Thermaco Incorporated

Jan Robin Fischer

William Charles Batten

Bruce W Kyles

Randolph Batten

An apparatus having a layer of fats, oils and grease (F.O.G) on water includes a tank having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet connects to a source of F.O.G.-laden effluent and the outlet connects to a sewer pipe so that the outlet defines a normal static water level for F.O.G. and effluent in the tank. A sensor mounted above the static water level determines a distance from the sensor to a top of F.O.G. within the tank, so that a thickness of the F.O.G. in the tank can be determined. If the sensor is LIDAR, sensing may be at about 940 nm. When the F.O.G. is sensed to be above a threshold, the apparatus generates signals to remove the F.O.G. Ultrasonic sensing may be used. Preferably, the sensor is mounted far enough above the static water level so the distance between the sensor and the liquid surface is filled with air. More preferably, the sensor is far enough above the static water level so that the top of the F.O.G. does not touch the sensor even as the top of the F.O.G. rises above the static water level.

Non-contact sensor for determining a F.O.G. level in a separator, including ultrasonics

An apparatus for discriminating between liquids having differing thermal conductivities includes a thermally conductive substrate, a resistor and a thermistor mounted to the thermally conductive substrate. Two leads on the resistor enable a current to be passed through the resistor to generate heat, and two leads on the thermistor enable a current to be passed through the thermistor to generate a datum indicative of thermistor temperature. An electrical insulator encapsulates the resistor, the thermistor and part of the thermally conductive substrate. A remainder of the thermally conductive substrate may extend beyond the electrical insulator to provide a thermal path from the resistor and thermistor to a liquid in which the apparatus may be immersed.

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Elon, NC, United States of America

Jan Robin Fischer