US4480468A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for measuring and indicating the fluid level in vessels
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-10-28
•
Granted: 1984-11-06
•
Expires: 2001-10-28
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates an apparatus for measuring and indicating the fluid level in a vessel, such as larger LP-gas tubes for household purposes. A pulse device is used for causing the vessel wall to vibrate, for example by causing a striking pin momentarily to thrust against the wall, and for scanning the oscillation frequency of the wall varying with the filling degree of the vessel. A transducer is provided which, for example, is a piezoelectric element abutting the wall. The output signal from the element is passed to a processing unit for evaluating the signal, and the result is passed to an indicator, which may be of the analog or digital type.
Inventors
- 👤 Brajnandan Sinha
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:22
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C13/00; F17C13/02; F17C13/021; G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/296; G01F23/2966; F17C2201/00; F17C2201/01; F17C2201/0104; F17C2201/0109; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/03; F17C2221/032; F17C2221/035; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0146; F17C2223/0153; F17C2223/03; F17C2223/033; F17C2250/00; F17C2250/04; F17C2250/0404; F17C2250/0408; F17C2250/0417
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
An apparatus for measuring and indicating the fluid level in vessels comprising a mechanically operating arrangement or a pulse device for initiating a vibration of the vessel wall, a transducer for sensing the oscillation progress varying both in frequency and amplitude with the degree of filling of the vessel, and a processing unit for evaluating the output signal of the transducer and passing the result to an indicator.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
An apparatus for measuring and indicating the fluid level in vessels comprising a mechanically operating arrangement or a pulse device for initiating a vibration of the vessel wall, a transducer for sensing the oscillation progress varying both in frequency and amplitude with the degree of filling of the vessel, and a processing unit for evaluating the output signal of the transducer and passing the result to an indicator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the pulse device comprises a strike member driven by a releasable pressure, for example a spring-prestressed pin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the pulse device is an electric pulse-driven strike member, for example of piezoelectric, magnetostrictive or electrodynamic type.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transducer comprises an inertia-loaded piezoelectric element for application to the vessel wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the transducer is a micropone for acoustically scanning the vibrations of the vessel wall at a distance therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the pulse device and the transducer have a fixed location close to each other so as to form one unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 6, characterized in that the unit is rigidly attached for stationary co-operation with the vessel wall, preferably the bottom wall of the vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 6, characterized in that the unit is attached separately at the end of a movable handle, for example of pistol shape, for momentary application to the vessel wall in an optional place.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the pulse device, transducer, processing unit and possibly indicator are assembled to one single unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said transducer output signal includes a frequency component and wherein said processing unit evaluates the frequency component.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
SU422967A1
Cited
JPS5689021A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-11-06 | 1988-05-07 | 1988-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-06 | 1992-05-07 | 1992-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-06 | 1996-05-07 | 1996-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |