Liquid detector

For detecting the presence, on a first liquid body of a second liquid body in a predetermined amount, said second liquid having a specific gravity less than that of the first liquid, a liquid detector comprising:

• a. a detecting float normally floating on the first liquid body surface at a predetermined level in the absence of the second liquid,
• b. an external float, floating on the first liquid body surface, and surrounding and vertically movable relative to the detecting float, said detecting and external floats being adapted to sink relative to the second liquid body surface upon contact of the second liquid with said external float when the second liquid is present on the first liquid,
• c. means on the detecting float extending a first predetermined amount above the first liquid body surface for permitting an ingress into said detecting float of at least said second liquid when the detecting float has sunk more than said first predetermined amount with respect to the second liquid body surface upon contact by said external float with the second liquid,
• d. said detecting float being such that contact therewith by said second liquid will change its mass and cause it to sink with respect to said external float,
• e. the external float having a liquid port formed thereon at a second predetermined location below the first liquid body surface for permitting controlled introduction of said first and second liquids into contact with said means permitting ingress,
• f. said external float therefore prevents said second liquid from entering said port until said second liquid is present on said first liquid in excess of said second predetermined amount which is dependent on the distance said port is located below the first liquid body surface, when said above condition occurs said second liquid will pass through said port into contact with said detecting float via said means permitting ingress,
• g. means mounted on said external and said detecting floats for cooperatively producing a signal by detecting a movement of the detecting float in excess of a given distance vertically relative to the external float.