GB2170602A - Measuring or monitoring the level of liquid in a vessel - Google Patents
Measuring or monitoring the level of liquid in a vessel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2170602A GB2170602A GB08528376A GB8528376A GB2170602A GB 2170602 A GB2170602 A GB 2170602A GB 08528376 A GB08528376 A GB 08528376A GB 8528376 A GB8528376 A GB 8528376A GB 2170602 A GB2170602 A GB 2170602A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- vessel
- liquid
- level
- conductors
- electrical
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 63
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 title claims description 13
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 56
- 235000013405 beer Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000615 nonconductor Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 abstract description 13
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 7
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 abstract description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000010292 electrical insulation Methods 0.000 description 6
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000003822 epoxy resin Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920000647 polyepoxide Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 2
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000881 depressing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012777 electrically insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
- G01F23/26—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
- G01F23/263—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors
- G01F23/268—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors mounting arrangements of probes
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)
Abstract
In order to measure or monitor the level of liquid in a vessel there are provided first and second electrical conductors each extending between a first and a second level in the vessel. The conductors are electrically insulated from each other. The electrical capacitance between the conductors varies with liquid level and is a measure of the level of liquid in the vessel. In determining the volume of beer in a metal keg of which the walls are lined with electrically insulating plastics material, the capacitance is measured between the keg wall and the beer which is electrically conductive and in contact with the inlet/outlet spear. Apparatus for carrying out the method may be arranged also to measure the electrical resistance between the spear and the wall, this enabling the integrity of the lining to be categorised. The apparatus may operate electronically and store successive measurements for subsequent transfer to a computer. Electronic components are mounted in housing (1) having a collar 2 surrounding three spring loaded contacts (4). When the housing (1) is placed on top of the key a control contact (4) contacts the spear which acts as one of the conductors and the other contacts make contact with the side wall of the keg which forms the other conductor. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Measuring o; monitoring the level of liquid in a vessel
This invention relates to the measuring or monitoring of the level of liquid in a vessel.
The invention has been developed to enable the volume of beer in a keg to be measured or monitored, but as will be apparent from what follows the invention is of wider application than that.
From one aspect the present invention consists in a method of measuring or monitoring the level of liquid in a vessel, in which there are provided first and second electrical conductors each extending at least between a first level and a second level in the vessel, the conductors being electrically insulated from each other, and the arrangement being such that the electrical capacitance between the conductors varies with variation in liquid level, the method comprising the use of such variations in capacitance as the basis for measuring or monitoring the level of liquid in the vessel.
As will become apparent from what follows, the electrical insulation may not always be perfect. Nevertheless it is necessarily sufficient to enable the method to operate adequately.
If the liquid in the vessel is an electrical insulator (it may, for example, by a hydrocarbon or mixture of hydrocarbons), the first and second conductors need not themselves carry their own electrical insulation, the liquid itself constituting the dielectric of a capacitor of which the conductors constitute the electrodes. If, on the other hand, the liquid in the vessel is electrically conductive, it is necessary for at least one of the conductors to be electrically insulated inside the vessel so that the liquid is not able to form a conductive path between the conductors as would otherwise be the case. In a preferred arrangement, however, one of the conductors is in electrical contact with the liquid so that it forms part of one conductive element of the capacitor, the electrical insulation that protects the other capacitor then constituting the dielectric.
In a preferred arrangement, the first electrical conductor comprises at least part of the side wall of the vessel. The second electrical conductor may comprise another part of the side wall of the vessel, but in a preferred arrangement the second electrical conductor comprises a probe which does not form part of the side wall of the vessel.
Where the liquid is electrically conductive and the first electrical conductor comprises at least part of the side wall of the vessel and the second electrical conductor comprises a probe, there are two preferred arrangements.
In one such preferred arrangement the electrically conductive side wall or part side wall is provided with electrical insulation so that the liquid is not in electrical contact with it, but the probe is in electrical contact with the liquid, the electrical insulation then constituting the dielectric of the capacitor thus formed.
That arrangement is only possible, however, where the wall or the relevant part of the wall is electrically insulated from the liquid. This is in fact the case with some designs of beer kegs, so that method is suitable for measuring or monitoring the level of beer in kegs of those designs, it being understood that beer is electrically conductive. In the other preferred arrangement the electrically conductive side wall or part side wall is in electrical contact with the liquid but the probe is electrically insulated from the liquid, the electrical insulation for the probe constituting the dielectric for the capacitor thus formed.This latter arrangement enables the method to be used in circumstances in which the electrically conductive wall or part wall is not electrically insulated from the liquid; nevertheless it may suffer somewhat from the fact that, in general, the surface areas of the conductors on either side of the dielectric, that is the surface areas of the probe and of the liquid surrounding the probe, are normally likely to be considerably less than the surface areas of the conductors, namely those of the wall or part wall and of the adjacent liquid, on either side of the dielectric, in the former arrangement.
Where a probe is employed it preferably constitutes at least part of a tube through which liquid can be introduced into or removed from the vessel. In particular, when the probe is electrically insulated and is in the form of an electrically conductive inlet or outlet tube, both the inside surface and the outside surface of the tube may be electrically insulated with insulation that constitutes part of the dielectric. This arrangement is particularly convenient in the case of beer kegs of the kind in which the metal walls are not internally lined.
Where the second electrical conductor is in the form of a probe and where that probe constitutes at least part of an inlet or outlet tube, the arrangement includes within its scope not only a metallic tube but also a nonconductive tubular component provided with an electrically conductive strand or stripe extending lengthwise thereof.
One standard kind of beer keg is made of metal and is provided with a liner made of an epoxy resin which happens to be an electrical insulator. The keg is also provided with a spear assembly comprising a head, which is mounted in an opening at or near the top of the keg, and a metal tube or "spear" which depends from the head to a location near the bottom of the keg. It happens to be the case that in normal constructions of spear assembly the spear is electrically insulated from the keg by the head. In use, gas such as carbon dioxide is introduced into the top part of the keg through an inlet valve in the head and the resulting pressure in the keg drives beer upwards through the spear and through an outlet valve in the head.
One application of the invention is to the measurement of the volume of beer present in a keg of that standard kind. The method employed makes use of the fact that the electrical capacitance of a keg of beer, measured between the wall of the keg and the spear, varies with variations in the level of beer in the keg. The reason for this is that the electrical conductivity of beer is relatively high, so that the keg of beer constitutes a capacitor of which one electrode is constituted by the keg wall while the other electrode is constituted by the beer, which is in electrical contact with the spear, the liner of the keg constituting the dielectric. In this method the keg wall constitutes the first electrical conductor while the spear constitutes the second electrical conductor.
A method in accordance with the invention may be used to measure the actual level of liquid in the vessel concerned. Alternatively the method may be used merely to generate a characteristic signal or group of signals when the level of liquid in the vessel reaches or passes a particular value, use of that kind being referred to herein as monitoring rather than measuring.
From another aspect the present invention consists in apparatus for use in measuring or monitoring the level of liquid in a vessel provided with first and second electrical conductors each extending at least between a first level and a second level in the vessel, the conductors being electrically insulated from each other, the apparatus comprising circuitry responsive to the value of the electrical capacitance between said conductors and capable of producing a signal or group of signals characteristic of the level of liquid in the vessel.
It will be appreciated that in the case of a keg or other rigid vessel the level of the liquid in the vessel can readily be related to the volume of the liquid in the vessel.
It will also be appreciated that it is not essential for either of first and second electrical conductors to extend vertically within the vessel. All that is necessary is for the arrangement to be such that variations in liquid level (within any desired range) to result in corresponding variations in the extent of the conductors that are below or above the liquid level. Thus either of the conductors or each of the conductors could for example be constituted by a straight tube or other probe inclined both to the vertical and to the horizontal, or by a helically coiled tube or other probe with its axis upright.
The apparatus is preferably adapted for use with a vessel selected from vessels of any of a plurality of standard kinds, the apparatus, for this purpose, including selector means operative to provide information as to which particular kind of vessel the selected vessel is.
Moreover the apparatus is preferably so arranged that in conjunction with said information from said selector means it is capable of producing a signal or group of signals that is not only characteristic of the level of liquid in the vessel but is also characteristic of the volume of liquid in the vessel.
The apparatus may also include means for measuring the electrical resistance between said first and second electrical conductors.
The apparatus may also include means for categorising a vessel in accordance with said electrical resistance. It may happen, for example, that in vessels of the kind in which a side wall constitutes the first electrical conductor and that side wall is electrically insulated, the insulation is damaged or deteriorates. Measurement of the electrical resistance enables the extent of the damage or deterioration to be assessed.
The apparatus preferably includes electronic storage means operative to store said signal or group of signals relating to a plurality of different occasions on which liquid level has been measured or monitored, whether in the same vessel or in different vessels. Preferably the storage means is also operative to store information enabling each of said signals or groups of signals to be identified. Moreover there is preferably input means, such as a keypad, enabling a user to enter such information for identifying each of said signals or groups of signals. There is preferably a port for connection to a computer and through which information from the storage means can be transferred to the computer.
The apparatus may be provided with visual display means operative to display a reading or readings based on said signal or group of signals. In addition or alternatively there may be printing means operative to print a reading or readings based on said signal or group of signals.
One embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be described in more detail by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of apparatus embodying the present invention, shown in a position in which it can be transported rather than in a position of use,
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the apparatus (apart from a carrying handle), as viewed in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 1, the apparatus now being in its position of use, and
Figure 3 is a view of the apparatus from beneath, that is as viewed in the direction of the arrow B in Figure 1.
The apparatus illustrated is intended for use in measuring the volume of beer in a keg. The apparatus may be used with kegs of a number of different standard sizes within a range of sizes. For example it may be such as to be usable with kegs of four nominal sizes: 11, 18, 22 and 36 gallons (50, 82, 100 and 164 litres respectively). The actual capacity of a keg may vary from the nominal capacity by not more than half a pint (0.28 litres). The kegs are of conventional kind, having a body made of hardened aluminium alloy and a liner made of an epoxy resin. The aluminium alloy is, of course, electrically conductive while the epoxy resin is an electrical insulator. Each keg is provided with a spear assembly of conventional form.This includes a metal tube or spear which extends vertically downwards along the axis of the keg from a head, mounted at the centre of the top of the keg, to a location some 6 mm above the centre of the bottom of the keg. The spear is electrically conductive but the head incorporates electrically insulating material so arranged that the spear itself is electrically isolated from the body of the keg. At the top of the head there is a horizontal metal plate in the shape of a circular disc but from the rim of which three small segments have been removed, the segments being of a uniform size and uniformiy spaced around the periphery. The plate is in electrical contact with the spear.The plate is of a standard design and its normal use is as part of a bayonet-like attachment which enables outlet ducting for beer and inlet ducting for carbon dioxide to be releasably attached to the head.
The apparatus illustrated has a housing 1 of rugged plastics material with a depending annular collar 2 just large enough to surround the plate. Part way along its length the collar is provided with three inwardly directed fins 3 of segmental shape. In use the apparatus is placed on the head of the spear assembly and rotated to a position in which the apparatus can be lowered so that the fins pass downwards through the segmental gaps in the periphery of the plate. The apparatus is then rotated through 600 so that the fins pass below marginal parts of the plate between the gaps, thus securing the apparatus in position.
There are three spring-loaded electrical contacts 4 projecting downwards from the bottom of the collar 2. When the apparatus is in place on the head, the contacts 4 bear on the top of the keg and make electrical contact with it. The top of the keg comprises a circular metal disc of which the periphery is secured to an upper edge of the side wall of the keg. Thus the contacts 4 are in circuit with the side wall of the keg. At the axis of the collar the housing 1 carries a spring-loaded electrical contact 5 which bears on the plate of the head when the apparatus is in place.
The contact 5 is thus in circuit with the spear.
Upward movement of the contact 5, which occurs when the apparatus is mounted in place, also causes closure of an on/off switch, and enables the apparatus to operate.
The on/off switch is a proximity switch inside the housing 1.
The housing 1 is provided with headed lugs 6 to which can be attached end portions of a flexible strap 7 which serves as a carrying handle (shown only in Figure 1).
Inside the housing 1 are various electronic components, described in more detail below.
On its upper side the housing includes an upstanding wedge-shaped portion 8 with a principal face 9 which is inclined somewhat to the horizontal when the apparatus is mounted on a keg. The face 9 has an upstanding protective rib 10 around its periphery. The face carries various components, though these are not illustrated. At its upper, rear end the face carries an LCD capable of displaying numerals and constituting display means. In front of that is a membrane switch panel providing a row of four selector switches with markings indicating the capacities (11, 18, 22, 36 gallons) of the kegs with which the apparatus is to be used. In front of that row the membrane switch panel provides a numeric keypad constituting input means and having switches for ten digits.Although it is not illustrated, the housing is also provided with a port enabling the apparatus to be connected to a computer.
The housing is made water-tight to protect the electronic components inside it.
The electronic components in the housing 1 include a CMOS microprocessor, a PROM, which carries a program for controlling the operations of the microprocessor, and RAM memory for storing readings and other information preparatory its being transferred via the port to a computer. The RAM memory constitutes electronic storage means.
The apparatus is preferably powered by an electric battery contained within the housing, the battery may be of the rechargeable kind or of the non-rechargeable kind. If desired, however, the apparatus may be powered from the electric mains supply.
In use the apparatus is mounted on the keg in the manner described above. This automatically enables electrical contact to be made with the keg wall and with the spear. It also switches on the on/off switch, although nothing further occurs until one of the switches of the membrane switch panel is pressed.
The user then presses that selector switch indicating the nominal volume of the keg concerned. This causes the apparatus to measure the electrical properties of the keg. One measurement is of the electrical resistance between the keg body and the spear. Provided that the epoxy resin liner is undamaged the resistance should be relatively high. It sometimes happens, however, that after repeated use the liner becomes damaged. If that occurs, the electrical resistance is reduced, the reduction in resistance being a measure of the damage that has occurred. It is normally found that provided such damage is not extensive there is no discernable effect on the contents of the keg.The apparatus categorises the keg as falling within one of four categories ranging from 1 to 4, it being categorised as 1 if the resistance is very high, indicating that the liner is intact, and 4 if it is relatively low, indicating that the liner is badly damaged. The category is displayed on one portion of the the LCD.
The other measurement made by the apparatus is that of the electrical capacitance between the body of the keg and the spear. As explained above, the capacitance depends primarily on the volume of beer in the keg, the more beer being present the greater the capacitance. The measurement, combined with the information from the selector switch enables the apparatus to provide a reading of the measured volume of beer in the keg. This reading, which may be in pints and tenths of pints (one pint being 0.568 litres), is displayed simultaneously on another portion of the LCD.
If the keg is of category 1 the measured volume is normally within 1% of the true volume.
The accuracy may be even greater. If the keg is of one of the other categories, however, the measured volume may be a little further from the true volume; for example if the keg is in category 4 the measured volume may be as much as 2.5% different from the true volume.
The apparatus is such that the readings are displayed after a relatively short interval of time, for example an interval of less than three seconds, and are updated at the end of each subsequent time interval of the same duration. The apparatus is also such that it automatically switches itself down after a short period, such as ten seconds, in order to avoid excessive discharge of the battery.
If desired, the user may also enter the keg tare code by depressing the appropriate keys of the numerical keypad. As a check the code is displayed on the LCD. The keg tare code is a sequence of digits which identifies the keg and has been appiied to the keg when it was racked. It incorporates the keg size, the volume of the beer with which it was charged and the date on which it was racked.
The details of the nominal keg size, category, the volume of beer and the keg tare code are recorded in the RAM memory. The apparatus can then be disconnected from the keg and attached to another keg, whereupon the process can be repeated. After the process has been repeated a number of times, each time with a different keg, the measurements and associated particulars of nominal keg size, tare number and category can be transferred from the RAM memory through a cable with a plug temporarily connected to the port referred to above Alternatively, or in ar.dition, the measurements and associated particulars may be printed by a printer temporarily attached to the apparatus in a similar manner; in a modified construction the printer is incorporated as a permanent part of the apparatus.
The RAM memory may be sufficiently large to enable readings from up to 200 kegs to be stored. In a further possible modification the numerical keypad is omitted and the RAM memory and port are omitted. The apparatus is still able to provide a visual display showing the category of the keg and the volume of beer in the keg but does not record these details.
In a still further modification the contacts 4 and 5 are repiaced by flexible wires terminating in clips that can be clipped onto the body of a keg and onto the plate at the top of the head.
The measurement of the capacitance and resistance may be effected in any suitable manner. In one preferred method the capacitor, of which the first and second electrical conductors constitute the electrodes, is charged with one polarity and then the other polarity at regular intervals, and the rate of charge and discharge is used as the basis of the measurement of capacitance. Provided that the dielectric is non-conductive the charge/discharge curve is of a characteristic shape. If the insulation is faulty, however, and some current is able to flow between the first and second electrical conductors, the shape of the charge/discharge curve is distorted, and the extent of any such distortion is used as a measure of the integrity of the insulation and, in the case of a beer keg for example, enables the vessel concerned to be categorised in the manner described above.
While the invention has been particularly described in relation to the measurement of the volume of beer in beer kegs, it will be understood that it is also applicable to such operations as the measurement of the volume of petrol in a tank, such as the tank of a petrol transporter or a tank from which petrol is dispensed at a garage. It must also be understood that the invention may be used in circumstances in which the level of liquid in the vessel is varying, the invention then enabling the rate of variation in liquid level to be measured or monitored. To this end measurements of liquid level may be taken at regular intervals of time.
Claims (22)
1. A method of measuring or monitoring the level of liquid in a vessel, in which there are provided first and second electrical conductors each extending at least between a first level and a second level in the vessel, the conductors being electrically insulated from each other, and the arrangement being such that the electrical capacitance between the conductors varies with variation in liquid level, the method comprising the use of such variations in capacitance as the basis for measuring or monitoring the level of liquid in the vessel.
2. A method according to claim 1 in which the liquid in the vessel is an electrical insulator and the first and second conductors are not electrically insulated from the liquid so that the liquid itself constitutes the dielectric of a capacitor of which the conductors constitute the electrodes.
3. A method according to claim 1 in which the liquid in the vessel is electrically conductive and in which one of the conductors is in electrical contact with the liquid while the other of the conductors is electrically insulated from the liquid by insulation which constitutes the dielectric of a capacitor of which said one conductor and the liquid together constitute one electrode while said other conductor constitutes the other electrode.
4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first electrical conductor comprises at least part of the side wall of the vessel.
5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims in which the second electrical conductor comprises a probe which does not form part of the side wall of the vessel.
6. A method according to claim 1 in which the liquid in the vessel is electrically conductive, the first electrical conductor comprises at least part of the side wall of the vessel and the second electrical conductor comprises a probe, and in which the first electrical conductor is electrically insulated from the liquid and the second electrical conductor is in electrical contact with the liquid.
7. A method according to claim 1 in which the liquid in the vessel is electrically conductive, the first electrode comprises at least part of the side wall of the vessel and the second electrical conductor comprises a probe, and in which the first electrical conductor is in electrical contact with the liquid and the second electrical conductor is electrically insulated from the liquid.
8. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 7 in which the probe constitutes at least part of a tube through which liquid can be introduced into or removed from the vessel.
9. A method according to claim 8 in which the vessel is a beer keg and the liquid is beer.
10. A method of measuring or monitoring the level of liquid in a vessel substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
11. Apparatus for use in measuring or monitoring the level of liquid in a vessel provided with first and second electrical conductors each extending at least between a first level and a second level in the vessel, the conductors being electrically insulated from each other, the apparatus comprising circuitry responsive to the value of the electrical capacitance between said conductors and capable of producing a signal or group of signals characteristic of the level of liquid in the vessel.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11 adapted for use with a vessel selected from vessels of any of a plurality of standard kinds, the apparatus, for this purpose, including selector means operative to provide information as to which particular kind of vessel the selected vessel is.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12 which is so arranged that in conjunction with said information from said selector means it is capable of producing a signal or group of signals that is not only characteristic of the level of liquid in the vessel but is also characteristic of the volume of liquid in the vessel.
14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13 which includes means for measuring the electrical resistance between said conductors.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14 which includes means for categorising a vessel in accordance with said electrical resistance.
16. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 15 in which there is electronic storage means operative to store said signal or group of signals relating to a plurality of different occasions on which liquid level has been measured or monitored, whether in the same vessel or in different vessels.
17. Apparatus according to claim 16 in which the storage means is also operative to store information enabling each of said signals or groups of signals to be identified.
18. Apparatus according to claim 17 in which there is input means enabling a user to enter such information for identifying each of said signals or groups of signals.
19. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18 in which there is a port for connection to a computer and through which information from the storage means can be transferred to the computer.
20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 19 in which there is visual display means operative to display a reading or readings based on said signal or group of signals.
21. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 19 in which there is printing means operative to print a reading or readings based on said signal or group of signals.
22. Apparatus for use in measuring or monitoring the level of liquid in a vessel, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB848429727A GB8429727D0 (en) | 1984-11-24 | 1984-11-24 | Monitoring level of liquid |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8528376D0 GB8528376D0 (en) | 1985-12-24 |
| GB2170602A true GB2170602A (en) | 1986-08-06 |
Family
ID=10570218
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB848429727A Pending GB8429727D0 (en) | 1984-11-24 | 1984-11-24 | Monitoring level of liquid |
| GB08528376A Withdrawn GB2170602A (en) | 1984-11-24 | 1985-11-18 | Measuring or monitoring the level of liquid in a vessel |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB848429727A Pending GB8429727D0 (en) | 1984-11-24 | 1984-11-24 | Monitoring level of liquid |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB8429727D0 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5860316A (en) * | 1995-09-16 | 1999-01-19 | Rolls-Royce And Associates Limited | Capacitance probe |
| WO2012010659A1 (en) | 2010-07-21 | 2012-01-26 | Carlsberg Breweries A/S | Volumetric measurement of beverage |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2046918A (en) * | 1979-03-05 | 1980-11-19 | Vdo Schindling | Capacitance-based metering of filling levels |
| GB2059596A (en) * | 1979-10-01 | 1981-04-23 | Rockwell International Corp | Capacitive fuel measuring system |
| GB2081452A (en) * | 1980-08-01 | 1982-02-17 | Endress Hauser Gmbh Co | Container fluid level determination |
| GB2081450A (en) * | 1980-08-01 | 1982-02-17 | Endress Hauser Gmbh Co | Capacitive measurement of level in a container |
| GB2107468A (en) * | 1981-09-25 | 1983-04-27 | Tokyo Tatsuno Kk | Liquid quantity measuring apparatus |
| GB2109557A (en) * | 1981-10-12 | 1983-06-02 | Jagenberg Werke Ag | Device for the delivery of very small quantities of liquid |
-
1984
- 1984-11-24 GB GB848429727A patent/GB8429727D0/en active Pending
-
1985
- 1985-11-18 GB GB08528376A patent/GB2170602A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2046918A (en) * | 1979-03-05 | 1980-11-19 | Vdo Schindling | Capacitance-based metering of filling levels |
| GB2059596A (en) * | 1979-10-01 | 1981-04-23 | Rockwell International Corp | Capacitive fuel measuring system |
| GB2081452A (en) * | 1980-08-01 | 1982-02-17 | Endress Hauser Gmbh Co | Container fluid level determination |
| GB2081450A (en) * | 1980-08-01 | 1982-02-17 | Endress Hauser Gmbh Co | Capacitive measurement of level in a container |
| GB2107468A (en) * | 1981-09-25 | 1983-04-27 | Tokyo Tatsuno Kk | Liquid quantity measuring apparatus |
| GB2109557A (en) * | 1981-10-12 | 1983-06-02 | Jagenberg Werke Ag | Device for the delivery of very small quantities of liquid |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5860316A (en) * | 1995-09-16 | 1999-01-19 | Rolls-Royce And Associates Limited | Capacitance probe |
| WO2012010659A1 (en) | 2010-07-21 | 2012-01-26 | Carlsberg Breweries A/S | Volumetric measurement of beverage |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8528376D0 (en) | 1985-12-24 |
| GB8429727D0 (en) | 1985-01-03 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |