Liquid level sender with adjustable counterweight
AssigneeTexas LFP, LLC
InventorHerbert G. Ross, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A liquid level sending unit for indicating liquid level within a container includes a mounting base adapted for mounting on a wall of a container, a support member extending from the mounting base, a float arm pivotally mounted to the support member about a pivot axis, a float connected to the float arm on one side of the pivot axis, a first counterweight located on one side of the pivot axis, and a second adjustable counterweight located on an opposite side of the pivot axis. The second counterweight is adjusted along a length of the float arm until a predetermined buoyancy weight of the float is achieved for a particular liquid to be measured.
Claims18
A liquid level sending unit for indicating liquid level within a container, comprising:
- a mounting base adapted for mounting on a wall of a container;
- a support member extending from the mounting base;
- a float arm pivotally mounted to the support member about a pivot axis;
- a float connected to the float arm for pivoting movement therewith;
- a first counterweight connected to the float arm;
- and
- a second counterweight connected to the float arm, the second counterweight being adjustable along the float arm to either increase or decrease a distance between the pivot axis and the second counterweight to thereby vary a buoyancy weight of the float for a particular liquid to be measured.
A liquid level sending unit for indicating liquid level within a container, comprising:
- a mounting base adapted for mounting on a wall of a container;
- a gauge head connected to one side of the mounting base;
- a support member extending from the opposite side of the mounting base;
- a float arm pivotally mounted to the support member about a pivot axis, the float arm being operably connected to the gauge head for indicating liquid level within a container;
- a float connected to the float arm on one side of the pivot axis;
- a first counterweight connected to the float arm on an opposite side of the pivot axis for counterbalancing the float;
- a second counterweight connected to the float arm between the pivot axis and the float, the second counterweight being adjustable along the float arm to thereby vary a buoyancy weight of the float for a particular liquid to be measured, the second counterweight comprising:
- a first coupler having a first bore extending therethrough for slidably receiving the float arm, the first bore including an internally threaded portion and a step;
- a second coupler having an externally threaded projection for engaging the internally threaded portion and a second bore extending therethrough for slidably receiving the float arm;
- and
- a collar located between a face of the projection and the step;
- wherein the collar is wedged against the float arm when the couplers are tightened together to thereby fix the first and second couplers at a location on the float arm based on a predetermined buoyancy weight of the float.
A method of assembling a liquid level sending unit for use in a tank, the method comprising:
- selecting a float arm of a predetermined length for a particular tank size;
- pivotally connecting the float arm to a support member about a pivot axis, the support member being adapted to extend into the tank;
- connecting a first counterweight to the float arm;
- connecting a second counterweight to the float arm;
- selecting a float corresponding to a particular liquid to be measured;
- installing the float on the float arm;
- determining a buoyancy weight of the float;
- and
- moving the second counterweight along the float arm until the buoyancy weight of the float is attained.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.