Method and apparatus for liquid level sensing
First Claim
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1. A liquid level sensor arrangement for detecting a level of a liquid in a tank, comprising:
- a tank defining a volume in which a liquid having a top surface is holdable;
a structure that defines a chamber including opposed sidewalls that, at least in part, define the chamber;
a non-spherical float that is arranged for movement in the chamber relative to the tank and to be positively buoyant in the liquid so as to adjust in position based on changes in location of the top surface of the liquid, the float being arranged to present only a single point or single approximately horizontal line of contact with each of the sidewalls; and
a sensor that detects a position of the float;
wherein the structure includes at least one vertical rib adapted to contact the float in the chamber.
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Abstract
A liquid level sensing arrangement for a tank may include a float having a disc-like shape and a sensor that detects a position of the float relative to the tank. The float may have an overall height/total displacement ratio of 0.5 or less. The float may have a range of motion relative to the tank so that at least a portion of the float may move below a portion of a bottom wall of the tank and/or below an outlet for the tank.
144 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A liquid level sensor arrangement for detecting a level of a liquid in a tank, comprising:
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a tank defining a volume in which a liquid having a top surface is holdable; a structure that defines a chamber including opposed sidewalls that, at least in part, define the chamber; a non-spherical float that is arranged for movement in the chamber relative to the tank and to be positively buoyant in the liquid so as to adjust in position based on changes in location of the top surface of the liquid, the float being arranged to present only a single point or single approximately horizontal line of contact with each of the sidewalls; and a sensor that detects a position of the float; wherein the structure includes at least one vertical rib adapted to contact the float in the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A liquid level sensor arrangement for detecting a level of a liquid in a tank, comprising:
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a tank having a bottom wall and defining a volume in which a liquid having a top surface is held, and having an outlet for the liquid; a float that is arranged for movement relative to the tank and to be positively buoyant in the liquid so as to adjust in position based on changes in location of the top surface of the liquid in the tank, the float being movable within a range of motion such that at least a portion of the float is movable below at least a portion of the bottom wall of the tank, wherein the float includes a magnetic element and the float is positioned apart from the outlet; and a sensor that detects a position of the float relative to the tank. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A liquid level sensor arrangement for detecting a level of a liquid in a tank, comprising:
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a tank defining a volume in which a liquid having a top surface is holdable; a float that is arranged for movement relative to the tank and to be positively buoyant in the liquid so as to adjust in position based on changes in location of the top surface of the liquid, the float having a disc-like outer shape; a structure that defines a chamber in which the float is movable relative to the tank, the structure including opposed sidewalls, wherein the float being arranged to present only a single point or single approximately horizontal line of contact with each of the sidewalls of the structure; and a sensor that detects a position of the float; wherein the structure includes at least one vertical rib adapted to contact the float in the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification