Patent ID: 6148667
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: G01F,G01G

Abstract:
A carriage assembly for holding a fluid vessel of a liquid transfer system, the fluid vessel having a substantially cylindrical, elongated body defining a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end, said body and said first and second ends defining an internal chamber, said vessel further including a projection extending axially from said first end and away from said chamber, and a tab extending axially from said second end and away from said chamber, the carriage assembly comprising:a support structure for holding the vessel such that the axis is non-vertical, said support structure being not rigidly fastened to said liquid transfer system and includinga first end plate having a hole formed therein for receiving said projection to provide a fulcrum for supporting said vessel in a cantilever relationship with said first end plate, anda second end plate disposed substantially parallel to said first end plate and including a slot formed therein for receiving said tab, said slot being formed to allow said tab to travel in a substantially vertical direction within said slot as said vessel pivots about said fulcrum; anda load sensor affixed to said second end plate at a position above said tab and coupled to said tab via a tether line; andwhereby the weight of said vessel exerts force on said load sensor, via said tab and said tether line, so that said load sensor generates a signal indicative of the amount of fluid stored in the vessel.