Dual measurement liquid level transducer
First Claim
1. A transducer for determining the level of liquid within a container, the transducer comprising:
- a mounting head adapted for connection to the container; and
a sensor assembly adapted to extend into the container from the mounting head, the sensor assembly comprising;
a sensor tube extending downwardly from the mounting head;
a gauging rod assembly having an elongate rod positioned in the sensor tube for selective movement out of the tank for visually determining the liquid level;
a first magnet connected to the gauging rod assembly;
a float surrounding the sensor tube for sliding therealong in response to a change in liquid level;
a second magnet connected to the float for selective coupling to the first magnet so that the gauging rod assembly and the float are selectively coupled together; and
a first sensor board extending along a length of one of the sensor tube and the gauging rod assembly and being responsive to movement of the float for electronically determining the liquid level without the need to magnetically couple the gauging rod assembly to the float.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A liquid level transducer for a tank, such as a railroad tank car or the like, includes a mounting head connected to the tank and a sensor assembly extending into the tank from the mounting head. The sensor assembly includes a sensor tube located in the tank and a gauging rod assembly positioned in the sensor tube. The gauging rod assembly can be pulled out of the tank until it magnetically couples with a magnetic float that surrounds the sensor tube. The float moves in response to a change in liquid level and the magnetic coupling provides the user with a visual indication of the liquid level. A sensor board extends along a length of the gauging rod assembly and is responsive to movement of the float for electronically determining the liquid level without the need to magnetically couple the gauging rod assembly to the float.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A transducer for determining the level of liquid within a container, the transducer comprising:
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a mounting head adapted for connection to the container; and a sensor assembly adapted to extend into the container from the mounting head, the sensor assembly comprising; a sensor tube extending downwardly from the mounting head; a gauging rod assembly having an elongate rod positioned in the sensor tube for selective movement out of the tank for visually determining the liquid level; a first magnet connected to the gauging rod assembly; a float surrounding the sensor tube for sliding therealong in response to a change in liquid level; a second magnet connected to the float for selective coupling to the first magnet so that the gauging rod assembly and the float are selectively coupled together; and a first sensor board extending along a length of one of the sensor tube and the gauging rod assembly and being responsive to movement of the float for electronically determining the liquid level without the need to magnetically couple the gauging rod assembly to the float. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A liquid level gauge for determining the level of liquid within a container, comprising:
a mounting head adapted for connection to the container; a guide tube extending downwardly from the mounting head; a gauging rod assembly having an elongate rod with level markings thereon, the elongate rod being normally positioned in the guide tube for selective movement out of the tank for visually determining the liquid level; a first magnet connected to the gauging rod assembly; a float surrounding the guide tube for sliding therealong in response to a change in liquid level; a second magnet connected to the float for selective coupling to the first magnet so that the gauging rod assembly and the float are selectively coupled together at a height of the liquid level; a magnetic coupling section comprising; a housing having a hollow interior for receiving the first magnet; a housing cover for enclosing the first magnet; and a first bushing located on one side of the housing and being sized to fit within the guide tube to thereby guide the gauging rod assembly linearly along a length of the guide tube. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification