Multipoint liquid level controller

Claim 1

An apparatus for controlling the level of liquid in a vessel comprising: a manometer including as an integral part thereof: a vertical tubular member, having an open top and a closed bottom and having near the bottom thereof a fluid port; a reservoir in pressure communication with said vessel and containing therein an electrically conductive manometer fluid forced into or drawn from said tubular member through said fluid port by pressure undulations communicated to said reservoir from said vessel; an elongated electrical insulator core axially inserted in said tubular member of said manometer and having thereon along substantially the length thereof a plurality of longitudinal flutes; electrical conductors slidably received in said flutes of said core and having ends positioned at divergent vertical points along the length thereof, the position of said ends of said conductors being individually adjustable along the length of said flutes, said conductors electrically cooperating with said manometer fluid to provide a single pole sequentially operating electrical switch; and electrical circuitry for controlling means to adjust the liquid level in said vessel, said circuitry being electrically interconnected to said single pole sequentially operating electrical switch wheReby said conductive manometer fluid upon being forced from said reservoir into said tubular member by an increase in pressure communicated to said reservoir from said vessel and making contact with the tips of said electrical conductors received in said flutes triggers said electrical circuitry for controlling means to adjust the liquid level in said vessel.

Claim 2

An apparatus for controlling the level of liquid in a vessel comprising: a manometer including as an integral part thereof: a vertical tubular member, having an open top and a closed bottom and having near the bottom thereof a fluid port; a reservoir in pressure communication with said vessel and containing therein an electrically conductive manometer fluid forced into or drawn from said tubular member through said fluid port by pressure undulations communicated to said reservoir from said vessel; an elongated electrical insulator core axially inserted in said tubular member of said manometer and having thereon along substantially the length thereof a plurality of longitudinal flutes; electrical conductors slidably received in said flutes of said core and having ends positioned at divergent vertical points along the length thereof, the position of said ends of said conductors being individually adjustable along the length of said flutes, said conductors electrically cooperating with said manometer fluid to provide a single pole sequentially operating electrical switch; and electrical circuitry for controlling means to adjust the liquid level in said vessel, said circuitry being electrically interconnected to said single pole sequentially operating electrical switch wheReby said conductive manometer fluid upon being forced from said reservoir into said tubular member by an increase in pressure communicated to said reservoir from said vessel and making contact with the tips of said electrical conductors received in said flutes triggers said electrical circuitry for controlling means to adjust the liquid level in said vessel.