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US 6,802,218 B2Granted
Flexible level detection apparatus
AssigneeAmetek, Inc.
InventorKrupal Patel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A level detection apparatus includes a wave guide or discrete sensors mounted in an outer flexible housing. A weight is attached to a distal end of the outer housing. A biasing spring is coupled to the opposite end of the outer housing for exerting a force on the outer housing to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the outer housing to maintain the weight in close proximity to the bottom surface of an enclosure in which the apparatus is mounted.
Claims38
A level detection apparatus for material in an enclosure having a bottom comprising:
- wave guide means having first and second opposed ends;
- biasing means coupled to the first end of the wave guide means for exerting a biasing force on the wave guide means to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the wave guide means;
- means adapted for fixedly mounting the biasing means to the enclosure;
- and
- a weight coupled to the second end of the wave guide means for stationarily fixing the second end of the wave guide means relative to the bottom of the enclosure.
2 more elements
A level detection apparatus for material in an enclosure having a bottom comprising:
- a wave guide mounted in an inner housing having first and second opposed ends;
- transducer means, coupled to one end of the wave guide, for transmitting signals on the wave guide and for receiving response signals from the wave guide useful in determining the surface level of material through which the wave guide extends;
- an outer flexible housing having first and second ends;
- the second end of the inner housing fixed to the outer housing;
- biasing means coupled to the first end of the outer housing for exerting a constant biasing force on the outer housing to accommodate thermal expansion movement of the outer housing;
- means for fixedly mounting the biasing means, the fixedly mounting means further comprising:
- a coupling mountable on an enclosure cover and having a through bore for receiving the outer tube therethrough;
- a plurality of support rods mounted in the coupling and extending outward from the coupling, and mounting means for receiving opposite ends of the support rods, the mounting means carrying a coil portion of the biasing means;
- and a weight coupled to the second end of the outer tube for stationarily fixing the second end of the outer housing to a bottom of an enclosure.
6 more elements
A level detection apparatus for material in an enclosure having a bottom comprising:
- a wave guide mounted in an inner housing having first and second opposed ends, the wave guide including:
- a magnetostrictive wire extending through the inner housing;
- and
- transducer means, coupled to one end of the wave guide, for transmitting signals on the wave guide and for receiving response signals from the wave guide useful in determining the surface level of material through which the wave guide extends;
- an outer flexible housing having first and second ends;
- the second end of the inner housing fixed to the outer housing;
- biasing means coupled to the first end of the outer housing for exerting a constant biasing force on the outer housing to accommodate thermal expansion movement of the outer housing;
- means for fixedly mounting the biasing means, the fixedly mounting means:
- a coupling mountable on an enclosure cover and having a through bore for receiving the outer tube therethrough;
- a plurality of support rods mounted in the coupling and extending outward from the coupling;
- mounting means for receiving opposite ends of the support rods, the mounting means carrying a coil portion of the biasing means;
- and
- a weight coupled to the second end of the outer tube for stationarily fixing the second end of the outer housing to a bottom of the enclosure, the weight including:
- a through bore extending through the weight for receiving the second end of the outer housing therethrough;
- and
- a mounting pin mountable in the bore in the weight and through the second end of the outer housing for coupling the weight and the outer housing.
13 more elements
A level detection apparatus for material in an enclosure having a bottom comprising:
- sensor means having first and second opposed ends;
- biasing means coupled to the first end of the sensor means for exerting a biasing force on the sensor means to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the sensor means;
- means adapted for fixedly mounting the biasing means on the enclosure;
- and
- a weight coupled to the second end of the sensor means for stationarily fixing the second end of the sensor means relative to the bottom of the enclosure.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.