US4397183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for detecting level changes in distance
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1981-04-06
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Granted: 1983-08-09
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Expires: 2001-04-06
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus useful in detecting changes in distance comprises: a signal emitter capable of emitting a substantially constant signal; a signal reflector capable of reflecting at least a portion of the substantially constant signal and being moveable in a substantially straight line direction toward or away from the emitter; and a signal receiver capable of receiving the reflected signal, whereby a change in the received signal is indicative of a change in the distance between the emitter and reflector. This apparatus is particularly useful in detecting changes in the amount of liquid in a liquid storage tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Edmund W. Ballou
- 👤 Frederick L. Voelz
- 👤 Thomas A. Collins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/30; G01F23/64; G01F23/68; G01F23/686; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/32; G01M3/3236; G01M3/3245; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S250/00; Y10S250/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
An apparatus useful in detecting changes in the amount of liquid in a liquid storage tank comprising: a. signal emitting means capable of emitting a substantially constant signal; b. support means associated with said signal emitting means and acting to hold said signal emitting means substantially stationary; c. signal reflecting means associated with support means, said signal reflecting means being located at least partially within a float means which is connected to said support means, said float means being located at least partially in said liquid, said signal reflecting means reflecting at least a portion of said substantially constant signal from said signal emitting means to produce a reflected signal, said signal reflecting means being movably secured to said support means and being moveable in a substantially straight line direction toward or away from said signal emitting means in response to changes in the amount of liquid in said storage tank; and d. signal receiving means capable of receiving a portion of said reflected signal from said signal reflecting means, said signal receiving means being substantially stationary with respect to said signal emitting means, whereby a change in said signal received by said signal receiving means is indicative of a change in the amount of liquid in said storage tank.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
210 words
An apparatus useful in detecting changes in the amount of liquid in a liquid storage tank comprising: a. signal emitting means capable of emitting a substantially constant signal; b. support means associated with said signal emitting means and acting to hold said signal emitting means substantially stationary; c. signal reflecting means associated with support means, said signal reflecting means being located at least partially within a float means which is connected to said support means, said float means being located at least partially in said liquid, said signal reflecting means reflecting at least a portion of said substantially constant signal from said signal emitting means to produce a reflected signal, said signal reflecting means being movably secured to said support means and being moveable in a substantially straight line direction toward or away from said signal emitting means in response to changes in the amount of liquid in said storage tank; and d. signal receiving means capable of receiving a portion of said reflected signal from said signal reflecting means, said signal receiving means being substantially stationary with respect to said signal emitting means, whereby a change in said signal received by said signal receiving means is indicative of a change in the amount of liquid in said storage tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said substantially constant signal comprises light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said substantially constant signal comprises infra red light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said signal emitting means and said signal receiving means both include fiber optic transmission means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises monitoring means associated with said signal receiving means and being capable of acting to monitor changes in said reflected signal received by said signal receiving means.
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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) | 1986-08-08 | 1987-02-07 | 1987-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-08 | 1991-02-07 | 1991-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-08 | 1995-02-07 | 1995-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |