Magnetic float assembly

• US 5,743,137 A
• Filed: 11/09/1995
• Issued: 04/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clark Reliance Corporation
• Original Assignee: Clark Reliance Corporation
• Inventors: Brown, David E., Purcel, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HIRSHFELD, ANDREW HOWARD
• Application Number:
  US08/556,102
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 73/314, 73/319, 73/322.5, 73/DIG. 5, 73/321, 335/302, 335/306, 340/618, 340/623, 340/624, 116/204, 116/228
• US Class Current: 73/322.5
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/72 using magnetically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/76 characterised by the construction of the float
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 73/05 Liquid levels with magnetic transmission

Abstract

A magnetic float assembly is provided, comprising (i) a generally cylindrical paramagnetic (e.g. stainless steel) float enclosure having first and second closed end portions located at opposite ends of a longitudinal axis running the length thereof, and having a generally cylindrical interior surface located between the end portions, (ii) a first annular magnet disposed within the float enclosure at a first location along the longitudinal axis and having an outer surface which substantially corresponds to the generally cylindrical interior surface, and (iii) and a second annular magnet disposed within the float enclosure at a second location along the longitudinal axis and having an outer surface which substantially corresponds to the generally cylindrical interior surface. The first and second annular magnets are separated by a paramagnetic (e.g. aluminum or titanium) spacer. Ends of the first and second annular magnets facing each other are magnetized in one polarity and ends of the first and second cylindrical magnets facing the end portions of the enclosure are magnetized in an opposite polarity. The magnetic field of an operating pole of the assembly is created by the proximity of like-charged portions of the facing magnets, and is directed radially outward of the longitudinal axis of the float enclosure toward the outside of the enclosure.

Claims

1. A magnetic float assembly, comprising:

a float enclosure having first and second closed end portions located at opposite ends of an axis running the length thereof, having an interior surface located between said end portions, and having an inner diameter, said float enclosure being constructed from a non-magnetic metallic material;

a first generally annular magnet disposed within said float enclosure at a first location along said axis, having an outer surface which substantially corresponds to said interior surface of said float enclosure, and having an outer diameter that is slightly less than said inner diameter of said float enclosure; and

a second generally annular magnet disposed within said float enclosure at a second location along said axis, having an outer surface which substantially corresponds to said interior surface of said float enclosure, and having an outer diameter that is slightly less than said inner diameter of said float enclosure.

2. The magnetic float assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second annular magnets are separated by a paramagnetic spacer.

3. The magnetic float assembly of claim 1, wherein said float enclosure and said interior surface are generally cylindrical in shape.

4. The magnetic float assembly of claim 3, wherein ends of said first and second annular magnets facing each other are magnetized in one polarity and ends of said first and second annular magnets facing said end portions of said float enclosure are magnetized in an opposite polarity relative to said one polarity.

5. The magnetic float assembly of claim 3, wherein said first and second annular magnets are comprised of a ferromagnetic material.

6. The magnetic float assembly of claim 1, wherein said non-magnetic metallic material of said float enclosure is stainless steel.

7. The magnetic float assembly of claim 1, wherein said outer diameter of said first annular magnet is nearly identical to said inner diameter of said float enclosure, and wherein said outer diameter of said second annular magnet is nearly identical to said inner diameter of said float enclosure.

8. A magnetic float assembly, comprising:

a substantially cylindrical float housing constructed about a longitudinal axis of said float housing, providing an internal cavity and having an inner diameter, wherein said float housing is constructed from a non-magnetic metallic material;

a pair of annular magnets disposed within said cavity in spaced apart relationship along said longitudinal axis, said pair of annular magnets located in planes which are generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, each of said pair of annular magnets having an outer diameter that is slightly less than said inner diameter of said float housing; and

at least one spacer element disposed intermediate said pair of annular magnets.

9. The magnetic float assembly of claim 8, wherein said at least one spacer element is constructed from a paramagnetic material.

10. The magnetic float assembly of claim 9, wherein outer perimetric surfaces of said at least one spacer element and said pair of annular magnets, respectively, each conforms substantially to an inner wall of said float housing defining said internal cavity.

11. The magnetic float assembly of claim 10, wherein said at least one spacer element comprises a plurality of spacer elements, removal or addition or alteration of the width of any of which alters the spaced apart relationship of said pair of annular magnets.

12. The magnetic float assembly of claim 10, wherein said pair of annular magnets are comprised of a ferromagnetic material.

13. The magnetic float assembly of claim 10, wherein first ends of said pair of annular magnets facing each other are magnetized in one polarity and second ends of said pair of annular magnets opposite said first ends are magnetized in an opposite polarity relative to said one Polarity.

14. The magnetic float assembly of claim 8, wherein said paramagnetic material of said float housing is stainless steel.

15. The magnetic float assembly of claim 8, wherein said outer diameter of each of said pair of annular magnets is nearly identical to said inner diameter of said float housing.

16. A magnetic float assembly for use in a tank containing a liquid, comprising:

an enclosure for floating on the surface of the liquid, said enclosure providing an internal cavity, having a central axis, and having an inner diameter, said enclosure being constructed from a non-magnetic metallic material;

a first generally annular magnet fixedly positioned about said axis within said cavity, said first magnet being axially magnetized so as to provide a north pole and a south pole and having an outer diameter that is slightly less than said inner diameter of said enclosure; and

a second generally annular magnet fixedly positioned about said axis a fixed distance from said first magnet, said second magnet being axially magnetized so as to provide a north pole and a south pole and having an outer diameter that is slightly less than said inner diameter of said enclosure, said first and second magnets positioned with respect to each other so that like poles face one another.

17. The magnetic float assembly of claim 16, further comprising a paramagnetic spacer element disposed between said like poles of said first and second magnets.

18. The magnetic float assembly of claim 16, wherein said outer diameter of said first magnet is nearly identical to said inner diameter of said enclosure, and wherein said outer diameter of said second magnet is nearly identical to said inner diameter of said enclosure.