Apparatus for determining fluid level and fluid density
AssigneeMTS Systems Corporation
InventorsDavid S. Nyce, Jacob Tellerman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A density measuring device having a float with a marker provided therein that is connected by a pair of springs to each of the two supports which are on opposite sides of the float along a guide. A sonic waveguide arrangement is provided extending along this guide past at least one of the supports which can measure the relative positions of the float to thereby determine the effective buoyant force on the float and so the density of the fluid in which the float is submerged. Use of a further float permits determining fluid levels.
Claims21
An apparatus capable of determining fluid level and fluid density in which at least portions thereof are submerged, said apparatus comprising:
- a first float means submergible in said fluid and having a first position marker means provided therewith, said first float means being provided along a guide means between a first pair of support means;
- a first pair of axial translational force means each having a pair of ends and each being capable of being extended or contracted in length between said ends along a primary axis thereof to an extent depending on magnitudes of axial forces exerted therebetween, said first pair of axial translational force means each having one said end thereof connected to said first float means and each having that remaining said end thereof connected to a different one of said first pair of support means;
- a position determination means extending at least in part along said guide means past one of said first pair of support means, said position determination means being capable of measuring relative positions of said first marker means between said first pair of support means;
- and
- a second float means for providing an output signal indicative of a level of said fluid within a container, said second float means being at least partially exposed outside said fluid within said container and having a second position marker means provided therewith, said position determination means being capable of measuring the position of said second position marker means within said container.
An apparatus capable of determining fluid level and fluid density in which at least portions thereof are submerged, said apparatus comprising:
- a first float means submergible in said fluid and having a first position marker means provided therewith, said first float means being provided along a guide means with said guide means and said first float means having a compliant member attached therebetween so that said first float means can be moved under buoyant force relative to said guide means;
- a second float means at least partially exposed outside said fluid within a container and having a second position marker means provided therewith, said second float means provided along said guide means with said second float means position indicative of fluid level;
- and
- a position determination means extending at least in part along said guide means for determining positions of said first position marker means and said second position marker means, said position determination means including a computing means for providing representing at least one of said fluid density and said fluid level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.