Solid state fluid level sensor
US7373817B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2004 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/4913
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.”
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.