US4730650A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for determining the fluid level in a container and container having such a device
Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
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Filing: 1986-10-31
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Granted: 1988-03-15
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Expires: 2006-10-31
Abstract
Abstract In a device for detecting filling level of liquid in a container, a protective tube (6) extends over a membrane (5) which can be placed in vibration by an electromechanical transducer (4). In this way, bubbles which rise in the liquid cannot reach the membrane and induce a false measurement of low filling level.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus Ziegler
- 👤 Reiner Liebl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/296; G01F23/2966; G01F23/2967; G01F23/2968; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A device for detecting a filling level of fluid in a container, comprising a membrane; means for holding said membrane within said container with one side of said membrane facing the fluid to be measured; an electromechanical transducer disposed within said holding means contiguous the side of the membrane opposite said one side for placing the membrane in vibration, which vibration is damped by contact of the membrane with the fluid; and wherein said holding means includes a protective tube encircling said membrane and extending beyond the membrane towards the fluid to be measured.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A device for detecting a filling level of fluid in a container, comprising a membrane; means for holding said membrane within said container with one side of said membrane facing the fluid to be measured; an electromechanical transducer disposed within said holding means contiguous the side of the membrane opposite said one side for placing the membrane in vibration, which vibration is damped by contact of the membrane with the fluid; and wherein said holding means includes a protective tube encircling said membrane and extending beyond the membrane towards the fluid to be measured.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the protective tube has on its inner side a run-off bevel which extends with a slope to an outer end of said tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device according to claim 2, wherein said protective tube is provided on its inner side with a conical widening which widens in a direction away from said membrane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein, said protective tube has at least one opening at its uppermost point in its installed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the protective tube is formed as a half-shell which, in its installed position, is open at the top and towards the front of said device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
A unitary construction of a container and fluid-level measuring device for a fluid contained in the container, wherein the container comprises a side wall and a tube extending from said side wall inwardly of the container; and wherein said device is supported within an extension of said tube and comprises a membrane with one side facing the fluid to be measured; and an electromechanical transducer disposed on the opposite side of the membrane for placing the membrane in vibration, which vibration is damped by contact of the membrane with the fluid; and wherein said tube extends beyond the membrane of the device, thereby forming a protective tube for the membrane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
A unitary construction of a container and fluid-level measuring device for a fluid contained in the container, wherein the container comprises a side wall and a tube extending from said side wall inwardly of the container; and wherein said device is supported within an extension of said tube and comprises a membrane with one side facing the fluid to be measured; and an electromechanical transducer disposed on the opposite side of the membrane for placing the membrane in vibration, which vibration is damped by contact of the membrane with the fluid; and wherein said tube extends beyond the membrane of the device, thereby forming a protective tube for the membrane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A construction according to claim 6, wherein said transducer is a piezoelectric element in contact with said membrane.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
71 words
A device for detecting a filling level of fluid in a container, comprising: a membrane with one side facing the fluid to be measured; an electromechanical transducer disposed on the opposite side of the membrane for placing the membrane in vibration; the plane of said membrane is disposed in vertical direction; and a protective tube in which said membrane is disposed extends beyond the membrane towards the fluid to be measured.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
71 words
A device for detecting a filling level of fluid in a container, comprising: a membrane with one side facing the fluid to be measured; an electromechanical transducer disposed on the opposite side of the membrane for placing the membrane in vibration; the plane of said membrane is disposed in vertical direction; and a protective tube in which said membrane is disposed extends beyond the membrane towards the fluid to be measured.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4417232A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-15 | 1991-09-14 | 1992-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-15 | 1995-09-14 | 1996-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-15 | 1999-09-14 | 2000-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |