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Monitor for detecting tube position and air bubbles in tube

  • US 4,884,065 A
  • Filed: 06/13/1988
  • Issued: 11/28/1989
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A device for detecting the presence of air in hollow cylindrical tubing, comprising:

  • means for mounting a plurality of components therein, said mounting means including a recessed groove therein, said recessed groove for receiving a portion of the tubing;

    a light source located in said mounting means on one side of said recessed groove, light from said light source being directed onto said tubing when the tubing is located in said recessed groove;

    a tube/no tube light sensor located in said mounting means on the other side of said recessed groove from said light source, said tube/no tube light sensor receiving light from said light source whenever tubing is not located in said recessed groove, said tube/no tube light sensor receiving substantially no light from said light source whenever tubing is located in said recessed groove; and

    a liquid in tube light sensor located in said mounting means, light from said light source which enters tubing located in said recessed groove being reflected off the inside of the tubing and directed onto said liquid in tube light sensor whenever air is contained in the tubing, substantially no light entering tubing located in said recessed groove being reflected off the inside of the tubing and being directed onto said liquid in tube light sensor whenever fluid is contained in the tubing, light entering tubing located in said recessed groove instead entering the fluid contained in the tubing.

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