Patent US3563986A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6423213B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous level measurement for grease separator
Assignee: Josam Co
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Filing: 2000-07-28
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Granted: 2002-07-23
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Expires: 2020-07-28
Abstract
Abstract An automatic draw-off grease interceptor 10 includes a separation tank 12 defining a chamber 40. An inlet 24 delivers an effluent stream of grease and water into the chamber which separates into a thicken layer of grease atop a water layer. A pump 70 is included for pumping grease from the chamber when the grease has reached a predetermined level 120 . A conductive probe 90 extends vertically in the separation tank 12 from a location above the upper surface of the effluent to a location below the predetermined level 120. An R/C oscillator circuit 112 continuously measures the amount of water in the chamber by measuring the capacitance between the probe and a wall of the tank. A controller 116 actuates the pump in response to the R/C oscillator circuit measuring a capacitance corresponding to an amount of water in the tank when the grease layer reaches the predetermined level.
Inventors
- 👤 Niel Mazurek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:43
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D9/00; G05D9/12; B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/005; B01D17/02; B01D17/0208; B01D17/0211; B01D17/0214; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/40; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/26; G01F23/263; G01F23/266; G01F23/268; C02F1/008; C02F1/02; C02F2103/00; C02F2103/32; C02F2209/00; C02F2209/02; C02F2209/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
An automatic draw-off grease interceptor for removing grease from an effluent stream containing grease and water, comprising: a grease/water separation tank defining a separation chamber; an effluent inlet connected with said separation tank for permitting flow of the effluent stream into said separation chamber to form a body of effluent in said separation chamber, the body of effluent having an upper surface; a pump adapted to pump grease from the body of effluent in said separation chamber upon a thickened layer of grease in said tank reaching a predetermined level; a grease depth level sensor comprising an elongated conductive probe extending generally vertically in said separation tank from a location above the upper surface of the body of effluent to a location below said predetermined level; a measuring means adapted to continuously measure the amount of water in the body of effluent by measuring the capacitance between the probe and a wall of the separation tank as the thickness of a layer of grease in the tank varies; and control means adapted to actuate the pump in response to said measuring means measuring a capacitance corresponding to an amount of water in said tank when said thickened layer of grease reaches said predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
An automatic draw-off grease interceptor for removing grease from an effluent stream containing grease and water, comprising: a grease/water separation tank defining a separation chamber; an effluent inlet connected with said separation tank for permitting flow of the effluent stream into said separation chamber to form a body of effluent in said separation chamber, the body of effluent having an upper surface; a pump adapted to pump grease from the body of effluent in said separation chamber upon a thickened layer of grease in said tank reaching a predetermined level; a grease depth level sensor comprising an elongated conductive probe extending generally vertically in said separation tank from a location above the upper surface of the body of effluent to a location below said predetermined level; a measuring means adapted to continuously measure the amount of water in the body of effluent by measuring the capacitance between the probe and a wall of the separation tank as the thickness of a layer of grease in the tank varies; and control means adapted to actuate the pump in response to said measuring means measuring a capacitance corresponding to an amount of water in said tank when said thickened layer of grease reaches said predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An interceptor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conductive probe comprises a metal member within an electrically insulating sleeve, said metal member being electrically connected with said measuring means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An interceptor as set forth in claim 2 wherein said measuring means comprises an R/C oscillator circuit and said control means is responsive to said oscillator circuit to control said pump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
An interceptor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a controller having a non-volatile memory and an equation of frequency versus water level that is valid for substantially all points along the length of said probe, and said controller is operative to compare the sensed capacitance with values stored in its memory, and on the basis of said comparison, determine whether the amount of grease in said separation tank is sufficient to actuate said pump.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An interceptor as set forth in claim 4 wherein said controller comprises means to account for buildup of materials on said sensor during the lifetime of said interceptor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 2005-07-22 | 2006-01-21 | 2006-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-22 | 2010-01-21 | 2010-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-22 | 2014-01-21 | 2014-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |