Liquid level transducer with isolated sensors
DCFirst 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, the mounting head having a first housing with first wall structure defining a first hollow interior;
a second housing having second wall structure defining a second hollow interior in fluid communication with the first hollow interior of the first housing, wherein at least the second hollow interior is isolated from liquid within the container;
a sensor assembly adapted to extend into the container, the sensor assembly comprising;
a sensor board located within the second hollow interior;
at least one sensor element located on the sensor board within the second hollow interior;
a pivot mount operably associated with the housing and defining a pivot axis spaced from the second hollow interior;
a float rod connected to the pivot mount of the housing for pivotal movement about the pivot axis;
a float connected to the float rod to thereby cause pivoting movement of the float rod about the pivot axis in response to a change in liquid level within the container; and
an actuator located outside of the housing and connected to the float rod for pivotal movement therewith, the actuator being operative to change an electrical state of the at least one sensor element to thereby indicate a level condition of the liquid within the container.
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Abstract
A transducer for determining the level of liquid within a container includes a mounting head adapted for connection to the container and a sensor assembly adapted to extend into the container. A housing of the sensor assembly has a hollow interior that is isolated from liquid within the container. A plurality of sensor elements are located within the interior. A float rod is pivotally connected to the housing and a float is connected to a distal end of the float rod. An actuator located outside the housing is operatively associated with the float rod for pivotal movement therewith. The actuator is operative to change an electrical state of at least one of the sensor elements to thereby indicate a level condition of the liquid within the container. A snap-fit assembly of the mounting head and sensor assembly is also disclosed.
15 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, the mounting head having a first housing with first wall structure defining a first hollow interior; a second housing having second wall structure defining a second hollow interior in fluid communication with the first hollow interior of the first housing, wherein at least the second hollow interior is isolated from liquid within the container; a sensor assembly adapted to extend into the container, the sensor assembly comprising; a sensor board located within the second hollow interior; at least one sensor element located on the sensor board within the second hollow interior; a pivot mount operably associated with the housing and defining a pivot axis spaced from the second hollow interior; a float rod connected to the pivot mount of the housing for pivotal movement about the pivot axis; a float connected to the float rod to thereby cause pivoting movement of the float rod about the pivot axis in response to a change in liquid level within the container; and an actuator located outside of the housing and connected to the float rod for pivotal movement therewith, the actuator being operative to change an electrical state of the at least one sensor element to thereby indicate a level condition of the liquid within the container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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10. 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, the mounting head having a first housing with first wall structure defining a first hollow interior; a second housing adapted to extend into the container, the second housing having second wall structure defining a second hollow interior that is isolated from liquid within the container, the second wall structure being open at an upper end thereof so that the second hollow interior is open and in fluid communication with the first hollow interior, with the first and second hollow interiors being sealed together such that the second hollow interior is isolated from liquid within the container; at least one sensor element located within the second hollow interior of the second housing; a float rod pivotally connected to the second housing at a location spaced from the second hollow interior; a float connected to the float rod to thereby cause pivoting movement of the float rod in response to a change in liquid level within the container; and an actuator located outside of the housing and operatively associated with the float rod for pivotal movement therewith, the actuator being operative to change an electrical state of the at least one sensor element to thereby indicate a level condition of the liquid within the container. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A transducer for determining the level of liquid within a container, the transducer comprising:
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a sensor assembly adapted to extend into the container, the sensor assembly including a first housing having a first wall structure defining a first hollow interior, at least one sensor located within the hollow interior, and a first connection portion comprising a plurality of tabs extending from the first wall structure and spaced around a circumference thereof; and a mounting head connected to the sensor assembly, the mounting head being configured for connection to the container, the mounting head including a second housing having a second wall structure defining a second hollow interior in communication with the first hollow interior, the second wall structure having a second connecting portion for receiving the first connection portion within the second hollow interior, the second connection portion including a plurality of connecting members associated with the second wall and corresponding to the plurality of tabs; wherein the tabs and connecting members are mutually engageable in a snap-fit arrangement to thereby connect the sensor assembly to the mounting head. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification