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US4969749A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for measurement of average temperature change in a storage tank
Assignee: DOVER/HASSTECH ACQUISITON Inc
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Filing: 1988-11-10
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Granted: 1990-11-13
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Expires: 2008-11-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for measurement of average temperature change in the liquid in a storage tank. A series connected plurality of discrete, temperature sensitive elements, at predetermined spacings in the liquid provide a direct output reading representing average temperature change of the entire volume of liquid in the tank. The invention also includes the method for measuring the average temperature change of the liquid in the storage tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Detlev E. M. Hasselmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/32; G01M3/3236; G01M3/3245; G01K; G01K3/00; G01K3/02; G01K3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for determining average temperature or average temperature change in the liquid in a storage tank, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of discrete temperature sensitive resistance sensor elements; means to position said sensor elements in predetermined generally vertically spaced relationships, each said sensor element being positioned about at a different center of equal liquid volume in the tank; indicator means located externally of the tank; a source of electrical power; and means for connecting said sensor elements together in electrical series and for connecting said sensor elements, said indicator means and said power source together to form a circuit for directly detecting and indicating average temperature or average temperature change over predetermined periods of time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for determining average temperature or average temperature change in the liquid in a storage tank, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of discrete temperature sensitive resistance sensor elements; means to position said sensor elements in predetermined generally vertically spaced relationships, each said sensor element being positioned about at a different center of equal liquid volume in the tank; indicator means located externally of the tank; a source of electrical power; and means for connecting said sensor elements together in electrical series and for connecting said sensor elements, said indicator means and said power source together to form a circuit for directly detecting and indicating average temperature or average temperature change over predetermined periods of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said means for locating said sensor elements comprises an elongated member vertically oriented in the tank, said sensor elements being mounted to said elongated member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said indicator means comprises a microprocessor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said indicator means comprises an electrical meter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises electrical wires connected between said power source, said indicator means and said sensor elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor elements are thermistors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said means for locating comprises a generally rigid member.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for directly determining average temperature or average temperature change in the liquid in a storage tank, said method comprising the steps of: positioning a plurality of electrically series connected discrete temperature sensitive resistance elements within the tank at predetermined generally vertically spaced locations, each about at a different center of equal liquid volume in the tank; applying a source of power to the elements; measuring the difference in the combined output of the elements over a predetermined period of time; and indicating the difference in combined output of the elements over said predetermined period of time.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for directly determining average temperature or average temperature change in the liquid in a storage tank, said method comprising the steps of: positioning a plurality of electrically series connected discrete temperature sensitive resistance elements within the tank at predetermined generally vertically spaced locations, each about at a different center of equal liquid volume in the tank; applying a source of power to the elements; measuring the difference in the combined output of the elements over a predetermined period of time; and indicating the difference in combined output of the elements over said predetermined period of time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method recited in claim 8, wherein said temperature sensitive elements are thermistors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 9, wherein the output of said thermistors is a measure of the total resistance at any one time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method recited in claim 8, and comprising the further step of calculating the difference in temperature indicated by the difference in outputs of the elements over said predetermined period of time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method recited in claim 8, and comprising the further step of calculating the volumetric difference of the liquid in the storage tank resulting from the temperature differential detected over said predetermined period of time.
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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) | 1993-11-12 | 1994-05-14 | 1994-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-12 | 1998-05-14 | 1998-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-12 | 2002-05-14 | 2002-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |