Patent Publication Number: US-2017350744-A1

Title: Level Indicator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/392,593, filed Jun. 06, 2016. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     DESCRIPTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This disclosure reveals a level indicator for storage tanks of vehicles using a sensor and meter. 
     Background of the Invention 
     Vehicles such as recreational vehicles, recreational trailers, buses, airplanes, airplanes, or boats frequently have multiple storage tanks to hold such liquids a fresh water, gray water and black water. It is important to know how much liquid is in each of these containers so that the operator knows when to empty or fill these storage containers. Traditionally, the level of the liquid in these containers are monitored by apparatuses such as resistors or inductors such that, when the liquid rises to the level of a particular apparatus, that apparatus is activated and the readout meter indicates that the tank is full to a particular level. Unfortunately, these apparatuses frequently become corroded, worn out, or coated with material, which prevents these apparatus from operating properly. The present disclosure reveals an apparatus for the monitoring the level in a storage tank without the risk of corrosion or coating. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure reveals a level indicator for use with storage tanks on recreational vehicles, where recreational vehicles include but are not limited to recreational vehicles, recreational trailers, buses, airplanes, or boats. The level indicator comprises a sensor attached to the bottom of a storage tank. The sensor comprises a load cell and the associated circuitry. The sensor is calibrated to indicate the amount of liquid above the sensor in the tank. As the volume of liquid within the tank changes, a readout meter indicates the amount of liquid as a percentage full. 
     The level indicator is powered either by a plurality of batteries in the sensor or is connected to the power supply system of the vehicle. Measurements are conducted by the sensor either continuously, periodically, or when activated. To improve the accuracy of the measurements obtained, within the storage tank, baffles may be included or a tube placed above the sensor may be added. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a display of the level indicator attached to a storage tank on a vehicle, where the power supply of the level indicator is the DC power supply of the vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  is a display of the level indicator where the sensor produces a constant readout, there are a plurality of batteries within the storage case of the sensor to power the level indicator, and where there are baffles in the storage tank; 
         FIG. 3  is a display of the level indicator where the sensor produces a periodic readout and where there is a tube in the storage tank positioned above the load cell of the sensor; and 
         FIG. 4  is a display of the level indicator where there is an on-off switch for the level indicator and the readout meter has a low battery indicator. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure reveals a level indicator  1  for use in a storage tank  2  on a vehicle  3 , wherein said vehicle  3  may be a recreational vehicle, a recreational trailer, a bus, or a boat, or with any other liquid storage vessel or container, said level indicator  1  comprising a sensor  4 , readout meter  5 , and a power supply  6 . The storage tank  2  on the vehicle  3  is capable of holding liquid, said storage tank  2  comprising a top  7 , a bottom  8 , a plurality of sides  9 , an inlet  10 , an outlet  11 , and an interior  12 . The bottom  8  of the storage tank  2  comprising an inner surface  13 , an exterior surface  14 , and a hole  15 . 
     The sensor  4  comprises a case  16 , a load cell  17 , circuitry  18  to operate the load cell  17 , and a connection  19  to the readout meter. The load cell  17  is either a resistive load cell or a capacitive load cell. The load cell  17  and circuitry  18  are calibrated to indicate the quantity of liquid within the storage tank  2  based on the amount of liquid vertically above the load cell  17 , with an output value indicated as a percentage on the readout meter  5 . The sensor  4  may continuously  21  produce an output value, may produce an output value on a periodic basis  22  or there may be an on-off switch  23  for the level indicator  1  such that there is a continuous output value but only when the level indicator is on. 
     The case  16  of the sensor  4  comprises an interior  24  and a top  25 . The circuitry  18  to operate the load cell  17  is located within the interior  24  of the case  16 . The top  25  of the case comprises an upper surface  26  and a hole  27 . The load cell  17  protrudes through the hole  27 . 
     The sensor  4  is attached to the exterior surface  14  of the bottom  8  of the storage tank  2  by a plurality of fasteners  28 , and the sensor  4  is positioned so that the hole  27  in the top  25  of the case  16  of the sensor  4  and the hole  15  in the bottom  8  of the storage tank  2  are aligned. The plurality of fasteners  28  may be of a material common in the industry such as an adhesive, screws, bolts, or bracing. 
     An impermeable membrane  29  extends over the hole  15  in the case  16  of the sensor  4  on the upper surface  26  of the top  25  and said impermeable membrane  29  is attached to the upper surface  26  of the top  25  in a fashion so that the liquid contained in the storage tank  2  cannot leak through the hole  15  into the sensor  4 . 
     The readout meter is capable of presenting the output from the sensor. 
     In one embodiment  30  of the power supply  6  there are a plurality of batteries  31  located within the case  16  of the sensor  4 . In the first embodiment  30 , there may also be a low battery indicator  32  on the readout meter  5 . In a second embodiment  33  of the power supply  6  the vehicle  3  comprises a DC power supply  34  and the power supply  6  for the level indicator  1  is derived from the DC power supply  34  of the vehicle  3 . 
     In order to minimize the impact of the liquid within the storage tank  2  from being jostled by the movement of the vehicle  3  the interior  12  of the storage tank  2  may comprise a plurality of baffles  35  or a tube  36  positioned over the load cell  17 .