Method and apparatus for determining quantity of liquid in a container and/or lack of motion thereof
US5745377A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F23/268
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor apparatus is described that detects and indicates the volume of cryogenic liquid in a Dewar container independent of the spatial orientation and physical motions acting on the Dewar container. The sensor apparatus comprises a first conductor, preferably positioned adjacent to the container inner shell wall and a second conductor comprising a plurality of axially spaced and concentric endless conductor bands mounted inside the container in a proximately spaced and a parallel relationship with respect to the first conductor. The second conductor bands divide the first conductor into zones that provide a plurality of distinct and separate capacitors. A computer measures the capacitance of each capacitor and compares the individual capacitance measurements to reference capacitance values corresponding to a known volume of cryogenic fluid filled in the container at known angles of inclination.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.