US3693445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid level measurement device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-26
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1990-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A liquid level measurement device utilizes ultrasonics to determine the height of a liquid. The ultrasonic transducer is located at the bottom of the liquid container and within a porous or holey cylinder. Ultrasonic pulses are transmitted up the cylinder to a spherical float where they are reflected back to the transducer and sensed. The cylinder tends to minimize the spherical spread of the pulse wave. A timing system measures the time interval between the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic pulses by the transducer. The time interval measured is directly proportional to the height of the liquid and is electronically converted to an equivalent height.
Inventors
- 👤 Sven J Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/296; G01F23/2962; G01F23/30; G01F23/64; G01F23/68; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
In an apparatus for measuring the height of liquid, the combination comprising a transmitter coupled to an ultrasonic transducer, a movable float, confining means surrounding the float throughout its range of motion to limit the lateral excursion of said float, and a receiver with timing means coupled to said transducer and said transmitter; wherein said ultrasonic transducer is positioned with relation to said confining means to direct ultrasonic pulses toward said float, and said receiver is positioned to receive echoes of said ultrasonic pulses from said float within said confining means; together with means for confining the ultrasonic pulses to the portion of the medium within said first mentioned confining means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
In an apparatus for measuring the height of liquid, the combination comprising a transmitter coupled to an ultrasonic transducer, a movable float, confining means surrounding the float throughout its range of motion to limit the lateral excursion of said float, and a receiver with timing means coupled to said transducer and said transmitter; wherein said ultrasonic transducer is positioned with relation to said confining means to direct ultrasonic pulses toward said float, and said receiver is positioned to receive echoes of said ultrasonic pulses from said float within said confining means; together with means for confining the ultrasonic pulses to the portion of the medium within said first mentioned confining means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
In an apparatus for measuring the height of liquid as claimed in claim 1, said confining means being a cylinder having fluid communication means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
In an apparatus for measuring the height of liquid as claimed in claim 2, said fluid communication means comprising a plurality of apertures positioned in at least one wall of said cylinder to provide for fluid communication through said cylinder wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
In an apparatus for measuring the height of liquid as claimed in claim 1, said float being spherical in form.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1126419A
Cited
US2853878A
Cited
GB873801A
Cited
US3208281A
Cited
US3350942A
Cited
US3372592A
Cited
US3473102A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |