Optical fluid-level switch and controls for bilge pump apparatus
First Claim
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1. Apparatus comprising:
- a pump housing;
a motor and impeller mounted within said housing;
an optical switch assembly mounted within said housing to detect liquid levels within said housing;
said assembly including a pair of fiber optic conductors, each conductor having a gap therein; and
said assembly having control means optically coupled to said fiber optic conductors for turning said motor on and off depending the liquid level being above or below each said gap.
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Abstract
An optical bilge pump apparatus has two optical fibers with gaps cut therein and associated light transmitters-receivers. The apparatus is responsive to high and low liquid levels in the pump such that the pump is turned on when both gaps in the optical fibers are submersed in liquid, and the pump is turned off when both gaps in the optical fibers are not submersed in liquid.
91 Citations
23 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising:
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a pump housing; a motor and impeller mounted within said housing; an optical switch assembly mounted within said housing to detect liquid levels within said housing; said assembly including a pair of fiber optic conductors, each conductor having a gap therein; and said assembly having control means optically coupled to said fiber optic conductors for turning said motor on and off depending the liquid level being above or below each said gap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In combination:
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a submersible pump mounted within a pump housing; relay means coupled to said pump for turning said pump on and off; optical control means contained within said housing and coupled to operate said relay means; said optical control means including two optical fibers, each fiber coupled to an associated light transmitter and receiver, and each fiber having a gap, one gap in one fiber at a high liquid level point, and another gap in another fiber at a low liquid level point; and switch means for energizing said optical control means. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. Optical bilge pump apparatus comprising:
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a bilge pump; optical fiber means having gaps therein and being located to detect liquid levels within the bilge pump; control means to turn the bilge pump on and off depending on changes in light transmission across said gaps due to the presence or absence of liquid; and said control means including infra-red light emitting and receiving means, and means for converting infra-red light generated electrical signals into switching functions for controlling said bilge pump.
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11. Pumping apparatus comprising:
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a pump housing having an outer wall and an interior wall mounting section; a motor and impeller mounted to said interior section; an optical switch assembly mounted to said interior section and within said outer wall to detect liquid levels between said outer wall and said interior section; said optical switch assembly including an optical fiber body assembly having a pair of fiber optic conductors having gaps therein, said body assembly being located between said outer wall and said interior section; and said assembly having control means optically coupled to said fiber optic conductors for turning said motor on and off depending the liquid level being above or below said gaps. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. Apparatus for controlling a drive means comprising in combination:
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a housing having a channel for containing a liquid therein; optical control means contained within said channel and coupled to operate said drive means; said optical control means including two optical fibers, each fiber coupled to an associated light transmitter and receiver, and each fiber having a gap, one gap in one fiber at a high liquid level point in said channel, and another gap in another fiber at a low liquid level point in said channel; and switch means for energizing said optical control means. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification