US3596510A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Resonant infrasonic gauging apparatus
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1970-02-04
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1990-02-04
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for determining the quantity of liquid in a closed reservoir containing a liquid and an ullage gas. An enclosed gas filled cavity communicates with the reservoir through a common elastomeric diaphragm surface. Infrasonic pressure signals directed into the cavity from a variable frequency driving means cause the ullage gas and the diaphragm to resonate at a frequency proportional to the volume of ullage gas in the reservoir. The ullage volume and therefore the remaining liquid volume is proportional to the ullage gas pressure and the resonant frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Siegel
- 👤 Seymour Lieberman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F17/00; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/296; G01F23/2966
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
In gauging means of the acoustic resonating type adapted for determining the quantity of liquid in a closed reservoir containing a quantity of ullage gas, said gauging means including a driver cavity chamber communicating with said ullage gas in said reservoir, variable frequency infrasonic oscillating means for generating a cyclical pressure change in said chamber, means for sensing the frequency of said oscillating means, and means for indicating the quantity of liquid as a function of said frequency, the improvement comprising: isolating means for closing said chamber and isolating the gas in said chamber from said ullage gas, said isolating means having a predetermined mass and being arranged for resonant motion with said ullage gas at a predetermined oscillator frequency and given quantity of ullage gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
In gauging means of the acoustic resonating type adapted for determining the quantity of liquid in a closed reservoir containing a quantity of ullage gas, said gauging means including a driver cavity chamber communicating with said ullage gas in said reservoir, variable frequency infrasonic oscillating means for generating a cyclical pressure change in said chamber, means for sensing the frequency of said oscillating means, and means for indicating the quantity of liquid as a function of said frequency, the improvement comprising: isolating means for closing said chamber and isolating the gas in said chamber from said ullage gas, said isolating means having a predetermined mass and being arranged for resonant motion with said ullage gas at a predetermined oscillator frequency and given quantity of ullage gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 includiNg: pressure sensing means communicating with said closed driver cavity chamber for sensing the pressure changes therein; means operably connected to said infrasonic oscillating means for sensing the displacement thereof; and, means for sensing the phase angle between said pressure in said cavity and said displacement of said oscillating means as an indication of the existence of resonance of said ullage gas and said diaphragm means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as claimed in claim 2 wherein: said isolating means is an elastomeric diaphragm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention as claimed in claim 3 including: means for automatically varying the frequency of said variable frequency infrasonic oscillating means in response to changes in pressure in said cavity to maintain said ullage gas and said first elastomeric diaphragm in a resonant condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as claimed in claim 4 including: a second isolating means disposed in said reservoir for isolating said liquid from said elastomeric diaphragm and moving in a resonant relationship to said diaphragm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention as claimed in claim 5 wherein: said second isolating means comprises an elongate conduit communicating at a first end with said elastomeric diaphragm and terminated at the second end by a second elastomeric diaphragm having a surface area larger than the surface area of said first diaphragm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |