The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 15, 2005
Filed:
Apr. 20, 2004
Thomas Tschanz, Lake Forest, IL (US);
Thomas Tschanz, Lake Forest, IL (US);
Other;
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for electronically and non-invasively sensing liquid level in a boiler or other liquid-containing vessel. The apparatus, comprising a sensor and sensor integrated circuit can be uniquely designed for external attachment to any commercially available gauge glass used for visually determining liquid level in a boiler and other liquid-containing vessels. The apparatus, which employs proximity level-sensing technology, is suitable for determining liquid level provided the liquid-containing boiler or vessel is metallic and the liquid is electrically conductive, for example water and other aqueous solutions. The apparatus can additionally comprise at least one, preferably two externally located electrical pushbutton switches, for example 'water feed' and 'test', for manually adding water to the boiler and for testing the apparatus' proper working condition with a simulated low water condition, respectively. The apparatus can additionally comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs) to indicate status of a given system that employs the present invention, for example indication of power to the unit, low water condition, and water feed.