초록 ▼

Disclosed is a fluid level gauge for sensing the level of fluid in a dispenser. The level gauge includes an inlet port communicating with the fluid and a check valve in communication with the inlet port. The check valve includes a membrane which allows air to pass. The level gauge further includes

Disclosed is a fluid level gauge for sensing the level of fluid in a dispenser. The level gauge includes an inlet port communicating with the fluid and a check valve in communication with the inlet port. The check valve includes a membrane which allows air to pass. The level gauge further includes a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the check valve. The fluid level gauge may be used in connection with a beverage dispenser.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A fluid level gauge for sensing the level of fluid in a dispenser, comprising: an inlet port in communication with the fluid; a check valve communication with the inlet port said check valve including a membrane, the membrane allowing air to pass; a pressure sensor in fluid communicati

We claim: 1. A fluid level gauge for sensing the level of fluid in a dispenser, comprising: an inlet port in communication with the fluid; a check valve communication with the inlet port said check valve including a membrane, the membrane allowing air to pass; a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the check valve. 2. The fluid level gauge of claim 1, where the membrane is a non-woven polyester membrane. 3. The fluid level gauge of claim 1, further including means for calibrating the gauge. 4. The fluid level gauge of claim 1, further including a display for displaying indicia related to the level of fluid sensed, said display electrically connected to the pressure sensor. 5. The fluid level gauge of claim 4, further including means for eliminating a sudden drop in a level indicia on the display. 6. The fluid level gauge of claim 4, further including a timer circuit electrically connected to a display to indicate the expiration of a pre-determined time period. 7. The fluid level gauge of claim 6, wherein said timer circuit is reset upon removal of pressure and replacement of pressure, as sensed by the sensor. 8. A fluid level gauge for a beverage dispenser including: a first tube in communication with the beverage dispenser at a first end, and in communication with a check valve at a second end; a second tube in communication with the check valve at a first end, and in communication with a pressure sensor at a second end; the check valve including a membrane positioned to limit communication between the first tube and the second tube; and a display for indicating the level of fluid in the beverage dispenser, the display electrically connected to the sensor. 9. The fluid level gauge of claim 8, where the membrane is a non-woven polyester membrane. 10. The fluid level gauge of claim 8, further including timing means electrically connected to a display to indicate the expiration of a pre-determined time period. 11. The fluid level gauge of claim 8, further including means for processing signals generated by the sensor, the means for processing also providing a signal to the display, said signal related to the level of fluid in the dispenser. 12. The fluid level gauge of claim 8, further including a microprocessor electrically connected between the display and the pressure sensor. 13. The fluid level gauge as claimed in claim 12, wherein the microprocessor powers down the pressure sensor for a predetermined time, and reapplies power after a predetermined time passes. 14. The fluid level gauge of claim 12, further including a signal conditioning circuit electrically connected between the pressure sensor and microprocessor. 15. The fluid level gauge of claim 12, further including the microprocessor processing signals from the pressure sensor and providing a signal to the display to indicate the level of fluid in the dispenser. 16. The fluid level gauge of claim 15, wherein in the microprocessor monitors the signals from the pressure sensor, determines that the level in the dispenser has not increased for predetermined amount of time, and provides a response signal to a display. 17. The fluid level gauge of claim 16, further including means to adjust the predetermined time. 18. The fluid level gauge of claim 16, wherein the microprocessor further monitors the pressure sensor and determines if the level in the dispenser has not increased for a second predetermined time, and provides a signal to activate an alarm. 19. The fluid level gauge of claim 18, where the alarm is a visual indicator. 20. The fluid level gauge of claim 18, where the alarm is an audio indicator. 21. An apparatus for displaying the level of fluid in a beverage dispenser, including: a battery; a voltage regulator electrically connected to the battery; a microcontroller electrically connected to draw power from the voltage regulator; a display electrically connected to the microcontroller; an oscillator electrically connected to the microcontroller; a pressure sensor electrically connected to the microcontroller, the sensor providing a signal related to the pressure sensed by the sensor; a conduit in fluid communication with the beverage to be dispensed, the pressure sensor operably connected to the conduit so as to sense the pressure therein; and a membrane located in the conduit, and positioned to limit the communication of beverage within the conduit. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, further including an operational amplifier filter, electrically connected between the microcontroller and the pressure sensor. 23. The apparatus of claim 21, further including an analog to digital converter electrically connected to receive analog signals from the sensor and deliver digital signals to the microcontroller. 24. The apparatus of claim 21, further including a re-settable timer, the timer starting when the beverage level in the dispenser increases. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, including a timer and a display, the display displaying indicia upon expiration of the timer.