US4915507A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid average temperature measuring apparatus and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-11-17
•
Granted: 1990-04-10
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Expires: 2008-11-17
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for measuring the temperature of liquid in a tank is disclosed. This apparatus comprises a plurality of temperature sensors spaced apart so that each temperature sensor senses the temperature of a predetermined volume fraction of the liquid in the tank; and a data processor associated with the temperature sensors and acting to process the temperature determined by each of the sensors to determine the volume weighted average temperature of the liquid in the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis J. Janotta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/32; G01M3/3236; G01M3/3245
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for determining a volume weighted average temperature of liquid in a tank comprising: a plurality of temperature sensors spaced apart such that each temperature sensor senses a temperature in a different predetermined volume fraction of the liquid in said tank; and means associated with said plurality of temperature sensors and acting to process the temperature sensed by each of said plurality of temperature sensors to determine a volume weighted average temperature of the liquid in said tank, said volume weighted average temperature equal to the sum of each of said sensed temperatures multiplied by the predetermined volume fraction to which each of said sensed temperatures pertains.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for determining a volume weighted average temperature of liquid in a tank comprising: a plurality of temperature sensors spaced apart such that each temperature sensor senses a temperature in a different predetermined volume fraction of the liquid in said tank; and means associated with said plurality of temperature sensors and acting to process the temperature sensed by each of said plurality of temperature sensors to determine a volume weighted average temperature of the liquid in said tank, said volume weighted average temperature equal to the sum of each of said sensed temperatures multiplied by the predetermined volume fraction to which each of said sensed temperatures pertains.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said predetermined volume fractions is substantially equal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each said temperature sensor is located at the center of said predetermined volume fraction the temperature of which is to be sensed by said temperature sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said temperature sensor is located at the center of said predetermined volume fraction the temperature of which is to be sensed by said temperature sensor.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for determining a volume weighted average temperature of liquid in a tank comprising: placing a plurality of temperature sensors in said tank so that each said temperature sensor is capable of sensing a temperature in a different predetermined volume fraction of said liquid in said tank; sensing a temperature with each of said plurality of temperature sensors; and processing said sensed temperatures to determine a volume weighted average temperature of said liquid in said tank, said volume weighted average temperature equal to the sum of each of said sensed temperatures multiplied by the predetermined volume fraction to which each of said sensed temperatures pertains.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for determining a volume weighted average temperature of liquid in a tank comprising: placing a plurality of temperature sensors in said tank so that each said temperature sensor is capable of sensing a temperature in a different predetermined volume fraction of said liquid in said tank; sensing a temperature with each of said plurality of temperature sensors; and processing said sensed temperatures to determine a volume weighted average temperature of said liquid in said tank, said volume weighted average temperature equal to the sum of each of said sensed temperatures multiplied by the predetermined volume fraction to which each of said sensed temperatures pertains.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein each of said predetermined volume fractions is substantially equal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 6 wherein each said temperature sensor is placed at the center of said predetermined volume fraction the temperature of which is to be sensed by said temperature sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6 which further comprises filling substantially the entire volume of said tank with said liquid prior to said sensing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 3 wherein each said temperature sensor is placed at the center of said predetermined volume fraction the temperature of which is to be sensed by said temperature sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 which further comprises filling substantially the entire volume of said tank with said liquid prior to said sensing.
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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) | 1993-04-09 | 1993-10-09 | 1994-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-09 | 1997-10-09 | 1998-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-09 | 2001-10-09 | 2002-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |