Disposable electromagnetic fluid level sensor
First Claim
1. A fluid level sensor for use in detecting the existence of fluid at a predetermined location in a container having sidewalls, said sensor comprising:
- an electromagnetic sensor means disposable at a predetermined location on a sidewall of the container for developing a electromagnetic level detection signal for transmission into the container and for receiving reflected electromagnetic signals therefrom, the electromagnetic sensor means comprising an antenna;
power supply means for supplying electrical current to said electromagnetic sensor means;
attaching means coupled to the sensor means for holding the sensor means at the predetermined location along the sidewall of the container such that the antenna is attachable to the sidewall of the container at the predetermined location;
a processing means coupled to the electromagnetic sensor means for processing electromagnetic signals received by the electromagnetic sensor means so as to determine whether fluid is present at the predetermined location, and for selectively developing a signal responsive to the signals received from the electromagnetic sensor means; and
indication means for developing a human perceptible signal responsive to signals received from the processing means.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A disposable fluid level sensor of the present invention determines the level of fluid in a container. A flex circuit sensor is coupled to a processing module having a power supply, the flex circuit sensor being mounted at a selectable location by an adhesive patch which holds the sensor flush against the container. The processing module hangs from the flex circuit, and provides a human perceptible indication, such as a flashing light or an audible alarm, when the fluid level drops below a desired point as determined by the sensor. The sensor detects the change in fluid level by transmitting an electromagnetic signal and determining whether there is a change in reflected energy.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A fluid level sensor for use in detecting the existence of fluid at a predetermined location in a container having sidewalls, said sensor comprising:
-
an electromagnetic sensor means disposable at a predetermined location on a sidewall of the container for developing a electromagnetic level detection signal for transmission into the container and for receiving reflected electromagnetic signals therefrom, the electromagnetic sensor means comprising an antenna; power supply means for supplying electrical current to said electromagnetic sensor means; attaching means coupled to the sensor means for holding the sensor means at the predetermined location along the sidewall of the container such that the antenna is attachable to the sidewall of the container at the predetermined location; a processing means coupled to the electromagnetic sensor means for processing electromagnetic signals received by the electromagnetic sensor means so as to determine whether fluid is present at the predetermined location, and for selectively developing a signal responsive to the signals received from the electromagnetic sensor means; and indication means for developing a human perceptible signal responsive to signals received from the processing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A fluid level sensor for use in detecting a level of fluid in a container having sidewalls, said sensor comprising:
-
an electromagnetic sensor means disposable at a predetermined location on a sidewall of the container for developing a level detection signal, the sensor means comprising means for developing an electromagnetic signal which, when applied to the container, transmits an electromagnetic signal used in determining whether fluid is at the location of the sensor means on the sidewall thereof said means for developing an electromagnetic signal comprising a flex circuit disposed so as to be held flush against the container sidewall by the attaching means; power supply means for supplying electrical current to said electromagnetic sensor means; attaching means coupled to the sensor means for holding the sensor means at a predetermined location on the sidewall of the container; a processing means coupled to the electromagnetic sensor means for processing signals received by the electromagnetic sensor means so as to determine whether fluid is present at the predetermined location, and for selectively developing a signal responsive to the signals received from the electromagnetic sensor means; and indication means for developing a human perceptible signal responsive to signals received from the processing means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A fluid level sensor for use in detecting the level of fluid in a container having a sidewall, said sensor comprising:
-
a disposable electromagnetic sensor means including a sensor and a circuit powered by electrical current for developing an electromagnetic level detection signal which when applied to the container from a location of the sensor means on a sidewall thereof will provide a human perceptible indication of whether fluid in the container is at the level of said location responsive to reflected electromagnetic signals, the disposable electromagnetic sensor means comprising an antenna attachable to the container; a battery connected to the sensor means for supplying electrical current to said sensor means; a reusable processing means in which the battery and at least a portion of the sensor means are disposed within, the reusable processing means being selectively attachable and detachable from the antenna of the electromagnetic sensor means; and attaching means joined to the antenna of the electromagnetic sensor means for holding the sensor means at a predetermined location on the sidewall of the container. - View Dependent Claims (19)
-
-
20. A method for monitoring the presence of liquid at a predetermined level within a container, the method comprising:
-
a) providing an electromagnetic signal emitting and sensing means, the electromagnetic signal emitting and sensing means comprising a flexible antenna; b) positioning said electromagnetic signal emitting and sensing means at a predetermined level outside of the container so as to attach the flexible antenna to the container and emit electromagnetic signals into the container and receive electromagnetic signals from the container, so that the presence of liquid at the predetermined level point will cause the electromagnetic signal sensing means to receive a different amount of reflected electromagnetic energy than will absence of the liquid at the predetermined level; and c) generating a human perceptible signal in response to a change in the amount of reflected electromagnetic energy received by the electromagnetic signal sensing means. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A fluid level sensor for use in detecting the level of fluid in a container having a sidewall, said sensor comprising:
-
a disposable eletromagnetic sensor means including a sensor and a circuit powered by electrical current for developing an electromagnetic level detection signal between 1 MHz to 10 GHz which when applied to the container from a location of the sensor means on a sidewall thereof will provide a human perceptible indication of whether fluid in the container is at the level of said location, said electromagnetic sensor means comprising a flex circuit; a battery connected to the sensor means for supplying electrical current to said sensor means; a reusable processing means in which the battery and at least a portion of the sensor means are disposed within; and attaching means joined to the sensor means for holding the flex circuit at a predetermined location and flush against the sidewall of the container.
-
Specification