Remote indicating liquid level sensor

A liquid-level sensor device for use in remotely indicating instantaneous level of liquid in a tank that has an opening adapted for closure at the top portion thereof, said device comprising:

• a first level-responsive subassembly of non-electrical components adapted for mounting to said opening and for suspension from the top portion of the tank and including a float, coacting with means to displace a polarized magnetic element about a vertical axis as a function of sensed liquid level;
• and
• a second electric-component subassembly having magnetic field-sensitive means responsive to an angular position of said magnetic element and adapted to produce an output for remote transmission of a signal from said electrical components;
• said first assembly being adapted for mounting to and closure of said top portion of the tank, said second subassembly having means for mounting the same to said first subassembly at the location of top closure of the tank and within the field of said magnetic element and external to the tank, and cooperating means on said first and second assemblies for retaining a mounting of said subassemblies to each other.

In combination, a tank for liquid containment and having an upper opening, and liquid-level sensor means mounted to said tank and closing said opening;

• said sensor means comprising a first level-responsive subassembly of non-electrical components mounted to said tank and including components extending into and contained within said tank, said non-electrical components including a float for producing mechanical displacement of a magnetic element as a function of sensed liquid level;
• a second subassembly of electrical components having means responsive to the instantaneous displaced position of said magnetic element and adapted to produce an output for remote transmission of a signal from said electrical components;
• and
• cooperating means on said first and second subassemblies for external mounting of said second subassembly to said first subassembly, whereby all electrical components are external to the closure of the tank.

A kit of liquid-level sensor components for assembly to a tank at an opening in the tank, said kit comprising:

• (a) a first level-responsive subassembly of non-electrical components including mounting means adapted for mounting said subassembly to the tank and for closing the opening in the tank, said first subassembly including components which when mounted will extend into and be contained within the tank, said non-electrical components including a float for producing a mechanical displacement of a magnetic element as a function of sensed liquid level;
• and
• (b) a second subassembly of electrical components adapted for mounting to an externally exposed side of said first subassembly and having means responsive to the instantaneous displaced position of said magnetic element and adapted to produce an output for remote transmission of a signal from said electrical components;
• and cooperating means on said subassemblies for mounting the second subassembly to the externally exposed side of said first subassembly.