Fluid level measuring device

The device for measuring the level of a fluid in a container comprising:

• a frame assembly having a first arm and a second arm, said first and second arms configured to move from a first folded position to a second expanded position;
• a probe element supported between said first arm and said second arm;
• said probe element having a sensing portion between said arms when said arms are in said second expanded position;
• said sensing portion configured to have a length in contact with said fluid;
• an electrical circuit connected to said probe element;
• said probe element and said circuit forming a capacitor having a capacitance which is a function of said length of said probe that is in contact with said fluid;
• said circuit configured to produce an output signal as a function of said capacitance;
• said frame assembly comprising a mounting hub pivotally supporting said first and second arms and configured to engage said container;
• and
• said mounting hub comprising an annular threaded rim configured to rotationally engage a correspondingly threaded aperture in said container.

A device for measuring the level of a fluid in a container comprising:

• a frame assembly having a first arm and a second arm, said first and second arms configured to move from a first folded position to a second expanded position;
• a probe element supported between said first arm and said second arm;
• said probe element having a sensing portion between said arms when said arms are in said second expanded position;
• said sensing portion configured to have a length in contact with said fluid;
• an electrical circuit connected to said probe element;
• said probe element and said circuit forming a capacitor having a capacitance which is a function of said length of said probe that is in contact with said fluid;
• said circuit configured to produce an output signal as a function of said capacitance;
• and
• said frame assembly comprising a releasable locking bar configured to extend between said first and second arms and to hold said first and said second arms in said second expanded position.

A device for measuring the level of a fluid in a container comprising:

• a frame assembly having a first arm and a second arm, said first and second arms configured to move from a first folded position to a second expanded position;
• a probe element supported between said first arm and said second arm;
• said probe element having a sensing portion between said arms when said arms are in said second expanded position;
• said sensing portion configured to have a length in contact with said fluid;
• an electrical circuit connected to said probe element;
• said probe element and said circuit forming a capacitor having a capacitance which is a function of said length of said probe that is in contact with said fluid;
• said circuit configured to produce an output signal as a function of said capacitance;
• and
• said probe element comprising a first sensing portion extending between said first and second arms, a second sensing portion extending generally perpendicular to said first sensing portion, and a cable tie between said first sensing portion and said second sensing portion.

A device for measuring the level of a fluid in a container comprising:

• a frame assembly having a first arm and a second arm, said first and second arms configured to move from a first folded position to a second expanded position;
• a probe element supported between said first arm and said second arm;
• said probe element having a sensing portion between said arms when said arms are in said second expanded position;
• said sensing portion configured to have a length in contact with said fluid;
• an electrical circuit connected to said probe element;
• said probe element and said circuit forming a capacitor having a capacitance which is a function of said length of said probe that is in contact with said fluid;
• said circuit configured to produce an output signal as a function of said capacitance;
• said frame assembly comprising a mounting hub pivotally supporting said first and second arms and configured to engage said container;
• and
• said hub comprising an alignment mechanism for orientating said first and second arms in a vertical plane within said container.