US4553434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Capacitive level gauge
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
•
Filing: 1983-08-19
•
Granted: 1985-11-19
•
Expires: 2003-08-19
Abstract
Abstract An improved sectionalized capacitive level gauge is provided. A screen member having appropriate openings therein is positioned between a set of sectionalized first members and a second member of a capacitive level gauge.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaas Spaargaren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/26; G01F23/263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for use in measuring the level of a fluid in a container, said apparatus comprising: first means adapted for capacitive measurements and having a plurality of individual sections with each of said sections having a predetermined size; second means adapted for capacitive measurements, said first and second means being adapted to be positioned in a fluid at a predetermined distance from one another; and a screen positioned between said first and second means having openings therein proximate said sections of said first means to define areas of transmission between said sections and said second means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for use in measuring the level of a fluid in a container, said apparatus comprising: first means adapted for capacitive measurements and having a plurality of individual sections with each of said sections having a predetermined size; second means adapted for capacitive measurements, said first and second means being adapted to be positioned in a fluid at a predetermined distance from one another; and a screen positioned between said first and second means having openings therein proximate said sections of said first means to define areas of transmission between said sections and said second means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said openings are staggered with respect to one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said screen is made of metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the height of said openings is in the range of 8-80 millimeters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said openings are circular.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said openings are rectangular.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of individual sections comprises at least one wire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said wire is insulated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said insulation is Teflon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said second means is a pick-up plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said pick-up plate consists of at least one wire.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said screen is made of Invar.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2963908A
Cited
US3343415A
Cited
US3349301A
Cited
US3911744A
Cited
US3935739A
Cited
US4003259A
Cited
US4178623A
Cited
US4389900A
Cited
DE2951849A1
Cited
US4418571A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-18 | 1989-05-20 | 1989-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-18 | 1993-05-20 | 1993-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-18 | 1997-05-20 | 1997-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |