US3933042A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water level gauge
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1974-04-05
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Granted: 1976-01-20
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Expires: 1994-04-05
Abstract
Abstract The invention disclosed in the specification is directed towards an impro device for measuring liquid levels and specifically provides a pair of capacitance probes, one of which is coated with a dielectric material, positioned in a stilling well which is coupled to a conical housing for an entrance orifice to provide controlled level changes; and, in addition is provided with electronic circuitry and recording equipment and power pack.
Inventors
- 👤 Norwood H. Rector
- 👤 Rodney G. Fredericks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/26; G01F23/263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An improved liquid level gauge of the variable capacitance type comprising: a. a stilling well; b. means for retaining said stilling well in a predetermined relationship with respect to a liquid whose level is to be measured; c. a first probe inside said stilling well; d. a dielectric coating on said first probe; e. a second probe in said stilling well spaced from said probe; f. means for spacing said first and second probes in a predetermined fixed spaced relationship to each other; g. a conical end member coupled to said stilling well for admitting liquid whose level is to be measured into said stilling well having a funnel-shape orifice located along the longitudinal axis at the bottom; h. means for applying an electrical signal to said first and second probe; and, i. means for measuring the signal between said probes which is related to the change in capacitance between said first and second probes depended upon the amount of liquid in said stilling well.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
An improved liquid level gauge of the variable capacitance type comprising: a. a stilling well; b. means for retaining said stilling well in a predetermined relationship with respect to a liquid whose level is to be measured; c. a first probe inside said stilling well; d. a dielectric coating on said first probe; e. a second probe in said stilling well spaced from said probe; f. means for spacing said first and second probes in a predetermined fixed spaced relationship to each other; g. a conical end member coupled to said stilling well for admitting liquid whose level is to be measured into said stilling well having a funnel-shape orifice located along the longitudinal axis at the bottom; h. means for applying an electrical signal to said first and second probe; and, i. means for measuring the signal between said probes which is related to the change in capacitance between said first and second probes depended upon the amount of liquid in said stilling well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improved liquid level gauge of claim 1 wherein said stilling well is substantially cylindrical in shape and composed of an electrical insulating material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improved liquid level gauge of claim 2 wherein the retaining means consists of a pipe tower including means for mounting said pipe tower in a fixed relationship to the liquid level to be measured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improved liquid level gauge of claim 3 wherein said second probe is electrically at ground with respect to the liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improved liquid level gauge of claim 4 wherein said spacing means include a member having passageways therein for admitting liquid into said stilling well.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The improved liquid level gauge of claim 5 wherein said conical end member has an orifice therein with a predetermined diameter for controlling the rate of flow of liquid into said stilling well for the purpose of providing the level gauge the capacity of measuring level changes having different periods.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improved liquid level gauge of claim 6 wherein said electrical signal is in the range of 200 kilohertz to 1 megahertz.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improved liquid level gauge of claim 7 wherein said measuring means coupled between said probes is mounted to the top of said stilling well and includes a timing device and a recording device coupled thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improved liquid level gauge of claim 8 wherein said measuring means includes means for transmitting the measured level to a remotely placed recording device.
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) | 1979-01-19 | 1979-07-21 | 1980-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-19 | 1983-07-21 | 1984-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-19 | 1987-07-21 | 1988-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |