Patent Application
20080140336
(a) Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a digital gas meter, with the attempt to provide a more accurate measurement for the amount of gas contained in a gas tank. This invention can pick up the pressure of the gas left in the gas tank, as well as the temperature outside the gas tank. These measurements are then compared with the data pre-stored in a CPU (central processing unit) arranged inside the digital gas meter, where the CPU will automatically analyze the measurements collected. After the analyzing process, the CPU will return a precise gas measurement that overcomes the problems of inaccurate measurement due to pressure difference produced by temperature variations.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
Because the amount of gas left in the gas tank is not visible to users, gas tank users usually have difficulties in determining the amount of gas left. Without being able to determine the amount left in the gas tank, the gas tank replacement may not be ordered in time. Failure to order the gas tank in time may result in users having problems with cooking or to continue their work. For users residing in remote or suburban areas, it's even harder for them to obtain a replacement gas tank from neighborhood without pre-ordering.
The present technology focuses on the conveniences of use, where an analog indicating gauge is located beside the opening valve of the gas tank. The analog indicating gauge has a needle on the device surface which displays the gas pressure inside the gas tank and indicates the level of the amount of gas left. As illustrated in
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved gas meter which can obviate and mitigate the above-mentioned drawbacks.
This invention is related to a digital gas meter which can accurately show the amount of gas left in the gas tank.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a digital gas meter which includes a CPU programmed with conversion relationship between environmental temperature and gas pressure inside a gas tank, a pressure sensor for detecting pressure of gas in a gas tank, a temperature sensor for detecting environment temperature, a power source connected with the CPU to supply power to the CPU, and a display unit, whereby the temperature sensor is arranged outside a gas tank for detecting environmental temperature and transmitting the environment temperature to the CPU, the pressure sensor detects gas pressure inside the gas tank and transmits the gas pressure to the CPU, the CPU compares the environmental temperature detected by the temperature sensor and the pressure picked up by the pressure sensor with data pre-stored therein and automatically analyzes comparing results, and after analyzing, the CPU returns a precise gas measurement to the display unit to show gas amount left in the gas tank.
The foregoing object and summary provides only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.
Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.
The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Referring to
The current and voltage control unit 300 is connected between the CPU 100 and the pressure sensor 200. The display unit 500 includes a display 510 and an on/off switch 520 which are connected to the CPU 100 respectively. The display 510 includes a first LED 511, a second LED 512 and a third LED 513. The first LED 511 is used for indicating that the gas amount in the gas tank is at a high level so that the user may use the gas to cook or the like at ease. The second LED 512 is used for indicating that the gas amount in the gas tank is at a low level. The third LED 513 is used for reminding the user of refilling the gas.
The display 510 may be replaced with an LCD screen to show the gas amount left in the gas tank in digital numbers, or a loudspeaker to show the gas amount left in the gas tank with voice messages.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
