Sealed head construction for liquid level transducers
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G01F-023/26
G01F-023/284
F16B-033/00
G01S-013/10
출원번호
US-0958925
(2015-12-03)
등록번호
US-10066979
(2018-09-04)
발명자
/ 주소
Hrncir, Robert E.
Storace, John Gordon
출원인 / 주소
Rochester Gauges, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Wirthlin, Alvin R.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
2
초록▼
A liquid level transducer (10) for mounting to a cryogenic tank includes a mounting head assembly (14) for connection to the tank (12) and an elongate sensing probe assembly (16) extending from the mounting head assembly (14) and into the tank. The mounting head assembly (14) has a lower mounting me
A liquid level transducer (10) for mounting to a cryogenic tank includes a mounting head assembly (14) for connection to the tank (12) and an elongate sensing probe assembly (16) extending from the mounting head assembly (14) and into the tank. The mounting head assembly (14) has a lower mounting member (40) connected to the sensing probe assembly (16). The mounting head assembly also includes a tank mounting member (42) with a central bore (74) and a transverse wall (87) located within the bore. An upper connecting section (60) of the member (40) is threaded into the bore (74). A seal (147) is positioned between the transverse wall (87) and the upper connecting section (60). The upper connecting section (60) has a corrugated feature that receives and deforms the seal to interlock the components together and increase the sealing surface area therebetween.
대표청구항▼
1. A transducer (10) for determining the level of liquid within a pressurized tank (12), the tank having a tank wall (15) and an opening (17) formed therein, the transducer comprising: an elongate sensing probe (16) adapted to extend into the tank for determining liquid level within the tank, the el
1. A transducer (10) for determining the level of liquid within a pressurized tank (12), the tank having a tank wall (15) and an opening (17) formed therein, the transducer comprising: an elongate sensing probe (16) adapted to extend into the tank for determining liquid level within the tank, the elongate sensing probe having a first elongate electrode (22) for performing at least one of generating, modifying, and relaying an electrical signal indicative of the liquid level;a mounting head assembly (14) connected to the elongate sensing probe (16), the mounting head assembly being adapted for connection to the tank for sealing the tank opening (17) to thereby maintain pressure within the tank (12), the mounting head assembly comprising: a lower mounting member (40) having a first body (50) formed of electrically conductive material for electrical connection to the first elongate electrode (22), the first body including a first lower connecting portion (52) mechanically connectable to the elongate sensing probe (16), a first upper connecting portion (60), and a first central bore (68) extending through the first lower and upper connecting portions and defining a first central axis; the first elongate electrode extending through the first central bore; anda tank mounting member (42) having;a second body (70) including a second lower connecting portion (72) with a second central bore (74) formed in a lower end thereof and a third central bore (85) formed in an upper end thereof; anda fixed intermediate wall section (87) formed integrally with the second body (70), the fixed intermediate wall section (87) being located between and extending transverse to the second central bore and the third central bore;the second central bore being sized to receive the first elongate electrode;the first upper connecting portion (60) being received and retained within the second central bore (74) with an upper end of the first upper connecting portion (60) being located adjacent to the fixed intermediate wall section (87);a corrugated feature (152, 154, 167, 169) associated with at least one of the fixed intermediate wall section (87) and the upper end of the first upper connecting portion (60); anda first inner seal (112, 147) configured as an annular disk and constructed of resilient material; the first inner seal being located in the second central bore (74) between the fixed intermediate wall section (87) and the upper end of the first upper connecting portion (60), the first inner seal being pressed into the corrugated feature between the fixed intermediate wall section (87) and the upper end of the first upper connecting portion (60) by moving the first upper connecting portion (60) toward the fixed intermediate wall section (87) to thereby interlock the first inner seal and the corrugated feature while increasing a surface area therebetween and seal the mounting head assembly against leakage. 2. A transducer (10) according to claim 1, wherein the corrugated feature comprises alternating ridges and grooves. 3. A transducer (10) according to claim 2, wherein the alternating ridges and grooves are circular in shape and coaxial. 4. A transducer (10) according to claim 1, and further comprising an extension member (145) having a connector (157) electrically connected to an upper end of the first elongate electrode (22, 20) and a sealing flange (163) encircling the connector, the sealing flange being configured to fit within the second central bore (74) and including an upper surface with the corrugated feature, so that the first seal is sandwiched between the sealing flange and the fixed intermediate wall section (87). 5. A transducer (10) according to claim 4, wherein the extension member further comprises a connecting pin (103) for connection to electrical circuitry (25) to thereby process liquid level signals from at least the first elongate electrode, the connecting pin extending through a central opening (171) in the first inner seal (147) and a central opening (89) in the fixed intermediate wall section (87), the central opening (89) being smaller in diameter than the second and third central bores, but sufficiently large so that the connecting pin is electrically isolated from the fixed intermediate wall section (87). 6. A transducer (10) according to claim 5, wherein the elongate sensing probe (16) further comprises a second elongate electrode (20) connected to the lower mounting member (40) and electrically isolated from the first elongate electrode (22), the first and second electrodes together performing at least one of generating, modifying, and relaying an electrical signal indicative of the liquid level. 7. A transducer (10) according to claim 6, wherein the first and second elongate electrodes are circular in cross-section and coaxial. 8. A transducer (10) according to claim 7, and further comprising: an electronic section (25) electrically connected to the first and second electrodes for processing electrical signals therefrom; anda housing enclosing the electronic section; and a second upper connecting portion (80) extending upwardly from the second body (70) of the tank mounting member (42), the housing being connected to the second upper connecting portion (80). 9. A transducer (10) according to claim 8, wherein the first elongate electrode (22) extends through the second upper connecting portion (80) and is electrically isolated therefrom. 10. A transducer (10) according to claim 9, wherein the second lower connecting portion (72) of the tank mounting member (42) comprises a lower surface (94) with a second corrugated feature (96, 98); and further comprising an outer seal (102) constructed of resilient material and configured for location between the lower surface (94) of the second lower connecting portion (72) and the tank wall, the outer seal being pressed into the second corrugated feature (96, 98) by moving the tank mounting member (42) toward the tank wall (15) to thereby interlock the outer seal and the second corrugated feature while increasing a surface area therebetween and seal the mounting head assembly against leakage with respect to the tank wall. 11. A transducer (10) according to claim 1, wherein the second lower connecting portion (72) of the tank mounting member (42) comprises a lower surface (94) with a second corrugated feature (96, 98); and further comprising an outer seal (102) constructed of resilient material and configured for location between the lower surface (94) of the second lower connecting portion (72) and the tank wall, the outer seal being pressed into the second corrugated feature (96, 98) by moving the tank mounting member (42) toward the tank wall (15) to thereby interlock the outer seal and the second corrugated feature while increasing a surface area therebetween and seal the mounting head assembly against leakage with respect to the tank wall. 12. A transducer (10) according to claim 1, wherein the second central bore (74) is formed with inner threads (64) and the first upper connecting portion (60) is formed with outer threads (62) for engagement with the inner threads (64) to thereby connect the tank mounting member (42) and the lower mounting member together and cause the first upper connecting portion (60) to move toward the fixed intermediate wall section (87) and press the first inner seal into the corrugated feature as the first upper connecting portion (60) is threaded into the second central bore (74). 13. A mounting head assembly (14) for connection to a cryogenic tank (12) having a tank wall (15) and an opening (17) formed therein, and being adapted for sealing the tank opening (17) to thereby maintain pressure within the tank (12), the mounting head assembly comprising: a lower mounting member (40) having a first body (50) with a first upper connecting portion (60) and a first central bore (68) extending therethrough, the lower mounting member being adapted for connection to a sensor probe (16);a tank mounting member (42) having a second body (70) with a lower connecting portion (72), a second central bore (74) and a third central bore (85) formed therein and a fixed intermediate wall section (87) formed in the second body and located between the second and third central bores; the fixed intermediate wall section (87) being integral with the second body (70) and extending transverse to a central axis of the second and third central bores;the first upper connecting portion (60) being received and retained within the second central bore (74) and being operably associated with an upper surface (144 or 150) located adjacent to the fixed intermediate wall section (87);a corrugated feature (152, 154, 167, 169) associated with at least one of the fixed intermediate wall section (87) and the upper surface (144 or 150); andan inner seal (112, 147) constructed of resilient material and configured for location in the second central bore (74) between the fixed intermediate wall section (87) and the upper surface (144 or 150), the inner seal being pressed into the corrugated feature by moving the first upper connecting portion (60) toward the fixed intermediate wall section (87) to thereby interlock the inner seal and the corrugated feature while increasing a surface area therebetween and seal the mounting head assembly against leakage. 14. The mounting head assembly (14) according to claim 13, and further comprising: the lower connecting portion (72) of the tank mounting member (42) having a lower surface (94) extending parallel with, but offset from, the fixed intermediate wall section (87), the lower surface (94) including a second corrugated feature (96, 98); andan outer seal (102) constructed of resilient material and configured for location between the lower surface (94) of the lower connecting portion (72) and the tank wall, the outer seal being pressed into the second corrugated feature (96, 98) to thereby interlock the outer seal and the second corrugated feature while increasing a surface area therebetween to seal the mounting head assembly against leakage with respect to the wall of the tank. 15. The mounting head assembly (14) according to claim 13, wherein the second central bore (74) is formed with inner threads (64) and the first upper connecting portion (60) is formed with outer threads (62) for engagement with the inner threads (64) to thereby connect the tank mounting member (42) and the lower mounting member (40) together and cause the first upper connecting portion (60) to move toward the fixed intermediate wall section (87) and press the first inner seal into the corrugated feature as the first upper connecting portion (60) is threaded into the second central bore (74). 16. A transducer (10) for determining the level of liquid within a pressurized tank (12), the transducer comprising: a mounting head assembly (14) adapted for connection to the tank (12); andan elongate sensing probe assembly (16) adapted to extend into the tank from the mounting head assembly (14);the mounting head assembly comprising a lower mounting member (40) with a first central bore (68) for receiving at least a portion of the sensing probe assembly (16), and a tank mounting member (42) with a lower connection portion (72) comprising a second central bore (74), a third central bore (85) coaxial with the second central bore and separated therefrom by a fixed transverse wall (87) located between the second central bore and the third central bore; the second central bore being sized to receive at least a portion of the sensing probe assembly;the lower mounting member (40) having an upper connecting section (60) located within the second central bore (74) with an upper end of the upper connecting section being operably associated with an upper surface (144 or 150) located adjacent to the fixed transverse wall; andan inner seal (147) positioned between the fixed transverse wall (87) and the upper surface (144 or 150) operably associated with the upper connecting section (60), at least one of the transverse wall and the upper surface (144 or 150) having a first corrugated shape that receives the inner seal to thereby form a labyrinth-type seal for sealing the mounting head assembly against leakage between the mounting head and the lower mounting member. 17. A transducer (10) according to claim 16, and further comprising: the lower connecting portion (72) of the tank mounting member (42) having a lower surface (94) extending parallel with, but offset from, the fixed transverse wall (87), the lower surface (94) including a second corrugated shape (96, 98); andan outer seal (102) constructed of resilient material and configured for location between the lower surface (94) of the lower connecting portion (72) and the tank wall, the outer seal being pressed into the second corrugated shape (96, 98) to thereby interlock the outer seal and the second corrugated shape while increasing a surface area therebetween to seal the mounting head assembly against leakage with respect to the wall of the tank. 18. A transducer (10) according to claim 17, wherein an outer diameter of the inner seal (147) is smaller than an inner diameter of the outer seal (102). 19. A transducer (10) according to claim 17, wherein the inner seal (147) and outer seal (102) comprise flat disk material with smooth upper and lower surfaces, wherein the inner and outer seals are sufficiently pressed into the respective first and second corrugated shapes to change the flat disk material into first and second corrugated seals. 20. A transducer (10) according to claim 16, wherein the elongate sensing probe includes an inner elongate electrode (20, 22) electrically isolated from the mounting head assembly, and further comprising: an extension member (145) having a connector (157) electrically connected to an upper end of the inner elongate electrode (20, 22) and a sealing flange (163) encircling the connector, the sealing flange being configured to fit within the second central bore (74) and including an upper surface with the first corrugated shape, so that the inner seal is sandwiched between the sealing flange and the fixed transverse wall (87);a connecting pin (103) operably associated with the extension member (145) for connection to electrical circuitry (25) to thereby process liquid level signals from at least the inner elongate electrode;the connecting pin extending through a central opening (171) in the inner seal (147) and a central opening (89) in the fixed transverse wall (87);wherein the connecting pin is electrically isolated from the fixed transverse wall section (87).
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (2)
Gravel James L. ; Kruse Steve D. ; Olson Randall C., Modular probe.
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