US3909948A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic water level indicator
Assignee: Universal Oil Products Co
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Filing: 1974-02-04
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1994-02-04
Abstract
Abstract Lightweight, portable electronic water level indicator utilizes a probe with vertically spaced contacts attached to a 2 conductor light gauge cable. The cable is wrapped around a flanged storage hub which has winding handles on each side. A simple electronic circuit is switched on by the presence of water between the probe contacts to control a signal device such as a light bulb. The circuitry, the signal device and the two AA size batteries that provide the power are all carried within the relatively small diameter hub. In use, the cable is unwound into a water well until the light lights. One of the footage markers located at spaced intervals along the cable can then be observed to determine the depth location of the water in the well.
Inventors
- 👤 Reinhold S Markfelt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/24; G01F23/245
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
Portable, hand held apparatus for indicating the level of water in a well comprising a hub member having a pair of spaced radial flanges, an electrical cable wound around said hub member, the inner end of said cable being connected to electronic circuit means removably contained within said hub and the outer end of said cable being connected to a probe member including a pair of electrical contact members, said pair of contact members being axially spaced and electrically insulated from each other along the length of the cable, distance measuring means on said cable along the length thereof, a pair of handles mounted on said flanges at opposite ends of said hub member for reeling and unreeling the cable on said hub member, a signal device connected to said electronic circuit means and removably mounted at least partially within said hub, and battery means removably mounted within said hub for providing power to said signal device when said electronic circuit means is energized by the presence of a water path between said pair of contact members, said electronic circuit means, said battery means and said signal device all being mounted on a support member which includes fastening means for locking it into an axial opening in said hub.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
Portable, hand held apparatus for indicating the level of water in a well comprising a hub member having a pair of spaced radial flanges, an electrical cable wound around said hub member, the inner end of said cable being connected to electronic circuit means removably contained within said hub and the outer end of said cable being connected to a probe member including a pair of electrical contact members, said pair of contact members being axially spaced and electrically insulated from each other along the length of the cable, distance measuring means on said cable along the length thereof, a pair of handles mounted on said flanges at opposite ends of said hub member for reeling and unreeling the cable on said hub member, a signal device connected to said electronic circuit means and removably mounted at least partially within said hub, and battery means removably mounted within said hub for providing power to said signal device when said electronic circuit means is energized by the presence of a water path between said pair of contact members, said electronic circuit means, said battery means and said signal device all being mounted on a support member which includes fastening means for locking it into an axial opening in said hub.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electronic circuit means includes amplifier means, said amplifier means causing a small current signal in the portion of the circuit including the electrical cable and probe member to be greatly amplified in the portion of the circuit including the signal device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said electronic circuit means further includes a current limiting resistor for limiting the flow of current in said cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said handles is mounted axially of said hub and for relative rotation therewith, and the other of said handles is mounted radially outwardly from said hub.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said signal device is an incandescent lamp.
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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) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |