The present disclosure relates to a device for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium including at least one sensor element and a unit at least partially including a material with anisotropic thermal conductivity. According to the present disclosure the unit is frictionally connected to the sensor element, and in particular the unit is frictionally fastened on a surface of the sensor element.

Disclosed is a method for gauging the liquid propellant tank of a spacecraft during a phase of high-thrust along an axis, the tank being thermally conductive and having a known geometry. The method includes steps of: attaching, on a wall of the tank, a heating member and at least one temperature sensor in proximity to the heating member and in a plane of interest perpendicular to the thrust axis; during the high-thrust phase, heating the wall of the tank and acquiring temperature measurements of the wall of the tank at rapid frequency; determining the instant I when the temperature measured by the sensor changes, such change indicating the presence of the liquid-gas interface in the tank in the plane of interest; and determining the volume of liquid propellant present in the tank at instant I.

A fluid level sensing device includes a substrate (210) and a sensing die (216) cantilevered at one end from the substrate. A number of sensing components (218), preferably thermal or impedance sensing components, are disposed on the sensing die and detect a fluid level in a fluid reservoir. A protective member (208) is also cantilevered at one end from the substrate alongside the sensing die. Electrical interconnects (212) output data collected from the number of sensing components. A number of sensing dies may be provided to lengthen the sensing device, in which case the protective cover extends alongside and parallel to the number of sensing dies.

A liquid level detection device that is provided in a vessel and configured to detect a liquid level of fluid stored in the vessel includes a first plate formed in a plate shape, and a second plate formed in a plate shape and disposed to face the first plate. The first plate is disposed in such a manner that a surface opposite to a surface facing the second plate is orthogonal to a flow direction of fluid around the first plate in the vessel.

An apparatus and method for measuring the level of a liquid. The apparatus comprises an elongated, thermally conductive probe with an upper region to be disposed above the surface of the liquid, a lower region to be disposed below the surface of the liquid, and a middle region. A heater adds heat to the probe, and temperature sensors may measure the temperature of the probe in the upper and lower regions. An actuator may introduce a vibration into the probe at a first location, and a vibration sensor senses the arrival of the vibration at a second location. Electrical circuitry controls may be used to receive signals and make measurements. The liquid level may be computed by electrical circuitry controls via an equation.

A vaporizing device for consuming a stimulant or a pharmaceutical substance by inhaling a vapour comprise a housing having an exit opening provided at one end of said housing, a vaporizer connected to said exit opening via a vapour conduit, said vaporizer having an electrically driven heating unit and a liquid exposure section that is heated by the heating unit to vaporize a liquid in said liquid exposure section, a liquid reservoir connected to said liquid exposure section via a liquid conduit, and an electrical energy storage unit electrically connected to said heating unit, wherein an electrical fluid level sensors is associated with said liquid reservoir, said fluid level sensor being arranged and adapted to produce a low-level-signal if the liquid level within said liquid reservoir is below a predetermined threshold.

A detector configured to indirectly monitor a level of liquid within a container is provided. The detector includes a temperature sensor and a heat producing element proximate to the temperature sensor. A shell is disposed around the temperature sensor and heat producing element, the shell is configured to be disposed within a container and to provide a barrier between liquid disposed within the container and each of the temperature sensor and heat producing element. The heat producing element is configured to transfer heat generated therein to the shell, and the sensor is configured to measure a surface temperature of the heat producing element.

A water heater having an electric heating element therein is provided with apparatus for preventing dry firing of the heating element. The apparatus is operative to (1) power the heating element with electrical test pulses having first predetermined durations and being separated by rest periods of second predetermined durations during which the heating element is depowered, (2) determine the average electrical current flow through the element during each of the test pulses, and (3) preclude energization of the heating element if the average current flow therethrough during an electrical test pulse subsequent to the first test pulse is less by a predetermined magnitude than the average electrical current flow through the heating element during the first electrical test pulse.

A kit for connecting to, and monitoring fill levels of a fluid storage tank includes a control module and primary and secondary sensor units. The control module is electronically connected to the primary sensor unit. The control module includes a circuit board with a microprocessor, memory unit, and transmitter. Each sensor unit includes a housing a seal attached to the housing around an opening thereof, attachment structure for attaching the housing to a wall of the tank, and an infrared sensor disposed in the housing proximate the opening. The primary sensor unit also includes a circuit board disposed within the housing, an ambient temperature sensor disposed in the housing, and a communications link for communicating with the control module. A method of monitoring a fluid level in a storage tank, and a system for monitoring and reporting fluid levels in a plurality of storage tanks, are also described.

A method of forming a fluid level sensor includes coupling an array of heating elements and sensors to a first side of a substrate. A second side of the substrate is coupled to a carrier. The method also includes coupling an electrical interface to the carrier and electrically coupling the array to the electrical interface via a conductive wire. The method further includes overmolding the electrical interface, the first side of the substrate, and the conductive wire to form an overmolded fluid level sensor. The carrier may be coupled to the second side of the substrate and the electrical interface via a releasable adhesive and may be removed after overmolding the fluid level sensor.