Patent ID: 6799457
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
A bubble level meter, comprising:a pneumatic tube submersible in part and having opposite lower and upper openings; a gas generator connected to the upper opening of the pneumatic tube; a pressure sensor connected to the upper opening of the pneumatic tube in order to measure a pressure in the pneumatic tube; a deflection valve interposed along the pneumatic tube above and at a predetermined distance from the lower opening, the deflection valve having a port for communication with an external liquid milieu in which a submerged portion of the pneumatic tube is located, and closed and open positions wherein the upper opening of the pneumatic tube communicates respectively with the lower opening of the pneumatic tube and the port of the deflection valve; and a control circuit connected to the gas generator, the pressure sensor and the deflection valve, the control circuit being configured for: processing pressure measurements obtained from the pressure sensor; controlling the deflection valve and the gas generator as a function of preset settings; verifying a calibration coefficient of the pressure sensor as a function of the pressure measurements obtained from the pressure sensor when the deflection valve is alternately in closed position and in open position, and as a function of the distance between the lower opening of the pneumatic tube and the port of the deflection valve; and generating level data as a function of the processed pressure measurements and the calibration coefficient.