Optical transducer for detecting liquid level
First Claim
1. An optical probe for a liquid level transducer, the optical probe comprising:
- an elongate, transparent body having a central axis, a first end for receiving radiant energy from a light source and a second end adapted for exposure to a liquid to be measured;
the second end having first and second measurement surfaces that intersect at a transverse edge;
the transverse edge extending at an acute angle with respect to the central axis;
whereby liquid droplets that may be present on the probe are directed along the transverse edge toward the probe tip for expulsion therefrom.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical transducer for determining the presence or absence of liquid or the like in a reservoir includes a housing with a hollow interior and an optical probe that extends through the housing. The optical probe has a central axis, a proximal end positioned in the hollow interior and a distal end positioned outside of the housing. The distal end has first and second measurement surfaces that intersect at a transverse edge. The transverse edge extends at an acute angle with respect to the central axis. A light source is arranged for projecting radiant energy into the optical probe toward the distal end. A photosensor is arranged for detecting radiant energy reflected from the distal end to thereby detect the presence and absence of liquid on the optical probe.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An optical probe for a liquid level transducer, the optical probe comprising:
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an elongate, transparent body having a central axis, a first end for receiving radiant energy from a light source and a second end adapted for exposure to a liquid to be measured;
the second end having first and second measurement surfaces that intersect at a transverse edge;
the transverse edge extending at an acute angle with respect to the central axis;
whereby liquid droplets that may be present on the probe are directed along the transverse edge toward the probe tip for expulsion therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An optical transducer for determining the presence or absence of liquid in a reservoir, comprising:
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a housing having a hollow interior;
an optical probe extending through the housing, the optical probe having a central axis, a proximal end positioned in the hollow interior and a distal end positioned outside of the housing, the distal end having first and second measurement surfaces that intersect at a transverse edge, the transverse edge extending at an acute angle with respect to the central axis;
a light source arranged for projecting radiant energy into the optical probe toward the distal end; and
a photosensor arranged for detecting radiant energy reflected from the distal end to thereby detect the presence and absence of liquid on the optical probe. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An optical transducer for determining the presence or absence of liquid in a reservoir, the optical transducer comprising:
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a housing having a hollow interior and a mounting section for connection to a reservoir;
an optical probe extending through the housing with a proximal end of the optical probe being positioned in the hollow interior above the mounting section and a distal end of the optical probe being positioned outside of the housing below the mounting section;
a light source positioned in the hollow interior above the proximal end for projecting radiant energy into the optical probe toward the distal end; and
a photosensor positioned in the hollow interior above the proximal end for detecting radiant energy reflected from the distal end to thereby detect the presence and absence of liquid on the optical probe. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification