Electro-optical level detector
First Claim
1. Level detection apparatus for measuring the depth of a surface, comprising:
- a source of high intensity light;
scanning means adapted to be located above the surface to be measured, said scanning means being movable to scan a beam of light from said source repetitively across the surface;
first and second detector means responsive to reflections of said beam from the surface to be measured to produce corresponding output pulses, said detector means lying in a first plane which is common to said beam of light and normal to the surface to be measured;
means for generating a time-varying signal in synchronization with the movement of said scanning means;
first circuit means responsive to an output pulse from said first detector means to obtain a first sample of said time-varying signal;
second circuit means responsive to an output pulse from said second detector means to obtain a second sample of said time varying signal; and
third circuit means responsive to said first and second samples for producing output signals proportional to the angles at which said beam was reflected to said first and second detectors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Level detection apparatus for determining the depth of a variable surface with respect to the apparatus is disclosed. The device includes a scanning source which causes an intense, collimated beam of light to move across the surface to be detected. First and second spaced detectors sensitive to light reflected from the surface are located at opposite sides of the scanning source and lie in the plane of the scanned beam so that the source directs light from the reflecting surface onto first one and then the other of the detectors. A circuit responsive to the receipt of the reflected beams by the first and second detectors produces first and second signals which will be spaced in time in accordance with the depth of the surface to be measured. An index signal is generated in synchronization with the rotation of the scanning source, and a comparator circuit is provided for comparing the time delay between the two detector outputs, whereby a level output signal proportional to the depth of the surface is produced.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. Level detection apparatus for measuring the depth of a surface, comprising:
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a source of high intensity light; scanning means adapted to be located above the surface to be measured, said scanning means being movable to scan a beam of light from said source repetitively across the surface; first and second detector means responsive to reflections of said beam from the surface to be measured to produce corresponding output pulses, said detector means lying in a first plane which is common to said beam of light and normal to the surface to be measured; means for generating a time-varying signal in synchronization with the movement of said scanning means; first circuit means responsive to an output pulse from said first detector means to obtain a first sample of said time-varying signal; second circuit means responsive to an output pulse from said second detector means to obtain a second sample of said time varying signal; and third circuit means responsive to said first and second samples for producing output signals proportional to the angles at which said beam was reflected to said first and second detectors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification