Multi-point level indicator system
US4396911A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 1981 |
| Grant date | Aug 2, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 27, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F23/802
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for monitoring the level of material in a plurality of hoppers or bins includes a radiation source and sensor associated with each hopper. Each sensor generates an output signal representing the incidence of radiation passing through the material in the respective hopper. The sensor output signals are supplied to individual sample/hold circuits where they are temporarily stored. A central control circuit cyclically reads the stored signals from the sample/hold circuits and then generates a reset signal to clear the sample/hold circuits. The central control circuit compares the sum of the sensor output signals for each sensor over a predetermined time interval with at least one reference signal representing a predetermined material amount to generate a status signal for each hopper. A plurality of indicator circuits are responsive to respective condition of the status signals for visually and/or audibly indicating to an operator the status of the material level in the associated hopper.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.