Optical Liquid-Level Gauge with Angled Facets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid-level gauges for enclosed tanks are often complex, expensive, susceptible to fouling, and ambiguous in their readings, especially in extreme weather conditions or when handling hazardous liquids, and lack reliability and clarity in indicating normal and low liquid levels.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-level gauge with no moving parts or electrical components, utilizing ambient light and a transparent body with angled facets and opaque planar members to provide clear visual indication of liquid levels, resistant to fouling and suitable for hazardous environments, featuring a design that allows direct visual detection of liquid levels within a normal range or below.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art liquid-level gauges are used, then liquid-level detection is provided, but the devices are susceptible to fouling by liquid and have ambiguous indications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/electrical active components with an optical system using ambient light. The gauge uses light reflection and refraction through a transparent body with internal structures to indicate liquid level, eliminating moving parts and electrical components that could be affected by fouling or fail in hazardous environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transparent body with internal opaque members as an intermediary optical element. This intermediary structure interacts with ambient light to provide visual indication of liquid level without direct contact between the indication mechanism and the liquid, preventing fouling while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If complex liquid-level gauging systems are used, then detection capability is provided, but device complexity increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gauge device uses ambient light already present in the environment as its light source, eliminating the need for external power supplies, batteries, or active illumination systems. The device serves itself by utilizing naturally available resources, thereby reducing complexity and cost while maintaining reliability in extreme weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive optical components such as transparent plastic or glass bodies with molded internal structures. These components are straightforward to manufacture and replace if needed, reducing both initial cost and long-term maintenance expenses compared to complex electronic systems.
3Ease of operation
If electrical or mechanical active parts are used in liquid-level gauges, then active detection is provided, but the device becomes dependent on power supply and more susceptible to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical and mechanical active systems with a passive optical system. The gauge relies on the physical principles of light reflection, refraction, and total internal reflection within a transparent body, eliminating dependence on power supplies and moving mechanical parts, thereby enhancing operational independence and reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a reliable, cost-effective, and tamper-proof liquid-level detection system with reduced ambiguity, resistant to fouling and power supply interruptions, offering clear visual indications for both normal and low liquid levels, suitable for hazardous environments and extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The body of transparent material allows a vertical line of sight from outside via the head part to the end region inside the matching socket
Implementation Method 2
The end region includes two facets formed from two opposing peripheral sides of the elongated part toward a common linear tip portion with an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the vertical line
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid-level gauge is provided, which includes a body of transparent material having a head part connected to an elongated part with an end region formed with two facets of 45 degrees relative to a vertical line of sight along the elongated part with a common linear tip portion disposable into a matching socket to engage with a liquid-level in an enclosure tank. The liquid-level gauge includes a horizontal second planar member coupled to a first planar member inserted to a slot cut vertically into the elongated part from the common linear tip portion. The first planar member is engraved a first legend on two opposite sides and the second planar member is engraved a second legend on top side facing the two facets. The head part forms an aperture allowing a view of an image bearing the first/second legend when the liquid-level is fully below/above the two facets.