Patent ID: 8656774

Claim:
A fluid level probe for use in a tank containing a first fluid, comprising: a probe shaft including a top end and a bottom end; a first float carrying a first magnet, the first float being slidably disposed for movement along the probe shaft within the first fluid; a second float carrying a first magnet, the second float being slidably disposed for movement along the probe shaft beneath the first float and adapted to float within the first fluid such that there is magnetic repulsion between the first magnet of the first float and the first magnet of the second float; a frame carrying a first magnet; a third float carrying a first magnet, the third float being slidably disposed for movement along the probe shaft relative to the first magnet of the frame and adapted to float within the first fluid such that there is magnetic repulsion between the first magnet of the third float and the first magnet of the frame; electronics operative to determine a first distance between the first magnet of the first float and the first magnet of the second float, determine a second distance between the first magnet of the frame and the first magnet of the third float, utilize the first distance to determine a first density of the first fluid adjacent the top surface of the first fluid, utilize the second distance to determine a second density of the first fluid adjacent a bottom of the tank, and determine whether phase separation has occurred within the first fluid by comparing the first density and the second density of the first fluid.