Patent ID: 8220482
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: E04H,G01F,G01M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for monitoring fluid level of a fluid in a container, the apparatus comprising: a sensor pod comprising a housing having an upper end and a lower end, the housing defining a cavity therein, the housing having an opening configured to allow fluid in the container to flow into and out of the cavity; a sensor assembly disposed in the cavity, the sensor assembly comprising a strain gauge coupled to a load beam disposed at the upper end of the cavity and a float disposed below the load beam, the float is not mechanically connected to the strain gauge and does not engage with the strain gauge when water is not present inside the cavity and configured to engage the load beam when a sufficient fluid level is provided in the cavity and to move toward or away from the load beam in response to changes in the fluid level in the cavity, the strain gauge configured to output distortion data in response to distortion or movement of the load beam caused by movement of the float; and a sample tube configured to provide fluid communication between the container and the cavity, the sample tube having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be attached to the opening in the housing, the second end configured to be disposed in the container.