Liquid level indicator for humidifier

• US 4,644,790 A
• Filed: 04/01/1985
• Issued: 02/24/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Mizoguchi, Saburo
• Primary Examiner(s): YASICH, DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US06/718,232
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 73/293, 73/323, 73/325, 73/327, 73/334, 73/427, 250/577, 261/DIG. 48, 261/81, 126/113
• US Class Current: 73/293
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0615 spray being produced at the free surface of the liquid or other fluent material in a container and subjected to the vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/0012 Apparatus for achieving spraying before discharge from the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/0081 Apparatus supplied with low pressure gas, e.g. "hvlp"-guns; air supplied by a fan
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/02 by gauge glasses or other apparatus involving a window or transparent tube for directly observing the level to be measured or the level of a liquid column in free communication with the main body of the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/65 Vaporizers

Abstract

A liquid level indicator comprising a liquid storing tank for storing liquid therein containing a first transparent portion and a second transparent portion; a mounting member of the liquid storing tank therein containing a third transparent portion and a fourth transparent portion; a non-transparent cover of the liquid storing tank within the mounting member; and a lamp for emitting light into the liquid tank through the fourth transparent portion of the mounting member and the second transparent portion of the liquid storing tank, the light being reflected at the surface of the liquid level to pass through the first transparent portion of the liquid storing tank and the third transparent portion of the mounting member whereby the level of the liquid can be noted from outside the liquid storing tank.

Claims

1. A liquid level indicator for a humidifier comprising:

a liquid storing tank for storing liquid therein containing a first transparent portion and a second transparent portion;

mounting means for detachably mounting said liquid storing tank therein containing a third transparent portion and a fourth transparent portion;

non-transparent covering means being detachable from the humidifier above said liquid storing tank within said mounting means; and

light source means for emitting light into the liquid tank means through said fourth transparent portion of said mounting means and said second transparent portion of the liquid storing tank, wherein the light emitted from the light source means is reflected in the direction of the first transparent portion of the liquid storing tank by the inclined surface of liquid produced by the surface tension of the liquid at the side wall of the liquid storing tank, said light being deflected at the surface of the liquid level to pass through the first transparent portion of the liquid storing tank and the third transparent portion of the mounting means whereby the level of the liquid can be measured through said first transparent portion from outside the liquid storage tank.

2. The liquid level indicator of claim 1, wherein the light source is positioned to direct its light along the wall of the liquid storing tank whereby the light is deflected at the inclined surface produced when the liquid level contacts the inside surface of the liquid storing tank.

3. The liquid level indicator of claim 1, wherein the first transparent portion of the liquid storing tank is faced with the third transparent portion of the mounting means.

4. The liquid level indicator of claim 1, wherein the second transparent portion of the liquid storing tank is faced with the fourth transparent portion of the mounting means.

5. The liquid level indicator of claim 1, wherein the light from the light source means is also directed to a driving signaling means for indicating when the liquid level indicator is operative.

6. The liquid level indicator of claim 5, wherein the light source produces a light transmission path from the light source to the driving signaling means.

7. The liquid level indicator of claim 5, wherein the liquid storing tank is a humidifier and when the humidifier is turned on the light source means is turned on.

8. The liquid level indicator of claim 1, wherein the second transparent portion is in the bottom of the liquid storing tank and said fourth transparent portion is adjacent said second transparent portion whereby the light emanating from the light source traverses the height of the liquid in the liquid storing tank to the surface thereof before being deflected to pass through said first and third transparent portions.

9. A liquid level indicator for a humidifier comprising:

a liquid storing tank for storing liquid therein containing a first transparent portion and a second transparent portion;

mounting means for detachably mounting the liquid storing tank thereon containing a fourth transparent portion;

covering means for covering said liquid storing tank containing a third transparent portion; and

light source means for emitting light into said liquid tank means through the fourth transparent portion of said mounting means and said second transparent portion of said liquid storing tank, wherein the light emitted from the light source means is reflected in the direction of the first transparent portion of the liquid storing tank by the inclined surface of liquid produced by the surface tension of the liquid at the side wall of the liquid storing tank, said light being deflected at the surface of the liquid level to pass through said first transparent portion of said liquid storing tank and said third transparent portion of the covering means whereby the level of the liquid can be measured through said first transparent portion from outside the liquid storage tank.

10. A liquid level indicator for a humidifier comprising:

a liquid storing tank for storing liquid therein containing a first transparent portion and a second transparent portion;

mounting means for detachably mounting said liquid storing tank therein containing a fourth transparent portion;

housing wall means provided on said mounting means for storing said liquid tank containing a third transparent portion;

covering means for covering said liquid storing tank detachably connected to said housing wall means; and

light source means for emitting light into said liquid tank through said fourth transparent portion of the mounting means and said second transparent portion of the liquid storing tank, wherein the light emitted from the light source means is reflected in the direction of the first transparent portion of the liquid storing tank by the inclined surface of liquid produced by the surface tension of the liquid at the side wall of the liquid storing tank, said light being deflected at the surface of the liquid level to pass through said first transparent portion of said liquid storing tank and said third transparent portion of said housing wall means whereby the level of the liquid can be measured through said first transparent portion from outside the liquid storing tank.