WO2007068889A1 - A float transducer - Google Patents
A float transducer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2007068889A1 WO2007068889A1 PCT/GB2006/004531 GB2006004531W WO2007068889A1 WO 2007068889 A1 WO2007068889 A1 WO 2007068889A1 GB 2006004531 W GB2006004531 W GB 2006004531W WO 2007068889 A1 WO2007068889 A1 WO 2007068889A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- float
- transceivers
- transmitter
- receiver
- transceiver
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000036039 immunity Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000019491 signal transduction Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
- G01F1/002—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow wherein the flow is in an open channel
- G01F1/005—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow wherein the flow is in an open channel using floats
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
- G01F1/05—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects
- G01F1/20—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects by detection of dynamic effects of the flow
- G01F1/22—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects by detection of dynamic effects of the flow by variable-area meters, e.g. rotameters
-
- 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
- G01F23/30—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 floats
- G01F23/64—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 floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements
- G01F23/68—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 floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements using electrically actuated indicating means
- G01F23/70—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 floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements using electrically actuated indicating means for sensing changes in level only at discrete points
- G01F23/706—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 floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements using electrically actuated indicating means for sensing changes in level only at discrete points using opto-electrically actuated indicating means
Definitions
- the invention relates to apparatus for detecting the position of a float in a flow or level meter.
- Liquid or gas flow meters in which the fluid flow rate is indicated by displacement of a ball or a float in a vertical tube resulting from the fluid flow, are known.
- such meters comprise an elongate tube with a tapered bore.
- the tube is mounted vertically with the narrower end of the bore pointing downwards.
- the float often in the form of a small ball is located within the tapered tube. Fluid is passed through the tube, from bottom to top, which causes the ball to rise up the tube to an equilibrium position, related to the flow rate.
- the ball-type float is replaced by a more sophisticated float, having fins, or spirally-orientated grooves to cause the float to spin as it is suspended in the fluid. This affords greater stability to the float.
- the flow meter tube is often constructed of plastic, glass or other see- through material to enable the float position to be read manually against an adjacent scale, calibrated to indicate flow rate for a given fluid.
- a similar type of arrangement is often used on level meters, to indicate eg the level of liquid in a tank.
- a vertically extending tube is placed in fluid communication with the contents of the tank, and a ball, or other float, is placed within the tube to float on the surface of the liquid. As the liquid level rises or falls, the ball is carried with it.
- the level of liquid in the tank may thus be readily determined by noting the position of the ball with respect to a suitable, adjacent scale.
- Float position sensors have been designed that can be clipped onto the outside of the flow meter or level meter tube. Typically these consist of one or two pairs of optical transmitter-receiver elements that can be positioned on a tube to indicate the presence of the float at the extremities of the tube. These are typically used for indicating an alarm condition when the flow rate or level exceeds, or falls below, a pre-determined value.
- the applicant's initial approach to solving this problem was to mount a number of such transceiver elements, side by side, along the length of the fluid meter tube, with the expectation that this would provide an effective system to signal the position of the float at any location within the tube.
- the transmitting element from one transceiver can trigger the receiving element of adjacent transceivers.
- the transceivers comprise a light emitting diode (LED) paired with a phototransistor
- LED light emitting diode
- floats that are commonly used in these devices are often made of metal, in the form of ball bearings.
- the reflective nature of the surface of these floats can lead to light bouncing around the tube giving false signals from the transceivers.
- the invention provides apparatus for detecting the position of a float in a flow or level meter, of the kind (known per se) in which a plurality of transceivers, each transceiver comprising a transmitting element and a receiving element, is disposed along a selected range of the float's intended operating movement with the intention that at any one position within that range, a given transceiver will register the float's position; characterised by the feature that selected ones of said transceivers have their transmitter or receiver orientated out of functional alignment with the corresponding receiver or transmitter of the adjacent transceivers.
- transmitters are unable to erroneously trigger a response in an adjacent receiver.
- one or more receiving element comprises a plurality of adjacent receiving units.
- one or more transceiver comprises three receiving units and a transmitting unit.
- a receiving element could comprise three receiving units, each being a phototransistor, and the transmitting unit could be a light emitting diode (LED).
- LED light emitting diode
- the transmitter or receiver of every alternate transceiver is oriented out of functional alignment with the corresponding receiver or transmitter of the adjacent transceivers. In this way, the robust signal transduction occurs along the whole length of the flow meter tube.
- transceivers In any arrangement of the apparatus, it is preferable that selected ones of said transceivers have their transmitter or receiver oriented out of alignment by substantially 180 degrees. This configuration gives maximum immunity from signal cross-talk from adjacent transceiver units, and has the added benefit that alternate receiving and transmitting units can be mounted adjacent to each other, e.g. mounted on the same circuit board, thus making a more compact unit.
- At least one transceiver comprises an infrared transmitter and receiver.
- Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a float sensor for a level meter comprising closely spaced adjacent transceivers;
- Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a float sensor for a flow meter with adjacent transceiving units out of functional alignment
- Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a float sensor for a flow or level meter where transceiving units comprise a plurality of receivers;
- Figure 4 illustrates a series of adjacent transceivers out of functional alignment with their neighbours
- Figure 5 shows a series of adjacent transceivers, out of alignment by 180 degrees.
- FIG. 1 illustrates, schematically, apparatus, generally indicated by 1 for use in detecting the float position in eg a flow meter.
- the flow meter comprises a tapered tube 2 and a float 3. Disposed along the length of the tube 2 are a number of transmitters 4, and corresponding receivers 5.
- a transmitted signal eg light
- transmitter 4a can illuminate receiver 5b.
- transmitter 4c can illuminate receiver 5b. In this case, none of the receiving elements would detect the position of the float.
- Figure 2 illustrates apparatus according to the present invention, whereby a series of transceiving units 6 is disposed along the length of the tube 2, with adjacent transceivers 6 out of functional alignment with their neighbours.
- Figure 2 (b) illustrates, for clarity, a transceiver 6, comprising a single transmitter 4 and a single receiver 5.
- the paired transmitter (T) and receiver (R) units constitute, in this embodiment, the transceivers; only one such pair in figure 2 (a) is illustrated with a bounding box, for sake of clarity.
- Figure 2 (a) shows a plurality of such transceivers 6 arranged along the length of a flow meter tube.
- transceiver alignment we mean that the operating signal from the transmitter element of one transceiver is unable to trigger the receiving element of an adjacent transceiver.
- LEDs are used as transmitters, light is directed typically within +/- 30 degrees of the main axis of the LED (indicated by the arrows in Figures 2 and 3).
- an appropriate spacing of transceiver elements may be readily selected, given the dimensions of the flow- or level meter tube on which the device is to be used. If it is required that the transceiver elements are closer together (eg to obtain a higher resolution) then a more focused signal beam may be used, eg by use of a collimator.
- FIG 3 illustrates a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention where each transceiver 6 comprises three receivers 5 and a transmitter 4.
- a single such transceiver 6 is illustrated, for clarity, in figure 3 (b).
- Figure 3 (a) illustrates a plurality of such transceivers 6 arranged along a flow meter tube 2. It can be seen that, for example, the transmitter in transceiver unit 6a is out of functional alignment with the receiving elements of transceiver 6b, and is sufficiently far along the length of the tube as to be unable to erroneously illuminate any of the receiving elements in transceiver 6c.
- the use of a plurality (in this case, three) of receiving units allows a voting system to be implemented, if required, to further improve the robustness, and accuracy, of the sensing system.
- Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention whereby a series of transceiving units 6 is arranged in a spiral fashion around a flow- or level meter tube such that adjacent transceivers 6 are out of functional alignment with their neighbouring transceivers.
- Figure 5 illustrates a particularly preferred embodiment wherein the transceivers 6 are out of alignment by substantially 180 degrees with respect to the neighbouring transceivers.
- adjacent receiving and transmitting elements may be mounted closely together, eg on the same circuit board, leading to a more compact unit.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)
Abstract
The invention provides apparatus for detecting the position of a float in a flow or level meter, comprising a series of transceivers (paired transmitters and receivers, such as LEDs and phototransistors) disposed along a selected range of the float's intended operating movement. Selected transceivers have their transmitter or receiver oriented out of functional alignment with the corresponding receiver or transmitter of the adjacent transceivers to provide immunity from cross-talk between adjacent transceivers. Variants of the device use infra-red transceivers to provide immunity from incident visible light.
Description
A Float Transducer
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to apparatus for detecting the position of a float in a flow or level meter.
Background and Prior Art Known to the Applicant
Liquid or gas flow meters in which the fluid flow rate is indicated by displacement of a ball or a float in a vertical tube resulting from the fluid flow, are known. Typically, such meters comprise an elongate tube with a tapered bore. The tube is mounted vertically with the narrower end of the bore pointing downwards. The float, often in the form of a small ball is located within the tapered tube. Fluid is passed through the tube, from bottom to top, which causes the ball to rise up the tube to an equilibrium position, related to the flow rate.
In other embodiments, the ball-type float is replaced by a more sophisticated float, having fins, or spirally-orientated grooves to cause the float to spin as it is suspended in the fluid. This affords greater stability to the float.
In either case, the flow meter tube is often constructed of plastic, glass or other see- through material to enable the float position to be read manually against an adjacent scale, calibrated to indicate flow rate for a given fluid.
A similar type of arrangement is often used on level meters, to indicate eg the level of liquid in a tank. A vertically extending tube is placed in fluid communication with the contents of the tank, and a ball, or other float, is placed within the tube to float on the surface of the liquid. As the liquid level rises or falls, the ball is carried with it. The level of liquid in the tank may thus be readily determined by noting the position of the ball with respect to a suitable, adjacent scale.
Such flow meters and level meters are in widespread use in many industries. As industrial processes are automated, it is often required to implement a remote-sensing regime where information on fluid flow, or liquid level, can be transmitted to a computer system for control or monitoring purposes. Float position sensors have been designed that can be clipped onto the outside of the flow meter or level meter tube. Typically these consist of one or two pairs of optical transmitter-receiver elements that can be positioned on a tube to indicate the presence of the float at the extremities of the tube. These are typically used for indicating an alarm condition when the flow rate or level exceeds, or falls below, a pre-determined value. Whilst these devices are capable of indicating the presence or absence of a float at a particular position in a flow or level meter, they are not suitable for sensing the float position in all locations. For example, as soon as the float ceases to interrupt the transmitter-receiver signal, no information is available as to the float position; the float could be above or below the transceiver and the same signal would result.
The applicant's initial approach to solving this problem was to mount a number of such transceiver elements, side by side, along the length of the fluid meter tube, with the expectation that this would provide an effective system to signal the position of the float at any location within the tube. However, they have found a number of new problems that arise from this attempted configuration.
Firstly, if the transceiving elements are placed as close together as they need to be to provide accurate positioning information, with relatively high resolution, then the transmitting element from one transceiver can trigger the receiving element of adjacent transceivers. Where, for example, the transceivers comprise a light emitting diode (LED) paired with a phototransistor, light from one LED can illuminate the phototransistor of adjacent transceivers. Therefore, situations can arise where the float never casts a shadow on a phototransistor and the ability to detect the float is therefore lost.
Secondly, floats that are commonly used in these devices are often made of metal, in the form of ball bearings. The reflective nature of the surface of these floats can lead to light bouncing around the tube giving false signals from the transceivers.
It is an object of the present invention to attempt a solution to these and other problems.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, the invention provides apparatus for detecting the position of a float in a flow or level meter, of the kind (known per se) in which a plurality of transceivers, each transceiver comprising a transmitting element and a receiving element, is disposed along a selected range of the float's intended operating movement with the intention that at any one position within that range, a given transceiver will register the float's position; characterised by the feature that selected ones of said transceivers have their transmitter or receiver orientated out of functional alignment with the corresponding receiver or transmitter of the adjacent transceivers.
In this way, transmitters are unable to erroneously trigger a response in an adjacent receiver.
Preferably, one or more receiving element comprises a plurality of adjacent receiving units. In a particularly preferred embodiment, one or more transceiver comprises three receiving units and a transmitting unit. For example, a receiving element could comprise three receiving units, each being a phototransistor, and the transmitting unit could be a light emitting diode (LED). The applicants have found that this configuration is
particularly immune to the erroneous signals described above. Furthermore, signals from each of the receiving units may be used, with appropriate logic that will be evident to the skilled addressee, to provide a "voting" algorithm to further enhance the robustness of the sensing system.
In a more preferable aspect of the invention, the transmitter or receiver of every alternate transceiver is oriented out of functional alignment with the corresponding receiver or transmitter of the adjacent transceivers. In this way, the robust signal transduction occurs along the whole length of the flow meter tube.
In any arrangement of the apparatus, it is preferable that selected ones of said transceivers have their transmitter or receiver oriented out of alignment by substantially 180 degrees. This configuration gives maximum immunity from signal cross-talk from adjacent transceiver units, and has the added benefit that alternate receiving and transmitting units can be mounted adjacent to each other, e.g. mounted on the same circuit board, thus making a more compact unit.
Also in any aspect of the invention, it is preferable that at least one transceiver comprises an infrared transmitter and receiver. The applicants have found that if optical LEDs and phototransistors are used, direct sunlight falling into the device can, in some circumstances, trigger erroneous readings. The use of infrared signals effectively solves this problem.
Included within the scope of the invention is apparatus for detecting the position of the float (as defined herein) in a flow or level meter substantially as described herein, with reference to, and as illustrated by, any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a float sensor for a level meter comprising closely spaced adjacent transceivers;
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a float sensor for a flow meter with adjacent transceiving units out of functional alignment;
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a float sensor for a flow or level meter where transceiving units comprise a plurality of receivers;
Figure 4 illustrates a series of adjacent transceivers out of functional alignment with their neighbours;
Figure 5 shows a series of adjacent transceivers, out of alignment by 180 degrees.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Figure 1 illustrates, schematically, apparatus, generally indicated by 1 for use in detecting the float position in eg a flow meter. The flow meter comprises a tapered tube 2 and a float 3. Disposed along the length of the tube 2 are a number of transmitters 4, and corresponding receivers 5. To illustrate the problem identified by the inventors, a situation is shown where the float is in a position such that it should interrupt the transmitted beam from transmitter 4b to receiver 5b. However, when the transceiving elements are close enough to provide the required resolution, a transmitted signal (eg light) from transmitter 4a can illuminate receiver 5b. Similarly, light from transmitter 4c can illuminate receiver 5b. In this case, none of the receiving elements would detect the position of the float. It is the finding of this problem that has led the applicant to the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates apparatus according to the present invention, whereby a series of transceiving units 6 is disposed along the length of the tube 2, with adjacent transceivers 6 out of functional alignment with their neighbours. Figure 2 (b) illustrates, for clarity, a transceiver 6, comprising a single transmitter 4 and a single receiver 5. The paired transmitter (T) and receiver (R) units constitute, in this embodiment, the transceivers; only one such pair in figure 2 (a) is illustrated with a bounding box, for sake of clarity. Figure 2 (a) shows a plurality of such transceivers 6 arranged along the length of a flow meter tube. With the float 3 in the position indicated, light from transmitter 4f is blocked from reaching receiver 5f, thus providing a signal. As the neighbouring transmitters (4e and 4g) are out of functional alignment using this configuration, light from transmitter 4d is unable to erroneously illuminate receiver 5e. Similarly, light from transmitter 4h is unable to erroneously illuminate the receiver 5e. Thus, the system is immune from the problems encountered in the configuration illustrated in figure 1.
By "functional alignment" we mean that the operating signal from the transmitter element of one transceiver is unable to trigger the receiving element of an adjacent transceiver. Where LEDs are used as transmitters, light is directed typically within +/- 30 degrees of the main axis of the LED (indicated by the arrows in Figures 2 and 3). Given the beam angle of transmitters, and the sensitivity characteristics of the receivers, an appropriate spacing of transceiver elements may be readily selected, given the dimensions of the flow- or level meter tube on which the device is to be used. If it is required that the transceiver elements are closer together (eg to obtain a higher resolution) then a more focused signal beam may be used, eg by use of a collimator.
Figure 3 illustrates a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention where each transceiver 6 comprises three receivers 5 and a transmitter 4. A single such transceiver 6 is illustrated, for clarity, in figure 3 (b). Figure 3 (a) illustrates a plurality of such transceivers 6 arranged along a flow meter tube 2. It can be seen that, for example, the transmitter in transceiver unit 6a is out of functional alignment with the receiving elements of transceiver 6b, and is sufficiently far along the length of the tube as to be unable to erroneously illuminate any of the receiving elements in transceiver 6c. As discussed above, the use of a plurality (in this case, three) of receiving units allows a
voting system to be implemented, if required, to further improve the robustness, and accuracy, of the sensing system.
Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention whereby a series of transceiving units 6 is arranged in a spiral fashion around a flow- or level meter tube such that adjacent transceivers 6 are out of functional alignment with their neighbouring transceivers.
Figure 5 illustrates a particularly preferred embodiment wherein the transceivers 6 are out of alignment by substantially 180 degrees with respect to the neighbouring transceivers. In this way, adjacent receiving and transmitting elements may be mounted closely together, eg on the same circuit board, leading to a more compact unit.
Claims
1. Apparatus for detecting the position of a float in a flow or level meter, of the kind (known per se) in which a plurality of transceivers, each transceiver comprising a transmitting element and a receiving element, is disposed along a selected range of the float's intended operating movement with the intention that at any one position within that range, a given transceiver will register the float's position; characterised by the feature that selected ones of said transceivers have their transmitter or receiver oriented out of functional alignment with the corresponding receiver or transmitter of the adjacent transceivers.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more receiving element comprises a plurality of adjacent receiving units.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein one or more transceiver comprises three receiving units and a transmitting unit.
4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the transmitter or receiver of every alternate transceiver is oriented out of functional alignment with the corresponding receiver or transmitter of the adjacent transceivers.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein selected ones of said transceivers have their transmitter or receiver oriented out of alignment by substantially 180 degrees.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein at least one transceiver comprises an infra-red transmitter and receiver.
7. Apparatus for detecting the position of a float in a flow or level meter substantially as described herein, with reference to, and as illustrated by, any appropriate combination of figures 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP06820416A EP1960745A1 (en) | 2005-12-12 | 2006-12-06 | A float transducer |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0525117A GB2433114B (en) | 2005-12-12 | 2005-12-12 | A float transducer |
GB0525117.8 | 2005-12-12 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2007068889A1 true WO2007068889A1 (en) | 2007-06-21 |
Family
ID=35735841
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB2006/004531 WO2007068889A1 (en) | 2005-12-12 | 2006-12-06 | A float transducer |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1960745A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2433114B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007068889A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10799900B2 (en) | 2016-07-15 | 2020-10-13 | Capstan Ag Systems, Inc. | Electric fluid flow monitoring apparatus and agricultural fluid application systems including same |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102010052870A1 (en) * | 2010-12-01 | 2012-06-06 | Baumer Innotec Ag | Arrangement for detecting level of medium, particularly fluid in container, has area for receiving container with medium introduced in interior of container |
GB2559375A (en) * | 2017-02-03 | 2018-08-08 | Tty Saatio Sr | Battery sensing device |
CN110887547B (en) * | 2019-11-26 | 2020-12-22 | 交通运输部南海航海保障中心广州海事测绘中心 | Ocean tide level continuous monitoring device |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5585786A (en) * | 1995-10-30 | 1996-12-17 | Midland Manufacturing Corp. | Optical tank-level gauge |
EP1010971A1 (en) * | 1998-12-15 | 2000-06-21 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Device for measuring the liquid level in a container |
US6333512B1 (en) * | 1998-07-15 | 2001-12-25 | Alvin R. Wirthlin | Optical gauge for determining the level of a medium in a container |
DE10039765A1 (en) * | 2000-08-16 | 2002-02-28 | Volkswagen Ag | Device for determining the level of a filling medium in a tank comprises light sender and receiver units with their respective elements arranged at a definite pitch in the level measurement direction |
US6672156B1 (en) * | 2001-08-08 | 2004-01-06 | Mlno, Inc. | Absolute liquid level sensor with refractive encoding |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA1097516A (en) * | 1977-07-08 | 1981-03-17 | Darryl R. Whitford | State of charge sensing means |
-
2005
- 2005-12-12 GB GB0525117A patent/GB2433114B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2006
- 2006-12-06 EP EP06820416A patent/EP1960745A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2006-12-06 WO PCT/GB2006/004531 patent/WO2007068889A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5585786A (en) * | 1995-10-30 | 1996-12-17 | Midland Manufacturing Corp. | Optical tank-level gauge |
US6333512B1 (en) * | 1998-07-15 | 2001-12-25 | Alvin R. Wirthlin | Optical gauge for determining the level of a medium in a container |
EP1010971A1 (en) * | 1998-12-15 | 2000-06-21 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Device for measuring the liquid level in a container |
DE10039765A1 (en) * | 2000-08-16 | 2002-02-28 | Volkswagen Ag | Device for determining the level of a filling medium in a tank comprises light sender and receiver units with their respective elements arranged at a definite pitch in the level measurement direction |
US6672156B1 (en) * | 2001-08-08 | 2004-01-06 | Mlno, Inc. | Absolute liquid level sensor with refractive encoding |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10799900B2 (en) | 2016-07-15 | 2020-10-13 | Capstan Ag Systems, Inc. | Electric fluid flow monitoring apparatus and agricultural fluid application systems including same |
US10857557B2 (en) | 2016-07-15 | 2020-12-08 | Capstan Ag Systems, Inc. | Electric fluid flow monitoring apparatus and agricultural fluid application systems including same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2433114A (en) | 2007-06-13 |
GB2433114B (en) | 2008-01-23 |
GB0525117D0 (en) | 2006-01-18 |
EP1960745A1 (en) | 2008-08-27 |
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