Patent ID: 6789417
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: G01W

Abstract:
A method for sensing evaporation of a fluid within an evaporation pan that is in fluid communication with a fluid gage including an elongated container enclosing a magnetostrictive transducer having a magnetostrictive rod extending vertically in the container and a buoyant magnetized float that is movable linearly from a first position along the rod as a fluid level in the container decreases, the method comprising the steps of:a) evaporating a quantity of fluid from the evaporation pan; b) decreasing the fluid level in the container an amount proportional to the evaporated fluid, wherein the container is located remotely from the evaporation pan; c) vertically displacing-said float along the rod to a second position in response to the decrease in fluid level; d) after step C, determining the second position of the float with respect to the rod based on a magnetic interaction between the float and the rod; and e) determining an amount of fluid evaporated from said evaporation pan based directly on the second position of the float.