Fiber optic level detector
First Claim
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1. A fiber optic liquid detector comprising:
- a fiber optic coupler;
a first fiber optic line connected between a light source and said fiber optic coupler;
a second fiber optic line connected between a light detector and said fiber optic coupler;
at least one fiber optic probe connected to said fiber optic coupler for insertion into a liquid to be detected; and
a signal processor connected to said second fiber optic line light detector for determining the deviation of the reflective light at the dielectric interface between the liquid being detected and the atmosphere adjacent the liquid whereby the presence or absence of liquid is determined by the differences in refractive indices of the fluids surrounding said fiber optic probe.
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Abstract
A fiber optic liquid level detector uses optical fibers to detect the presence or absence of liquids. The waveguide properties of optical fibers tends to deviate from the normal dielectric interfaces so that a fiber immersed in a liquid has a reflection coefficient smaller than when surrounded by air. This is caused by the differences in refractive indices of liquid and air and is used to measure the amount of light transmitted or reflected by the fiber in the preserve or absence of a liquid.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A fiber optic liquid detector comprising:
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a fiber optic coupler;
a first fiber optic line connected between a light source and said fiber optic coupler;
a second fiber optic line connected between a light detector and said fiber optic coupler;
at least one fiber optic probe connected to said fiber optic coupler for insertion into a liquid to be detected; and
a signal processor connected to said second fiber optic line light detector for determining the deviation of the reflective light at the dielectric interface between the liquid being detected and the atmosphere adjacent the liquid whereby the presence or absence of liquid is determined by the differences in refractive indices of the fluids surrounding said fiber optic probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification