Too-Smart Solutions?
I enjoyed Dan HebertĀs recent article ĀA Too-Smart Solution?Ā (Technically Speaking, August 2007). It seems at times we canĀt see the forest for the trees. ItĀs often true: Simple solutions are all that are needed, and therefore as you stated, Āsimplicity is a virtue.Ā
Ā I, too, am a participant in SCEĀs curtailment program. I have yet to experience a Ācut-off,Ā even in hot Temecula; yet I have experienced the lower bill. So IĀm pretty pleased at this point.
Benson Hougland,
VP Marketing, Opto 22
No Magnetostriction?
I was very disappointed when reading you article ĀLevel Measurement: The Very Last ResortĀ (August, 2007) that I did not find magnetostriction in Figure 1. I went back and read your ĀFirst the Application, Then the ProductĀ article from the February 2007Ā issue. I could not find any reference to magnetostriction.Ā Why did you leave out magnetostriction? As a manufacturer of gauges that use magnetostriction technology the lack of coverage concerns me.Ā
Lee Aiken,
Product Marketing Manager
MTS Sensors
EditorĀs Reply:
Magnetostrictive devices are indeed in the chart, along with all the other mechanical level measurement devices. Magnetostrictive devices use a float to cause magnetostriction at the location of the float, and produce a signal that indicates the level in the vessel. Other float-type level devices use sensing elements other than magnetostriction, but they all have similar applications and similar installation challenges. In the chart referenced in Mr. AikenĀs letter (insert chart url) the first bar is Āmechanical devices.Ā ThatĀs where magnetostrictive level devices belong. So, no, we didnĀt leave out magnetostriction, and it is not a special category of device that requires mention by itself. IĀve used magnetostriction level sensors, and I recommend them where they will perform in the optimum manner.
Who Owns What?
I always enjoy reading the monthly Control magazine. I was reading the last page of the July issue and have a suggestion for Keith and you. He points out how hard it is to keep up with who owns what nowadays in the instrumentation world, and I fully agree. IĀve often thought it would be nice to have a timeline of who bought what and when. In my nearly 30 years as an instrument engineer IĀve seen lots of companies come and go. Some of them made some really great products. How about Control putting together a timeline like this?
David Land, PE
ConocoPhillips
EditorĀs Reply:
Thanks for your kind words. We havenĀt built a timeline, but look for our ĀDirectory of Lost CompaniesĀ wiki, soon to appear at www.controlglobal.com. WeĀre seeding the wiki with the names of the nearly 200 ĀlostĀ companies we know about. Then itĀs up to readers to fill in the blanks.