Level gage
AssigneeJogler, Inc.
InventorJeffrey M. Skinner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wave guide probe for use with direct-read tank level gages to provide electric signal output is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a translucent tube, a wave guide probe, and an electronics assembly. The translucent tube is for containing a fluid interface. The wave guide probe is positioned in the translucent tube. The electronics assembly is operably associated with the wave guide probe for actuating the wave guide probe and producing an electrical output signal representative of a location of the fluid interface in the translucent tube. The apparatus provides both electronic and optical level indications and is well suited for tank applications.
Claims7
Apparatus comprising
- a translucent tube for containing a fluid interface,
- a wave guide probe positioned in the translucent tube, and
- an electronics assembly operably associated with the wave guide probe for actuating the wave guide probe and producing an electrical output signal representative of a location of the fluid interface in the translucent tube,
- wherein
- the wave guide probe comprises
- a nonmagnetic outer tube, and
- a magnetostrictive wire axially positioned in the outer tube,
- said apparatus further comprising
- a magnetic annularly shaped fluid-interface-seeking float riding on the nonmagnetic outer tube and positioned in the annulus between the nonmagnetic outer tube and the translucent tube.
A method
- for providing a tank having a sight glass level gage with an electrical output signal representative of a fluid level in said tank said method comprising
- providing a tank having a sight glass level gage mounted on a side of said tank,
- said sight glass level gage comprising a generally vertically positioned translucent tube having an upper end and a lower end, a lower flow path means connecting a lower end of the tube with an interior of the tank, and an upper flow path means connecting an upper end of the tube with the interior of the tank, said upper flow path means and said lower flow path means and said translucent tube being positioned so that a fluid interface in the translucent tube is representative of a fluid level in said tank, said method comprising positioning a wave guide probe in the translucent tube, and
- providing an electronics assembly operably associated with the wave guide probe for actuating the wave guide probe and producing an electrical output signal representative of a location of the fluid interface in the translucent tube,
- wherein
- the wave guide probe comprises a nonmagnetic outer tube and
- a magnetostrictive wire axially positioned in the outer tube,
- an annulus being formed between the wave guide probe and the translucent tube,
- said method further comprising
- positioning a magnetic annularly shaped fluid-interface-seeking float in the annulus between the nonmagnetic outer tube and the translucent tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.