Combined sight oil level gage and ultrasonic sensor

An ultrasonic sensor, sight gauge technology, used in liquid level indicators, liquid/fluid solids measurement, instruments, etc., to solve problems such as oil exposure

CN101226074AInactive Publication Date: 2008-07-23ITT MFG ENTERPRISES LLC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2008-07-23
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

The invention provides a combined fluid level sight gage and ultrasonic sensor featuring a fluid level sight gage having a housing for containing a fluid and having a sight glass for viewing the level of the fluid therein, and an ultrasonic sensor coupled to the housing, responsive to the level of fluid in the housing, for providing an ultrasonic sensor signal containing information about the level of fluid in the housing. In operation, the sight glass provides a visual verification that the ultrasonic sensor is working correctly in relation to the fluid visible in the sight glass. The ultrasonic sensor signal may be used to automatically annunciate alarms or warnings either locally at the equipment or by wired or wireless electronic means. In some embodiments according to the present invention, the housing has a centerline for indicating a normal fluid level therein. The ultrasonic sensor may be arranged in the housing on the centerline, or slightly below the centerline, or slightly above the centerline.
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Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application 60 / 881,809, filed January 19, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. technical field

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a sensor or gauge, and more particularly to a sensor or gauge for mounting in a bearing frame or bearing housing of a pump component of a pump system. Background technique

[0004] Generally, there are various methods used to determine the fluid level, for example, to determine the oil level in a bearing frame or tank of rotating equipment.

[0005] For example, a sight glass oil level gauge could be threaded into the bearing housing in such a way that the center of the oil level gauge is positioned at the desired oil level. The oil level gauge uses transparent glass or plastic window 6 to observe the oil level. Figure 8 shows a known meter 5 by way of example. The correct oil level is obta...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0027] FIG. 1 shows by way of embodiment a pump system or other suitable rotary apparatus 10 having a pump or other suitable rotary device 12 connected to a pump controller 14 by a line 13 between the pump 12 and the pump controller 14. Provide data signal and control signal between.

[0028] According to the present invention, the pump 12 includes a bearing frame or housing 16 having a combined oil sight gauge-ultrasonic sensor 18 mounted thereon. In operation, consistent with its illustration and description, the combined oil level sight gauge-ultrasonic sensor 18 has a liquid level sight gauge 40 having a housing 42 containing a liquid and a sight glass for viewing the liquid level within the housing. 44, best shown in Figures 2-3 and 5; also having an ultrasonic sensor 50 connected to the housing, which responds to the liquid level in the housing to provide an ultrasonic sensor signal containing information about the liquid level in the housing, Best shown in Figures 2, 4...