Fluid level sensor
US10712194B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jul 14, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F23/76
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fluid sensor system capable of sensing a fluid level or a volume of fluid held by a reservoir, such as a container or a tank. In one embodiment, the system may include a magnetic element in a flotation device that suspends the magnetic element in the fluid held by the reservoir, so that the magnetic element randomly floats in proximity to a top of the fluid surface. Two or more magnetic field sensors or magnetometers are associated with the reservoir in at least two different locations, spaced apart from one another. The system further includes a processor coupled to the sensors. The magnetic field sensors may sense the strength of the magnetic field around the magnetic element to generate signals that are sent to the processor. The processor may then determine the location of the magnetic element within the reservoir based on the signals. The determined location can be correlated to a volume of fluid within the tank which is output to another device and/or a user.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.