Patent US4169377A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4169377A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quantity sensing system for a container
Assignee: ChampionX LLC
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Filing: 1978-04-17
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Granted: 1979-10-02
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Expires: 1998-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A level sensing system for determining the quantity of a fluent or flowable material in a container including a level sensor and a monitor wherein the sensor is constructed of a pipe of non-conducting material with pairs of electrodes exposed to the fluent material and connected to resistance bars to produce a proportionate voltage signal across the resistance of the sensor in accordance with the quantity of fluent material. The monitor transforms the signal into a readable output.
Inventors
- 👤 William F. Scheib
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/24; G01F23/241
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A level sensor adapted to be connected to a monitor for measuring the quantity of an electrically conductive fluent material in a container, said sensor comprising an elongated pipe of uniform cross section throughout its length adapted to stand vertically within the container for sensing the quantity of material therein, said pipe being of electrically non-conducting material having chemically inert and low surface tension characteristics, a plurality of pairs of electrodes carried by said pipe at the outer surface thereof in vertically spaced apart relation, the electrodes of each pair being of the same vertical level, a pair of resistance members within said pipe, one electrode of each pair connected to one of said resistance members at equal vertically spaced apart points therealong, and the other electrode of each pair connected to the other of said resistance members at equal vertically spaced apart points therealong.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A level sensor adapted to be connected to a monitor for measuring the quantity of an electrically conductive fluent material in a container, said sensor comprising an elongated pipe of uniform cross section throughout its length adapted to stand vertically within the container for sensing the quantity of material therein, said pipe being of electrically non-conducting material having chemically inert and low surface tension characteristics, a plurality of pairs of electrodes carried by said pipe at the outer surface thereof in vertically spaced apart relation, the electrodes of each pair being of the same vertical level, a pair of resistance members within said pipe, one electrode of each pair connected to one of said resistance members at equal vertically spaced apart points therealong, and the other electrode of each pair connected to the other of said resistance members at equal vertically spaced apart points therealong.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The level sensor defined in claim 1, wherein the pipe is solid with the electrodes and resistance members molded therein such that each resistance member and each electrode is electrically insulated from each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The level sensor defined in claim 1, wherein the pairs of electrodes are equally spaced apart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The level sensor defined in claim 1, wherein the pairs of electrodes are variably spaced apart.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The level sensor defined in claim 1, wherein the resistance along each resistance member is uniform and the connections of the electrodes to a resistance member are equally spaced apart.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The level sensor defined in claim 1, wherein the cross section of the pipe is cylindrical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The level sensor defined in claim 1, wherein the cross section of pipe is rectangular.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The level sensor defined in claim 1, wherein the cross section of the pipe is polygonal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The level sensor of claim 6, wherein the electrodes of each pair are spaced at least ninety degrees apart on a pipe having an external diameter of about three-fourths of an inch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The level sensor of claim 6, wherein the electrodes of each pair are spaced 130 to 180 degrees apart.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The level sensor defined in claim 1, wherein the electrodes protrude from the outer surface of the pipe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The level sensor defined in claim 1, wherein the electrodes are flush mounted on the outer surface of the pipe.
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) | 1982-10-01 | 1983-04-02 | 1983-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-10-01 | 1987-04-02 | 1987-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-10-01 | 1991-04-02 | 1991-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |