Multi-sensor hydrostatic gauge for fuel storage tanks

• US 5,942,980 A
• Filed: 11/20/1997
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Innovative Measurement Methods Inc.
• Original Assignee: Innovative Measurement Methods Inc.
• Inventors: Bukhman, Alexander, Westmoreland, Allen Ray, Bukhman, Israel, Hoben, John Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US08/975,096
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 340/618, 340/624, 340/627, 340/619, 340/620, 340/621, 340/622, 340/623, 340/605, 340/614, 340/606, 403/299, 403/353, 403/301, 73/714, 73/730, 73/864.56, 73/866.5
• US Class Current: 340/618
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/14 by measurement of pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/18 Indicating, recording or alarm devices actuated electrically
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level

Abstract

A probe rod is provided with sensor housings, pipe sections, and joint sleeves all having a common outer diameter. The sensor housings and joint sleeves are threadably connected to the various pipe sections. The threadable connections have a double seal using an O-ring and threading paste that ensure a gas tight seal while being easy to assemble. Pressure and temperature sensors are mounted within the sensor housings. Output leads from the sensors are threaded through the pipe sections and through throughways in the sensor housings and joint sleeves to a circuitry box mounted on the top of the probe rod. The circuitry box contains electronics for processing signals generated by the sensors and for transmitting the results to a remote location.

Claims

1. A probe with no moving parts, for use in above and below grounds a liquid tank having a floor and walls, capable of continuous measurement of a liquid while emersed in that liquid, wherein said probe comprises:

at least two pipe sections a first section and a second section, each of said pipe sections detachable connectable to the other, wherein each has a top end and a bottom end and each pipe section has an outer diameter which is equal to the outer diameter of the other section, thereby providing a smooth exterior surface when the at least two pipe sections are detachably connected together;

at least one connector connecting said pipe sections, said connector constructed and arranged to connect said top end of said first pipe section to said bottom end of said second pipe section to form a probe rod having a common outer diameter further said connector having a channel to provide contact with liquid from said tank to one of at least two sensors, a first sensor and a second sensor;

a first sensor, contained in the probe rod capable of continuous temperature measurement through direct contact with the liquid, and a second sensor contained in the probe rod capable of continuous pressure measurement through direct contact with the liquid, and wherein said first sensor for continuous pressure measurement has a diaphragm which is oriented so that the sensing side of said diaphragm is horizontally to the probe and oriented towards the floor of the tank;

means for controlling the first and second sensors to produce output signals; and

means for compiling the output signals and transferring the compiled data to another device.

2. A probe as in claim 1 wherein said at least one connector is a sensor housing.

3. A probe as in claim 1 wherein said at least one connector is a joint sleeve.

4. A probe as in claim 1 wherein said pipe sections are threaded on said top end.

5. A probe as in claim 1 wherein said pipe sections are threaded on said bottom end.

6. A probe as in claim 2 wherein said sensor housing has a throughway.

7. A probe as in claim 1 wherein said pressure sensor measures the liquid head above said pressure sensor.

8. A probe as in claim 1 wherein said probe further contains circuitry, said circuitry capable of calculating compensation factors to compensate for air bubbles locked between the surface of said liquid and said diaphragm of said pressure sensor.

9. A probe as in claim 1 wherein said pressure sensor has a digital output.

10. A probe as in claim 1 wherein an output signal of said temperature sensor is capable of compensating for a temperature influence on a pressure sensor measurement.

11. A probe as in claim 1 wherein said pipe has a threaded end and said connector has a threaded end capable of interfitting with said threaded end of said pipe to form a threaded connection.

12. A probe as in claim 11 wherein a thread sealing paste is applied to said threaded connection.

13. A probe as in claim 11 wherein an O-ring is positioned within said threaded connection to form a gas tight threaded connection.

14. A probe as in claim 11 wherein a thread sealing paste is applied to said threaded connection and an O-ring is positioned within said threaded connection to form a gas tight threaded connection.

15. A probe as in claim 3 wherein said joint sleeve has a throughway.

16. A probe as in claim 3 wherein said joint sleeve has a side hole.

17. A probe as in claim 1 wherein said probe further has a box.

18. A probe as in claim 17 wherein said box is positioned at a top of said probe.

19. A probe as in claim 17 wherein said box is threadably connected to one of said pipe sections.

20. A probe as in claim 17 wherein said box contains circuitry.

21. A probe as in claim 20 wherein said circuitry is digital.

22. A probe as in claim 20 wherein said circuitry is capable of connecting to another of said probes.

23. A probe as in claim 20 wherein said circuitry is capable of interfacing with more than one of said sensors.

24. A probe as in claim 20 wherein said circuitry is capable of interfacing with a processor.

25. A probe as in claim 20 wherein said circuitry is capable of interfacing with a computer.

26. A probe as in claim 20 wherein said circuitry contains sensor signal processor.

27. A probe as in claim 1 wherein an outer diameter of said connector is equal to an outer diameter of said pipe sections.

28. A probe as in claim 9 further having a self calibrating feature using said pressure sensor.

29. A probe as in claim 9 wherein two pressure sensors measure absolute pressure.