FR2622690A1 - System of monitoring signals and for automatically adjusting the volume of a fluid contained in so-called communicating vessel levels - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for monitoring and automatically adjusting the volume of a fluid contained in so-called communicating vessel apparatuses, whether they are closed or open, and comprising various electrical systems as well as systems for calibrating the liquid. In this type of level, when the apparatus contains an excessive apparent volume of the liquid, or an apparent lack of the same liquid, two signals 11 light up or are extinguished simultaneously. A system for calibrating the volume makes a correction. The object of the invention consists in using pairs of lights which are lit up or extinguished in order to drive, after processing of their currents, an electric motor 13 and its reducing gear 12, acting using a screw 5 on the piston in its cylinder 4, in order to absorb or release the liquid in the circuit. Certain phenomena of inertia of the liquid and electrical phenomena cause, when the screws and the blocks 6, 7 are flush, which corresponds to the desired horizontality, infinite movements to be created alternately, which have the result of making the warning lights flash. This system makes it easy to find level points, as well as in stationary installations, monitoring the stability of works of art, even at great distances.

Description

 The present invention relates to a system for automatically controlling and adjusting the volume of a fluid contained in so-called communicating vessels, whether closed or open, and comprising various electrical control systems.

 A similar control and adjustment technique is described in patent LEGRIS.MN "79.23276 but optically and manually. When in the device there is too much liquid, for various reasons, the members at the same level are bulged and close switches by contacts allowing the illumination of two indicator lights, conversely just as when there is a lack of liquid, the members at the same level are hollow and open the switches allowing the indicator lights to go out. two indicator lights, illuminated or off, allow you to know when to remove or add liquid to the device's circuit using a calibration system. When the device approaches the desired level, a little at below or a little above, the indicators light up or go out from one to the other on a very short movement but the device does not have a precise signal to indicate the level point sought.

 The need to manually and permanently adjust the device and to have to assess the level sought requires the user to learn while having a certain ambiguity.

 The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks. The invention, as characterized in the claims, solves the problems of using a small electric motor with possibly a reduction gear to actuate the screw itself acting on the positions of a flexible or metallic membrane associated with a third reservoir , a piston in its cylinder, a micro-pump associated with a third tank closed by a membrane is ..., these serving to modify the apparent volume of the liquid contained in said devices. The signals, two indicator lights or two lights off, constitute two electrical signals allowing after treatment, to drive the electric motor in one direction or the other. When the two tanks are at the same level and for reasons that , when one warning light comes on and the other goes off and vice versa, there is necessarily for a fraction of a second an instant when the two warning lights are on or off and constitute signals acting on the motor, this added to the phenomenon of inertia of the liquid create rapid hesitation movements of the contact switches, indicator lights, motor and calibration device of the device thus causing the indicator lights to flash, thus constituting the optical signal of the level. A third indicator light can be added and illuminate that when the engine is energized then on the level point the three indicators each flash in turn.

 The advantages of the present invention essentially consist in this, that it is possible to use the said devices without any adjustment or control manipulation before or during use, and that the voltages taken at the terminals of the indicator lights can in this case be used to control in addition to accessories such as screwdrivers of nuts at the same level as described in patent LEGRIS.MN 83.04618, the voltages alternately created by the movements of hesitation of the system are then suppressed by electronic circuits Associated with a clock for its periodic power-up, this type of device and its automation can perhaps be fixed on structures to check their stability, when the lights indicate a change, they trigger by associated and known means of optical and audible alarms, radio waves picked up by receivers or radio-telephone systems, etc., and in all weather conditions orological. Likewise, good sealing of these elements allows the device to operate under water.

 Figures 1 and 2 of the board \ 2 take up the idea of a level seen in section with an electrical control as described in patent LEGRIS.M NO 79.23276, Figure 1 represents the fixed enclosure and Figure 2 the enclosure mobile. 1 pipe containing a liquid or mercury, 2 tanks, 3 flexible membranes, 4 cylinder plus piston, 5 screws acting on the movements of the piston, 6 and 7 are the screws and pads connected to the electrical circuit and acting as microswitches, 8 batteries, 9 switches, 10 electronic circuit and its components, 11 indicator lights, 12 speed reducer, 13 electric motor, 14 connection of the protective pipe 15 and the wiring 16.

 Figures 1,2,3,4,5 of plate 2/2 very schematically represent the various positions of the membranes and of the contact switches during manipulations of the device.

In the position of FIG. 1, the couple of the two illuminated lights pilot the motor in a direction such that the piston or any other calibration system removes liquid. In the position of FIG. 2, the couple of two extinct warning lights pilot the motor in a direction such that the piston or any other calibration system adds liquid. In the positions Figures 3 and 4, a single illuminated indicator indicates that one is either above or below the desired level, the motor receives no impulse. In Figure 5, the movements are hesitant and alternative.

 FIG. 6 of plate 2/2 shows by way of example an electronic circuit making it possible to control an electric motor 13, and by making it rotate in one direction or the other using the voltages of the indicator lights or the absence of voltage of these same indicators. This circuit uses relays with double reversers.

 Figure 7 of the board 2/2, represents the second parts of the two relays and are used to open or close circuits on an indicator light when the motor is energized.

According to the invention and for fixed installations, to control the stability of a civil engineering structure, this type of level and its means of automatic controls and adjustments can be associated with clock systems for periodic power-ups of the device, the signals can be audible,
optics, radios, radio-telephones, telephones, telex ect ..., according to known methods.

 This control and adjustment system associated with certain types of levels, can be used for the search for precised horizontals, 40u5 / 10mm at points 50m apart.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS:  1. Instrument operating substantially according to the principles of communicating vessels, comprising:  - A sealed circuit filled with mercury or any other liquid consisting of a flexible pipe (1) with a diameter depending on the liquid used connecting the two reservoirs (2) of small capacity, possibly two flexible membranes (3), the volume of each reservoir (2) being optionally limited by a respective membrane of each membrane (3).  - Means for electrical control of the horizontal level actuated by said flexible membranes (3) or directly on the surface of the liquid.  - Taring systems allowing the adjustment of the apparent volume of the liquid contained, of the cylinder type (4) communicating with said circuit (1 and 2) in which slides a piston (4) or all other taring systems of the reservoir type plus actuated membrane or of the manual micro-pump type connecting said circuit (1 and 2) to a third reservoir closed by a membrane or other expandable elements. said instrument being characterized in that it further comprises a system for controlling the calibration means consisting of an electric motor (13) possibly associated with a speed reducer (12), a screw (5) , said motor (13) being driven in one direction or the other by electric currents themselves tripped originally by the two contact switches (6 and 7 twice) closed or the same two switches open and a electronic circuit enabling this function (10).  2. Instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the main elements allowing the control (12,13 5,10,6 and 7 twice) create, the membranes (3) being on the ms, me horizontality, movements alternating, light and endless membranes and all the assembly as well as the flashing of the indicators, and that it thus includes a system of signal precis points of horizontal levels sought.  3. Instrument according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises a third indicator (11) which lights up when the motor (13) is energized.  4. Instrument according to claims 1,2 and 3, characterized in that it further comprises an electronic circuit suppressing the electrical signals caused by (6 and 7 twice) when these are alternating, or hesitant.  5. Instrument according to claims 1,2,3 and 4, characterized in that it comprises, in fixed installations, means of audible, peptic alarms, by emission-reception  radio, radiotelephone, telephone, telex ... waves triggered by signals from said instrument other than those indicating horizontality.  6. Instrument according to any one of claims characterized in that it comprises means sealing said device in order to be used underwater.