| 摘要 |
A system for determining the location of a piston within an accumulator is provided in which a short circuit is created between elements in the accumulator and the piston which is movable within the accumulator. As the piston moves along the longitudinal axis of the accumulator, the circuit's electrical characteristics (e.g., voltage, resistance, current) vary in accordance with the length of the circuit. Measurement of these electrical characteristics allows for precise determination of the piston location relative to the accumulator. In a commercial embodiment, the invention can be utilized to determine fluid volumes in an accumulator by monitoring the location of the piston. This invention overcomes prior art systems because, inter alia, it does not require electrical sensory equipment, enables remote monitoring, maintains system integrity and functions irrespective of container wall thickness. |
| 主权项 |
1. A measurement system, comprising:
an accumulator including an element movable within an internal volume of the accumulator, wherein the movable element surface area includes conductive material; two conductive strips disposed along the length of the interior of the accumulator in the direction of movement of the element, each conductive strip capable of contacting the conductive material of the movable element surface area; a power source to energize a circuit formed by the conductive strips, the movable element, and the power source; and a sensor to measure an electrical characteristic of the circuit determined by the position of the element within the accumulator. |
