Fluid gauging apparatus using magnetostrictive sensor and stick gauge
AssigneeSimmonds Precision Products, Inc.
InventorsDavid Henry Crowne, Lisa Brackenbury Maurice, Frederick Lloyd Lichtenfels, II, Kip Joseph Freeman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
057238701 Apparatus for detecting fluid level in a container, comprises a housing adapted to be disposed in the container; a float with an associated magnetic element, the float position corresponding to fluid level in the container; a magnetostrictive sensor disposed inside the housing; and a stick gauge disposed inside the housing; the magnetostrictive sensor and the stick gauge each being operable to determine the float position.
Claims34
Apparatus for detecting fluid level in a container, comprising:
- a housing adapted to be disposed in the container;
- a float with an associated magnetic element, said housing being a floatation guide for the float, with the float position corresponding to fluid level in the container;
- a magnetostrictive sensor disposed inside the housing;
- and a stick gauge disposed inside the housing;
- the magnetostrictive sensor and the stick gauge being individually operable with the float to determine the position thereof.
An integral fluid level detection apparatus disposed in a housing that is disposed in a fluid tank and having a magnetic float associated therewith the housing being a floatation guide for the float, with the position of the float corresponding to the fluid level, the apparatus comprising:
- a magnetostrictive sensor that can be installed in the housing through an opening in the tank, and a stick gauge that can be releasably retained in the housing by the magnetostrictive sensor;
- the sensor and stick gauge each being operable to determine the float position.
An integral fluid level detection apparatus disposed in a housing installed in a fluid tank and having a magnetic float associated therewith such that the housing is a floatation guide for the float with the position of the float corresponding to the fluid level, the apparatus comprising:
- an electrically readable sensor assembly disposed in the housing through an opening in the tank, and a stick gauge retained in the housing by the sensor;
- the sensor and stick gauge each being operable to determine the float position.
A gauging apparatus for measuring liquid quantity in a container comprising:
- a housing disposed in the container;
- a magnetic float that is guided by the housing and has a position that corresponds to fluid level in the container;
- a stick gauge disposed in the housing and that can be manually and at least partially withdrawn from the container and housing to obtain a visual reading of the liquid quantity by detecting position of the float;
- a sensor disposed in said housing that produces an output related to the liquid quantity by detecting position of the float;
- the sensor engaging the stick gauge when both are fully disposed within the housing;
- and gauging means for receiving the sensor output to determine liquid quantity in the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.