초록 ▼

A device for measuring and monitoring the volume of liquid in a container comprises an adapter for mounting the device in an opening in the top wall of the container. The adapter supports a beam onto which one end of a float is connected such that the free end of the float extends substantially vert

A device for measuring and monitoring the volume of liquid in a container comprises an adapter for mounting the device in an opening in the top wall of the container. The adapter supports a beam onto which one end of a float is connected such that the free end of the float extends substantially vertically into the container. A strain gauge is disposed on the beam so that the measuring direction of the gauge is parallel to the main axis of the beam. The device can also include a sensor for measuring physical parameters of the container. A processor is connected to the strain gauge and any sensor to take data from those input devices. During a calibration operation, a measurement function is derived to correlate strain gauge readings to the volume of liquid in the container. The function is recorded in a processor which takes data from the strain gauge and calculates the actual volume of liquid in the container. An output component displays the measurement. The device of the present invention can be used in new containers and easily retrofitted to existing ones since the internal shape of the container is expressed in the measurement function.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A device for measuring and monitoring the volume of a liquid in a container mounted in a movable vehicle, said device comprising:a mounting adapter for mounting said device in a top wall of the container;a beam attached to said adapter;a pair of strain gauges disposed on said beam;

[ We claim:] [1.] A device for measuring and monitoring the volume of a liquid in a container mounted in a movable vehicle, said device comprising:a mounting adapter for mounting said device in a top wall of the container;a beam attached to said adapter;a pair of strain gauges disposed on said beam;a longitudinal buoyant element with one end affixed to said beam and a free end extending into the container, said buoyant element adapted to be partially submerged in a liquid in the container such that upward and downward movement of said buoyant element registers on said strain gauges as corresponding strain measurements, said strain gauges disposed on said beam and relative to one another to offset torsional and lateral forces on said buoyant element due to movement of the liquid in the container;a processor coupled to said strain gauges for correlating strain measurements by said strain gauges to the volume of liquid in the container; andan output component coupled to said processor for indicating the measured volume of liquid in the container.