GB1563781A - Tank mounted level and/or temperature gauge - Google Patents
Tank mounted level and/or temperature gauge Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB1563781A GB1563781A GB1585178A GB1585178A GB1563781A GB 1563781 A GB1563781 A GB 1563781A GB 1585178 A GB1585178 A GB 1585178A GB 1585178 A GB1585178 A GB 1585178A GB 1563781 A GB1563781 A GB 1563781A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- tubular member
- tank
- plugs
- fluid
- gauge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 27
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 210000000746 body region Anatomy 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01K1/00—Details of thermometers not specially adapted for particular types of thermometer
- G01K1/14—Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/02—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by gauge glasses or other apparatus involving a window or transparent tube for directly observing the level to be measured or the level of a liquid column in free communication with the main body of the liquid
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Level Indicators Using A Float (AREA)
- Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)
Description
(54) TANK MOUNTED LEVEL AND/OR TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
(71) We, UCC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, a British Company, of P.O. Box 3, Thetford,
Norfolk IP24 3RT, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a device for fitting to a tank, e.g. of metal, to allow external observation of the level or presence of fluid in the tank and/or the temperature of the fluid thereon.
Broadly stated, the invention provides a device for allowing external observation of the level and/or temperature of fluid in a tank, comprising first and second metal bolt members arranged for projection into the tank via through holes in the tank wall, a transparent tubular member arranged for attachment by means of the bolt members against the outer face of the tank wall and having an internal cavity defined between the inner ends of first and second plastics plug members fluid-tightly engaging respective ends of the tubular member, the head of each bolt member being moulded into a respective plug member and having an axial bore adapted to communicate the interior of the tank with the internal cavity via a passageway in the plug.
Preferably each plug has a head conforming to and arranged to fit within an end region of the tubular member, portions of the head defining a circumferential groove for a first elastomeric sealing ring adapted for fluid-tight engagement with the internal sidewall of the tubular member to prevent egress of fluid from the internal cavity. There is preferably also provided a second elastomeric sealing ring surrounding each bolt member for providing a fluid-tight seal between the tank wall and the respective plug member. An advantage of the present arrangement is that the fluid tightness of the seal between the bolt members and the plug members is not critical since the elastomeric sealing washers surround the bolt members and provide an adequate fluid-tight seal between the tank wall and the respective plug member. Each plug member is preferably a snap fit in the tubular member.There may also be provided a metal cover conforming to the shape of the tubular member and having a viewing window positioned to allow observation of the internal cavity.
In another aspect, the invention provides a tank to which has been fitted one or more of the devices described herein.
Other preferred features of the invention are defined in the appended claims to which attention is hereby directed:
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a view of a fluid level gauge in longitudinal section; and
Figure 2 is a view of a fluid level gauge in transverse section along the line A-A of
Figure 1.
The drawings illustrate a fluid level gauge for fitting to a planar wall region of a tank to indicate the level of liquid in the tank and optionally to enable the temperature of the liquid to be measured. The gauge includes an elongate tubular member 2 of transparent plastics material, the profile thereof being indicated in Figure 2. It will be seen that the member has a generally planar rear face 2 which in use is directed towards the tank wall, an arcuate front face 22 which is narrower than the rear face 21 and is spaced therefrom, and outwardly convergent side faces 23 and 24. In use, the fluid level is visible through the front face 22 which acts as a viewing lens. The profile shown in Figure 2 is convenient from a manufacturing standpoint and gives an at tractive appearance to the gauge, but other profiles may be adopted without departing from the invention.
First and second end plugs 1 and 1A are snap fitted to either end of the tubular member 2. They are injection moulded in a suitable rigid plastics material such as nylon and at the time of moulding, steel inserts 8 and 8A are moulded into them. Each plug has a head which conforms to and fits into the internal passage in the tubular member 2, an end region of the head being formed with a circumferential groove in which sits elastomeric sealing rings 4, 4A, which engage the internal surface of the tubular member. Also formed on the heads of the plugs 1, it are snap fitting 13 and 13a lugs positioned outwardly of the sealing rings 4 and 4A and arranged to snap into suitably positioned slots 14 formed in the inner and outer faces 21 and 22 of the tubular member to either end thereof.It will be noted that fluid within the tubular member 2 is prevented from flowing past the sealing rings 4, 4A through the slots 14.
The heads of the plugs 1, 1A are bounded by outwardly projecting flanges or shoulders 12, 12A which conform to the external shape of the tubular member 2 and abut the end faces thereof.
Metal inserts 8, 8A are, as stated above, moulded into the plugs 1, 1A in a body region thereof and are permanently retained in position within the plugs by means of outwardly projecting circumferential flanges 16 at their front ends. The body regions of the plugs 1, 1 A terminate in rear faces which are disposed relatively to the inner wall 21 of the tubular member 2 and inner flanges 25 and 26 of a metal shroud 6 (described later) so that in the assembled gauge the seals are retained and the rear face of the metal shroud 6 is held clear of the outer face of the tank wall, thus permitting limited distortion of the tank wall without affecting the satisfactory installation of the gauge.
Threaded stud portions of the steel inserts 8, 8A project rearwardly from the rear face of plugs 1, 1A and carry respective fixing nuts 7, 7A and rubber sealing washers 3 and 3a which in use form a seal between the sidewall of the tank and the rear face of the respective plugs to prevent escape of liquid from the tank. The inserts are formed with axial bores 9, 9A opening to their rear end faces and also opening within the body region of the plug to their front end faces, which are in fluid communication with longitudinal passages 10, 10A opening to the inner end faces of the plugs 1, 1A.A cavity in the central portion of the tubular member 2 is defined between the inner ends of the plugs 1, 1A and a flow path for fluid through the gauge is accordingly provided by the transversely directed axial bores in the inserts 8, 8A, the longi tudinal passages 10, 10A in the plugs 1, 1A and by the cavity 11.
Within the cavity 11 may be positioned a panel or plate 5 which may carry level indicating marks and/or a thermometer as shown in Figure 2 (but not Figure 1 which shows the plate 5 in end view only).
A shroud 6 of metal, e.g. extruded aluminium, fits about the front surface 22 and side surfaces 23 and 24 of the tubular body 2 over which it may be slidingly fitted and is retained by inwardly directed side flanges 25, 26 which locate against the rear surface 21 of the tubular body. As is apparent from Figure 1, outer regions of the plugs 1, 1A are shaped to conform to the end profile of the shroud 6 and butt against the end surfaces thereof to give the assembled gauge a smooth appearance. The shroud is formed with a window which overlies part of the front face 22 of the tubular member 2 and enables the cavity 11 to be seen from the outside of the tank.
The fluid level gauge is easy to assemble.
By virtue of elastomeric seals and the snapfitting plugs, the need for sealing and retaining adhesives is eliminated. Careful design of sealing grooves also provides components which can be assembled together into a fluid level and/or temperature gauge according to the invention in which there are reliable fluid seals and the need for individual testing is eliminated. It is compact, is manufactured from few components and has a reduced tendency to develop leaks in service. The fluid level gauge is easy to install. In particular, it has the advantage that the customer can be supplied with the gauge as a single factory assembled component and all he has to do is fit it to the tank using the nuts and washers provided.
Two appropriately vertically spaced holes are drilled in a suitable flat sidewall region of the tank, after which the threaded portions of the inserts 8, 8A are passed through the holes with the rubber washers 3 in position thereon as shown in Figure 1, after which the nuts 7, 7A are threaded on and tightened. Advantageously the inserts 8, 8A are provided with shoulders 17, 17A which are engageable with the outer face of the tank sidewall to prevent over-tightening of the nuts 7, 7A. The gauge is compact, is manufactured from few components and has a reduced tendency to develop leaks in service.
WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
1. A device for allowing external observation of the level and/or temperature of fluid in a tank, comprising first and second metal bolt members arranged for projection into the tank via through holes in the tank
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.
Claims (8)
1. A device for allowing external observation of the level and/or temperature of fluid in a tank, comprising first and second metal bolt members arranged for projection into the tank via through holes in the tank
wall, a transparent tubular member arranged for attachment by means of the bolt members against the outer face of the tank wall and having an internal cavity defined between the inner ends of first and second plastics plug members fluid-tightly engaging respective ends of the tubular member, the head of each bolt member being moulded into a respective plug member and having an axial bore adapted to communicate the interior of the tank with the internal cavity via a passageway in the plug.
2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein each plug has a head conforming to and arranged to fit within an end region of the tubular member, portions of the head defining a circumferential groove for a first elastomeric sealing ring adapted for fluidtight engagement with the internal sidewall of the tubular member to prevent egress of fluid from the internal cavity.
3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second elastomeric sealing ring washer surrounding each bolt member for providing a fluid-tight seal between the tank wall and the respective plug member.
4. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein each plug member is a snap fit in the tubular member.
5. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a metal cover conforming to the shape of the tubular member and having a viewing window positioned to allow observation of the internal cavity.
6. A device according to Claim 5, wherein faces of the plug member adjacent with the tank wall are disposed relatively to the corresponding faces of the tubular member and the metal cover such that the tubular member and metal cover are supported in closely spaced parallel relationship to the tank wall.
7. A device for allowing external observation of the level and/or temperature of fluid in a tank, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
8. A tank fitted with one or more devices as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1585178A GB1563781A (en) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-04-21 | Tank mounted level and/or temperature gauge |
| DE19787821350 DE7821350U1 (en) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-07-17 | Device for observing the level and / or the temperature of a liquid in a tank from the outside |
| IT3600278U IT7836002V0 (en) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-07-26 | TEMPERATURE AND / OR LEVEL METER FOR TANKS |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1585178A GB1563781A (en) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-04-21 | Tank mounted level and/or temperature gauge |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB1563781A true GB1563781A (en) | 1980-04-02 |
Family
ID=10066678
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1585178A Expired GB1563781A (en) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-04-21 | Tank mounted level and/or temperature gauge |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| DE (1) | DE7821350U1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1563781A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT7836002V0 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3843920A1 (en) * | 1988-12-24 | 1990-06-28 | Draegerwerk Ag | TEST CONTAINER FOR GAS MEASURING AND DETECTING DEVICES |
| DE102019001310A1 (en) | 2019-02-23 | 2020-08-27 | Hydac Accessories Gmbh | Device for displaying a fluid level |
| DE102021002969A1 (en) | 2021-06-10 | 2022-12-15 | Hydac Accessories Gmbh | Device for indicating a fluid level |
-
1978
- 1978-04-21 GB GB1585178A patent/GB1563781A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-07-17 DE DE19787821350 patent/DE7821350U1/en not_active Expired
- 1978-07-26 IT IT3600278U patent/IT7836002V0/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE7821350U1 (en) | 1978-11-02 |
| IT7836002V0 (en) | 1978-07-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS | Patent sealed | ||
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |