US 8,261,769 B1Granted

Fluid level controller

AssigneeDelaware Capital Formation, Inc.

InventorAmy C. Stephens

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A controller and method of using same are disclosed. Preferably, the controller includes a pilot cartridge housing supporting an invertible pilot cartridge assembly (“cartridge”). The cartridge preferably includes a cartridge body supporting a number of pneumatic seals adjacent the housing, wherein at least two of the seals are diaphragms. The cartridge preferably provides a first pilot activation feature and an opposing second pilot activation feature. The operating mode of the cartridge is determined by a selected orientation of the first pilot activation feature relative to the housing; and preferably the method of operating the controller includes the steps of: selecting an orientation of the first pilot activation feature relative to the housing; setting a span control mechanism to a neutral position relative to the housing; adjusting a float communicating with the cartridge to a neutral position; and adjusting said span control mechanism to determine a response type of said cartridge.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A fluid level controller comprising:

a cartridge housing;
an invertible pilot cartridge supported by said cartridge housing, in which said cartridge comprising a cartridge body supporting a plurality of seals, wherein said seals communicate with said cartridge housing to pneumatically isolate said cartridge from said cartridge housing, wherein said cartridge is separate and distinct from and secured within said housing;
a span control mechanism secured to a proximal end of said cartridge and extending beyond the confines of said housing;
a float communicating with said cartridge and adjusted to a neutral position relative to said cartridge housing;
and
a control signal provided by said cartridge in response to a movement by said float, wherein said control signal is a direct control signal when said cartridge is secured for operation within said housing and said span control mechanism secured to said cartridge extends beyond the confines of said housing in a first direction, and further wherein said control signal is an indirect control signal when said cartridge is inverted and secured for operation within said housing such that said span control mechanism extends beyond the confines of said housing in a second and opposite direction from said first direction.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/897,570Filed 4 Oct 2010 · division
Priority: 27 Jul 2006
Granted: 11 Sep 2012
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

G05D 9/12
Level control, e.g. controlling quantity of material stored in vessel: characterised by the use of electric means
Y10T 137/053
Valve or valve element assembling, disassembling, or replacing: float valve
Y10T 137/5109
Fluid handling: convertible
Y10T 137/5196
Convertible: unit orientable in a single location between plural positions