System and method for detecting an intensity of light

• US 20070075229A1
• Filed: 06/19/2006
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Phaedrus, LLC
• Original Assignee: Phaedrus, LLC
• Inventors: Engstrand, Bradley
• Granted Patent: US 7,348,542 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/231.100
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/34 the beams of light being detected by photocells

Abstract

A system and a method detect an intensity of light within an interior of a compartment and/or of an end cap to locate a position of a movable element within the interior of the compartment. A platform is attached to interior walls of the end cap for positioning a light source within the interior of the compartment and a first light detector within the interior of the end cap. A second light detector is attached to the interior walls of the end cap which is adjacent to the platform. The platform is located between the light source and the first light detector and/or the second light detector to prevent light transmitted by the light source from being directed inwardly with respect to the first light detector and/or the second light detector. A bottom surface of the end cap reflects or diffuses light within the interior of the end cap inwardly with respect to the first light detector and/or the second light detector. The first light detector and/or the second light detector measures and detects the intensity of the light within the interior of the end cap which was attenuated by the movable element and/or by the interior walls of the compartment. The intensity of the light detectable by the first light detector and/or by the second light detector corresponds to the position of the movable element within the interior of the compartment.

Claims

1. A system for detecting light, the system comprising:

a compartment having a body defining an interior wherein the body has an interior surface and a length defined between a first end and a second end of the compartment;

a cap having bottom surface and walls defining an interior of the cap wherein the walls are connected to the bottom surface wherein the end cap is connected to the first end of the compartment wherein the interior of the compartment is adjacent to the interior of the cap;

a light source connected to the walls of the cap wherein the light source is located within the interior of the compartment wherein the light source emits light into the interior of the compartment wherein the interior surface of the compartment absorbs and diffuses an amount of the light emitted from the light source within the interior of the compartment; and

a first detector connected to the walls of the cap wherein the first detector detects an intensity of the light within the interior of the cap wherein the intensity of the light within the interior of the cap corresponds to an intensity of the light within the interior of the compartment which is absorbed and diffused by the interior surface of the compartment and further wherein the intensity of the light with the interior of the compartment corresponds to the amount of the light absorbed and diffused by the interior surface of the compartment wherein the cap and the compartment prevents diffraction of the light within the interior of the compartment and the interior of the cap.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a movable element within the interior of the compartment wherein a position of the movable element within the interior of the compartment corresponds to the intensity of the light detected by the first sensor.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a second detector connected to the walls of the cap wherein the second detector measures the intensity of the light within the interior of the cap.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a platform attached to the walls of the cap wherein the platform is located between the interior of the compartment and the interior of the cap wherein the platform prevents diffraction of the light within the compartment and the cap.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface reflects the light within the interior of the cap inwardly with respect to the first detector.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a microprocessor connected to the first detector wherein the microprocessor is in communication with the first detector.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a coating on the interior surface of the compartment wherein the coating absorbs or diffuses the amount of the light emitted from the light source.

8. A system for detecting light, the system comprising:

a compartment having a body defining an interior wherein the body has an interior surface and a length defined between a first end and a second end of the compartment wherein the compartment has a movable element within the interior of the compartment wherein the movable element moves within the interior of the compartment from a first position to a second position wherein the interior surface prevents diffraction of light emitted within the interior of the compartment;

a cap having bottom surface and walls defining an interior of the cap wherein the walls are connected to the bottom surface wherein the cap is connected to the first end of the compartment wherein the bottom surface of the cap diffuses the light emitted within the interior of the cap;

a first detector connected to the walls of the cap wherein the first detector is located within the interior of the cap; and

a second detector connected to the walls of the cap wherein the second detector is located within the interior of the cap wherein the first detector or the second detector detects an intensity of the light within the interior of the cap wherein the intensity of the light within the interior of the cap corresponds to the first position or the second position of the movable element within the interior of the cap.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a surface formed on the movable element wherein the surface absorbs or diffuses an amount of light within the interior of the compartment.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a platform attached to the walls of the cap wherein the platform is located between the interior of the compartment and the first detector or the second detector.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the bottom surface reflects or diffuses the light within the interior of the cap inwardly with respect to the first detector or the second detector.

12. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a light source connected to the walls of the cap wherein the light source emits light within the interior of the compartment.

13. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a coating on the interior surface of the compartment wherein the coating absorbs and diffuses the amount of the light emitted from the light source.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the second detector is attached to the walls of the cap wherein the second detector is located between the interior of the compartment and the bottom surface of the cap.

15. A method for detecting light, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a compartment having a body defining an interior wherein the body has an interior surface and a length defined between a first end and a second end;

positioning a movable element within the interior of the compartment wherein the movable element is located at a first position within the interior with respect to the wall wherein the movable element and the interior surface of the compartment attenuate light emitted within the interior of the compartment;

connecting a cap to the first end of the compartment wherein the cap has a bottom surface and walls defining an interior of the cap wherein the bottom surface of the cap reflects light within the interior of the compartment wherein the walls of the cap diffuse light emitted within the interior of the cap; and

detecting an intensity of the light within the interior of the cap wherein the intensity of the light corresponds to an amount of the light absorbed and diffused by the interior surface of the compartment wherein the amount of light absorbed and diffused by the interior surface of the compartment corresponds to the first position of the movable element within the interior of the compartment.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

connecting a light detector to the walls of the cap wherein the bottom surface of the cap reflects or diffuses the light within the interior of the cap inwardly with respect to the light detector.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

moving the movable element from the first position to a second position with respect to the interior of the compartment.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

connecting a light source to the walls of the cap wherein the light source emits light within the interior of the compartment.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

attaching a platform to the walls of the cap wherein the platform is located between the interior of the compartment and the interior of the cap.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

forming a surface on the interior surface of the compartment or the movable element wherein the surface attenuates the light emitted within the interior of the compartment.