Patent ID: 6289728
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
An apparatus for determining the amount of liquid contained in a tank, the tank having an interior defining a predetermined relationship between liquid level and volumetric content, the apparatus comprising:an elongate member having a longitudinal axis and being at least partially disposed inside the tank, said elongate member having a longitudinal edge defining a profile corresponding to the predetermined relationship between liquid level and volumetric content, the predetermined relationship between liquid level and volumetric content being at least partially defined by a nonlinear function between a variation in liquid level and the resulting change in the volumetric content of liquid contained in the tank;a buoyant member operably connected to said elongate member to cause said elongate member to be displaced generally along said longitudinal axis in response to displacement of said buoyant member resulting from a corresponding change in liquid level; anda device for measuring a distance between said longitudinal edge and a reference plane aligned substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis when the liquid in the tank is at various levels, said distance being proportional to the volumetric content of liquid in the tank at said various levels.