GB1323723A - Apparatus for volume capactiy determination - Google Patents

Abstract

1323723 Measuring volume UZINA DE UTILAJ CHIMIC "GRIVITA ROSIE" 15 July 1970 [22 July 1969] 34401/70 Heading G4H [Also in Division G1] The volumetric capacity of a container is measured using a plurality of feelers each at a different level in the container, one of the feelers being shown in Fig. 1, each feeler having a metallic rustless portion of 1 with a lower surface area S carrying a pin 5 with a lower surface area s (s ½ S) (covered with lacquer or an electrically insulating coating) such that, when the surface s of one of the feelers engages the liquid a first signal is applied to a control circuit and when the surface S engages the liquid a second signal is applied. In the described embodiment in which a domed cistern is filled with water from standard gauge vessels 17, 20 (Fig. 3), water in the cistern enters a housing 6, having a supporting tube 3 of insulating material carrying the feelers 1, through holes in the base of the housing. Initially a screw 12 is adjusted to determine the vertical orientation of the supporting tube 3 within the housing, an indicator 16 moving over a scale 11 as the screw is turned. The horizontal position is effected using a level 15. A level indicator tube 21 is connected to the vessel 20 by a valve 33, a scale 22 being positioned adjacent the tube 21. Initially the vessels 17 are emptied into the system via hand controlled valves 29, the system being subsequently filled from vessel 20 through valves 30, 32 and valve 31. A manually positioned selector switch 29 is connected to the output conductor from one of the feelers, the output from the switch 29 being connected to a rectifier 35 also receiving an AC signal from transformer 34. When the tip of the feeler is in contact with the water a current of 5 mA flows in the primary circuit of the rectifier to energize a relay A which results in (1) contacts a 1 closing to light a lamp 37 and sound a warning 38 and (2) contacts a 2 closing to energize a further relay C and hence close valve 32 so that flow to the cistern from vessel 20 is reduced to a low rate. When the larger base surface of the feeler contacts the water a current of 50 mA flows in the rectifier circuit resulting in a relay B being energized to (1) close valve 33 to maintain the liquid level in tube 21, (2) give an indication via lamp 41 and sound warning 42 to an operator to read the liquid level off scale 22 and (3) de-energize relay A so that the fluid flow to the cistern is brought back to its fast flow rate. The operator then moves selector switch 29 to connect the next feeler into circuit and the process is repeated.