Title:
Fluid capacity measuring device
Document Type and Number:
Japanese Patent JP6255535
Kind Code:
B2
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a measurement device (10) for measuring a volume of liquid contained in a vessel, comprising: —a main vessel (12) for receiving a liquid; —a reference vessel (14) which has a smaller volume than the main vessel (12), wherein the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) are fluidly connectable to each other as communicating vessels; —a pump (16) which is connected to the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) for extracting liquid from the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14); —a minimum level sensor (26) which is configured to send a reference signal if a minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; —a first valve (20, 20′) via which the reference vessel (14) is fluidly connected to the pump (16), wherein the first valve (20, 20′) is configured to be closed off if the minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; and —a control unit (30) which is connected to the minimum level sensor (26, 26′) and the pump (16) and configured to measure a reference time between an activation of the pump (16) and a receipt of the reference signal, wherein the control unit (30) is further configured to calculate, based on the reference time and a flow rate of the pump (16), a liquid volume within the main vessel (12) and/or a total liquid volume within the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) together.” has been deleted and —The present invention relates to a measurement device (10) for measuring a volume of liquid contained in a vessel, including: —a main vessel (12) for receiving a liquid; —a reference vessel (14) which has a smaller volume than the main vessel (12), wherein the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) are fluidly connectable to each other as communicating vessels; —a pump (16) which is connected to the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) for extracting liquid from the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14); —a minimum level sensor (26) which is configured to send a reference signal if a minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; —a first valve (20, 20′) via which the reference vessel (14) is fluidly connected to the pump (16), wherein the first valve (20, 20′) is configured to be closed off if the minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; and —a control unit (30) which is connected to the minimum level sensor (26, 26′) and the pump (16) and configured to measure a reference time between an activation of the pump (16) and a receipt of the reference signal, wherein the control unit (30) is further configured to calculate, based on the reference time and a flow rate of the pump (16), a liquid volume within the main vessel (12) and/or a total liquid volume within the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) together.
Inventors:
Van der Woning, Marc Ronald
Horten, Hendrickus Rohde Wake Joseph Francis Cuth
Horten, Hendrickus Rohde Wake Joseph Francis Cuth
Application Number:
JP2017515048A
Publication Date:
December 27, 2017
Filing Date:
September 10, 2015
Export Citation:
Assignee:
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
International Classes:
A47J31/56; F16K31/18; G01F11/28
Domestic Patent References:
| JP2000513613A | ||||
| JP2006510420A |
Foreign References:
| US6203280 | ||||
| US4856343 |
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Tadashige Ito
Tadahiko Ito
Shinsuke Onuki
Tadahiko Ito
Shinsuke Onuki