/901, 340/619, 340/624, 340/870.16
• US Class Current: 73/313
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/686 using opto-electrically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/706 using opto-electrically actuated indicating means

Abstract

A digital liquid level measuring device determines the liquid level by reading a scale of a vertical series of horizontal binary coded numbers representing linear divisions. The measurement is direct rather than inferential and provides more accurate reading than existing methods. The digital measuring system does not suffer from the disadvantages of signal stability, drift, accuracy, calibration, error detection and size of range. The device has a fixed vertical scale, a float movable in a substantially vertical path maintaining a controlled distance from the fixed scale, a reading head on the float to read each of the horizontal binary coded numbers individually on the scale representing liquid level and a connection from the reading level to a display which provides an indication of liquid level.

Claims

1. A liquid level measuring device comprising:

a vertical guide having a fixed vertical scale for a vessel or a body of liquid mounted on the vertical guide, the fixed scale having a vertical series of horizontal binary coded bits representative of binary coded numbers indicating linear divisions;

float means to raise and lower with liquid level, said float means having means for cooperating with portions of said vertical guide for keeping the float means movable in a substantially vertical path adjacent the fixed vertical scale while maintaining a controlled distance from the fixed scale;

reading head on the float means to read each of the horizontal binary coded bits individually on the fixed scale representing liquid level, and

connection means for providing a level signal from the reading head to a means for displaying an indication of liquid level.

2. The liquid level measuring device according to claim 1 wherein each of the series of horizontal binary coded bits representing linear divisions have reflecting and non-reflecting areas, and the reading head comprises a light emitting source means for projecting light onto each of the areas and light sensors to determine whether each of the areas is reflecting or non-reflecting, the light sensors providing reflected light signals representing each reflecting area of the binary coded bits to the display means.

3. The liquid level measuring device according to claim 2 wherein the light emitting source means and light sensors are positioned below liquid level.

4. The liquid level measuring device according to claim 1 wherein each of the series of horizontal binary coded bits representing linear divisions have magnetic and non-magnetic areas, and the reading head comprises a magnetic sensing means to determine whether each of the areas is magnetic or non-magnetic, the magnetic sensing means providing a signal representing each of the binary coded bits to the display means.

5. The liquid level measuring device according to claim 1 wherein the means maintaining the controlled distance includes bearings.

6. The liquid level measuring device according to claim 1 wherein the connection means includes a multi wire flexible electric conductor cable from the reading head to the display means.

7. The liquid level measuring device according to claim 1 wherein the reading head has internal power source in the float means and the connection means includes a radio transmitter/receiver link from the reading head to the display means.

8. The liquid level measuring device according to claim 2 wherein the connection means includes flexible fibre optic cables and wherein reflected light signals representing each of the reflecting areas of the binary coded bits are fed through the flexible fibre optic cables to the display means.