Non-contact level detector for fluids in a container
First Claim
1. A level detector, comprising:
- a collimator being operable to block first electromagnetic radiation having a first range of orientations with respect to the level detector from passing through, and being further operable to allow second electromagnetic radiation having a second range of orientations with respect to the level detector to pass through;
a sensor being positioned, with respect to the collimator, such that the sensor is operable to detect magnitudes of the second electromagnetic radiation; and
the sensor being operable to convert incident photon flux associated with the second electromagnetic radiation to electrical signals.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention includes a level detector having a collimator being operable to block first electromagnetic radiation having a first range of orientations with respect to the level detector from passing through. The collimator is further operable to allow second electromagnetic radiation having a second range of orientations with respect to the level detector to pass through. The level detector includes a sensor that is positioned, with respect to the collimator, such that the sensor is operable to detect magnitudes of the second electromagnetic radiation. The sensor may be further operable to convert incident photon flux associated with the second electromagnetic radiation to electrical signals. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the level detector includes an electronic unit that is operable to detect a radiation step in the second electromagnetic radiation, based upon changes in the magnitudes of the second electromagnetic radiation.
-
Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A level detector, comprising:
-
a collimator being operable to block first electromagnetic radiation having a first range of orientations with respect to the level detector from passing through, and being further operable to allow second electromagnetic radiation having a second range of orientations with respect to the level detector to pass through;
a sensor being positioned, with respect to the collimator, such that the sensor is operable to detect magnitudes of the second electromagnetic radiation; and
the sensor being operable to convert incident photon flux associated with the second electromagnetic radiation to electrical signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method for detecting a level of fluid in a container, comprising:
-
scanning a surface of a container with a remote sensor, the container having a gas and a liquid within the container;
measuring radiation intensities along the surface of the container;
identifying a variation in radiation intensities adjacent an interface between the gas and the liquid. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. A method for detecting a level of fluid in a container, comprising:
-
receiving, at a collimator, first and second electromagnetic radiation, the first electromagnetic radiation having a first range of orientations with respect to the collimator, and the second electromagnetic radiation having a second range of orientations with respect to the collimator;
blocking the first electromagnetic radiation and allowing the second electromagnetic radiation to pass through the collimator;
detecting, at a sensor, magnitudes of the second electromagnetic radiation; and
converting incident photon flux associated with the second electromagnetic radiation to electrical signals. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification