FIELD OF INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a device for detecting and monitoring the level of
LPG gas cylinders. More particularly it relates to a novel device for detecting and
monitoring the level of LPG gas cylinders based on angular displacement of gas
cylinder corresponding to maximum LPG present inside the gas cylinder. It
continuously gives signals about the level of the LPG present inside the LPG
cylinder.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART:
Liquefied petroleum gas, also called LPG, GPL, LP Gas, liquid petroleum gas or
simply propane or butane, is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as a
fuel in heating appliances and vehicles.
When cooking food items by burning LPG in a gas stove, the quantity of gas
gradually diminishes in the cylinder. Many times, the gas in the cylinder finishes
without any warning to the user. Hence, there is a need for some kind of
indication of liquid level inside the LPG cylinder, i.e., how much gas is left inside
the cylinder.
US Patent No. 5056364 relates to a fuel gauge for cart-mounted fuel tanks,
particularly LP gas tanks for barbecue grills. The gauge has a bracket secured to
the cart and a bracket secured to the tank. The brackets are indirectly coupled
through a resilient member and have an indicator rod extending from the cart
bracket. The rod is maintained parallel with the tank bracket for indicating the
attitude of the tank relative to a fixed reference point, normally an indicator on the
control panel of the grill.
US Patent No. 6437697 relates to a propane level monitor assembly for
determining the level of propane in a storage tank. The propane level monitor
assembly includes a gauge monitor assembly including a housing being adapted
to be removably mounted upon a propane tank gauge. This monitoring device
includes a transmitter being disposed in the housing. Further it includes a receiver
unit including a housing member and also a receiver member being disposed in
the housing member for receiving waves transmitted by the transmitter.
US Patent No. 6490922 relates to a system that detects the level of liquid
contained in a liquid gas tank or the like by using a magnet. This system is
mounted on a tank. The tank is usually provided with a mechanical level
indicator. On the basis of the angular displacement of the magnet, the transmitting
apparatus and magnetic reader translate the filling level of the tank in signals to be
transmitted to suitable receiving devices.
US Patent No. 7079037 relates to an indicator for displaying either low liquid
level or satisfactory liquid level conditions within a tank which includes a sensor
for detecting the liquid level conditions, a photo-detector for detecting an ambient
dark condition, a pair of indicator lights for indicating either the low liquid level
or satisfactory liquid level conditions and electrical circuitry operable to
illuminate one of the indicator lights upon detection of the ambient dark condition
by the photo-detector and detection of either the low liquid level condition or
satisfactory liquid level condition by the sensor.
Publication No. EP0593085 relates to a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) gauge sensor
unit which fits between the units of an existing magnetically-coupled LPG gauge
and includes a magnetic field sensing switch, a mechanism to variably position
the switch and an intermediate magnet. The magnetic field sensing switch is used
to sense the position of the base or intermediate magnet and thereby sense the
liquid level.
The article "LPG level indication systems" talks about the LPG level indication
system attached with a cylinder trolley. This cylinder trolley gives the level if gas
is present in the gas cylinder. It gives an indication whether the cylinder is full,
half or about to get empty. It buzzes and informs with the buzzer that the gas
cylinder is about to get empty. (India MART 1996-2013)
There are many devices and indicators present in prior art that are used for
detecting and monitoring the level of LPG gas cylinders. Most devices are based
on the gauge sensor system. The main problem associated with such indicators is
that they are rigidly coupled to the cylinder and restrict the movement thereof.
Thus, there is a need of an LPG level indicator mounted on the gas cylinder that
avoids the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
Therefore, the present invention provides a novel device for detecting and
monitoring the level of LPG gas cylinders which is based on angular displacement
of gas that corresponds to maximum LPG present inside the gas cylinder. It
continuously gives signals about the presence of level of the LPG inside the LPG
cylinder.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
The principal object of the present invention is to provide a device for detecting
and monitoring the level of LPG present inside the gas cylinder which based on
maximum angular displacement of gas corresponding to maximum LPG present
inside the gas cylinder.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for detecting and
monitoring the level of LPG inside the gas cylinder having easily readable LED
display unit.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for detecting and
monitoring the level of LPG inside the gas cylinder that is convenient to install
and user-friendly in nature.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an indicating device that
is durable as well as economical in nature.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for detecting and
monitoring the level of LPG inside the gas cylinder which is easy to manufacture
and is also cost effective in nature.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device for detecting.
and monitoring the level of LPG inside the gas cylinder that is simple, specific
and highly accurate in results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention provides a novel device for detecting and monitoring the
level of LPG gas cylinders which is based on angular displacement of gas that
corresponds to maximum LPG present inside the gas cylinder that continuously
gives signals about the presence of level of the LPG inside the LPG cylinder. The
detecting device is based on the motion trajectory of entire cylinder and the
maximum angular displacement that corresponds to the amount of gas present in
the cylinder. The amount of gas present in the cylinder is readable from the dial
gauge fitted on stand on the side of the cylinder. Also the device uses indicator
LED lights that give signal about the amount of gas left in the gas cylinder. The
present indicating device can be used in a domestic gas cylinder and other places
where the LPG gas cylinders can be used.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a
stable frame, gas cylinder hung from the frame and a display unit that shows the
level of gas present inside the cylinder. The combined mass centre of the LPG and
cylinder lies on a vertical line passing through the hang point. Half the mass of the
combined body is symmetrically placed on either side of a vertical plane passing
through the hang point.
In another embodiment of the present invention, on to the frame arm, a dial
gauge is mounted in sleeve of frame. The spindle of the gauge is extended to
touch the cylinder wall at lower position. Reading of the dial gauge can be
adjusted to show full gas by rotating its dial. It is so adjusted that when cylinder
empties its reading comes to zero.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a simple displacement
transducer is clamped to spindle of the dial gauge through clamp which transfers
movement to the displacement transducer.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the displacement
transducer is connected to set of LEDs fitted on a panel which is attached to the
frame arm. Power to LEDs is provides by a pen type small battery.
In another embodiment of the present invention, as the gas gets consumec>me
mass c e n t r e of the LPG shifts towards higher raised bottom point which forces t n e
cylinder to realign again with respect to the vertical line for stability and it rr!a'ces
^ (^vsdex «?\<3>K'hich
corresponds to maximum LPG present in the gas cylinder. The device comprises a
stable frame, gas cylinder hung from wedged hook on the frame and a display u m t
that shows the level of gas present inside the cylinder. The detecting device IS
based on an inventive method that describes the motion trajectory of entire
cylinder a°d the maximum angular displacement that corresponds to the
maxirflum gas '" the cylinder. The amount of gas present in the cylinder IS
readab'e from the dial gauge fitted on stand on the side of the cylinder.
-7-
The device also uses indicator LED lights that give signal about the presence of
LPG gas present in the cylinder and the lights depict the amount of gas left in the
gas cylinder. The present device is user-friendly, economical and-with greater
durability.
Referring to fig. 1, the LPG cylinder [1] is hanged from its top ring holder on t0 a
wedged hook attached to a frame [2] which is supported on a base [3]. This can be
put on roller base for moveability. The cylinder hangs in inclined position. When
gas is full, the mass centre of empty cylinder and gas is centrally located Say at
position [8] which shifts to position [9] when small quantity of gas is left \n the
cylinder. In any case, the mass centre has to be beneath right below the hang point
of the cylinder. On to the frame arm [2], a dial gauge [4] is mounted in sleeve [6]
of frame [2]. The spindle of the gauge is extended to touch the cylinder yva|| at
lower position. Reading of the dial gauge can be adjusted to show full ga s by
rotating its dial. It is so adjusted that when cylinder empties, its reading comes to
zero. Levels [10] and [11] show free surface of LPG inside the cylinder at certain
moments. A simple displacement transducer [13] is clamped to spindle [5] 0f the
dial gauge [4] through clamp [14] which transfers movement to the displacement
transducer [13]. It is connected to set of LEDs fitted on the panel [12] Which is
attached to the frame arm. Power to LEDs is provides by a pen type small battery.
According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the combine^ mass
centre of the LPG and cylinder [I] lies on a vertical line passing through fbe hang
point. Half the mass of the combined body is symmetrically placed on either side
of a vertical plane passing through the hang point. In tilted position, as the, gas is
getting consumed, the mass centre of the left over LPG shifts towards higher
raised bottom point. This forces the cylinder [I] to realign again with respect to
the vertical line for stability and it makes the cylinder [1] move towards Ofcposite
side of the raised, bottom point. The motion trajectory of the entire cylinder [I] is
circular about hang point as centre. The maximum angular displacement
corresponds to maximum gas in the cylinder. This displacement of the liquid ©as
is divided into several parts depending upon the scale marks on the dial gauge [4],
This total displacement can be divided into equal parts depicting for example 20,
40, 60, 80, 90, 100% or more divisions of gas levels and LED indicator lights are
set to turn ON depicting these positions of left over gas. The attached LED
display unit [12] shows 1 light ON for 20%, 2 lights ON for 40% and so on till the
entire gas has been used- The present indicating device can be used in a domestic
gas cylinder and other places where the LPG gas cylinders can be used,
Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system of the present
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such, modifications and adaptations
which fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
WE CLAIM:
1. A device for detecting and monitoring the level of LPG based on angular
displacement of gas comprising a stable frame, a dial gauge mourned in
sleeve of the frame, a displacement transducer clamped to spindle of the
dial gauge through clamp, a display unit to show the level of gas present
inside the cylinder and a gas cylinder hung from wedge support of the
frame wherein the maximum angular displacement of the cylinder
corresponds to maximum gas in the cylinder.
2. The device for detecting and monitoring the level of LPG based on
angular displacement of gas as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindle of
the gauge is extended to touch the cylinder wall at lower position.
3. The device for detecting and monitoring the level of LPG based on
angular displacement of gas as claimed in claim 1, wherein a simple
displacement transducer is clamped to spindle of the dial gauge through
clamp which transfers movement of the cylinder to the displacement
transducer.
4. The device for detecting and monitoring the' level of LPG based on
angular displacement of gas as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
displacement transducer is connected to set of LEDs fitted on a panel
which is attached to the frame arm.
5. The device for detecting and monitoring the level of LPG based on
angular displacement of gas as claimed in claim 1, wherein power to
LEDs is provides by a pen type small battery.
6. The device for detecting and monitoring the level of LPG based on
angular displacement of gas as claimed in claim 1, wherein reading of the
dial gauge is adjusted to show full gas by rotating its dial and when
cylinder empties its reading comes to zero.
7. The device for detecting and monitoring the tesiei of \J?Q based on
angular displacement of gas as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
displacement of the liquid gas is preferably divided into 5 equal parts like
for example 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100% and set indicator lights depicts
the amount of gas left.
8. The device for detecting and monitoring the level of LPG based on
angular displacement of gas as claimed in claim I, wherein the attached
LED display unit shows .1 light ON for 20%, 2 lights ON for 40% and so
on till entire gas has been used.