Level detector for a material in a container

• US 6,736,006 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2001
• Issued: 05/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Trinity Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: TRN Business Trust
• Inventors: Arias, Herman Díaz
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): FRANK, RODNEY T
• Application Number:
  US10/039,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20030205085A1
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 732/90.R, 733/01, 733/04.C, 733/04.R
• US Class Current: 73/290.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/242 Mounting arrangements for electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/244 comprising oscillating circuits

Abstract

A level detector includes a rod probe for positioning at least partially within a container suitable for containing a material. The rod probe has first and second ends. A monitoring device is coupled with the first end of the rod probe. The monitoring device is operable to produce a reading when a ground connector contacts the monitoring device. The reading is based upon whether the second end of the rod probe contacts the material. The reading may also be based upon an electrical impedance of the material when the second end of the rod probe contacts the material.

Claims

1. A level detector, comprising:

a rod probe for positioning at least partially within a container suitable for containing a material, the rod probe having first and second ends;

a monitoring device coupled with the first end of the rod probe, and the second end being positionable at a preselected reference level within the container;

the rod probe and the monitoring device being electrically coupled and cooperating to form a portion of an electrical circuit;

the electrical circuit being configured to produce an oscillating frequency in response to an electrical coupling being formed between the electrical circuit and a human body; and

wherein the oscillating frequency is equal to a first value if a height of the material is below the reference level, and the oscillating frequency is equal to a second value if the height of the material is above the reference level.

2. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the oscillating frequency is based upon an electrical impedance of the material when the second end of the rod probe contacts the material.

3. The level detector of claim 1,

wherein the rod probe is positioned within an isolation grommet; and

wherein the isolation grommet is coupled to the container at an opening of the container.

4. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the monitoring device comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) operable to display a reading that corresponds to the oscillating frequency.

5. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the monitoring device comprises at least part of an oscillation circuit.

6. The level detector of claim 1, wherein the material is liquid-propane gas.

7. A level detector, comprising:

a rod probe for positioning at least partially within a container suitable for containing a material, the rod probe having first and second ends;

a monitoring device coupled with the first end of the rod probe, the monitoring device comprising at least part of a circuit;

the circuit being configured such that an electrical coupling with a human body provides a ground that completes the circuit, the circuit having a frequency; and

wherein the monitoring device is operable to produce a reading corresponding to the frequency of the circuit.

8. The level detector of claim 7, wherein the frequency is related to an electrical impedance of the circuit.

9. The level detector of claim 8, wherein the electrical impedance of the circuit changes when the second end of the rod probe contacts the material.

10. The level detector of claim 7, wherein the circuit comprises an oscillator.

11. The level detector of claim 7, wherein the circuit comprises an isolator.

12. The level detector of claim 7, wherein the circuit comprises an amplifier.

13. The level detector of claim 7, further comprising a light-emitting diode (LED) operable to display the reading.

14. The level detector of claim 7, wherein the material is liquid-propane gas.

15. A method for detecting a level of a material in a container, comprising:

positioning a rod probe at least partially within a container, the rod probe having first and second ends such that the second end of the rod probe is disposed at a predetermined reference level;

connecting a monitoring device to the first end of the rod probe wherein the rod probe and the monitoring device are electrically coupled and form at least part of an electrical circuit;

selectively completing the circuit by forming an electrical coupling between the monitoring device and a human body to produce a reading of the monitoring device; and

inserting material into the container until the reading changes value based upon contact between the material and the second end of the rod probe.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the reading is based upon the electrical impedance of the material when the second end of the rod probe contacts the material.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the material is liquid-propane gas.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the circuit has a frequency; and

the reading is related to the frequency of the circuit.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the frequency is related to an electrical impedance of the circuit.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the electrical impedance of the circuit changes when the second end of the rod probe contacts the material.