Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090107393 | GAUGE HEAD ASSEMBLY WITH NON-MAGNETIC INSERT - A gauge head assembly for use with a magnetically actuated dial includes a cylindrical body formed from a magnetic material having a cylindrical sidewall with an threaded outer surface, wherein the sidewall defines an axially extending passage for receiving a tubular insert formed from a substantially non-magnetic material, the insert having a closed first end and a second open end with a collar extending radially outward at the second open end and wherein the insert is secured in the passage with the closed first end adjacent the first end of the body. | 04-30-2009 |
20090143157 | ALIGNMENT DEVICE FOR GOLFERS - A golf alignment device includes an emitter assembly having an emitter portion for emitting radiant energy and at least one lens portion for projecting the radiant energy onto a surface with a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern includes an illuminated golf ball alignment mark, an illuminated first foot alignment mark and an illuminated second foot alignment mark for indicating placement of the golfer's feet with respect to the golf ball. A fourth alignment mark intersects the golf ball and is in alignment with a distant target. Different lens portions may be provided with different projection patterns for use with different golf clubs and/or golfer's of different heights. | 06-04-2009 |
20090301189 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR ASSEMBLY FOR DETERMINING LEVEL OF FLUENT MATERIALS - A capacitive sensor assembly for measuring a level of fluent material in a container includes an electronics section for receiving and processing signals and an antenna probe operably associated with the electronics section. The antenna probe has an electrical conductor and an insulating layer that covers at least a portion of the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor is connected to the electronics section. An enlarged measurement portion is in turn connected to the electrical conductor for detecting the presence or absence of the fluent material. The enlarged measurement portion has a surface area that is larger than a surface area of the electrical conductor over an equivalent height or length to function as a first plate of the capacitive sensor assembly, with the fluent material to be measured functioning as a second capacitive plate. In this manner, a change in detected capacitance of the antenna probe is reflective of a level condition of the fluent material. | 12-10-2009 |
20090301190 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR ASSEMBLY FOR DETERMINING RELATIVE POSITION - A capacitive sensor assembly for detecting relative movement or position between objects, such as liquid level in a tank or reservoir, movement of one machine component with respect to another, and so on, includes one or more antenna probes connected to an integrated chip normally associated with touch-screen displays. Each antenna probe operates independently and may be formed as insulated conductive wires or conductive traces between layers of a stiff or flexible substrate, such as a PCB, with the substrate material serving as the insulating layers. Each antenna probe has a different length representing different measurement positions or locations between the objects being measured to provide dynamic calibration of the measurement under changing environmental conditions. | 12-10-2009 |
20100051567 | Container Mounting Assembly - A mounting assembly for holding and moving a propane cylinder between a first operational position and a second lower loading/unloading position with respect to a support structure of a forklift is provided. The mounting assembly includes a base member adapted for connection to the forklift support structure, a cradle for supporting the cylinder between the first and second positions, and first and second pivot arms having a first end pivotally connected to the base member and a second end pivotally connected to the cradle. In the first position, the cradle is in a generally horizontal orientation. In the second position, the cradle is in a generally vertical orientation. Angular movement of the first and second pivot arms causes rotation of the cradle between the generally horizontal and generally vertical orientations. An adjustable locator pin is connected to the cradle for receiving a locator opening in a valve guard of different propane cylinders. | 03-04-2010 |
20100206387 | GAUGE ASSEMBLY HAVING A STOP FILL DEVICE - A gauge assembly includes an indicator for providing an indication of an amount of fluid in a tank and a stop-fill assembly for stopping the flow of fluid flowing into the tank once the fluid reaches a particular level. The gauge assembly has a shaft that rotates as the fluid level changes in the tank. The indicator translates the rotational position of the shaft into a fluid level. The stop-fill assembly moves from an open position, where fluid can flow into the tank, to a closed position, where fluid is prohibited from flowing into the tank, depending on the rotational position of the shaft. | 08-19-2010 |
20100229964 | SERVICE VALVE ASSEMBLY HAVING A STOP-FILL DEVICE AND REMOTE LIQUID LEVEL INDICATOR - A system for determining a fluid level in a pressurizable container comprising is disclosed. The system includes a service valve having a set of wrench flats defining parallel flat surfaces, one of the wrench flats having a recess defined entirely within its flat surface, a stop-fill device interconnected with the service valve and operable to rotate a first magnet inside the service valve in proximity to the recess in proportion to the amount of fluid in the pressurizable container, and a dial assembly having a dial face and a pointer attached to a second magnet, the second magnet housed in a magnet protrusion on a side of the dial face opposite the pointer and operable to fit into the recess in the service valve such that the dial moves on the dial face proportionately to the degree of rotation of the first magnet inside the service valve. In one variation, a sensor placed in the recess or adjacent a throat of the service valve is electrically connected to a remotely located gauge for displaying a reading corresponding to the level of fluid in the container. | 09-16-2010 |
20110271754 | Liquid Level Transducer with Heating Unit - A transducer for determining the liquid level within a container that is subjected to at least partial solidification at or below a freezing temperature is provided. The transducer includes a mounting head adapted for connection to the container, a liquid level sensor adapted for extending into the container from the mounting head; and a heating unit extending through the mounting head. The heating unit is constructed of at least one tubular member that surrounds or encircles the liquid level sensor. Heated fluid from a fluid source is circulated through the at least one tubular member for heating the contents of the tank at least within the vicinity of the liquid level sensor. A fluid withdrawal tube can also be in close proximity to the at least one tubular member so that the contents of the tank surrounding the heating unit can be removed even when the remaining tank contents are in a frozen state. | 11-10-2011 |
20120068849 | System and Method for Optically Detecting Low Liquid Level Condition - A system and method for remotely determining a liquid level condition within a tank includes a liquid level gauge connectable to the tank, a dial assembly associated with the liquid level gauge and an optical transceiver for determining a reflectivity of the dial assembly. The dial assembly includes a reflective layer, a blocking layer positioned over the reflective layer for blocking at least a portion of the reflective layer, and a disk that is magnetically coupled to the liquid level gauge. One of the reflective and blocking layers is associated with the disk for rotation therewith. The optical transceiver is positioned for projecting radiant energy toward the reflective layer and detecting the presence or absence of reflected radiant energy and for generating a signal indicative of a low liquid level condition within the tank when at least a substantial portion of the reflective layer is covered by the blocking layer or when a failure occurs in the system to thereby provide a fail-safe mode of operation. | 03-22-2012 |
20120073493 | Indicator Assembly for Liquid Level - An indicator assembly for displaying either low liquid level or satisfactory liquid level conditions within a tank includes a sensor for detecting the liquid level conditions, a photodetector for detecting an ambient dark condition, a pair of indicator lights for indicating either the low liquid level or satisfactory liquid level conditions, and electrical circuitry operable to illuminate one of the indicator lights upon detection of the ambient dark condition by the photodetector and detection of either the low liquid level condition or satisfactory liquid level condition by the sensor. A solar panel is also provided for recharging a power supply operably connected to the electrical circuitry. | 03-29-2012 |
20120260730 | Liquid Level Sender with Adjustable Counterweight - A liquid level sending unit for indicating liquid level within a container includes a mounting base adapted for mounting on a wall of a container, a support member extending from the mounting base, a float arm pivotally mounted to the support member about a pivot axis, a float connected to the float arm on one side of the pivot axis, a first counterweight located on one side of the pivot axis, and a second adjustable counterweight located on an opposite side of the pivot axis. The second counterweight is adjusted along a length of the float arm until a predetermined buoyancy weight of the float is achieved for a particular liquid to be measured. | 10-18-2012 |
20120260844 | Angled Gauge Head for Liquid Level Sending Unit - A tilted gauge head for indicating liquid level within a container is operatively connectable to a liquid level sending unit. The gauge head includes a mounting base adapted for connection to the container, an indicator dial assembly operatively connectable to the liquid level sending unit for indicating liquid level, and at least one bracket with a rear mounting wall connected to the mounting base and a front mounting wall connected to the indicator dial assembly. The mounting walls are oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other such that the indicator dial assembly is oriented or tilted at the acute angle with respect to the mounting base. In this manner, the indicator dial assembly can more easily be viewed by a user from an angle to thereby reduce parallax reading errors. | 10-18-2012 |
20150068301 | DUAL MEASUREMENT LIQUID LEVEL TRANSDUCER - A liquid level transducer for a tank, such as a railroad tank car or the like, includes a mounting head connected to the tank and a sensor assembly extending into the tank from the mounting head. The sensor assembly includes a sensor tube located in the tank and a gauging rod assembly positioned in the sensor tube. The gauging rod assembly can be pulled out of the tank until it magnetically couples with a magnetic float that surrounds the sensor tube. The float moves in response to a change in liquid level and the magnetic coupling provides the user with a visual indication of the liquid level. A sensor board extends along a length of the gauging rod assembly and is responsive to movement of the float for electronically determining the liquid level without the need to magnetically couple the gauging rod assembly to the float. | 03-12-2015 |