Liquid level detection systems

Claim 1

A system for monitoring both the level of a liquid in a container and the temperature of a component remote from said container, which comprises: monitoring means in a liquid container which is electrically grounded, which contacts the liquid at a first location in said container when the liquid level is above a predetermined level; a positive temperature coefficient resistor mounted at a second location on said component, remote from said container, said resistor being electrically insulated from said component at said second location whose temperature is desired to be monitored; one terminal of said positive temperature coefficient resistor being connected to ground through said monitoring means and said liquid in series, so that if the liquid level falls below said predetermined level, the impedance to ground will be substantially increased; the other terminal of said positive temperature coefficient resistor being connected to a circuit which includes means for providing a warning if the impedance to ground increases substantially as a result of either said liquid falling below said predetermined level at said first location or if the resistance of said positive temperature coefficient resistor changes as a result of an excessive rise in temperature at said second location.

Claim 2

A system for monitoring both the level of a liquid in a container and the temperature of a component remote from said container, which comprises: monitoring means in a liquid container which is electrically grounded, which contacts the liquid at a first location in said container when the liquid level is above a predetermined level; a positive temperature coefficient resistor mounted at a second location on said component, remote from said container, said resistor being electrically insulated from said component at said second location whose temperature is desired to be monitored; one terminal of said positive temperature coefficient resistor being connected to ground through said monitoring means and said liquid in series, so that if the liquid level falls below said predetermined level, the impedance to ground will be substantially increased; the other terminal of said positive temperature coefficient resistor being connected to a circuit which includes means for providing a warning if the impedance to ground increases substantially as a result of either said liquid falling below said predetermined level at said first location or if the resistance of said positive temperature coefficient resistor changes as a result of an excessive rise in temperature at said second location.