Patent Application
20050268714
The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods used to measure the level of fluids.
Typically, measuring the depth of a liquid in a large container, for example, measuring gasoline in a storage tank, is obtained by inserting a long dipstick into the container such that an imprint, residue or the like of the liquid is left on the dipstick. The prior art devices and methods for measuring the depth of the liquid does not provide the user with a completely accurate measurement. Residue from the liquid can cake on the measurement dipstick and obscure future readings. Furthermore, the dipstick itself can become tainted or stained by the liquid materials obscuring demarcations on the dipstick which will cause further inaccurate readings. It is to this problem that the present invention is directed.
The present invention alleviates these problems by having a visibly transparent tube into which the liquid to be measured flows. This tube is then capped at its upper end and raised from the fluid container while still retaining the fluid in the visibly transparent tube. Length measurement demarcations are present on the tube or on the supporting backstop allowing a user to read the height of the liquid. The visibly transparent tube is preferably readily removable from its backstop for easy cleaning. A water sensitive paste can also be applied to the backstop of the dipstick in order to test the level of water present in the fluid containment tank.
The above mentioned and other objects and advantages of the present invention, and a better understanding of the principles and details of the present invention, will be evident from the following description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances, various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated, reduced or enlarged, or otherwise distorted to facilitate an understanding of the present invention.
For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers.
For a further understanding of the nature, function, and objects of the present invention, reference should now be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Detailed descriptions of the embodiments are provided herein, as well as, a mode of carrying out and employing embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or manner. The practice of the present invention is illustrated by the following examples which are deemed illustrative of both the process taught by the present invention and of the product and article of manufacture made in accordance with the present invention.
The operation of this invention may include, but is not limited to, the following: The sealable cap 13 of the fluid measuring device 10 is removed allowing for the elongated tubular member 12 to be open at the first end 2 and at the second end 23. As an option, the water sensitive paste 29 is then applied to the first end 2 and on the backing 11 in order to test the level of water 31 present in the fluid containment tank or container 8. The first end 2 of the fluid measuring device 10 is then inserted through the containment tank or container orifice 3 of the of the fluid containment tank 8. Fluid measuring device 10 is lowered into the fluid containment tank or container 8 in a substantially perpendicular manner in relation to the containment tank bottom until the first end 2 reaches the bottom of the fluid containment tank or container 8. At this point fluid 1 will have flowed into the elongated hollow tube 12 such that the fluid 33 in the tube is at substantially the same level in height as the fluid 1 in the containment tank or container 8.
Upon reaching the bottom of the containment tank or container 8 the sealable cap may be placed into the second end 23 of the elongated hollow tube 12 such that a seal is preferably formed between the sealable cap 13 and the second end 23. The placing of the sealable cap 13 also includes, but is not limited to, pulling elongated member 44 in the direction of first end 2. Pulling the elongated member 44 in this direction will cause second end 43 to lower and thus will also lower the sealable cap 13 into the upper end 22 of tubular member 12, thus creating a seal. This seal preferably traps the gas in the tube 12 not allowing it to escape past the drawn in fluid 33 from the containment tank or container 8. Hence, when the fluid measuring device 10 is raised out of the fluid 1 in the containment tank or container 8 the fluid level 33 is preferably maintained in the tube 12 because of the sealed end 23. Upon raising the tube 12 from the containment tank orifice 3, the operator 6 may read the level of the fluid 33 maintained in the tube 12 by viewing the height of the fluid 33 as compared to the height etchings found preferably on the transparent tube 12 or on the backing 11. The height of the fluid 33 can also be measured by reading the fluid residue left on the backing 11 or on the transparent tube 12. The water level height may be found by reading the height of the level of color change on the water sensitive paste 29 on the backing 11. After obtaining a height reading of the fluid 33 the sealable top 13 can be removed allowing for the gas trapped in the top of the tubular tube 12 to escape, the pressure to be equalized, and the fluid 33 to be released due to gravity. The fluid 33 will then preferably drain out. The aforementioned steps to utilize the disclosed invention can be done in various order.
It is noted that the embodiments described herein in detail for exemplary purposes are, of course, subject to many different variations in structure, design, application and methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concepts herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It will be understood in view of the instant disclosure, that numerous variations on the invention are now enabled to those skilled in the art. Many of the variations reside within the scope of the present teachings. It is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but on the contrary it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed and is to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.
