US3885435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for detecting presence or absence of a fluid
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1974-05-28
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1994-05-28
Abstract
Abstract The presence or absence of a fluid at a selected level in a tank is sensed or detected through having an expansible container, which contains fluid from the tank when the tank has fluid at the selected level, to block a pressurized gas flow path. The pressure of the pressurized gas along its flow path is determined and functions to indicate the presence or absence of fluid at the selected level in the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Salvatore J Cascio
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/14; G01F23/16; G01F23/164; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A device for detecting the presence or absence of a fluid in a tank or the like at a selected level including: expansible means to contain fluid from the tank when the tank has fluid at the selected level to cause said expansible means to be in an expanded condition; means to support said expansible means; means to supply a pressurized gas through said support means; said expansible means stopping supply of pressurized gas from said supply means through said support means when said expansible means is in its expanded condition due to said expansible means containing fluid because of the tank containing fluid at the selected level, said expansible means collapsing to allow supply of pressurized gas from said supply means through said support means when the fluid flows from said expansible means due to the fluid not being present in the tank at the selected level; and means to determine whether pressurized gas from said supply means flows through said support means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
164 words
A device for detecting the presence or absence of a fluid in a tank or the like at a selected level including: expansible means to contain fluid from the tank when the tank has fluid at the selected level to cause said expansible means to be in an expanded condition; means to support said expansible means; means to supply a pressurized gas through said support means; said expansible means stopping supply of pressurized gas from said supply means through said support means when said expansible means is in its expanded condition due to said expansible means containing fluid because of the tank containing fluid at the selected level, said expansible means collapsing to allow supply of pressurized gas from said supply means through said support means when the fluid flows from said expansible means due to the fluid not being present in the tank at the selected level; and means to determine whether pressurized gas from said supply means flows through said support means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device according to claim 1 in which: said support means comprises a housing; said housing having: an inlet connected to said supply means; and an outlet; and said expansible means blocks communication between said inlet and said outlet when said expansible means is in its expanded condition because of fluid therein due to the tank containing fluid at the selected level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device according to claim 2 iN which: said housing has a chamber in which said expansible means is disposed; said inlet and said outlet communicating with said chamber; and said expansible means comprises an expansible container having the fluid therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 3 in which said container has a curved closed end to block said outlet when said expansible container is in its expanded condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 4 in which said determining means includes means to sense the pressure of the pressurized gas along its flow path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 4 in which said determining means includes means to sense the pressure of the pressurized gas beyond said outlet of said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 2 in which said supply means includes means to supply the pressurized gas at a selected pressure to said inlet of said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 7 in which said determining means includes means to sense the pressure of the pressurized gas beyond said outlet of said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 7 in which said determining means includes means to sense the pressure of the pressurized gas along its flow path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 1 in which said determining means includes means to sense the pressure of the pressurized gas along its flow path.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for detecting the presence or absence of a fluid in a tank or the like at a selected level including: supplying pressurized gas along a flow path; blocking the flow path with fluid from the tank when the tank has fluid at the selected level without any intermixing of the pressurized gas and the fluid; and determining whether the flow path of the pressurized gas is blocked.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for detecting the presence or absence of a fluid in a tank or the like at a selected level including: supplying pressurized gas along a flow path; blocking the flow path with fluid from the tank when the tank has fluid at the selected level without any intermixing of the pressurized gas and the fluid; and determining whether the flow path of the pressurized gas is blocked.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 11 including sensing the pressure of the pressurized gas in its flow path to determine whether the flow path of the pressurized gas is blocked.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 12 in which sensing of the pressurized gas in its flow path is beyond the blocking of the flow path when there is fluid at the selected level in the tank.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 11 including disposing an expansible container within the flow path of the pressurized gas and in communication with the tank at the selected level so that the expansible container expands to block the flow path when fluid in the tank is at the selected level.
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) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |