Patent US4787407A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4787407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for the detection of the fluid level in a tank being filled
Assignee: Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
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Filing: 1987-08-07
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Granted: 1988-11-29
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Expires: 2007-08-07
Abstract
Abstract Acoustic signals are transmitted through the fluid flow of a fuel delivery pump to a tank to be filled. From reflection signals the fluid level in the tank is detected and a timely disconnection of the pump can be effected in order to prevent fuel losses.
Inventors
- 👤 Johannes A. Vogel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/296; G01F23/2965; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/908; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0324; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for detecting fluid level in a tank or storage container being filled, the fluid level being detected at a distance in front of the opening of a filling means, wherein an acoustic signal is passed from a transmitter through the fluid flow in the filling means and from the filling means to the fluid in the tank or storage container being filled, wherein an echo signal resulting from the reflection of the transmitted acoustic signal at the fluid surface in the tank or storage container is passed back through the fluid flow from the filling means and into the filling means to a receiver, thereby enabling the fluid level in the tank or storage container to be detected.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for detecting fluid level in a tank or storage container being filled, the fluid level being detected at a distance in front of the opening of a filling means, wherein an acoustic signal is passed from a transmitter through the fluid flow in the filling means and from the filling means to the fluid in the tank or storage container being filled, wherein an echo signal resulting from the reflection of the transmitted acoustic signal at the fluid surface in the tank or storage container is passed back through the fluid flow from the filling means and into the filling means to a receiver, thereby enabling the fluid level in the tank or storage container to be detected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid flow from the filling means is interrupted as soon as a certain fluid level is reached in the tank or storage container being filled.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the acoustic signal is an ultrasonic signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the transmitted acoustic signals are coupled with the fluid flow inside the filling means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the transmitted acoustic signals are coupled in the fluid flow from the filling means via a mirror.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the transmitted acoustic signals are coupled with the fluid flow in the outlet of the filling means directed towards the tank or storage container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the central axis of the acoustic beam coincides with the central axis of the fluid flow from the filling means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as claim in claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmitted acoustic signals are coupled with the fluid flow inside the filling means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the central axis of the acoustic beam coincides with the central axis of the fluid flow from the filling means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmitted acoustic signals are coupled in the fluid flow from the filling means via a mirror.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the central axis of the acoustic beam coincides with the central axis of the fluid flow from the filling means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmitted acoustic signals are coupled with the fluid flow in the outlet of the filling means directed towards the tank or storage container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the central axis of the acoustic beam coincides with the central axis of the fluid flow from the filling means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the central axis of the acoustic beam coincides with the central axis of the fluid flow from the filling means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus for detecting the fluid level in a tank or storage container being filled, the fluid level being detected at a distance in front of the opening of a filling means, comprising an acoustic transmitter and a receiver, means for passing acoustic signals through the fluid flow in the filling means and from the filling means to and from the fluid surface in the tank or storage container being filled, and means for detecting the fluid level in the tank or storage container being filled form the acoustic signals passed back from the fluid surface in the tank or storage container through the fluid flow from the filling means and into the filling means to the receiver.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus for detecting the fluid level in a tank or storage container being filled, the fluid level being detected at a distance in front of the opening of a filling means, comprising an acoustic transmitter and a receiver, means for passing acoustic signals through the fluid flow in the filling means and from the filling means to and from the fluid surface in the tank or storage container being filled, and means for detecting the fluid level in the tank or storage container being filled form the acoustic signals passed back from the fluid surface in the tank or storage container through the fluid flow from the filling means and into the filling means to the receiver.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein means are provided for interrupting the fluid flow from the filling means as soon as a certain fluid level is reached in the storage container.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the acoustic transmitter and the acoustic receiver are ultrasonic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are fitted inside the filling means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a housing provided with a piezoelectric acoustic transducer, as well as a filling fluid inlet and a filling fluid outlet, the incoming fluid being passed through the acoustic beam with the aid of a circular means fitted in the housing and a flow smoothing means fitted in the housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are fitted in the outlet of the filling means directed towards the tank or storage container.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, further comprising a housing provided with a piezoelectric acoustic transducer, as well as a filling fluid inlet and a filling fluid outlet, the incoming fluid being passed through the acoustic beam with the aid of a circular means fitted in the housing and a flow smoothing means fitted in the housing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10, further comprising an mirror for coupling the acoustic signals with the filling fluid flow.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a housing provided with a piezoelectric acoustic transducer, as well as a filling fluid inlet and a filling fluid outlet, the incoming fluid being passed through the acoustic beam with the aid of a circular means fitted in the housing and a flow smoothing means fitted in the housing.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
61 words
The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15-17, further comprising a housing, provided with a piezoelectric acoustic transducer, as well as a filling fluid inlet and a filling fluid outlet, the incoming fluid being passed through the acoustic beam with the aid of a circulator means fitted in the housing and a flow smoothing means fitted in the housing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the housing, the circulator means and the flow smoothing means are cylindrical.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the central axis of the acoustic beam coincides with the central axis of the fluid flow from the filling means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the outlet is tapered.
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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) | 1991-11-29 | 1992-05-30 | 1992-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-29 | 1996-05-30 | 1996-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-29 | 2000-05-30 | 2000-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |