Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Patent
1996-06-17
1997-11-04
Allen, Stephone
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
250577, 340619, 356436, G01H 1506, G08B 2100
Patent
active
056842961
ABSTRACT:
An optical liquid sensing system for sensing liquids in contact with an optical sensing component is provided. The sensing system comprises an optical sensor connected to a control module by a fiber optic cable having two fiber optic strands, the first for receiving light emitted by the control module, and the second for receiving light reflected from a distal reflector. The strands terminate in a longitudinally oriented common ferrule within the optical sensor. The optical sensor is generally cylindrical and includes a distal reflector opposite and in a spaced relationship to the ferrule. A group of apertures is defined in the circumferential wall of the housing so as to permit entry of liquid into the housing and to draw liquid proximally located to the sensor into the housing via capillary action. When an amount of liquid insufficient to flood the sensor enters the housing, the shape of the sensor and the arrangement of interior components of the sensor cause the liquid to be formed into a liquid cylinder spanningly disposed between the ferrule and the reflector. The reflective inner surface of the liquid cylinder causes the amplitude of a light signal introduced into the housing by the first strand to be increased in amplitude before being received by the second strand. When the sensor is flooded with liquid, the light signal from the first strand is attenuated before being received by the second strand. The control module detects variances in the amplitude of light received by the second strand when the sensor is in contact with or is flooded by a liquid and indicates to a user that presence of a liquid has been detected by the sensor.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3835315 (1974-09-01), Gravitt, Jr.
patent: 4631529 (1986-12-01), Zeitz
patent: 4764671 (1988-08-01), Park
patent: 4816695 (1989-03-01), Lavin
patent: 5466946 (1995-11-01), Kleinschmitt et al.
patent: 5510895 (1996-04-01), Sahagen
Hamblin Jesse R.
Prabhakar Avinash
Allen Stephone
Optical Systems Industries, Inc.
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