Shielded sight gauge for storage tanks

Abstract

A vertically mountable sight gauge is comprised of one or more serially connectable sections for visually determining the level or the volume, or both, of liquid stored in a container. Each section has an upper and lower housing. Each housing has a passage therethrough with a first end and second end, is surrounded by a flange, and is attached to the ends of a straight length of substantially transparent, flexible pipe. The pipe is surrounded by a cylindrical, substantial transparent, rigid shield and a cylindrical, substantially transparent, rigid sleeve. The bottom end of the sleeve is surrounded by a shoulder. The outer diameter of the top end of the sleeve is less than inner diameter of the shield, such that the sleeve telescopically engages the shield. Biasing means bears against the bottom end of the shield and the sleeve's shoulder, surrounds and overlaps the sleeve, and urges the shield against the upper housing and the sleeve against the lower housing. The second end of the uppermost housing's passage is placed in communication with the interior upper region of the container, and the second end of the lowermost housing's passage is placed in communication with the interior lower region of the container. A float is placed in the pipe to improve the visibility of the height of the column of liquid contained. The upper housing's and lower housing's passages contain means for preventing the escape of the float without preventing the flow of liquid through the passages.