US4106338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water detector means for tank liquid level measuring system
Assignee: Murphy Management Inc
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Filing: 1977-10-21
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Granted: 1978-08-15
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Expires: 1997-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A float valve on the bottom of a submerged purging tube in a liquid storage tank detects water in the bottom of the tank below a liquid therein of a lesser specific gravity. When such water or other heavier liquid is detected by the float valve, the purging orifice leading to the purging tube is closed and further pressurizing of the purging tube will result in an associated gage registering the presence of water in the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 John H. Castle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/30; G01F23/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
In a liquid level measuring system for liquid storage vessels, a liquid level measuring gage, a conduit connected with said gage and projecting into a liquid storage vessel near the bottom thereof, and pumping means common to a compression chamber of the gage and said conduit and operable to evacuate liquid from the conduit by pressure while simultaneously pressurizing the compression chamber of said gage, the improvement comprising a float valve means on the lower end of the conduit near the bottom of the liquid storage vessel and adapted in an open condition to uncover an orifice communicating with the conduit, and in a closed condition to cover said orifice whereby pressure in the conduit developed by said pumping means increases and causes said gage to provide a maximum reading indicating the presence in the bottom of the storage vessel of a contaminating liquid having a specific gravity greater than that of the stored liquid in the vessel above the contaminating liquid, said float valve means having a float element which is adapted to float in the contaminating liquid and which sinks in said stored liquid of lesser specific gravity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a liquid level measuring system for liquid storage vessels, a liquid level measuring gage, a conduit connected with said gage and projecting into a liquid storage vessel near the bottom thereof, and pumping means common to a compression chamber of the gage and said conduit and operable to evacuate liquid from the conduit by pressure while simultaneously pressurizing the compression chamber of said gage, the improvement comprising a float valve means on the lower end of the conduit near the bottom of the liquid storage vessel and adapted in an open condition to uncover an orifice communicating with the conduit, and in a closed condition to cover said orifice whereby pressure in the conduit developed by said pumping means increases and causes said gage to provide a maximum reading indicating the presence in the bottom of the storage vessel of a contaminating liquid having a specific gravity greater than that of the stored liquid in the vessel above the contaminating liquid, said float valve means having a float element which is adapted to float in the contaminating liquid and which sinks in said stored liquid of lesser specific gravity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a liquid level measuring system as defined in claim 1, said float valve means comprising a valve casing coupled with the lower end of said conduit and having a chamber, said orifice formed in the bottom wall of said chamber, and said chamber serving to place the bore of the conduit and said orifice in communication, said valve means further including a float activated valve element within said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a liquid level measuring system as defined in claim 2, and an upwardly facing valve seat around said orifice on said bottom wall within said chamber, said valve element comprising a disc valve element, an arm carrying the disc valve element and pivoted on said casing and projecting through said orifice, and said float element carried by said arm externally of said casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a liquid level measuring system as defined in claim 3, and said disc valve element formed of rubberlike material to promote sealing with said valve seat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a liquid level measuring system as defined in claim 4, and means forming a stop shoulder in said chamber of the valve casing in spaced relation to the valve seat, said stop shoulder arresting movement of said valve element away from said seat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
In a liquid level measuring system as defined in claim 3, said arm being L-shaped and including a relatively short lateral extension projecting through said orifice and into said chamber and having the valve disc attached thereto in said chamber, the main body portion of the arm lying exteriorly of the valve casing and pivoted thereto between the ends of the main body portion, and said float element secured to the end of the main body portion away from the disc valve element and on one side of the pivot of the arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
In a liquid level measuring system as defined in claim 6, and said valve casing having an offset flow passage for diverting fluid around the disc valve element when the disc valve element is elevated from its seat and for directing fluid on top of the disc valve element when it is seated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-08-14 | 1982-02-13 | 1982-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-14 | 1986-02-13 | 1986-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-14 | 1990-02-13 | 1990-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |