Drop-weight material level indicator
US4255859A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 1979 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F23/0023
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A drop-weight type material level indicator apparatus, method and system wherein an optical disc rotationally coupled to an idler pulley in a modular sensor unit mounted at the top of a material storage bin generates counting pulses as a cable trained over the idler pulley lowers a drop weight. The counting pulses are fed in a remote readout unit to an up/down counter selectively for indicating in an up-counting mode of operation the ullage or head space between the sensor and material level, and in a down-counting mode of operation the level of material in the storage bin. Switches are provided for presetting the counter in the down-counting mode of operation to a value corresponding to bin height. Each modular sensor unit is individually connected to the remote readout unit and is capable of rewinding its associated drop weight cable independently of the readout unit so that a subsequent sensor unit may be selected and a material level indication obtained while the previously-selected sensor returns to the rest condition.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.