Patent ID: 6776900
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: B01D,C02F,G01F,G05D

Abstract:
A sensor assembly adapted for retrofitting on a grease interceptor for removing grease for an effluent stream containing grease and water, the interceptor including a separation tank having walls and a cover defining a separation chamber, the interceptor having an effluent inlet connected with the separation tank for permitting flow of the effluent stream into the separating chamber to form a body of effluent in the separation chamber, the body of effluent having an upper surface, said sensor assembly comprising:an actuable mechanism adapted to actuate when a thickened layer of grease in the tank reaches a predetermined level; a first grease depth level sensor mountable on the tank cover and comprising an elongate conductive probe for extending generally vertically in the separation tank from a location above the upper surface of the body of effluent to a location below the predetermined level, at a location spaced inwardly of the walls of the separation tank; a measuring means adapted to continuously measure the amount of water in the body of effluent by measuring the capacitance between the first grease depth level sensor and an electrically conductive member as the thickness of a layer of grease in the separation tank varies; and control means adapted to actuate said actuatable mechanism in response to said measuring means measuring a capacitance corresponding to an amount of water in said tank when said thickened layer of grease reaches said predetermined level.