Patent US4202007A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3603149A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3603149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic liquid level indicator
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
•
Filing: 1969-09-03
•
Granted: 1971-09-07
•
Expires: 1989-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A transducer is placed on the outside of a container and used to transmit an ultrasonic pulse through the wall of the container and to detect the reflected ultrasonic pulse. The amplitude reflected pulse is dependent upon the specific acoustic impedance of the container. The specific acoustic impedance of the container is related to the substance in contact with the wall of the container beneath the transducer. By detecting a change in specific acoustic impedance it is possible to determine when the container has been filled to a predetermined level. A cathode-ray tube provides a visual indication of the specific acoustic impedance. A gated output is provided to automatically control the filling process of the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Ross D Mckown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/296; G01F23/2965; G01F23/2961
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
An ultrasonic liquid level indicator system comprising: first transducer means for determining the specific impedance of a container, said transducer means being mounted on the wall of said container and having an output indicative of said specific acoustic impedance; transceiver means having a sweep circuit and having a cathode ray tube display means coupled to said first transducer output for displaying said acoustic impedance; a gating circuit connected to said transceiver for providing an output signal when the vertical deflection of said cathode ray tube sweep is less than a predetermined value; an ultrasonic pulsing means having a pulse rate generator, a pulse circuit, and a receiver amplifier; said transceiver sweep circuit being connected to said pulse rate generator and to horizontal plates of said cathode ray tube whereby a pulse from said generator causes said cathode ray tube to sweep horizontally; said receiver amplifier being connected to said transducer output and to vertical plates of said cathode ray tube for coupling said transducer output thereto, and said pulser circuit being connected to said pulse rate generator and said first transducer for supplying an ultrasonic pulse to said transducer; and said receiver amplifier receiving a signal from said first transducer indicative of said ultrasonic pulse reflected from the inside wall of said container, and coupling said reflected energy to said cathode ray tube for indicating said specific acoustic impedance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
An ultrasonic liquid level indicator system comprising: first transducer means for determining the specific impedance of a container, said transducer means being mounted on the wall of said container and having an output indicative of said specific acoustic impedance; transceiver means having a sweep circuit and having a cathode ray tube display means coupled to said first transducer output for displaying said acoustic impedance; a gating circuit connected to said transceiver for providing an output signal when the vertical deflection of said cathode ray tube sweep is less than a predetermined value; an ultrasonic pulsing means having a pulse rate generator, a pulse circuit, and a receiver amplifier; said transceiver sweep circuit being connected to said pulse rate generator and to horizontal plates of said cathode ray tube whereby a pulse from said generator causes said cathode ray tube to sweep horizontally; said receiver amplifier being connected to said transducer output and to vertical plates of said cathode ray tube for coupling said transducer output thereto, and said pulser circuit being connected to said pulse rate generator and said first transducer for supplying an ultrasonic pulse to said transducer; and said receiver amplifier receiving a signal from said first transducer indicative of said ultrasonic pulse reflected from the inside wall of said container, and coupling said reflected energy to said cathode ray tube for indicating said specific acoustic impedance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
A liquid level indicator system as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising second transducer means for determining the specific acoustic impedance of another container, said second transducer means being mounted on the wall of said other container and having an output indicative of said acoustic impedance; remote control means including first and second relays, said first relay alternately connecting said first and second transducers to said receiver amplifier and said pulser circuit in response to a control signal; and said second control means relay being responsive to said gating output for providing a remote indication and on-off control signal.
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) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |