US4840137A — Liquid level gauging apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 221 words

An indicator for displaying when the height of a liquid in a vessel reaches a preselected height, said vessel having a wall and said indicator comprising in combination: (a) a cup-like enclosure having a bottom wall comprising prism means having exterior and interior surfaces, the exterior surface of said prism means being conical and being located for immersion in the liquid to be monitored when said liquid reaches said preselected height, (b) a light source, (c) a light-responsive means, and (d) means for mounting said light source and light-responsive means in close juxtaposition adjacent said prism means and in said cup-like enclosure, (e) the interior surface of said prism means having a light-admitting substantially conically-shaped recess which is substantially coaxial with the conical exterior surface of the prism means, said prism means enabling light rays from said light source to pass into the surface of its conically-shaped recess and to be bent, by refraction, to strike the conical exterior surface of the prism means and said prism means enabling reflected rays from said conical exterior surface of the prism means to pass through the surface of said conically-shaped recess and to be thereby bent, by refraction, to strike the said light-responsive means so as to indicate the presence or absence of liquid at the conical exterior surface of said prism means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 221 words

An indicator for displaying when the height of a liquid in a vessel reaches a preselected height, said vessel having a wall and said indicator comprising in combination: (a) a cup-like enclosure having a bottom wall comprising prism means having exterior and interior surfaces, the exterior surface of said prism means being conical and being located for immersion in the liquid to be monitored when said liquid reaches said preselected height, (b) a light source, (c) a light-responsive means, and (d) means for mounting said light source and light-responsive means in close juxtaposition adjacent said prism means and in said cup-like enclosure, (e) the interior surface of said prism means having a light-admitting substantially conically-shaped recess which is substantially coaxial with the conical exterior surface of the prism means, said prism means enabling light rays from said light source to pass into the surface of its conically-shaped recess and to be bent, by refraction, to strike the conical exterior surface of the prism means and said prism means enabling reflected rays from said conical exterior surface of the prism means to pass through the surface of said conically-shaped recess and to be thereby bent, by refraction, to strike the said light-responsive means so as to indicate the presence or absence of liquid at the conical exterior surface of said prism means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 24 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) said light source directs rays of light onto the surface of said conically-shaped recess.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) said prism means has an annular internal trough surrounding said conically-shaped recess.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein: (a) said prism means has an annular external trough surrounding its conical exterior surface.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 34 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1, and further including: (a) electrical connection means extending to the light source for energizing the same, and to the light-responsive means for monitoring the condition thereof.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 41 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) said mounting means comprises a carrier block received in the enclosure through the open end thereof, (b) said carrier block comprising a cradle for said light source and said light-responsive means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 149 words

A liquid indicator for displaying when the height of liquid in a vessel reaches a preselected height, comprising in combination: (a) a light source, (b) light-responsive means, (c) prism means having two ends, one end being conical and located for immersion in the liquid to be measured when the liquid reaches said predetermined height, (d) said prism means having at its other end a conically-shaped recess, and (e) means disposed at said other end of the prism means adjacent the conically-shaped recess thereof, mounting said light source and said light-responsive means in close juxtaposition adjacent said prism means, said prism means enabling light from the source to enter the prism means through one portion of the conically-shaped recess, strike the said conical end, and be refracted therefrom so as to exit from the prism means at another portion of the conically-shaped recess and thereafter strike the said light-responsive means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 149 words

A liquid indicator for displaying when the height of liquid in a vessel reaches a preselected height, comprising in combination: (a) a light source, (b) light-responsive means, (c) prism means having two ends, one end being conical and located for immersion in the liquid to be measured when the liquid reaches said predetermined height, (d) said prism means having at its other end a conically-shaped recess, and (e) means disposed at said other end of the prism means adjacent the conically-shaped recess thereof, mounting said light source and said light-responsive means in close juxtaposition adjacent said prism means, said prism means enabling light from the source to enter the prism means through one portion of the conically-shaped recess, strike the said conical end, and be refracted therefrom so as to exit from the prism means at another portion of the conically-shaped recess and thereafter strike the said light-responsive means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 24 words

The invention as set forth in claim 7, wherein: (a) said prism means has a bore whose opening is disposed in the conically-shaped recess.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 14 words

The invention as set forth in claim 8, wherein: (a) said bore is tapered.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 25 words

The invention as set forth in claim 7, wherein: (a) said prism means has a blind hole whose opening is disposed in said conically-shaped recess.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 191 words

A liquid indicator for displaying when the height of liquid in a vessel reaches a preselected height, comprising in combination: (a) a rigid metal supporting fitting having a substantially cylindrical body portion with external threads by which it can be secured in an aperture in the vessel wall, (b) said body portion having a through bore and a lip at its inner end, (c) prism means of light-conducting material and means mounting the prism means in said body portion adjacent the said lip, said prism means having a substantially conical exterior light-conducting end portion located for immersion in the liquid to be monitored when the liquid reaches said preselected height, (d) a light source and a light-responsive means mounted side by side in and located within the confines of the body portion of the fitting, (e) the conical exterior end portion of the prism means being substantially completely recessed within said lip of the body portion such that the latter protects the prism means from inadvertent damage due to bumping, jarring or contact with other objects during handling, but does not interfere with contact of said prism means by said liquid.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 191 words

A liquid indicator for displaying when the height of liquid in a vessel reaches a preselected height, comprising in combination: (a) a rigid metal supporting fitting having a substantially cylindrical body portion with external threads by which it can be secured in an aperture in the vessel wall, (b) said body portion having a through bore and a lip at its inner end, (c) prism means of light-conducting material and means mounting the prism means in said body portion adjacent the said lip, said prism means having a substantially conical exterior light-conducting end portion located for immersion in the liquid to be monitored when the liquid reaches said preselected height, (d) a light source and a light-responsive means mounted side by side in and located within the confines of the body portion of the fitting, (e) the conical exterior end portion of the prism means being substantially completely recessed within said lip of the body portion such that the latter protects the prism means from inadvertent damage due to bumping, jarring or contact with other objects during handling, but does not interfere with contact of said prism means by said liquid.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 85 words

A liquid indicator for displaying when the height of liquid in a vessel reaches a preselected height, comprising in combination: (a) a cup-shaped, hollow body of material having light-transmitting properties and having a transverse bottom wall comprising a prism means, (b) a light-emitting device and a light-responsive device mounted side by side in said cup-shaped body and in close juxtaposition to the prism means at the bottom wall of the said hollow body, to respectively supply light to and receive light from said prism means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 85 words

A liquid indicator for displaying when the height of liquid in a vessel reaches a preselected height, comprising in combination: (a) a cup-shaped, hollow body of material having light-transmitting properties and having a transverse bottom wall comprising a prism means, (b) a light-emitting device and a light-responsive device mounted side by side in said cup-shaped body and in close juxtaposition to the prism means at the bottom wall of the said hollow body, to respectively supply light to and receive light from said prism means.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention as set forth in claim 12, wherein: (a) the prism means has a recess in the wall facing the light-emitting device and light-responsive device.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 37 words

The invention as set forth in claim 13, wherein: (a) the light-emitting device and light-responsive device are angularly disposed with respect to each other, and (b) the said recess in the prism means has a conically-shaped surface.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 22 words

The invention as set forth in claim 12, wherein: (a) the prism means has means disposed intermediate its ends, for mounting it.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 19 words

The invention as set forth in claim 12, wherein: (a) the said cup-shaped body is molded of light-transmitting plastic.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 145 words

A liquid indicator for displaying when the height of liquid in a vessel reaches a preselected height, said vessel having a vertical side wall, said indicator comprising, in combination: (a) a liquid level sensor carried by said side wall, (b) said sensor comprising a cup-shaped hollow body having its axis substantially perpendicular to said side wall, (c) said hollow body having a transverse bottom wall comprising a prism means, and (d) a light-emitting device and a light-responsive device and means mounting said devices such that they lie wholly within the cup-shaped hollow body, and are mounted in side by side relation therein and in close juxtaposition to said prism means at the transverse bottom wall of the said hollow body, to respectively supply light to and receive light from said prism means thereby to indicate the presence or absence of liquid around the prism means.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 145 words

A liquid indicator for displaying when the height of liquid in a vessel reaches a preselected height, said vessel having a vertical side wall, said indicator comprising, in combination: (a) a liquid level sensor carried by said side wall, (b) said sensor comprising a cup-shaped hollow body having its axis substantially perpendicular to said side wall, (c) said hollow body having a transverse bottom wall comprising a prism means, and (d) a light-emitting device and a light-responsive device and means mounting said devices such that they lie wholly within the cup-shaped hollow body, and are mounted in side by side relation therein and in close juxtaposition to said prism means at the transverse bottom wall of the said hollow body, to respectively supply light to and receive light from said prism means thereby to indicate the presence or absence of liquid around the prism means.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 155 words

A liquid indicator for displaying when the height of liquid in a vessel reaches a preselected height, said indicator comprising in combination: (a) a light source, (b) light-responsive means, (c) prism means having two ends, one end being conical and located for immersion in the liquid to be indicated when the liquid reaches aid preselected height, (d) said prism means having at its other end an annular light-intercepting and scattering trough, and (e) means disposed at said other end of the prism means adjacent the annular trough thereof, mounting said light source and said light-responsive means whereby light from the source can in part be intercepted by said trough and in part can enter central portions of the prism means, said light that enters central portions of the prism means striking the said conical end and being refracted therefrom so as to reversely exit from the prism means and thereafter strike the said light-responsive means.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 155 words

A liquid indicator for displaying when the height of liquid in a vessel reaches a preselected height, said indicator comprising in combination: (a) a light source, (b) light-responsive means, (c) prism means having two ends, one end being conical and located for immersion in the liquid to be indicated when the liquid reaches aid preselected height, (d) said prism means having at its other end an annular light-intercepting and scattering trough, and (e) means disposed at said other end of the prism means adjacent the annular trough thereof, mounting said light source and said light-responsive means whereby light from the source can in part be intercepted by said trough and in part can enter central portions of the prism means, said light that enters central portions of the prism means striking the said conical end and being refracted therefrom so as to reversely exit from the prism means and thereafter strike the said light-responsive means.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 139 words

A liquid indicator for displaying when the height of liquid in a vessel reaches a preselected height, said indicator comprising in combination: (a) a light source, (b) light-responsive means, (c) prism means having two ends, one being conical and located for immersion in the liquid to be indicated when the liquid reaches said preselected height, (d) said prism means having an annular external peripheral trough surrounding said conical end, thereby to inhibit the effects of capillarity of the liquid adjacent said prism means, and (e) means disposed at said other end of the prism means, mounting said light source and said light-responsive means whereby light from the source can enter the prism means and strike the said conical end, and be refracted therefrom so as to reversely exit from the prism means and thereafter strike the said light-responsive means.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 139 words

A liquid indicator for displaying when the height of liquid in a vessel reaches a preselected height, said indicator comprising in combination: (a) a light source, (b) light-responsive means, (c) prism means having two ends, one being conical and located for immersion in the liquid to be indicated when the liquid reaches said preselected height, (d) said prism means having an annular external peripheral trough surrounding said conical end, thereby to inhibit the effects of capillarity of the liquid adjacent said prism means, and (e) means disposed at said other end of the prism means, mounting said light source and said light-responsive means whereby light from the source can enter the prism means and strike the said conical end, and be refracted therefrom so as to reversely exit from the prism means and thereafter strike the said light-responsive means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1992-06-19	1992-12-19	1993-06-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1996-06-19	1996-12-19	1997-06-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2000-06-19	2000-12-19	2001-06-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Liquid level gauging apparatus

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