Solids level indicator

Claim 1

Apparatus for indicating levels of dissolvable solids in a closed vessel through which liquid circulates, said apparatus comprising: a substantially transparent duct having open top and bottom ends wherein the bottom end registers with the vessel and the top end is an inlet for introducing liquid into the vessel; an elongated gauge member telescopically mounted in said duct for reciprocation therein, said elongated gauge member projecting beyond the bottom end of said duct and into said vessel and being provided with a solid foot which rests on said solids while the fluid circulates, means for conveying the liquid from the inlet and over the foot to hold the foot in engagement with the solids, wherein the level of the solids in the vessel controls the height of the gauge in the duct and wherein a selected portion of the gauge member is visible through the duct thereby indicating the level of solids in the vessel; mounting means for coupling said apparatus to the vessel, said mounting means including an annular connector through which the duct member extends, said annular connector having a diameter greater than the duct member, so that there is an annular space between the annular connector and the duct member which registers with the vessel, and an outlet through the annular connector wherein liquid in the vessel exits from the vessel through the outlet as the liquid dissolves the solids.