Tank level gauge and sensor head therefor
First Claim
1. A universal sensor head for use with different types of variety of elongated gauge rods in a gauge system for indicating the level of liquid in a tank, said sensor head comprising:
- a code sensor including two optical detectors disposed for cooperation to detect a linear code pattern on an associated gauge rod movable longitudinally past the code sensor and generating corresponding electrical signals to indicate the direction of movement of the gauge rod,a magnetic sensor including a magnet detector disposed for detecting proximity of a magnet on the associated gauge rod and generating corresponding electrical signals to establish a reference position of the gauge rod, anda processor coupled to said code sensor and to said magnetic sensor and operating under stored program control for interpreting the electrical signals and generating corresponding output signals indicative of the position of the gauge rod relative to the sensor head.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A universal read head for a tank-level float gauge is adapted for use with any of certain different types of gauge rods which may be connected to a float element in the tank, including rods having an optical code thereon including a plurality of alternating reflecting and non-reflecting stripes arranged between magnetic end portions, and a rod with one or more magnets disposed adjacent to each end thereof and longitudinally spaced magnets intermediate the ends. The sensing head includes an LED light source for illuminating the rod and two phototransistors coupled in quadrature relationship for detecting the illuminated optical code patterns, and two magnetic reed switches for sensing the proximity of magnets on the gauge rod. The sensors are coupled to a microprocessor for interpreting the electrical signals generated by the sensors to identify the type of gauge rod being used and to provide an indication of the position of the gauge rod relative to the sensors.
41 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A universal sensor head for use with different types of variety of elongated gauge rods in a gauge system for indicating the level of liquid in a tank, said sensor head comprising:
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a code sensor including two optical detectors disposed for cooperation to detect a linear code pattern on an associated gauge rod movable longitudinally past the code sensor and generating corresponding electrical signals to indicate the direction of movement of the gauge rod, a magnetic sensor including a magnet detector disposed for detecting proximity of a magnet on the associated gauge rod and generating corresponding electrical signals to establish a reference position of the gauge rod, and a processor coupled to said code sensor and to said magnetic sensor and operating under stored program control for interpreting the electrical signals and generating corresponding output signals indicative of the position of the gauge rod relative to the sensor head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A linear distance gauge comprising:
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an elongated and longitudinally movable code-bearing surface, a fixed code sensor including two optical detectors disposed relative to the code-bearing surface for detecting the code thereon and generating corresponding electrical signals indicating the direction of movement of the code-bearing surface, at least one magnet disposed adjacent to an end of the code-bearing surface, a fixed magnetic sensor including a magnet detector disposed for sensing proximity of the magnet and generating a corresponding electrical signal to establish a reference position of the code-bearing surface, and a processor coupled to the code sensor and to the magnetic sensor and operating under stored program control for interpreting the electrical signals and generating corresponding output signals indicating the position of the code-bearing surface relative to said sensors. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A float gauge for measuring liquid level in a vessel comprising:
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a float element floating in the liquid for rising and falling with the level thereof, an elongated code-bearing surface coupled to the float element for rising and falling therewith, a code sensor fixed relative to the vessel and including two optical detectors disposed relative to the code-bearing surface for detecting the code thereon and generating corresponding electrical signals indicating the direction of movement of the code-bearing surface, a magnet at an end of the code-bearing surface, a magnetic sensor including a magnet detector fixed relative to the vessel and disposed for sensing proximity of the magnet and generating a corresponding electrical signal to establish a reference position of the code-bearing surface, and a processor coupled to the code sensor and the magnetic sensor and operating under stored program control for interpreting the electrical signals and generating corresponding output signals indicating the position of the code-bearing surface relative to its reference position for indicating the liquid level. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification