Apparatus and methods for analyzing fluids

Claim 1

Apparatus for sensing the top level of a fluid in a container, comprising the combination of: an open container made of nonconductive material for holding an ionized fluid whose top level in the container is to be sensed, a chassis having a flat conductive surface disposed below the container and supporting the container thereon, probe means having one end adapted to be moved into and out of the open top of the container under the control of mechanical means, said probe including means for transferring the fluid from said container to a testing station for analysis, electrical conductor means at said one end of the probe, the cross-sectional area of said one end of the probe being small relative to the area of said flat conductive surface on which the container is supported and small relative to said container, a source of a.c. signals, means for coupling said conductor means at said one end of the probe to receive a.c. signals from said source of a.c. signals, an electrical ground associated with said source of a.c. signals, means for connecting said conductive surface of the chassis to said electrical ground, said conductor means on the probe and said chassis defining a capacitor means and the magnitude of the capacitance changing from one value to a larger value when the probe end is first brought into contact with ionized fluid in the container, impedance means including said capacitor means adapted to undergo a threshold signal change when the conductor means on the probe contacts fluid in the container, and circuit means coupled to said impedance means for producing a control signal to said threshold signal change.