Neil Thomas Wilkie

US Patent:

6538598, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

Dec 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/027690

Inventors:

Neil T. Wilkie - Hamilton OH
Michael L. Topputo - West Chester OH

Assignee:

Ohmart VEGA Corporation - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

G01S 1308

US Classification:

342124, 367908, 73290 V

Abstract:

A level sensing apparatus for attachment to a vessel to measure levels of contents in a tank of the vessel. The level sensing apparatus includes a housing, a transmitter disposed within and operatively connected to said housing, and an antenna operatively connected to the transmitter for directing electrical and/or mechanical waves in a direction away from the transmitter. The antenna is further adapted to receive electrical and/or mechanical waves. The level sensing apparatus further includes a mounting system affixing the level sensing apparatus to a vessel. The mounting system is adapted such that the mounting system can be placed in a first position while the transmitter is affixed to the vessel, wherein levels of contents in a tank can be measured with electrical and/or mechanical waves, or in a second position while the transmitter is affixed to the vessel, wherein levels of contents in a tank can be measured manually.

US Patent:

6988404, Jan 24, 2006

Filed:

Dec 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/733825

Inventors:

Juergen Motzer - Gengenbach, DE
Juergen Dietmeier - Hausach, DE
Neil T. Wilkie - Fairfield OH, US
Michael L. Topputo - West Chester OH, US

Assignee:

Ohmart/VEGA Corporation - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

G01F 23/28

US Classification:

73290R, 73304 R, 73290 V

Abstract:

A device for use in measuring stratified fluid levels in a container is disclosed. The device has a microwave transceiver sensor head attached to a waveguide sensor rod which is enclosed by a gauge tube. The rod end tubes are comprised of sections which allow them to be assembled or disassembled in a close quarters environment. The tube has a plurality of circumferentially and longitudinally spaced slots providing for the equalization of stratified fluids within the tube. The rod is generally radially centered in the tube by the use of a plurality of spacers which reside in notches in the rod. The spacers are adapted to not penetrate the slots in the tube. The rod can be removed from the tube for cleaning without draining the tank. Additionally, once the rod is removed from the tube, a cleaner brush or scraper can be used to remove any barnacles or other debris from within the tube and the longitudinal slots in the tube.

US Patent:

7134315, Nov 14, 2006

Filed:

Oct 26, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/178836

Inventors:

Joseph E. Stigler - Cincinnati OH, US
Neil T. Wilkie - Hamilton OH, US

Assignee:

Ohmart/Vega Corporation - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

G01F 23/00

US Classification:

73 029V, 73290 R

Abstract:

An improved pulse radar level sensing gauge for insertion into a storage or processing tank includes a housing; a probe cover comprising a sealing flange; and a probe for sensing electrical and mechanical properties, positioned at least partly below the sealing flange of the probe cover. The unitary flange of the probe cover aids in preventing contamination of the tank contents by foreign substances. Additionally, the location of the probe at least partly below the sealing flange of the probe cover improves the accuracy of the level sensing gauge by reducing disruption of the properties by the tank following the attachment of the level sensing gauge to the tank.

US Patent:

7237435, Jul 3, 2007

Filed:

Dec 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/299436

Inventors:

Juergen Motzer - Gengenbach, DE
Juergen Dietmeier - Hausach, DE
Neil T. Wilkie - Fairfield OH, US
Michael L. Topputo - West Chester OH, US

Assignee:

Ohmart/Vega Corporation - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

G01F 23/28

US Classification:

73290R, 73304 R, 73290 V

Abstract:

A device for use in measuring stratified fluid levels in a container is disclosed. The device has a microwave transceiver sensor head attached to a waveguide sensor rod which is enclosed by a gauge tube. The rod end tubes are comprised of sections which allow them to be assembled or disassembled in a close quarters environment. The tube has a plurality of circumferentially and longitudinally spaced slots providing for the equalization of stratified fluids within the tube. The rod is generally radially centered in the tube by the use of a plurality of spacers which reside in notches in the rod. The spacers are adapted to not penetrate the slots in the tube. The rod can be removed from the tube for cleaning without draining the tank. Additionally, once the rod is removed from the tube, a cleaner brush or scraper can be used to remove any barnacles or other debris from within the tube and the longitudinal slots in the tube.

US Patent:

7392699, Jul 1, 2008

Filed:

Feb 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/676393

Inventors:

Juergen Motzer - Gengenbach, DE
Juergen Dietmeier - Hausach, DE
Neil T. Wilkie - Fairfield OH, US
Michael L. Topputo - West Chester OH, US

Assignee:

Ohmart/VEGA Corporation - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

G01F 23/28

US Classification:

73290R, 73304 R, 73290 V

Abstract:

A device for use in measuring stratified fluid levels in a container is disclosed. The device has a microwave transceiver sensor head attached to a waveguide sensor rod which is enclosed by a gauge tube. The rod end tubes are comprised of sections which allow them to be assembled or disassembled in a close quarters environment. The tube has a plurality of circumferentially and longitudinally spaced slots providing for the equalization of stratified fluids within the tube. The rod is generally radially centered in the tube by the use of a plurality of spacers which reside in notches in the rod. The spacers are adapted to not penetrate the slots in the tube. The rod can be removed from the tube for cleaning without draining the tank. Additionally, once the rod is removed from the tube, a cleaner brush or scraper can be used to remove any barnacles or other debris from within the tube and the longitudinal slots in the tube.

US Patent:

7515095, Apr 7, 2009

Filed:

Sep 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/537253

Inventors:

Neil T. Wilkie - Fairfield OH, US
Douglas A. Groh - Cincinnati OH, US
Christopher P. Lewis - Liberty Township OH, US
William C. Gable - Amelia OH, US

Assignee:

Ohmart/VEGA Corporation - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

G01F 23/284
G01S 13/08
G01S 7/02
G01S 13/00

US Classification:

342124, 342118, 342175, 73290 R, 324600, 324629, 324637, 324642, 324644

Abstract:

An antenna for a level sensing gauge comprises an environmentally sealed chamber extending from the level sensing gauge and mounting and positionable within the interior of a storage compartment, including a breathable aperture for permitting pressure and humidity equalization between the interior of said chamber and an exterior environment.

US Patent:

6337655, Jan 8, 2002

Filed:

Jan 26, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/491555

Inventors:

Neil T. Wilkie - Hamilton OH

Assignee:

Ohmart Vega Corporation - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

G01S 1308

US Classification:

342124, 367 99, 367908, 73290 V

Abstract:

A level sensing apparatus for attachment to a sounding tube in order to measure levels of contents in a tank. This level sensing apparatus includes a housing for enclosing the various components of the level sensing apparatus. The level sensing apparatus of the present invention also includes a sounding tube adapter operatively connected to the housing and is further adapted for attachment to a sounding tube. Additionally, the sounding tube adapter includes an orifice disposed through its sidewall. The sounding tube adapter also includes a cover which can seal off the orifice, or may be opened to allow manual liquid level measurement.

US Patent:

20170227392, Aug 10, 2017

Filed:

Feb 9, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/428759

Inventors:

- Cincinnati OH, US
Greggory James Garrett - Fayetteville OH, US
Michael Ray Conley - Cincinnati OH, US
Neil T. Wilkie - Saint Cloud FL, US

International Classification:

G01F 23/22
G01F 23/00
G01N 33/00

Abstract:

A level sensing apparatus () for attachment to a sounding tube to measure levels of content in a tank. The level sensing apparatus includes a housing () for enclosing components of the level sensing apparatus (). These components include a transmitter and an antenna () operatively connected to the transmitter for directing electrical or mechanical waves in a direction away from the transmitter. The antenna is adapted to also receive electrical and mechanical waves. The apparatus further includes a sounding tube adaptor () sized for attachment to a sounding tube, and a connector assembly operatively attaching the housing to the sounding tube adaptor. The connector assembly enabling the housing to rotate relative to the sounding tube adaptor about a horizontal axis to expose an open end of the sounding tube. In use, the level sensing apparatus allows for pulse radar measurement of liquid levels in the tank. The housing may be rotated relative to the sounding tube to also allow for manual level measurements or sampling of the tank contents.