SOLID STATE FLUID LEVEL SENSOR
First Claim
1. A fluid sensing pad, comprising:
- a first electrode with a shape adapted to sense fluid;
a second electrode disposed in a spaced relationship to the first electrode and at least partially surrounding the first electrode;
a first gain tuning component electrically coupled to the first electrode;
a second gain tuning component electrically coupled to the second electrode;
an active electrical component electrically coupled to both first and second electrodes; and
an interconnect pattern electrically coupling the first electrode, the second electrode, and the active electrical component.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.”
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A fluid sensing pad, comprising:
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a first electrode with a shape adapted to sense fluid; a second electrode disposed in a spaced relationship to the first electrode and at least partially surrounding the first electrode; a first gain tuning component electrically coupled to the first electrode; a second gain tuning component electrically coupled to the second electrode; an active electrical component electrically coupled to both first and second electrodes; and an interconnect pattern electrically coupling the first electrode, the second electrode, and the active electrical component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A fluid sensing pad, comprising:
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a first electrode with a shape adapted to sense fluid; a second electrode disposed in a spaced relationship to the first electrode and at least partially surrounding the first electrode; a first active electrical component electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes, the first active electrical component amplifying and buffering a first signal from the first and second electrodes; a third electrode with a shape adapted to sense fluid, the third electrode disposed vertically with respect to the first electrode; a fourth electrode disposed in a spaced relationship to the third electrode and at least partially surrounding the third electrode; a second active electrical component electrically coupled to the third and fourth electrodes, the second active electrical component amplifying and buffering a second signal from the third and fourth electrodes; and an interconnect pattern electrically coupling the first electrode, the second electrode, the first active electrical component, the third electrode, the fourth electrode, and the second active electrical component, wherein the first signal starts a device and the second signal stops the device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification