IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0997317
(2001-11-29)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Colman, Mark A.
- Lee, Thomas E.
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Clark-Reliance Corporation
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
9 인용 특허 :
6 |
초록
▼
The present invention provides a method and system for detecting and cross-checking faulty sensors in liquid level indicators and controllers. A liquid level indicator and controller in which one embodiment of the present invention operates includes a control unit for controlling the other component
The present invention provides a method and system for detecting and cross-checking faulty sensors in liquid level indicators and controllers. A liquid level indicator and controller in which one embodiment of the present invention operates includes a control unit for controlling the other components of the liquid level indicator and controller, sensors electrically connected to the control unit for sensing the level of a liquid in a vessel, and an indicating device electrically connected to the control unit for displaying the liquid level. The control unit includes a monitor and a fault detector. In operation, the liquid level indicator and controller has two (2) basic modes. The first mode is a monitor mode. In this mode, the liquid level indicator and controller, under the control of the monitor, senses the liquid level in the vessel using the sensors and displays the liquid level on the indicating device. The second mode is a fault detection mode. In this mode, the liquid level indicator and controller, under the control of the fault detector, detects and cross-checks faulty sensors. If a faulty sensor is detected, the liquid level indicator and controller determines the type of fault, i.e., whether the sensor is open or shorted.
대표청구항
▼
The present invention provides a method and system for detecting and cross-checking faulty sensors in liquid level indicators and controllers. A liquid level indicator and controller in which one embodiment of the present invention operates includes a control unit for controlling the other component
The present invention provides a method and system for detecting and cross-checking faulty sensors in liquid level indicators and controllers. A liquid level indicator and controller in which one embodiment of the present invention operates includes a control unit for controlling the other components of the liquid level indicator and controller, sensors electrically connected to the control unit for sensing the level of a liquid in a vessel, and an indicating device electrically connected to the control unit for displaying the liquid level. The control unit includes a monitor and a fault detector. In operation, the liquid level indicator and controller has two (2) basic modes. The first mode is a monitor mode. In this mode, the liquid level indicator and controller, under the control of the monitor, senses the liquid level in the vessel using the sensors and displays the liquid level on the indicating device. The second mode is a fault detection mode. In this mode, the liquid level indicator and controller, under the control of the fault detector, detects and cross-checks faulty sensors. If a faulty sensor is detected, the liquid level indicator and controller determines the type of fault, i.e., whether the sensor is open or shorted. ss of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as being constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further characterized as having bonding means disposed on at least a portion thereof for bondingly holding the decorative cover produced from the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon about the flower pot. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having the printed thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as having a portion which is selectively detachable. 7. A method for covering a flower pot containing a floral grouping wherein the flower pot has an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end and a floral containing space formed in a portion thereof, the floral grouping having an upper end portion and a lower end portion with the lower end portion of the floral grouping being disposed through the open upper end of the flower pot and into the floral containing space and the floral grouping extending through the open upper end of the flower pot a distance outwardly from the flower pot, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and a printed pattern on at least the lower surface thereof, the printed pattern being formed of ink arranged substantially in a two-dimensional-arrangement having a substantially uniform thickness and having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern; positioning the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon generally near the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot; and wrapping the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot so that the inner surface of the sheet of material is disposed substantially adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot whereby the sheet of material provides a decorative cover having a three dimensional appearance for the flower pot. 8. A method for covering a flower pot containing a floral grouping wherein the flower pot has an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end and a floral containing space formed in a portion thereof, the floral grouping having an upper end portion and a lower end portion with the lower end portion of the floral grouping being disposed through the open upper end of the flower pot and into the floral containing space and the floral grouping extending through the open upper end of the flower pot a distance outwardly from the flower pot, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end, the sheet of material having a printed pattern on at least the lower surface thereof, the printed pattern being formed of ink arranged substantially in a two-dimensional-arrangement having a substantially uniform thickness and having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the sheet of material sized to be disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and having a sheet extension connected to the first side of the sheet of material so as to extend a distance outwardly from the first side of the sheet of material, the sheet extension being sized for encompassing the upper end portion of the floral grouping; positioning the sheet of material having the printed pattern with the three dimensional appearance generally near the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot with the upper surface thereof being positioned generally adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot; wrapping the sheet of material having the printed pattern with the three dimensional appearance about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot so that the sheet of material provides a decorative cover for the flower pot; and wrapping the sheet extension about the upper end portion of the floral grouping extending from the upper end of the flower pot so that portions of the sheet extension overlap whereby the sheet extension substantially covers and encompasses the upper end portion of the floral grouping extending above the upper end of the flower pot. 9. The method of claim 8, defined further to include the step of: forming a line of perforations generally at the connection of the sheet extension to the first side of the sheet of material; and removing the sheet extension from the sheet of material having the printed pattern with the three dimensional appearance by tearing the sheet extension generally along the line of perforations for exposing the floral grouping previously encompassed by the sheet extension. 10. The method of claim 8 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern on at least the lower surface thereof wherein the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the sheet of material is defined further as being foldable and bendable whereby the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon can be formed by hand about the flower pot. 11. The method of claim 8 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern on at least the lower surface thereof wherein the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, is defined further as having a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern on at least the lower surface thereof wherein the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the sheet of material is defined further as being foldable and bendable whereby the sheet of material having the three-dimensional pattern printed thereon can be formed by hand about the flower pot. 13. The method of claim 8 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern on at least the lower surface thereof wherein the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the sheet of material is defined further as having a thickness in a range from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils. 14. A method for wrapping a sheet of material about a flower pot to provide a decorative cover extending about the flower pot, the flower pot having an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end, the flower pot defining a floral containing space formed therein,
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