초록 ▼

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

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for sensing at least one of the volume of a liquid in a container independent of its spatial orientation and the spatial orientation of the container independent of the volume of the liquid therein, wherein the container comprises an enclosed surrounding side wal

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for sensing at least one of the volume of a liquid in a container independent of its spatial orientation and the spatial orientation of the container independent of the volume of the liquid therein, wherein the container comprises an enclosed surrounding side wall divided into a plurality of zones, comprising the steps of:a. providing the container having a plurality of capacitors corresponding to the plurality of zones wherein the capacitors comprise first and second conductors with the first conductor provided by a plurality of continuous first conductive members disposed in a proximately spaced and parallel relationship with respect to the second conductor provided by the surrounding side wall to divide the container into the plurality of zones, and wherein the liquid in the container is capable of flowing freely between the first and second conductors to serve at least partially as a dielectric therefor;b. measuring the percentage of contact by the liquid of each of the plurality of zones into which the container is divided corresponding to the capacitance of each of the plurality of capacitors; andc. comparing the set of measured percentages of contact to a plurality of sets of reference percentage of contact values for the container at various volume percentages and spatial orientations to select a volume percentage and/or spatial orientation which is a best fit to the set of measured percentages of contact.