Hydrostatic altimeters and methods of use

Claim 2

A ruggedized hydrostatic altimeter for use in contour surveying comprising: a gauge assembly, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, A displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first positive pressure full scale internal pressure and a second negative pressure full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes being a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element from a zero pressure midpoint by the rotation of a rotatable pointer connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a dial assembly connected to said casing, said dial assembly including a dial concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable pointer; a sensor assembly, said sensor assembly having an internal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having at least one external surface exposed to the atmosphere and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale positive internal pressure and a second full scale negative internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gauge differential volume, said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element having at least an intermediate portion thereof exposed to the atmosphere, said intermediate surface being fully compliant to the extent that no substantial pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale positive pressure and said full scale negative pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said connector of said sensor assembly; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid having a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differential between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said incompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly.

Claim 3

A ruggedized hydrostatic altimeter for use in contour surveying comprising: a gauge assembly, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, a displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first positive pressure full scale internal pressuRe and a second negative pressure full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes being a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element from a zero pressure midpoint by the rotation of a rotatable pointer connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a dial ring assembly connected to said casing, said dial ring assembly including a compound dial concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable pointer; a first sensor assembly, said sensor assembly having an internal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale positive internal pressure and a second full scale negative internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gauge differential volume, said pressure sensitive sensor element has at least an intermediate portion thereof which is fully compliant to the extent that no substantial pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale positive pressure and said full scale negative pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a second pressure sensor assembly including a second displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element and said second element is similar to said first element and symmetrically positioned with respect thereto; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said connector of said sensor assembly; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid having a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differential between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said imcompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly.

Claim 4

A ruggedized hydrostatic altimeter for use in contour surveying comprising: a gauge assembly, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, a displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first positive pressure full scale internal pressuRe and a second negative pressure full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes being a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element from a zero pressure midpoint by the rotation of a rotatable pointer connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a dial ring assembly connected to said casing, said dial ring assembly including a compound dial concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable pointer; a first sensor assembly, said sensor assembly having an internal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale positive internal pressure and a second full scale negative internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gauge differential volume, said pressure sensitive sensor element has at least an intermediate portion thereof which is fully compliant to the extent that no substantial pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale positive pressure and said full scale negative pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a second pressure sensor assembly including a second displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element and said second element is similar to said first element and symmetrically positioned with respect thereto; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said connector of said sensor assembly; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid having a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differential between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said imcompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly.

Claim 5

The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tubing includes length markings along the entire length thereof, and said sensor assembly protective housing includes a surface from which said markings of said tubing are initiated, whereby said sensor assembly together with said tubing may function as an accurate flexible surveying tape.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 3 wherein said gauge assembly includes a low-pressure, normally-closed, liquid valve means connected to said casing, said valve means being manually actuatable to an open position, being solid filled with said incompressible liquid, and when open, being in direct liquid communication with said tubing and said displaceable pressure sensitive element of said gauge assembly, whereby the delicate portions of said gauge assembly are isolated from liquid pressure fluctuations in said tubing whenever said valve means is in a normally-closed position.

Claim 7

The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tubing includes length markings along the entire length thereof, and said sensor assembly protective housing includes a surface from which saiD markings of said tubing are initiated, whereby said sensor assembly together with said tubing may function as an accurate flexible surveying tape.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 5 wherein said protective housing of said sensor assembly has a portion adjacent said liquid connector having a faired generally arrow-shaped configuration with the point of said arrow-shaped configuration directed toward the adjacent portion of said flexible tubing and centered thereupon, whereby said sensor assembly may be pulled by said tubing through dense underbrush and over rough terrain without snagging or excessive stress upon said tubing.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 5 wherein said gauge assembly includes a low-pressure, normally-closed, liquid valve means connected to said casing, said valve means being manually actuatable to an open position, being solid filled with said incompressible liquid, and when open, being in direct liquid communication with said tubing and said displaceable pressure sensitive element of said gauge assembly, whereby the delicate portions of said gauge assembly are isolated from liquid pressure fluctuations in said tubing whenever said valve means is in a normally-closed position.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 7 wherein said protective housing of said sensor assembly has a portion adjacent said liquid connector having a faired generally arrow-shaped configuration with the point of said arrow-shaped configuration directed toward the adjacent portion of said flexible tubing and centered thereupon, whereby said sensor assembly may be pulled by said tubing through dense underbrush and over rough terrain without snagging or excessive stress upon said tubing.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 1 wherein said gauge assembly includes a low-pressure, normally-closed, liquid valve means connected to said casing, said valve means being manually actuatable to an open position, being solid filled with said incompressible liquid, and when open, being in direct liquid communication with said tubing and said displaceable pressure sensitive element of said gauge assembly, whereby the delicate portions of said gauge assembly are isolated from liquid pressure fluctuations in said tubing whenever said valve means is in a normally-closed position; and wherein said protective housing of said sensor assembly has a portion adjacent said liquid connector having a faired generally arrow-shaped configuration with the point of said arrow-shaped configuration directed toward the adjacent portion of said flexible tubing and centered thereupon, whereby said sensor assembly may be pulled by said tubing through dense underbrush and over rough terrain without snagging or excessive stress upon said tubing.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 1 wherein said gauge assembly includes a low-pressure, normally-closed, liquid valve means connected to said casing, said valve means being manually actuatable to an open position, being solid filled with said incompressible liquid, and when open, being in direct liquid communication with said tubing and said displaceable pressure sensitive element of said gauge assembly, whereby the delicate portions of said gauge assembly are isolated from liquid pressure fluctuations in said tubing whenever said valve means is in a normally-closed position; and wherein said sensor assembly includes a second displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element and said second element is similar to said first element and symmetrically positioned with respect thereto.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 10 wherein said protective housing of said sensor assembly has a portion adjacent said liquid connector having a faired generally arrow-shaped configuration with the point of said arrow-shaped configuration directed toward the adjacent portion of said flexible tubing and centered thereupon, whereby said sensor assembly may be pulled by said tubing through dense underbrush and over rough terrain without snagging or excessive stress upon said tubing.

Claim 14

The combination of claim 1 wherEin said protective housing of said sensor assembly has a portion adjacent said liquid connector having a faired generally arrow-shaped configuration with the point of said arrow-shaped configuration directed toward the adjacent portion of said flexible tubing and centered thereupon, whereby said sensor assembly may be pulled by said tubing through dense underbrush and over rough terrain without snagging or excessive stress upon said tubing.

Claim 15

The combination of claim 12 wherein said sensor assembly includes a second displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element and said second element is similar to said first element and symmetrically positioned with respect thereto.

Claim 16

The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said tubing includes length markings along the entire length thereof, and said sensor assembly protective housing includes a surface from which said markings of said tubing are initiated, whereby said sensor assembly together with said tubing may function as an accurate flexible surveying tape.

Claim 17

The combination of claim 14 wherein said gauge assembly includes a low-pressure, normally-closed, liquid valve means connected to said casing, said valve means being manually actuatable to an open position, being solid filled with said incompressible liquid, and when open, being in direct liquid communication with said tubing and said displaceable pressure sensitive element of said gauge assembly, whereby the delicate portions of said gauge assembly are isolated from liquid pressure fluctuations in said tubing whenever said valve means is in a normally-closed position.

Claim 18

A ruggedized hydrostatic altimeter for use with excavation equipment comprising: a gauge assembly, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, a displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first zero scale internal pressure and a second full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes is a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element is exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element by the rotation of a rotatable pointer connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a dial ring assembly including a dial concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable pointer; a sensor assembly, said sensor assembly having an internal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having at least one external surface exposed to the atmosphere and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale internal pressure and a second zero scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gauge differential volume, said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element having at least an intermediate portion thereof exposed to the atmosphere, said intermediate external surface being fully compliant to the extent that no substantial pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale pressure and said zero pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said Connector of said sensor assembly; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid having a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differentials between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said imcompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly.

Claim 19

A ruggedized hydrostatic altimeter for use with excavation equipment comprising: a gauge assembly, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, a displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first zero scale internal pressure and a second full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes is a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element is exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element by the rotation of a rotatable pointer connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a dial ring assembly including a dial concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable pointer; a sensor assembly, said sensor assembly having an internal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having at least one external surface exposed to the atmosphere and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale internal pressure and a second zero scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gauge differential volume, said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element having at least an intermediate portion thereof exposed to the atmosphere, said intermediate external surface being fully compliant to the extent that no substantial pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale pressure and said zero pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said Connector of said sensor assembly; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid having a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differentials between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said imcompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly.

Claim 20

A ruggidized hydrostatic altimeter for use with excavation equipment comprising: a gauge assembly, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, a displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first zero scale internal pressure and a second full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes is a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element is exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element by the rotation of a rotatable pointer connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a dial ring assembly including a dial concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable pointer; a sensor assembly, said sensor assembly having an internal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having at least one external surface exposed to the atmosphere and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale internal pressure and a second zero scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gauge differential volume, said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element having at least an intermediate portion thereof exposed to the atmosphere, said intermediate external surface being fully compliant to the extent that no substantial pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale pressure and said zero pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said connector of said sensor assembly; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid having a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differentials between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said incompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly; and wherein said gauge has a portion having the configuration of a body revolution, said dial ring assembly has a portion mating with said body of revolution portion of said gauge assembly and in frictional engagement therewith, and said dial ring assembly Is readily rotatable on said gauge assembly by manual manipulation; and wherein said sensor assembly includes a second displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element and said second element is similar to said first element and symmetrically positioned with respect thereto.

Claim 21

A ruggidized hydrostatic altimeter for use with excavation equipment comprising: a gauge assembly, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, a displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first zero scale internal pressure and a second full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes is a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element is exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element by the rotation of a rotatable pointer connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a dial ring assembly including a dial concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable pointer; a sensor assembly, said sensor assembly having an internal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having at least one external surface exposed to the atmosphere and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale internal pressure and a second zero scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gauge differential volume, said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element having at least an intermediate portion thereof exposed to the atmosphere, said intermediate external surface being fully compliant to the extent that no substantial pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale pressure and said zero pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said connector of said sensor assembly; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid having a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differentials between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said incompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly; and wherein said gauge has a portion having the configuration of a body revolution, said dial ring assembly has a portion mating with said body of revolution portion of said gauge assembly and in frictional engagement therewith, and said dial ring assembly Is readily rotatable on said gauge assembly by manual manipulation; and wherein said sensor assembly includes a second displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element and said second element is similar to said first element and symmetrically positioned with respect thereto.

Claim 22

The combination of claim 17 wherein said gauge assembly includes a low-pressure, normally-closed, liquid valve means connected to said casing, said valve means being manually actuatable to an open position, being solid filled with said incompressible liquid, and when open, being in direct liquid communication with said tubing and said displaceable pressure sensitive element of said gauge assembly, whereby the delicate portions of said gauge assembly are isolated from liquid pressure fluctuations in said tubing whenever said valve means is in a normally-closed position.

Claim 23

The combination of claim 17 wherein said sensor assembly includes a second displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element and said second element is similar to said first element and symmetrically positioned with respect thereto.

Claim 24

The combination of claim 19 wherein said gauge assembly includes a low-pressure, normally-closed, liquid valve means connected to said casing, said valve means being manually actuatable to an open position, being solid filled with said incompressible liquid, and when open, being in direct liquid communication with said tubing and said displaceable pressure sensitive element of said gauge assembly, whereby the delicate portions of said gauge assembly are isolated from liquid pressure fluctuations in said tubing whenever said valve means is in a normally-closed position.

Claim 25

An excavation machine comprising: a machine body structure, an operator station on said body structure, a boom connected to said body structure, a dipper stick pivoted to said boom, a bucket pivoted to said dipper stick by a bucket pivot, and controls operable from said operator station for manipulating said dipper stick and said bucket; and a ruggedized hydrostatic altimeter mounted on said machine, said hydrostatic altimeter including, a gauge assembly mounted on said body structure within sight and manipulation distance of said operator station, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, a displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first zero scale internal pressure and a second full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes is a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element is exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element by the rotation of a rotatable pointer connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a dial ring assembly connected to said casing, said dial ring assembly including a dial concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable pointer; a sensor assembly mounted on said dipper stick immediately adjacent said bucket pivot, said sensor assembly having an internal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having at least one external surface exposed to the atmosphere and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale internal pressure and a second zero scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gaugE differential volume, said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element having at least an intermediate portion thereof exposed to the atmosphere, said intermediate external surface being fully compliant to the extent that no substantial pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale pressure and said zero scale pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said connector of said sensor assembly and secured to the adjacent parts of said machine at points along its length to prevent whipping and snagging; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid have a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differential between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said incompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly.

Claim 26

An excavation machine comprising: a machine body structure, an operator station on said body structure, a boom connected to said body structure, a dipper stick pivoted to said boom, a bucket pivoted to said dipper stick by a bucket pivot, and controls operable from said operator station for manipulating said dipper stick and said bucket; and a ruggedized hydrostatic altimeter mounted on said machine, said hydrostatic altimeter including, a gauge assembly mounted on said body structure within sight and manipulation distance of said operator station, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, a displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first zero scale internal pressure and a second full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes is a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element is exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element by the rotation of a rotatable pointer connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a dial ring assembly connected to said casing, said dial ring assembly including a dial concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable pointer; a sensor assembly mounted on said dipper stick immediately adjacent said bucket pivot, said sensor assembly having an internal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having at least one external surface exposed to the atmosphere and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale internal pressure and a second zero scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gaugE differential volume, said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element having at least an intermediate portion thereof exposed to the atmosphere, said intermediate external surface being fully compliant to the extent that no substantial pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale pressure and said zero scale pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said connector of said sensor assembly and secured to the adjacent parts of said machine at points along its length to prevent whipping and snagging; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid have a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differential between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said incompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly.

Claim 27

An excavation machine comprising: a machine body structure, an operator station on said body structure, a boom connected to said body structure, a dipper stick pivoted to said boom, a bucket pivoted to said dipper stick by a bucket pivot, and controls operable from said operator station for manipulating said dipper stick and said bucket; and a ruggedized hydrostatic altimeter mounted on said machine, said hydrostatic altimeter including, a gauge assembly mounted on said body structure within sight and manipulation distance of said operator station, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, a displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first zero scale internal pressure and a second full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes is a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element is exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element by the rotation of a rotatable pointer connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a dial ring assembly connected to said casing, said dial ring assembly including a dial concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable pointer; a sensor assembly mounted on said dipper stick immediately adjacent said bucket pivot, said sensor assembly having an internal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having at least one external surface exposed to the atmosphere and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale internal pressure and a second zero scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gauge differential volume, said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element having at least an intermediate portion thereof exposed to the atmosphere, said intermediate external surface being fully compliant to the extent that no substantIal pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale pressure and said zero scale pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said connector of said sensor assembly and secured to the adjacent parts of said machine at points along its length to prevent whipping and snagging; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid have a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differential between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said incompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly wherein said sensor assembly includes a second displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element and said second element is similar to said first element and symmetrically positioned with respect thereto.

Claim 28

An excavation machine comprising: a machine body structure, an operator station on said body structure, a boom connected to said body structure, a dipper stick pivoted to said boom, a bucket pivoted to said dipper stick by a bucket pivot, and controls operable from said operator station for manipulating said dipper stick and said bucket; and a ruggedized hydrostatic altimeter mounted on said machine, said hydrostatic altimeter including, a gauge assembly mounted on said body structure within sight and manipulation distance of said operator station, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, a displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first zero scale internal pressure and a second full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes is a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element is exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element by the rotation of a rotatable pointer connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a dial ring assembly connected to said casing, said dial ring assembly including a dial concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable pointer; a sensor assembly mounted on said dipper stick immediately adjacent said bucket pivot, said sensor assembly having an internal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having at least one external surface exposed to the atmosphere and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale internal pressure and a second zero scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gauge differential volume, said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element having at least an intermediate portion thereof exposed to the atmosphere, said intermediate external surface being fully compliant to the extent that no substantIal pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale pressure and said zero scale pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said connector of said sensor assembly and secured to the adjacent parts of said machine at points along its length to prevent whipping and snagging; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid have a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differential between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said incompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly wherein said sensor assembly includes a second displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element and said second element is similar to said first element and symmetrically positioned with respect thereto.

Claim 29

The combination of claim 22 wherein said gauge assembly includes a low-pressure, normally-closed, liquid valve means connected to said casing, said valve means being manually actuatable to an open position, being solid filled with said incompressible liquid, and when open, being in direct liquid communication with said tubing and said displaceable pressure sensitive element of said gauge assembly, whereby the delicate portions of said gauge assembly are isolated from liquid pressure fluctuations in said tubing whenever said valve means is in a normally-closed position.

Claim 30

The combination as set forth in claim 23 wherein said gauge assembly has a portion having the configuration of a body of revolution, said dial ring assembly has a portion mating with said body of revolution portion of said gauge assembly and in frictional engagement therewith, and said dial ring assembly is readily rotatable on said gauge assembly by manual manipulation.

Claim 31

An excavation machine comprising: a machine body structure, an operator station on said body structure, a boom connected to said body structure, a dipper stick pivoted to said boom, a bucket pivoted to said dipper stick by a bucket pivot, and controls operable from said operator station for manipulating said dipper stick and said bucket; and a ruggedized hydrostatic altimeter mounted on said machine, said hydrostatic altimeter including, a gauge assembly mounted on said body structure within sight and manipulation distance of said operator station, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, a displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first zero scale internal pressure and a second full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes is a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element is exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element by the rotation of a rotatable pointer connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a dial ring assembly connected to said casing, said dial ring assembly including a dial concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable pointer; a sensor assembly mounted on said dipper stick immediately adjacent said bucket pivot, said sensor assembly having an internal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having at least one external surface exposed to the atmosphere and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale internal pressure and a second zero scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gauge differential volume, said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element having at least an intermediae portion thereof exposed to the atmosphere, said intermediate external surface being fully compliant to the extent that no substantial pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale pressure and said zero scale pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said connector of said sensor assembly and secured to the adjacent parts of said machine at points along its length to prevent whipping and snagging; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid have a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differential between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said incompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly; and wherein said gauge assembly has a portion having the configuration of a body of revolution, said dial ring assembly has a portion mating with said body of revolution portion of said gauge assembly and in frictional engagement therewith, and said dial ring assembly is readily rotatable on said gauge assembly by manual manipulation and wherein said sensor assembly includes a second displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element and said second element is similar to said first element and symmetrically positioned with respect thereto.

Claim 32

An excavation machine comprising: a machine body structure, an operator station on said body structure, a boom connected to said body structure, a dipper stick pivoted to said boom, a bucket pivoted to said dipper stick by a bucket pivot, and controls operable from said operator station for manipulating said dipper stick and said bucket; and a ruggedized hydrostatic altimeter mounted on said machine, said hydrostatic altimeter including, a gauge assembly mounted on said body structure within sight and manipulation distance of said operator station, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, a displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first zero scale internal pressure and a second full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes is a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element is exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element by the rotation of a rotatable pointer connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a dial ring assembly connected to said casing, said dial ring assembly including a dial concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable pointer; a sensor assembly mounted on said dipper stick immediately adjacent said bucket pivot, said sensor assembly having an internal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having at least one external surface exposed to the atmosphere and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale internal pressure and a second zero scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gauge differential volume, said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element having at least an intermediae portion thereof exposed to the atmosphere, said intermediate external surface being fully compliant to the extent that no substantial pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale pressure and said zero scale pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said connector of said sensor assembly and secured to the adjacent parts of said machine at points along its length to prevent whipping and snagging; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid have a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differential between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said incompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly; and wherein said gauge assembly has a portion having the configuration of a body of revolution, said dial ring assembly has a portion mating with said body of revolution portion of said gauge assembly and in frictional engagement therewith, and said dial ring assembly is readily rotatable on said gauge assembly by manual manipulation and wherein said sensor assembly includes a second displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element and said second element is similar to said first element and symmetrically positioned with respect thereto.

Claim 35

The method as set forth in claim 26 wherein said tubing includes length markings along the entire length thereof and including the additional steps: while said sensor assembly is at said first location and said gauge is at said second location; manually operating said valve to an open position; maintaining said valve in said open position and maintaining said first location and said second location while repositioning vertically at least one of said gauge and said sensor assembly until said gauge and said sensor assembly are repositioned to a first same elevation as indicated by a zero reading on said gauge; while maintaining said first same elevation for said gauge and said sensor assembly, stretching said tubing taut at said first same elevation and reading said length markings thereon, thereby obtaining a true horizontal distance reading between said first location and said second location; while said sensor assembly is at said second location and said gauge is at said third location; manually operating said valve to an open position; maintaining said valve in said open position and maintaining said second location and said third location while repositioning vertically at least one of said gauge and said sensor assembly until said gauge and said sensor assembly are repositioned to a second same elevation as indicated by a zero reading on said gauge; while maintaining said second same elevation for said gauge and said sensor assembly, stretching said tubing taut at said second same elevation and reading said length markings thereon, thereby obtaining a true horizontal distance reading between said second location and said third location; and adding the readings of said length markings on said tubing taken at said second location and at said third location to obtain the total horizontal distance between said first location and said third location.

Claim 38

The method as set forth in claim 26 wherein said tubing includes length markings along the entire length thereof and including the additional steps: manually operating said valve to an open position; maintaining said valve in said open position and maintaining said first location and said second location while repositioning vertically at least one of said gauge and said sensor assembly until said gauge and said sensor assembly are repositioned to the same elevation as indicated by a zero reading on said gauge; and while maintaining said same elevation for said gauge and said sensor assembly, stretching said tubing taut at said same elevation and reading said length markings thereon, thereby obtaining a true horizontal distance reading between said first location and said second location.

Claim 41

The method as set forth in claim 30 wherein said predetermined line is the adjacent surface of the earth at the edge of said excavation and wherein said portion of said bucket rests on said surface of the earth at said first elevation.

Claim 42

The method as set forth in claim 30 wherein said predetermined line is a grade line positioned adjacent one edge of said desired excavation and wherein said portion of said bucket touches said grade line at said first elevation.

Claim 45

The method as set forth in claim 33 wherein said gauge assembly includes a manually actuatable, normally-closed valve adjacent said dial, and including the following steps: immediately prior to reading said dial of said gauge assembly, actuating said valve to an open position and maintaining said open position at least until said dial of said gauge assembly indicates a stable condition.

Claim 46

The method as set forth in claim 34 wherein said dial of said gauge assembly is manually rotatable, and including the following steps: before starting the step of digging a portion of said excavation, manipulating said controls to locate said sensor assembly at approximately the elevation of said gauge assembly; checking the elevation alignment of said sensor assembly and said gauge assembly with said sight level and manipulating said controls to reposition said sensor assembly until exact elevation alignment thereof is obtained; thereafter actuating said valve to an open position and maintaining said open position at least until said dial of said gauge assembly indicates a stable condition; and thereafter manipulating said dial of said gauge assembly to a zero setting.

Claim 47

The method as set forth in claim 33 wherein said dial of said gauge assembly is manually rotatable, and including the following steps: before starting the step of digging a portion of said excavation, manipulating said controls to locate said sensor assembly at approximately the elevation of said gauge assembly; checking the elevation alignment of said sensor assembly and said gauge assembly with said sight level and manipulating said controls to reposition said sensor assembly until exact elevation alignment thereof is obtained; thereafter actuating said valve to an open position and maintaining said open position at least until said dial of said gauge assembly indicates a stable condition; and thereafter manipulating said dial of said gauge assembly to a zero setting.

Claim 48

A ruggedized hydrostatic altimeter apparatus for use in measuring elevation differentials in contour surveying, excavation equipment and the like comprising: a gauge assembly, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, a displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially difining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first positive pressure full scale internal pressure and a second negative pressure full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes being a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, a dial means having indicia thereon, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element from a predetermined pressure point by the rotation of a rotatable pointer relative to said dial, said pointer being connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a sensor assembly, said sensor assembly having an inTernal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having at least one external surface exposed to the atmosphere and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale positive internal pressure and a second full scale negative internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gauge differential volume, said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element having at least an intermediate portion thereof exposed to the atmosphere, said intermediate external surface being fully compliant to the extent that no substantial pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale positive pressure and said full scale negative pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said connector of said sensor assembly; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid having a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differential between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said incompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly.

Claim 49

A ruggedized hydrostatic altimeter apparatus for use in measuring elevation differentials in contour surveying, excavation equipment and the like comprising: a gauge assembly, said gauge assembly having an internal liquid volume, a casing, a displaceable pressure sensitive element connected to said casing, said element having an external surface and partially difining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first positive pressure full scale internal pressure and a second negative pressure full scale internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes being a gauge differential volume, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times, a liquid connector connected to said casing, a dial means having indicia thereon, an indicating movement assembly connected to said casing and correlated with said pressure sensitive element to indicate the displacement of said element from a predetermined pressure point by the rotation of a rotatable pointer relative to said dial, said pointer being connected to said indicating movement assembly, and a sensor assembly, said sensor assembly having an inTernal liquid volume, a protective housing, a liquid connector connected to said housing, and at least a first displaceable pressure sensitive sensor element connected to said housing, said sensor element having at least one external surface exposed to the atmosphere and partially defining a first extended liquid volume and a second contracted liquid volume corresponding to a first full scale positive internal pressure and a second full scale negative internal pressure respectively, the difference in said first and second volumes of said sensor assembly being a sensor assembly differential volume and being equal to said gauge differential volume, said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element having at least an intermediate portion thereof exposed to the atmosphere, said intermediate external surface being fully compliant to the extent that no substantial pressure is exerted on the system by the distortion of said pressure sensitive sensor element at any pressure between said full scale positive pressure and said full scale negative pressure, and said external surface of said pressure sensitive sensor element being exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure at all times; a length of flexible tubing connecting said connector of said gauge assembly to said connector of said sensor assembly; and said length of flexible tubing, and said internal liquid volumes of said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly being solid filled with an incompressible liquid having a specific gravity approximately that of water, and said dial of said gauge assembly being calibrated to register the elevation differential between said gauge assembly and said sensor assembly and equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure differential of a corresponding depth of said incompressible liquid, whereby the reading on said dial represents the true vertical distance between the elevation of said gauge assembly and the elevation of said sensor assembly.