US3777257A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus with capacitive probes for measuring the location and disposition of an interface between two media
Assignee: BAUER C MESSINSTRUMENTS AG
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Filing: 1972-05-02
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-05-02
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for measuring location and disposition of an interface between two media exhibiting a difference in dielectric constants or electric conductivity and including a column of pairs of capacitors arranged in a direction along which the location and disposition of the interface may vary, the media influencing the value of the capacitors. The capacitors of a pair having first common electrode configuration connected to an input line and second, individual, galvanically separated electrodes connected to a differential amplifier; electrical pulses are fed sequentially to the input lines and coupled to the differential amplifier through the pairs of capacitors. Imbalance on the differential amplifier output is referenced against pulse count reached when the imbalance occurs.
Inventors
- 👤 H Geisselmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/26; G01F23/263; G01F23/265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
320 words
Apparatus for measuring location and disposition of an interface between two media exhibiting a difference in electric constants and including a column of capacitors arranged in a direction along which the location and disposition of the interface may vary, the electric properties of the media influence the capacitors of the column, the improvement comprising: the capacitors of the column arranged in pairs, the capacitors of a pair spaced-apart in said direction; the capacitors of a pair having a first electrode for a first capacitor of the pair, a second electrode for a second capacitor of the pair and a third electrode configuration being the respective counter electrode for both capacitors of the pair, the first and second electrodes and the third of the pair all being galvanically separated from each other, the first, second and third electrodes of each capacitor pair being stationary relative to each other, the third common potential electrode configurations of all pairs being galvanically separated from each other; a plurality of input lines respectively connected to the third electrode configuration in the pairs; first means for feeding sequentially pulses to the input lines of the plurality to be sequentially effective in the pairs of capacitors, each pulse effective in both capacitors of a pair; second means including two output lines respectively connected to the second individual electrodeS of each pair for establishing two pick-up electrode configurations, whereby all of the first electrodes of respectively all first capacitors are interconnected and connected to one of the two output lines, and all the other second electrodes respectively of all the second capacitors are interconnected and connected to the other one of the two output lines; a single differential amplifier having two inputs connected respectively to the two output lines; and third means connected to the first means and to the differential amplifier for deriving therefrom representation of the interface location and disposition in relation to the capacitor column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
320 words
Apparatus for measuring location and disposition of an interface between two media exhibiting a difference in electric constants and including a column of capacitors arranged in a direction along which the location and disposition of the interface may vary, the electric properties of the media influence the capacitors of the column, the improvement comprising: the capacitors of the column arranged in pairs, the capacitors of a pair spaced-apart in said direction; the capacitors of a pair having a first electrode for a first capacitor of the pair, a second electrode for a second capacitor of the pair and a third electrode configuration being the respective counter electrode for both capacitors of the pair, the first and second electrodes and the third of the pair all being galvanically separated from each other, the first, second and third electrodes of each capacitor pair being stationary relative to each other, the third common potential electrode configurations of all pairs being galvanically separated from each other; a plurality of input lines respectively connected to the third electrode configuration in the pairs; first means for feeding sequentially pulses to the input lines of the plurality to be sequentially effective in the pairs of capacitors, each pulse effective in both capacitors of a pair; second means including two output lines respectively connected to the second individual electrodeS of each pair for establishing two pick-up electrode configurations, whereby all of the first electrodes of respectively all first capacitors are interconnected and connected to one of the two output lines, and all the other second electrodes respectively of all the second capacitors are interconnected and connected to the other one of the two output lines; a single differential amplifier having two inputs connected respectively to the two output lines; and third means connected to the first means and to the differential amplifier for deriving therefrom representation of the interface location and disposition in relation to the capacitor column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the first means includes a pulse generator and a pulse distributor feeding the pulses from the generator sequentially into the input lines of the plurality.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the third means includes a counter connected for counting pulses from the pulse generator, further connected to halt counting when the differential amplifier senses different inputs as applied by the two output lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the pulse distributor operates cyclically and means are provided for restarting the counting operation for each distribution cycle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the third means includes an integrator connected for integrating pulses from the generator until the differential amplifier senses different inputs as applied by the two output lines.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the third means is responsive to plural sequential responses of the differential amplifier to inequality of inputs on the two output lines and provides for separate manifestations representing location and disposition of different interfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the several electrodes are provided as printed circuit platings on an insulative backing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the printed circuit platings are covered by an insulative layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the backing has tubular configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes of the pair and including the second means are provided by two comb-like electrode configuration having fingers, and electrodes pertaining to the first common electrode configuration are disposed between the fingers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |