GB1590751A

GB1590751A - Liquid level sensing device

Info

Publication number: GB1590751A
Application number: GB523377A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Seeling C E F
Current assignee: Seeling C E F
Priority date: 1977-11-30
Filing date: 1977-11-30
Publication date: 1981-06-10

Description

(54) LIQUID LEVEL SENSING DEVICE (71) I, CHARLES EDWARD FRANCIS SEELING, a British subject of 114 Dewsbury Road, Gomersal, Nr. Leeds, Yorkshire, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a Patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates. to liquid level sensing devices, and to systems incorporating such devices, particularly but not exclusively, for use in domestic premises.

According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid level sensing device comprising a housing into which liquid may pass, and means movable within said housing any by said liquid between lower and upper limits of travel, said means comprising a buoyant ball carrying a mettalic probe, and a sleeve in which said probe is slidable, said sleeve including means defining said upper limit of travel, said probe through the means defining said upper limit of travel causing actuation of an audio, visual or audio/visual alarm device when said probe contacts said means defining the upper limit of travel.

The housing will be in the form of an openended tubular member composed of a noncorrosive material such as a synthetic plastics material.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawing the single figure of which is a longitudinal sectional elevation through a device according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the device according to the invention comprises a tubular housing 102 preferably composed of a synthetic plastics material for example a rigid polythene. Movable within the housing 102, within upper and lower limits as defined by a central member 104 and diametrically opposed spigots 106 respectively, is a lightweight plastics ball 108. A table tennis or ping pong ball has been found to be admirably suitable. Located above the ball 108 is a member 110 which carries a probe 112, the member 110 and probe 112 being movable with the ball 108 as will be hereinafter explained.

As will be seen from the drawing, the probe 112 is connected, via an electrical conductor wire 114 to a screw 116 used to secure a suction member 118 to the housing 102. The screw 116 is connected, by means of a wire 120 to an audio, visual, or audio/visual alarm device.

The central member 104 which as will be seen is tubular, is supported from a radial arm 122 by means of a screw 124 which by means of a wire 126 is connected to a source of electric power, such as a battery (not shown) through the intermediary of a switch, (not shown). The wires 120 and 126 pass outwardly through the housing 102 by means of a hole 128. The shank 124A of the screw 124 is located within the member 104 and as well as defining the upper limit of travel of said probe provides an electrical contact for the probe 112 when this moved upwardly through distance "X" upon upward movement of the ball 108.

The distance "X" may be adjusted by varying the inward projection of the spigots 106.

In operation, the device is attached by means of the suction member 118 to the inside of a container (not shown) such as a bath to be charged with liquid, and the switch is moved to its active position. Liquid is then admitted to the container and will subsequently rise within the housing 102. Such rising of the liquid will cause upward movement of the ball 108 and hence the probe 112 and when the ball and probe have passed through distance "X", the probe 112 will contact shank 1 24A so as to complete the electrical circuit and activate the alarm device, so as to indicate that the liquid has reached the desired level.

It will be appreciated that the device may be positioned at any desired height in the container so as to adjust the desired liquid level.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A liquid level sensing device comprising a housing into which liquid may pass, and means movable within said housing and by said liquid between lower and upper limits of travel, said means comprising a buoyant ball carrying a metallic probe, and a sleeve in which said probe is slidable, said sleeve including means defining said upper limit of travel, said probe through the means defining said upper limit of travel causing actuation of an audio, visual or audio/ visual alarm device when said probe contacts said means defining the upper limit of travel.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said housing is an open ended tubular member

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

(54) LIQUID LEVEL SENSING DEVICE (71) I, CHARLES EDWARD FRANCIS SEELING, a British subject of 114 Dewsbury Road, Gomersal, Nr. Leeds, Yorkshire, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a Patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates. to liquid level sensing devices, and to systems incorporating such devices, particularly but not exclusively, for use in domestic premises.

According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid level sensing device comprising a housing into which liquid may pass, and means movable within said housing any by said liquid between lower and upper limits of travel, said means comprising a buoyant ball carrying a mettalic probe, and a sleeve in which said probe is slidable, said sleeve including means defining said upper limit of travel, said probe through the means defining said upper limit of travel causing actuation of an audio, visual or audio/visual alarm device when said probe contacts said means defining the upper limit of travel.

The housing will be in the form of an openended tubular member composed of a noncorrosive material such as a synthetic plastics material.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawing the single figure of which is a longitudinal sectional elevation through a device according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the device according to the invention comprises a tubular housing

102 preferably composed of a synthetic plastics material for example a rigid polythene. Movable within the housing 102, within upper and lower limits as defined by a central member 104 and diametrically opposed spigots 106 respectively, is a lightweight plastics ball 108. A table tennis or ping pong ball has been found to be admirably suitable. Located above the ball 108 is a member 110 which carries a probe 112, the member 110 and probe 112 being movable with the ball 108 as will be hereinafter explained.

As will be seen from the drawing, the probe

112 is connected, via an electrical conductor wire 114 to a screw 116 used to secure a suction member 118 to the housing 102. The screw 116 is connected, by means of a wire 120 to an audio, visual, or audio/visual alarm device.

The central member 104 which as will be seen is tubular, is supported from a radial arm 122 by means of a screw 124 which by means of a wire 126 is connected to a source of electric power, such as a battery (not shown) through the intermediary of a switch, (not shown). The wires 120 and 126 pass outwardly through the housing 102 by means of a hole 128. The shank 124A of the screw 124 is located within the member 104 and as well as defining the upper limit of travel of said probe provides an electrical contact for the probe 112 when this moved upwardly through distance "X" upon upward movement of the ball 108.

The distance "X" may be adjusted by varying the inward projection of the spigots 106.

In operation, the device is attached by means of the suction member 118 to the inside of a container (not shown) such as a bath to be charged with liquid, and the switch is moved to its active position. Liquid is then admitted to the container and will subsequently rise within the housing 102. Such rising of the liquid will cause upward movement of the ball 108 and hence the probe 112 and when the ball and probe have passed through distance "X", the probe 112 will contact shank 1 24A so as to complete the electrical circuit and activate the alarm device, so as to indicate that the liquid has reached the desired level.

It will be appreciated that the device may be positioned at any desired height in the container so as to adjust the desired liquid level.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A liquid level sensing device comprising a housing into which liquid may pass, and means movable within said housing and by said liquid between lower and upper limits of travel, said means comprising a buoyant ball carrying a metallic probe, and a sleeve in which said probe is slidable, said sleeve including means defining said upper limit of travel, said probe through the means defining said upper limit of travel causing actuation of an audio, visual or audio/ visual alarm device when said probe contacts said means defining the upper limit of travel.
2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said housing is an open ended tubular member composed of a non-corrosive material.
3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said probe and said sleeve are coaxial with the housing, said probe being located for sliding movement in the said sleeve towards and away from said upper limit of travel.
4. A device according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said sleeve is located co-axial with said housing by means of an arm extending inwardly from a wall of the housing.
5. A device according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said housing is provided with means to locate the device in an operative sensing posi tion.
6. A liquid level sensing device constructed and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
7. An alarm system including a liquid level sensing device in accordance with any of Claims 1 to 6.