A container system of this invention includes a container for holding a fluid, a follower in the container which moves in the container in response to a change in a level of fluid in the container, and a sensor assembly for sensing the level of fluid in the container. The sensor assembly is especial
A container system of this invention includes a container for holding a fluid, a follower in the container which moves in the container in response to a change in a level of fluid in the container, and a sensor assembly for sensing the level of fluid in the container. The sensor assembly is especially (albeit not exclusively) suited for viscous fluids.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A container system, comprising: a container for holding a viscous fluid; a vertical pump tube in the container; a generally horizontal follower plate in the container having a first opening receiving the pump tube, said follower plate being adapted to rest on the fluid in the
What is claimed is: 1. A container system, comprising: a container for holding a viscous fluid; a vertical pump tube in the container; a generally horizontal follower plate in the container having a first opening receiving the pump tube, said follower plate being adapted to rest on the fluid in the container and to move up and down in the container in response to a change in a level of fluid in the container; and a sensor assembly for sensing the level of fluid in the container, said sensor assembly comprising: a vertical guide in the container extending generally parallel to the pump tube through a second opening in the follower plate spaced from the first opening in the follower plate; a first device movable up and down on the guide in response to movement of the follower plate; a second device secured in fixed position adjacent the guide; said first and second devices cooperating on movement of the first device past the second device to signal a level of fluid in the container; and a limit device attached to the follower plate for engaging the first device to limit separation of the first device in a vertical direction away from the follower plate when the follower plate moves in the container whereby viscous fluid on said guide or said first device does not prevent movement of the first device on the guide as the follower moves in the container. 2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said follower plate has a wiper seal around its periphery for wiping against a side wall of the container. 3. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said limit device comprises a cage attached to said follower plate and extending over the first device to limit separation of the first device upward away from the follower plate. 4. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first device comprises a switch actuator enclosed in a body movable independent of said follower plate and said second device comprises a series of switches at different heights in said container. 5. A system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said guide comprises a generally vertical tube, and wherein said switches are disposed inside the tube. 6. A system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a third device operable to send a signal in response to fluid in the container rising to a predetermined level during refilling of the container. 7. A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said third device is a switch in the container adapted to be actuated by movement of the follower plate. 8. A system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a first seal assembly comprising a seal surrounding said guide for sealing the guide opening in the follower plate, said seal being movable in a generally horizontal plane relative to the follower plate to prevent binding of the guide in the guide opening as the follower plate moves in the container. 9. A system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first seal assembly further comprises a seal housing attached to said follower plate, an opening in the seal housing generally aligned with the guide opening in the follower plate, and a recess defined at least in part by said seal housing for receiving said seal therein, said recess being sized larger than said seal to permit movement of the seal in said generally horizontal plane. 10. A container system, comprising: a container for holding a viscous fluid; a follower in the container having a pump tube opening for receiving a pump tube in the container, said follower being adapted to move up and down in the container in response to a change in a level of fluid in the container; and a sensor assembly for sensing the level of fluid in the container, said sensor assembly comprising: a guide adapted to extend down into the container through a guide opening in the follower spaced from the pump tube opening; a first device movable up and down on the guide in response to movement of the follower; a second device secured in fixed position adjacent the guide; said first and second devices cooperating on movement of the first device past the second device to signal a level of fluid in the container; and a limit device attached to the follower for limiting separation of the first device away from the follower when the follower moves in the container whereby viscous fluid on said guide or said first device does not prevent movement of the first device on the guide as the follower moves in the container; a first seal assembly comprising a seal surrounding said guide for sealing the guide opening in the follower, said seal being movable in a generally horizontal plane relative to the follower to prevent binding of the guide in the guide opening as the follower moves in the container; a vertical vent tube in the container extending through a vent tube opening in the follower spaced from the pump tube opening, and a second seal assembly comprising a seal surrounding the vent tube for sealing the vent tube opening, said seal of the second seal assembly being movable in a generally horizontal plane relative to said follower to prevent binding of the vent tube in the vent tube opening as the follower moves in the container. 11. A container system, comprising: a container for holding a viscous fluid; a follower in the container having a first opening for receiving a vertical pump tube, said follower being adapted to move up and down in the container in response to a change in a level of fluid in the container; said follower having a wiper seal around its periphery for wiping against a side wall of the container; a sensor assembly for sensing the level of fluid in the container; said sensor assembly comprising: a guide adapted to extend down into the container through a second opening in the follower spaced from said first opening in the follower; a first device movable up and down on the guide in response to movement of the follower; a second device secured in fixed position adjacent the guide; said first and second devices cooperating on movement of the first device past the second device to signal a level of fluid in the container; a limit device attached to the follower for limiting separation of the first device in a vertical direction away from the follower when the follower moves in the container whereby viscous fluid on said guide or said first device does not prevent movement of the first device on the guide as the follower moves in the container; a pump mounted atop the container; and a vertical pump tube extending down into the container through said first opening in the follower. 12. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container contains a viscous fluid comprising grease having a viscosity of at least 60,000 centipoise. 13. A system set forth in claim 1 wherein said container comprises a lid, and wherein said guide is attached to the lid. 14. A level sensor assembly for a container adapted to hold a viscous fluid therein, said sensor assembly comprising: a follower plate having a first opening for receiving a vertical pump tube in the container, said follower plate being adapted to rest on fluid in the container for movement in the container in response to a change of fluid level; said follower plate having a wiper seal around its periphery for wiping against a side wall of the container; a guide adapted to be attached to a lid of the container and to extend into the container through a second opening in the follower plate spaced from the first opening; a first device adapted to move on the guide in response to movement of the follower plate; a second device adapted to be secured in fixed position adjacent the guide; said first and second devices being adapted to cooperate on movement of the first device past the second device to signal a level of fluid in the container; and a limit device attached to the follower plate for limiting separation of the first device in a vertical direction away from the follower plate when the follower plate moves in the container whereby viscous fluid on said guide or said first device does not prevent movement of the first device on the guide as the follower moves in the container. 15. An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said limit device is a cage attached to said follower plate and extending over said first device. 16. An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said first device comprises a switch actuator enclosed in a body movable independent of said follower plate and said second device comprises at least one switch operable in response to movement of said switch actuator. 17. An assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said switch actuator comprises a magnet and said second device comprises a series of magnetically actuated switches adapted to be mounted at different heights in said container. 18. A pump and level sensor assembly for a container adapted to hold a viscous fluid therein, said sensor assembly comprising: a pump adapted to be mounted atop the container, said pump comprising vertical pump tube adapted to extend vertically in the container; a follower adapted to be placed in the container having a first opening receiving the pump tube, said follower being adapted for movement in the container in response to a change of fluid level; a guide adapted to be attached to a lid of the container and to extend into the container through a second opening in the follower spaced from the first opening; a first device adapted to move on the guide in response to movement of the follower; a second device adapted to be secured in fixed position adjacent the guide; said first and second devices being adapted to cooperate on movement of the first device past the second device to signal a level of fluid in the container; and a limit device attached to the follower for limiting separation of the first device in a vertical direction away from the follower when the follower moves in the container whereby viscous fluid on said guide or said first device does not prevent movement of the first device on the guide as the follower moves in the container. 19. A container system, comprising: a container for holding a viscous fluid; a follower in the container adapted to move up and down in the container in response to a change in a level of fluid in the container, said follower having a wiper seal around its periphery for wiping against a side wall of the container; a first vertical member in the container extending through a first opening in the follower; and a first seal assembly comprising a seal surrounding the first vertical member for sealing the first opening in the follower, said seal being movable in a generally horizontal plane relative to said follower upon engagement by said first vertical member thereby to prevent binding of the first vertical member in the first opening as the follower moves in the container. 20. A system as set forth in claim 19 wherein said first seal assembly further comprises a seal housing attached to said follower, an opening in the seal housing generally aligned with said first opening in the follower for receiving said first vertical member, and a recess defined at least in part by said seal housing for receiving said seal therein, said recess being sized larger than said seal to permit movement of the seal in said generally horizontal plane. 21. A container system, comprising: a container for holding a viscous fluid; a follower in the container adapted to move up and down in the container in response to a change in a level of fluid in the container; a first vertical member in the container extending through a first opening in the follower; a first seal assembly comprising a seal surrounding the first vertical member for sealing the first opening in the follower, said seal being movable in a generally horizontal plane relative to said follower to prevent binding of the first vertical member in the first opening as the follower moves in the container; a second vertical member in the container extending through a second opening in the follower, and a second seal assembly comprising a seal surrounding the second vertical member for sealing the second opening in the follower, said seal of the second seal assembly being movable in a generally horizontal plane relative to said follower to prevent binding of the second vertical member in the second opening as the follower moves in the container. 22. A container system, comprising: a container for holding a viscous fluid; a follower in the container adapted to move up and down in the container in response to a change in a level of fluid in the container; a first vertical member in the container extending through a first opening in the follower; a first seal assembly comprising a seal surrounding the first vertical member for sealing the first opening in the follower, said seal being movable in a generally horizontal plane relative to said follower to prevent binding of the first vertical member in the first opening as the follower moves in the container; and a pump mounted atop the container, said pump comprising a vertical pump tube extending down into the container through an opening in the follower. 23. A system as set forth in claim 19 wherein said container contains a viscous fluid comprising grease having a viscosity of at least 60,000 centipoise, and further comprising an annular seal on said follower for wiping against an inside wall of the container. 24. A level sensor assembly for a container adapted to hold a viscous fluid therein, said sensor assembly comprising: a follower having a first opening for receiving a vertical pump tube in the container, said follower being adapted to be placed in the container and to rest on fluid in the container for movement up and down in the container in response to a change of fluid level; said follower having a wiper seal around its periphery for wiping against a side wall of the container; a guide adapted to extend down into the container through a second opening in the follower spaced from the first opening; a first device comprising a body slidable on the guide in response to movement of the follower in the container, said body containing one or more switch actuators; a second device comprising a plurality of switches secured in fixed position adjacent the guide; said first and second devices being adapted to cooperate on movement of the first device past the second device to signal a level of fluid in the container; and a limit device attached to the follower for limiting separation of said body and said switch actuators in a vertical direction away from the follower when the follower moves in the container whereby viscous fluid on said guide or said first device does not prevent movement of the first device on the guide as the follower moves in the container. 25. A container system, comprising: a container containing a viscous fluid having a viscosity of at least 60,000 centipoise; a vertical pump tube in the container; a follower in the container having a first opening receiving the pump tube, said follower being adapted to move up and down in the container in response to a change in a level of the viscous fluid in the container; and a sensor assembly for sensing the level of fluid in the container; said sensor assembly comprising: a guide adapted to extend down into the container through a second opening in the follower spaced from the first opening; a first device movable up and down on the guide in response to movement of the follower; a second device secured in fixed position adjacent the guide; said first and second devices cooperating on movement of the first device past the second device to signal a level of fluid in the container; and a limit device attached to the follower for limiting separation of the first device away from the follower when the follower moves in the container whereby viscous fluid on said guide or said first device does not prevent movement of the first device on the guide as the follower moves in the container. 26. A container system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said follower comprises a follower plate and a wiper seal around a periphery of the follower plate for wiping against a side wall of the container. 27. A container system for grease, comprising: a container for holding a viscous grease, said container having a lid; a vertical pump tube in the container; a follower plate in the container having a first opening receiving the pump tube, said follower plate being adapted to move up and down in the container in response to a change in a level of the grease in the container; said follower plate having a wiper seal around its periphery for wiping against a side wall of the container; a sensor assembly for sensing the level of grease in the container; said sensor assembly comprising: a guide attached to the lid of the container and extending down into the container through a second opening in the follower plate spaced from the first opening; a switch-actuating device movable up and down on the guide in response to movement of the follower plate; a switch device secured in fixed position adjacent the guide; said switch-actuating device and said switch device cooperating on movement of the switch-actuating device past the switch device to signal a level of grease in the container; a limit device attached to the follower plate for limiting separation of the switch-actuating device away from the follower plate when the follower plate moves in the container whereby grease on the guide or the switch-actuating device does not prevent movement of the switch-actuating device on the guide as the follower plate moves in the container; and a first seal assembly comprising a seal surrounding said guide for sealing the guide opening in the follower plate, said seal being movable in a generally horizontal plane relative to the follower plate to prevent binding of the guide in the first opening as the follower plate moves in the container.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (7)
Sims Bobby H. (417 Illinois St. Hot Springs AR 71901), Apparatus for monitoring and controlling liquid level.
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