Method and apparatus for determining the quantity of a liquid in a container independent of its spatial orientation
US5790422A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 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 quantity 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 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 quantity of cryogenic fluid filled in the container at known angles of inclination. The sensor apparatus is also useful as a motion detector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.