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Fluid level detection system

  • US 10,327,948 B2
  • Filed: 10/06/2014
  • Issued: 06/25/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a fluid level in a fluid maintaining device, comprising:

  • retrieving a desired absorption coefficient based upon expected conditions within the fluid maintaining device, such that the desired absorption coefficient is sufficient for use in determining whether fluid is present in an optical transmission path;

    calculating a wavelength to transmit light energy based on a length of the optical transmission path and the desired absorption coefficient;

    emitting light from each light energy transmitter of a transmitter array positioned in association with the fluid maintaining device at the wavelength calculated in the calculating step through the fluid maintaining device, wherein the wavelength of light emitted from each light energy transmitter is individually controlled to emit light at the wavelength calculated in the calculating step through the fluid maintaining device;

    sensing the light emitted from each light energy transmitter by each sensor of a receiver array positioned in association with the fluid maintaining device, wherein each sensor numerically matches and positionally cooperates with a corresponding light energy transmitter of the transmitter array;

    determining the fluid level in the fluid maintaining device based on a received wavelength at each sensor of the receiver array; and

    adjusting the fluid level in the fluid maintaining device based on the received wavelength at each sensor, wherein adjusting the fluid level comprises activating a pump to;

    expel fluid from the fluid maintaining device when an amount of fluid is detected above a preset excess fluid level threshold, andfill the fluid maintaining device when an amount of fluid is detected below a preset low fluid level threshold,wherein the steps of retrieving, calculating, emitting, sensing, determining and adjusting are performed by electrical circuitry of the fluid maintaining device.

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