Column-type level indicator for tanks and the like, comprising means for its outward application

{
  "publication_number": "US5383360A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Column-type level indicator for tanks and the like, comprising means for its outward application",
  "abstract": "A column-type level indicator, to be applied on the wall of tanks or containers for liquids in order to measure their level and/or temperature, of the type in which the fixing screws (4, 5), suitably provided with axial and transversal holes, also act as ducts to let said liquids into the indicator column (1). With each of said screws (4, 5) there is associated a bushings (8) of yielding material, partially housed into a seat (7) surrounding the screw (4, 5), formed in the rear wall (2) of the indicator column (1), as well as a nut (9) having an outside diameter equal to that of said bushing (8).",
  "claims": [
    "1. Column-type level indicator to be applied on a wall of a tank or container for liquids in order to measure liquid level, said level indicator comprising a transparent indicator column (1) having a cavity (2) and a rear wall, fixing screws (4, 5) having shafts passing through said cavity and rear wall of said indicator column (1) for insertion through associated holes in said tank wall, said shafts of said fixing/screws having axial and transverse holes for communicating said cavity with an interior of the tank to allow said liquids to flow into and out of the indicator column (1), a bushing (8) of yielding material associated with each of said screws (4, 5) for extending through said associated holes in said tank, said bushing partially housed in a seat (7) formed in the rear wall of the indicator column (1), a nut (9) associated with each of said screws (4, 5) and engaging said bushing (8), said nut (9) having an outside diameter generally equal to an outside diameter of said bushing (8) and having means outwardly deform said bushing upon rotation of said screw (4, 5) to fix and seal said indicator column to said tank wall.",
    "2. Column-type level indicator as in claim 1, wherein said means to deform said bushing comprises said bushing (8) and nut (9) mutually engaged along opposed complementary conical surfaces."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention concerns a column-type level indicator for tanks or containers of liquids and the like, particularly for oil tanks, provided with means for its outward application. It is known to make use in industry of column-type indicators, to be applied on the external walls of oil tanks or other containers for liquids so as to measure their level and/or temperature. Indicators of this type consist of a hollow column--of glass or of a transparent polymeric material--fixed to the external wall of the tank and communicating with its inside. Usually, the indicator is fixed to the wall of the tank by making two holes therein for the two screws and nuts emerging from the ends of the indicator column. Said screws, provided with axial and transversal holes, allow the passage of the liquid between the tank and the cavity of said column. The oil--according to the principle of communicating vessels--flowing into the column, reaches a level equal to that of the tank. In this way, the oil level in the tank can be easily measured (possibily, with reference to a scale or to indications in the column); while furthermore, thanks to its direct contact with a thermometer possibly provided therein, one can read also its temperature.\n\nHowever, the drawback of such indicators lies in the fact that, in order to be fixed to the tank, the nuts for the screws have to be applied and tightened from the inside of the tank, which often involves considerable difficulties from the practical point of view, for example in the case of narrow tanks, or tanks without an easy access.",
  "cpc": [
    "G01F 23/02",
    "F16B 13/066",
    "F16B 5/02"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16B 13/06",
    "F16B 5/02",
    "G01F 23/02"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "ELESA SPA"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "BERTANI ALBERTO"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1993-10-14",
  "publication_date": "1995-01-24",
  "grant_date": "1995-01-24",
  "priority_date": "1993-05-05",
  "application_number": "US-13696693-A",
  "family_id": "11365171",
  "citations": [
    "FR2561324A1",
    "US3196733A",
    "US3455163A",
    "US3968688A"
  ]
}