US3712137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water level indicator
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1971-04-23
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1991-04-23
Abstract
Abstract Subject disclosure relates to novel and improved apparatus for continuously indicating the liquid level of a material in a heated pressurized vessel. The improved apparatus includes a tube, a portion of which passes through the liquid phase of the material, a pressurized fluid source connected to one end of the tube and means including a fluidic amplifier and a pressure drop transmitter connected to the other end of the tube for converting variations in pressure in the tube into a measure of liquid level in the vessel. A second tube, a portion of which passes through the vapor phase of the material is also connected between the pressurized fluid source and the fluidic amplifier and pressure drop transmitter to null liquid level measurement errors produced by changes in pressure of the material in the vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 P Zavod
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/14; G01F23/16; F; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/2065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
Apparatus for indicating liquid level of a material in a heated pressurized vessel having a liquid and vapor phase, said apparatus comprising: a. a first tube that interconnects the liquid and vapor phases of the material in the vessel; b. a fluid source supplying a fluid at constant pressure; c. a second tube, a portion of which passes through a portion of he first tube that communicates with the vaporous phase of the material; d. a third tube, a portion of which passes through a portion of the first tube that normally communicates with the liquid phase of the material; e. means connecting the fluid source to one end of the second and third tubes for supplying fluid to the second and third tubes to enable the second and third tubes to regulate the fluid flow through said second and third tubes; f. detecting means connected to the other ends of the second and third tubes for detecting and amplifying differences in pressure in the second and third tubes caused by variations in level of the liquid phase of the first tube; g. and means for converting changes in pressure in the detecting means to a vessel liquid level reading.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
Apparatus for indicating liquid level of a material in a heated pressurized vessel having a liquid and vapor phase, said apparatus comprising: a. a first tube that interconnects the liquid and vapor phases of the material in the vessel; b. a fluid source supplying a fluid at constant pressure; c. a second tube, a portion of which passes through a portion of he first tube that communicates with the vaporous phase of the material; d. a third tube, a portion of which passes through a portion of the first tube that normally communicates with the liquid phase of the material; e. means connecting the fluid source to one end of the second and third tubes for supplying fluid to the second and third tubes to enable the second and third tubes to regulate the fluid flow through said second and third tubes; f. detecting means connected to the other ends of the second and third tubes for detecting and amplifying differences in pressure in the second and third tubes caused by variations in level of the liquid phase of the first tube; g. and means for converting changes in pressure in the detecting means to a vessel liquid level reading.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus substantially as described in claim 1 wherein fluid restricting devices are positioned in the portions of the second and third tubes that pass through the first tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus substantially as described in claim 1 wherein the means for detecting and amplifying differences in pressure in the second and third tubes includes an analog fluidic amplifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus substantially as described in claim 3 wherein the output of the fluidic amplifier is connected to a pressure drop transmitter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
224 words
A liquid level measuring system comprising: a material having liquid and vapor phases; a pressurized vessel a first tube; first tube, connected to said vessel and said first tube containing said material; a fluid source supplying a fluid at constant pressure; a second tube having a first and second end with said first end of said second tube connected to said fluid source and having a portion of said second tube passing through a portion of said first tube that communicates with the vaporous phase of said material for regulating said fluid flow therethrough; a third tube having a first and second end with said first end of said third tube connected to said fluid source and having a portion of said third tube that normally communicates with the liquid phase of said material for regulating said fluid flow therethrough; detecting means connected to said second ends of said second and third tubes for detecting and aMplifying the differential pressure of the fluids at said second ends of said second and third tubes and providing an output indicative of the difference in pressure between the fluids at said second ends of said second and third tubes; and indicating means connected to said detecting means for converting the output of said detecting means into a measure of liquid level of said material in said vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
224 words
A liquid level measuring system comprising: a material having liquid and vapor phases; a pressurized vessel a first tube; first tube, connected to said vessel and said first tube containing said material; a fluid source supplying a fluid at constant pressure; a second tube having a first and second end with said first end of said second tube connected to said fluid source and having a portion of said second tube passing through a portion of said first tube that communicates with the vaporous phase of said material for regulating said fluid flow therethrough; a third tube having a first and second end with said first end of said third tube connected to said fluid source and having a portion of said third tube that normally communicates with the liquid phase of said material for regulating said fluid flow therethrough; detecting means connected to said second ends of said second and third tubes for detecting and aMplifying the differential pressure of the fluids at said second ends of said second and third tubes and providing an output indicative of the difference in pressure between the fluids at said second ends of said second and third tubes; and indicating means connected to said detecting means for converting the output of said detecting means into a measure of liquid level of said material in said vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A liquid level measuring system according to claim 9 further comprising: fluid restricting devices positioned in said portion of each of said second and third tubes passing through said first tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A liquid level measuring system according to claim 6 wherein said detecting means comprises an analog fluidic amplifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A liquid level measuring system according to claim 7 wherein said indicating means comprises a pressure drop transmitter.
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) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |