US4384410A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Precision hydrostatic levelling system
Assignee: DRM INDUSTRIES Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1981-07-27
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Granted: 1983-05-24
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Expires: 2001-07-27
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a hydrostatic leveling system including a pair of indicator heads connected by a liquid hose for equilizing static pressure in the liquid mercury pools of the indicator heads and a gas hose for equalizing the gas or vapor pressure within the heads above the pools of mercury. Each head is a float connected to the stem of a precision measuring gauge with graduations on the order of ten-thousandths of an inch. The indicator heads have identical structures and thus when they are resting on a level surface they may be reversed in location without change in gauge indicator reading; any difference in the reading is a measure of out-of-level condition. The space for the pool is sealed with a very flexible diaphragm between the float and the wall of the pool cavity. A plunger in the cavity is operated by a solenoid in the cavity to periodically thump the float to reduce tendency to stick due to surface tension, friction and hysteresis. A timer and power supply for the solenoids is located in a control box coupled to the fluid hose which has a metal conductor running therethrough for one conductor to the solenoid and the other conductor is provided by the mercury in the hose.
Inventors
- 👤 Dwayne R. Melugin
- 👤 Bernard B. Karstens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C5/00; G01C5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A hydrostatic leveling system comprising, a first liquid container, a second liquid container, a liquid conduit connecting said containers, a body of liquid filling said containers and conduit, a float in each of said containers, a displacement measuring device arranged with each said container to measure the displacement of said float relative to the bottom of said container, and electro-mechanical means in said container for controllably imparting a motion to said float.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A hydrostatic leveling system comprising, a first liquid container, a second liquid container, a liquid conduit connecting said containers, a body of liquid filling said containers and conduit, a float in each of said containers, a displacement measuring device arranged with each said container to measure the displacement of said float relative to the bottom of said container, and electro-mechanical means in said container for controllably imparting a motion to said float.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including means for restraining said float to permit only substantially vertical movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including a vapor-tight hose connecting said first and second containers at their upper portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said electro-mechanical means includes an electro-magnet in said float and a movable element arranged to be displaced upon energization of said magnet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein each said container has a conductive housing and means for electrically insulating said liquid from said conductive housing and said system further includes control means for producing an electric current to energize said magnet and means for providing a first and second conductive path from said control means to said body of liquid and to the conductive housing of each of said containers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 further including means for restraining said float to permit only substantially vertical movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
A hydrostatic leveling system comprising, a first liquid container, a second liquid container, a flexible liquid conduit connecting said containers, a body of liquid filling said containers and conduit, a displacement measuring device arranged with each said container to measure the displacement of the surface of said liquid relative to the bottom of said container, a vapor-tight hose connecting said first and second containers near the upper portions thereof, respective means for sealing said liquid in each said container located above the connection point of said vapor-tight hose, and means for momentarily effecting the displacement of the surface of said liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
A hydrostatic leveling system comprising, a first liquid container, a second liquid container, a flexible liquid conduit connecting said containers, a body of liquid filling said containers and conduit, a displacement measuring device arranged with each said container to measure the displacement of the surface of said liquid relative to the bottom of said container, a vapor-tight hose connecting said first and second containers near the upper portions thereof, respective means for sealing said liquid in each said container located above the connection point of said vapor-tight hose, and means for momentarily effecting the displacement of the surface of said liquid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said displacement measuring device includes a float and electro-mechanical means for controllably imparting a vertical motion to said float.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said electro-mechanical means includes an electro-magnet in said float and a movable element arranged to be displaced upon energization of said magnet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for sealing said liquid comprises a vapor-tight substantially non-rigid diaphragm extending between each said float and its respective container wall to seal said liquid and its vapor in said containers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
109 words
A hydrostatic leveling system comprising, a first liquid container, a second liquid container, a flexible liquid conduit connecting said containers, a body of liquid filling said containers and conduit, a float in each of said containers, means for restraining said float to permit only substantially vertical movement, a displacement measuring device arranged with each said container to measure the displacement of said float relative to the bottom of said container, a vapor-tight, flexible diaphragm extending between each said float and its respective container wall to seal said liquid and vapor therefrom in said containers, and electro-mechanical means in said container for controllably imparting a vertical motion to said float.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
A hydrostatic leveling system comprising, a first liquid container, a second liquid container, a flexible liquid conduit connecting said containers, a body of liquid filling said containers and conduit, a float in each of said containers, means for restraining said float to permit only substantially vertical movement, a displacement measuring device arranged with each said container to measure the displacement of said float relative to the bottom of said container, a vapor-tight, flexible diaphragm extending between each said float and its respective container wall to seal said liquid and vapor therefrom in said containers, and electro-mechanical means in said container for controllably imparting a vertical motion to said float.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 11 further including a vapor-tight hose connecting said first and second containers at their upper portions below said diaphragm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said electro-mechanical means includes an electro-magnet in said float and a movable element arranged to be displaced upon energization of said magnet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said displacement measuring device comprises a needle indicator displacement gauge.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
107 words
A hydrostatic leveling system comprising, a first liquid container, a second liquid container, a flexible liquid conduit connecting said containers, a body of liquid filling said containers and conduit, a float in each of said containers, means for restraining said float to permit only substantially vertical movement, a displacement measuring device arranged with each said container to measure the displacement of said float relative to the bottom of said container, and a vapor-tight, flexible diaphragm extending between each said float and its respective container wall to seal said liquid and vapor therefrom in said containers, and means in said container for imparting a motion to said float.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
107 words
A hydrostatic leveling system comprising, a first liquid container, a second liquid container, a flexible liquid conduit connecting said containers, a body of liquid filling said containers and conduit, a float in each of said containers, means for restraining said float to permit only substantially vertical movement, a displacement measuring device arranged with each said container to measure the displacement of said float relative to the bottom of said container, and a vapor-tight, flexible diaphragm extending between each said float and its respective container wall to seal said liquid and vapor therefrom in said containers, and means in said container for imparting a motion to said float.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said means for restraining said float includes a downwardly extending cylindrical projection on said float.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said displacement measuring device comprises a needle indicator precision displacement gauge.
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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) | 1986-05-23 | 1986-11-22 | 1987-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-23 | 1990-11-22 | 1991-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-23 | 1994-11-22 | 1995-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |