Filling level sensor with several thermoelements and method for measuring the filling level

• US 9,459,131 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2014
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Company
• Original Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Company
• Inventors: Niemann, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): WEST, PAUL M
• Application Number:
  US14/466,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20150052996A1
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/0004 Oilsumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/0408 Sump drainage devices, e.g. valves, plugs
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/12 concerning lubricant level
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/0416 Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/0441 for measuring the lubricant level
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 19/003 Indicating oil level measuring liquid level in general G01F
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/0007 for discrete indicating and measuring G01F23/02 - G01F23/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/22 by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water involving the use of floats G01F23/30
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/246 thermal devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/247 for discrete levels
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/248 Constructional details; Mounting of probes

Abstract

The aim is to achieve a particularly robust and reliable embodiment of a filling level sensor with several thermoelements for measuring the filling level of a liquid in a receptacle. This is achieved in that the thermoelements are arranged in parallel with one another and extend from the bottom upwards. The thermoelements are of different heights so that, depending on the filling level, one part of the thermoelements is flooded and another part is not. This can be used to derive information regarding the filling level.

Claims

1. A filling level sensor for measuring a filling level of a liquid in a receptacle, the filling level sensor comprising:

a basic body;

several thermoelements disposed on the basic body; and

a protective layer applied to the thermoelements,

wherein the thermoelements extend upwards from a bottom of the receptacle and the thermoelements comprise different heights,

wherein the thermoelements are configured as electric generators, and

wherein the protective layer finishes flush with a surface of the basic body.

2. The filling level sensor according to claim 1, wherein the filling level sensor comprises a transmitting device for the wireless transmission of measured data.

3. The filling level sensor according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelements extend upwards from the bottom of the receptacle independently of each other.

4. The filling level sensor according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelements are imprinted on the basic body.

5. The filling level sensor according to claim 1, wherein the basic body comprises indentations in which the thermoelements are received.

6. The filling level sensor according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of at least 50% of a thickness of the thermoelement.

7. The filling level sensor according to claim 1, wherein the filling level sensor comprises at least five thermoelements of different heights.

8. The filling level sensor according to claim 1, wherein the filling level sensor comprises at least one energy storage device for the at least intermediate storage of the electric energy generated by the thermoelements.

9. A receptacle for receiving a liquid, wherein the receptacle comprises a filling level sensor according to claim 1.

10. The receptacle according to claim 9, wherein the receptacle comprises a draining element at the bottom of the receptacle and in that the filling level sensor is arranged on the draining element.

11. A method for measuring the filling level of a liquid in a receptacle with a filling level sensor, the filling level sensor comprising several thermoelements, wherein the thermoelements extend upwards from a bottom of the receptacle and the thermoelements comprise different heights and wherein the thermoelements are configured as electric generators, the method comprising:

measuring voltages of all of the thermoelements;

adding up the voltages of all the thermoelements; and

setting a total voltage in correlation to a filling level range.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the electric voltage coming from the thermoelements is utilized at least partially for driving the filling level sensor.