Fluid gauging apparatus using integral electrical sensor and a stick gauge

• US 5,627,380 A
• Filed: 06/28/1994
• Issued: 05/06/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Crowne, David H.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, QUE TAN
• Application Number:
  US08/268,002
• Time in Patent Office: 1,043 Days
• Field of Search: 250/577, 250/900, 250/904, 250/903, 250/227.11, 250/221, 340/151, 340/620, 340/619, 340/623, 340/870.16, 359/152, 359/154, 359/143, 359/144, 359/157, 356/439, 73/313, 73/311, 73/319, 73/306
• US Class Current: 250/577
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/04 by dip members, e.g. dip-sticks
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2963 magnetostrictive
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/72 using magnetically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/74 for sensing changes in level only at discrete points
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/80 Arrangements for signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 250/904 with single light guide element to guide light in a continuous path

Abstract

Apparatus for detecting fluid level in a container, comprises a housing adapted to be disposed in the container; a float with an associated magnetic element, the float position corresponding to fluid level in the container; a magnetostrictive sensor disposed inside the housing; and a stick gauge disposed inside the housing; the magnetostrictive sensor and the stick gauge each being operable to determine the float position.

Claims

1. A gauging apparatus for measuring liquid quantity in a container comprising:

a magnetic float in the container with the float position corresponding to the liquid level in the container;

a dripstick in the form of a housing that is manually withdrawn from the container in relation to the position of the float to obtain a visual reading of the liquid quantity;

a sensor disposed in said housing that produces an output related to the position of the float and gauging means for receiving the sensor output to determine liquid quantity in the container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gauging means comprises a remote control device that determines the sensor output by transmitting and receiving electromagnetic energy with said sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said remote control device comprises a hand held unit, and said dripstick, housing and sensor are disposed in an aircraft fuel tank so that the sensor can be interrogated from the ground using the hand held unit without a direct mechanical connection therebetween.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said sensor comprises means for converting electromagnetic energy received from said remote control device into electrical energy used to energize said sensor, said sensor being substantially deenergized when not being interrogated by said remote control device.

5. The gauging apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises an elongated resistive element disposed in said housing, and magnetic means responsive to position of the float and for changing the resistance of said element in relation to said float position.

6. The gauging apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gauging means comprises an interrogation circuit wire connected to said sensor.