Reversible float for use in a tank gauging system

• US 5,655,403 A
• Filed: 05/17/1995
• Issued: 08/12/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Varec, Inc. (Leidos Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Whessoe Varec, Inc.
• Inventors: Topliff, Edward R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HIRSHFELD, ANDREW HOWARD
• Application Number:
  US08/442,880
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 73/305, 73/306, 73/318, 73/319, 73/321, 73/322.5, 43/43.1, 43/43.14, 43/44.87, 33/758, 33/759, 33/719, 33/720, 33/721
• US Class Current: 73/322.5
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/34 the beams of light being detected by photocells
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/443 using electromechanically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/446 using opto-electrically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/21 for modifying the output characteristic, e.g. linearising
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 5/22 Circuits having more than one input and one output for comparing pulses or pulse trains with each other according to input signal characteristics, e.g. slope, integral indicating phase difference of two cyclic pulse trains G01R25/00

Abstract

A reversible float assembly includes a float, an elongated flexible member, a first attachment disposed on a first surface of the float body, and a second attachment disposed on a second surface of the float body. The lower end of the elongated flexible member is connected to one of the first and second attachments. At least one guide eye connected with the float body is constructed and arranged to receive an elongated guide member to restrict movement of the body to generally vertical movement. The guide eye is disposed on the body at a position between the first attachment and the second attachment so that when the body floats on a liquid in the first orientation the guide eye is submerged in the liquid, and when the body floats on a liquid in a second orientation, the guide eye is disposed above the liquid.

Claims

1. A reversible float assembly, comprising:

a float disposed on a liquid and having a body with a first surface portion and a second surface portion on generally opposite sides of said body;

an elongated flexible member having an upper end held above the liquid and the lower end adapted to be connected to said float;

a first attachment disposed on said first surface portion of said body and constructed and arranged to be attached with said elongated flexible member;

a second attachment disposed on said second surface portion of said body and constructed and arranged to be attached with said elongated flexible member;

said lower end of said elongated flexible member being disposed above said liquid and connected to one of said first and second attachments;

at least one guide eye constructed and arranged to receive an elongate guide member in such fashion as to restrict movement of said body to generally vertical movement, said at least one guide eye being disposed on said body at a position between said first attachment and said second attachment such that when said body floats on said liquid in a first orientation with said second surface portion and said second attachment submerged in the liquid said guide eye is also submerged in the liquid, and when said body floats on the liquid in a second orientation with said first surface portion and said first attachment submerged in the liquid said guide eye is above the liquid.