High/low level alarm controller

• US 6,970,079 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2004
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel Sabatino
• Original Assignee: Daniel Sabatino
• Inventors: Sabatino, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US10/846,523
• Publication Number:
  US 20040227635A1
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 340/511, 340/984, 340/985, 340/525, 340/450, 340/461, 340/612, 340/618, 340/623, 732/90.R, 733/07, 116/109, 137/386, 137/392, 137/551, 307/116, 307/118
• US Class Current: 340/511
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/0007 for discrete indicating and measuring G01F23/02 - G01F23/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/806 Particular electronic circuits for handling non-digital processing equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means

Abstract

A high/low level alarm controller having ability to interface with level sensing equipment and instrumentation in a manner that isolates the controller from downstream components is presented. The controller accepts power, logic and transduced level inputs; output from the controller is available to drive relays, solenoid valves, motors, pumps, alarm horns, etc. The high/low level alarm controller is ideal for existing/retrofit applications and new installations alike.

Claims

1. A high/low level alarm controller, comprising:

a selector switch;

a relay; and

an alarm control circuit,

wherein said selector switch is connected to said relay and said alarm control circuit, said alarm control circuit being configured to provide an electrical output responsive to monitoring of a fuel level, wherein said selector switch and said relay form an isolation control unit, and said isolation control unit is configured to isolate instrumentation and prevent unwanted voltages during fueling.

2. The alarm controller of claim 1, wherein said isolation control unit is connected to a power supply, gauge, alarm control circuit and level sending unit, and said isolation control unit is configured to isolate at least one of the level sending unit and the gauge from other instrumentation of the marine craft.

3. The alarm controller of claim 1, wherein said alarm controller is configured to output an alarm in response to a fuel level reaching at least one set point.

4. The alarm controller of claim 2, wherein the power supply is at least one of a steady source and a switched source.

5. The alarm controller of claim 3, wherein the at least one set point is at least one of a high-level set point and a low-level set point.

6. An apparatus for a marine craft, comprising:

an alarm control circuit;

a level sending unit;

a power supply;

a gauge coupled to said power supply; and

an isolation control unit;

wherein the isolation control unit is connected to the power supply, gauge, alarm control circuit and level sending unit; and

said isolation control unit is configured to isolate at least one of the level sending unit and the gauge.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the isolation control unit further comprises a selector switch and a relay.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the gauge is at least one of analog or digital.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the level sending unit is installed within a fuel tank of the marine craft.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the level sending unit is powered independently of the other instrumentation of the marine craft during fueling.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the alarm control circuit provides the voltage to power the level sending unit.