To: ColleenB who wrote (33 ) 9/14/1998 11:46:00 AM From: Jeffrey L. Henken Respond to of 718
Here is some information I found when doing a patent search on the patent that EVDS was issued: 5085077 : Ultrasonic liquid measuring device for use in storage tanks containing liquids having a non-uniform vapor density INVENTORS: Stapleton; Charles E., Bellevue, WA Numata; Jerauld T., Renton, WA ASSIGNEES: Capscan Sales Incorporate, Kirkland, WA ISSUED: Feb. 4 , 1992 FILED: Jan. 7 , 1991, SERIAL NUMBER: 638393, MAINT. STATUS: INTL. CLASS (Ed. 5): G01F 023/28; U.S. CLASS: 073/290.V; 340/621; 367/908; FIELD OF SEARCH: 073-290 V ; 340-621 ; ABSTRACT: An ultrasonic liquid level detector mounted in a fill pipe cap. The ultrasonic detector mounted in a fill pipe cap (10) is used in determining a level and/or the volume of a liquid (5) stored in an underground storage tank (20). The fill pipe cap contains an ultrasonic ranging unit (50) that measures a time, TL, required for an ultrasonic pulse to travel round trip between an ultrasonic transducer/receiver (54) and the surface of the liquid in the tank. A reference reflector (25) disposed within a fill pipe (30) is used in determining a reference time, TR, that is included in a non-linear expression, e.alpha. .multidot.TL.beta..sbsp.1 .multidot.TR.beta..sbsp.2, in order to compute the level of liquid in the storage tank. The terms e.alpha., .beta.1, and .beta.2 comprise a correction for errors in the round-trip times TL and TR caused by a non-uniform vapor density of the liquid along the path traveled by the ultrasonic pulses. patents.ibm.com This is indeed the EVDS patent. EVDS has been working with the Yarrow Bay Texaco in Kirkland Washington for several years to test this product. Upon completion of the developmental cycle the accuracy of the device has consistently been better than the EPA requirement for reporting inventory in underground tanks.InvestRight Regards, Jeff