There is disclosed a sensor system for determining a fluid level comprising a first sensor comprising a contact sensor a second sensor comprising a conductive sensor and a transducer configured to determine a water level based upon pressure placed on the transducer. There is also a microprocessor in communication with the first sensor, the second sensor and the transducer, the microprocessor configured to determine from at least one of the first sensor, the second sensor and the transducer, a fluid level in a container. In one embodiment the system further comprises a memory configured to feed values to the microprocessor, wherein the values comprise at least one of a high level fluid value and a low level fluid value. In one embodiment the microprocessor is configured to read pressure levels from the transducer wherein the pressure level of the transducer is configured to estimate a fluid level in a container.

A rain gauge for measurement of rain fall. The rain gauge includes: a measurement chamber having an inlet port at one end and a drainage port at the other end, the drainage port being closed by a valve and programmable to be opened at predefined events to release water collected in measurement chamber; a funnel or collector adapted to receive rain fall opens into the inlet port; and an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals into measurement chamber. The ultrasonic transducer is programmable to determine the water level in measurement chamber. An automatic weather station including the rain gauge is also provided.

A rain gauge for measurement of rain fall. The rain gauge includes: a measurement chamber having an inlet port at one end and a drainage port at the other end, the drainage port being closed by a valve and programmable to be opened at predefined events to release water collected in measurement chamber; a funnel or collector adapted to receive rain fall opens into the inlet port; and an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals into measurement chamber. The ultrasonic transducer is programmable to determine the water level in measurement chamber. An automatic weather station including the rain gauge is also provided.

An automated method for detecting and/or monitoring a state of a degasser of an analyzer is provided, the degasser including a container configured to be evacuated. The method includes obtaining a time series of values indicative of pressures inside the container. The time series spans a period during which the container is evacuated or pressurized. The method further includes determining a liquid level state of the degasser which is determined by an amount of liquid present in the container based on the time series.

An automated method for detecting and/or monitoring a state of a degasser of an analyzer is provided, the degasser including a container configured to be evacuated. The method includes obtaining a time series of values indicative of pressures inside the container. The time series spans a period during which the container is evacuated or pressurized. The method further includes determining a liquid level state of the degasser which is determined by an amount of liquid present in the container based on the time series.

A monitoring apparatus is disclosed that includes a.) at least one acoustic pickup, b.) a sound pressure sensor acoustically coupled to the at least one acoustic pickup, and c.) a computing device interfaced to the sound pressure sensor. The at least one acoustic pickup may be submerged in or located in proximity to flowing fluid. The sound sensor is configured to acquire sound intensity waveforms naturally generated by the flowing fluid as a source of data patterns for training the apparatus as well stimuli used to generate responses about flow conditions. The computing device is configured to quantify flow parameters of the flowing fluid from sound utterances and visual appearances intrinsically expressed by the flow using machine learning models.

A monitoring apparatus is disclosed that includes a.) at least one acoustic pickup, b.) a sound pressure sensor acoustically coupled to the at least one acoustic pickup, and c.) a computing device interfaced to the sound pressure sensor. The at least one acoustic pickup may be submerged in or located in proximity to flowing fluid. The sound sensor is configured to acquire sound intensity waveforms naturally generated by the flowing fluid as a source of data patterns for training the apparatus as well stimuli used to generate responses about flow conditions. The computing device is configured to quantify flow parameters of the flowing fluid from sound utterances and visual appearances intrinsically expressed by the flow using machine learning models.

The invention provides a method of verifying the health of a liquid level detection device, preferably a vibrating fork level switch, while the device remains in situ. The method includes, independently of the device, verifying if the fork tines are fully wet or fully dry. This step can be carried out by a further, independent, level measuring apparatus.

The invention provides a method of verifying the health of a liquid level detection device, preferably a vibrating fork level switch, while the device remains in situ. The method includes, independently of the device, verifying if the fork tines are fully wet or fully dry. This step can be carried out by a further, independent, level measuring apparatus.

An ice maker includes a refrigeration system, a water system, and a control system. The control system includes an air fitting disposed above the sump of the water system, a pneumatic tube, and a controller including a processor and an air pressure sensor. The air fitting defines a chamber in which air may be trapped and includes one or more openings through which water in the sump is in fluid communication with the air in the chamber. The pneumatic tube is in fluid communication with the air pressure sensor and the air fitting. The air pressure sensor is adapted to sense a pressure corresponding to a sump water level. The controller is adapted to control the operation of the refrigeration system and the operation of the water system based upon the sump water level. To avoid errors in water level measurements due to temperature changes, the system uses the pressure sensor data's noise level to detect when the water level reaches the bottom of the air fitting.