US3922914A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bed level monitor
Assignee: United States Department of the Interior
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Filing: 1974-09-18
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1994-09-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for determining the level of fluid in a vessel having a delay line formed in the vessel responsive to pulses derived from a source. In response to pulses from the source reaching the level of the material in the vessel, the pulse is reflected due to the change in characteristic impedance of the delay line. The propagation time of the pulse is a measure of the level of the fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Fuchs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/284
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A system for sensing the fluid level of a fluid bed reactor, said reactor including a reactor vessel in which the fluid bed is contained comprising an electrically conducting wall of an irregular shape including at least one substantially straight, vertical side wall, said system comprising: an elongate electrode which is mounted within said vessel in contact with the fluid therein, and which cooperates with the wall of said vessel to form an electrical transmission line, means for applying electrical pulses to one end of said electrode so that an applied pulse is reflected at various levels of the fluid within the vessel, means for measuring the time period between an applied pulse and a reflected pulse, and means for mounting said electrode in close proximity to the substantially straight side wall of the vessel along the length thereof so as to concentrate the electric field between the electrode and the said side wall, said mounting means including a plurality of non-conduting spacers located along the length of said electrode for spacing said electrode from said side wall of said vessel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
A system for sensing the fluid level of a fluid bed reactor, said reactor including a reactor vessel in which the fluid bed is contained comprising an electrically conducting wall of an irregular shape including at least one substantially straight, vertical side wall, said system comprising: an elongate electrode which is mounted within said vessel in contact with the fluid therein, and which cooperates with the wall of said vessel to form an electrical transmission line, means for applying electrical pulses to one end of said electrode so that an applied pulse is reflected at various levels of the fluid within the vessel, means for measuring the time period between an applied pulse and a reflected pulse, and means for mounting said electrode in close proximity to the substantially straight side wall of the vessel along the length thereof so as to concentrate the electric field between the electrode and the said side wall, said mounting means including a plurality of non-conduting spacers located along the length of said electrode for spacing said electrode from said side wall of said vessel.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
162 words
A system for sensing the fluid level of a fluid bed reactor, said reactor including a reactor vessel in which the fluid bed is contained and said system comprising a first elongate electrode which is mounted within said vessel in contact with the fluid therein, a second elongate electrode which is mounted within said vessel in contact with the fluid therein and which cooperates with said first elongate electrode to form an electrical transmission line, said second electrode comprising an elongate flat plate, support means including a plurality of non-conducting spacers located along the length of said first and second electrodes for insulatingly supporting said first and second electrodes in substantially parallel relationship, means for grounding said second electrode, means for applying electrical pulses to one end of said first electrode so that an applied pulse is reflected at various levels of the fluid within the vessel, and means for measuring the time period between an applied pulse and a reflected pulse.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
162 words
A system for sensing the fluid level of a fluid bed reactor, said reactor including a reactor vessel in which the fluid bed is contained and said system comprising a first elongate electrode which is mounted within said vessel in contact with the fluid therein, a second elongate electrode which is mounted within said vessel in contact with the fluid therein and which cooperates with said first elongate electrode to form an electrical transmission line, said second electrode comprising an elongate flat plate, support means including a plurality of non-conducting spacers located along the length of said first and second electrodes for insulatingly supporting said first and second electrodes in substantially parallel relationship, means for grounding said second electrode, means for applying electrical pulses to one end of said first electrode so that an applied pulse is reflected at various levels of the fluid within the vessel, and means for measuring the time period between an applied pulse and a reflected pulse.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |