Patent ID: 7284428

Claim:
A detection apparatus for use in a vessel for measuring a fluid, comprising: a housing having a central axis, a housing top with a surface parallel to and beneath the housing top, a housing bottom, an outer surface, and a recess formed in the outer surface; wherein the housing bottom and the housing top are each adapted to couple to a tubular member; and wherein said recess has a upper surface an a bottom surface and where the upper surface is sloped relative to a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis; at least one sensor-retaining hole disposed through the top surface at an angle relative to the central axis housing and terminating with the upper surface of the recess; at least one pressure sensor mounted in at least one sensor-retaining hole, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a diaphragm that is flush with the upper surface of the recess; and signaling means within the housing for communicating sensor data to a processor disposed at a distance from the housing top; wherein the processor comprises memory for receiving sensor data from the signaling means and converting the sensor data to at least one value using computer instructions stored in the memory, and wherein the processor transmits the at least one value to at least one auxiliary device.