Liquid level detector

• US 6,289,731 B1
• Filed: 01/20/1999
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lo, Jui-Yang
• Original Assignee: Lo, Jui-Yang
• Inventors: Lo, Jui-Yang
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOO, DENNIS S
• Application Number:
  US09/235,598
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 733/19, 732/90.B, 733/05, 733/06, 733/12, 733/13, 733/14, 73D/IG.5
• US Class Current: 73/313
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/72 using magnetically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 73/05 Liquid levels with magnetic transmission

Abstract

A liquid level detector that includes an internal tube, a coil wound on an external surface of the internal tube, an external tube, a float ball, a base, and an upper fixing socket. The float ball is disposed in the internal tube, which is wound by a coil on its external surface. The internal tube is enclosed by the external tube, wherein an upper end of the internal tube is connected to the upper fixing socket, while the bottom end is coupled with the base. The two ends of the external tube are sealed for protection of the coil wound on the external wall of the internal tube. When the liquid level detector is employed to detect a liquid level, the float ball in the internal tube will move up or down according to the liquid level, and the induced change in inductance will be converted into a usable signal by a conversion circuit to drive a display apparatus to show the liquid quantity.

Claims

1. A liquid level detector comprising:

an internal tube, an electrically conductive coil wound on external surface of said internal tube, an external tube enclosing said internal tube, a float ball coated with magnetic material, a base, an upper fixing socket, and a circuit in electrical communication with said coil;

wherein

said float ball coated with magnetic material is disposed in said internal tube, a plurality of air apertures and a thread portion are formed at an upper end of said internal tube, said thread portion at said upper end of said internal tube is received in a tapped hole in said upper fixing socket, a bottom end of said internal tube is coupled to said base, and said base comprises at least one infiltration hole;

such that

liquid entering said liquid level detector through said at least one infiltration hole causes said float ball to rise past said coil, thereby generating an inductance, said circuit converting said inductance to a voltage indicative of a liquid level in said liquid level detector.

2. The liquid level detector of claim 1, wherein said internal tube is a hollow cylindrical body.

3. The liquid level detector of claim 1, wherein said external tube is a hollow cylindrical body with a diameter larger than that of said internal tube.

4. The liquid level detector of claim 1, wherein a through hole is included in said upper fixing socket, at least one signal wire passing through said through hole.

5. The liquid level detector of claim 1, wherein said circuit is located outside said external tube of said liquid level detector.