Fiber optic fuel detection system
First Claim
1. An optical fuel detection system comprising:
- an outer tube having a reflective inner surface capable of reflecting light and configured to allow a liquid fuel to enter an interior of the outer tube on which the reflective inner surface is located;
an inner tube located within the outer tube in which an area is present between the reflective inner surface; and
a set of optical fibers mounted to an outer surface of the inner tube wherein each optical fiber in the set of optical fibers has a core that is exposed on each part of an optical fiber opposite to the reflective inner surface and wherein the optical fiber has a refractive index that is lower that the liquid fuel but higher than a gaseous form of any gas that may enter the area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for an optical fuel detection system. The optical fuel detection system comprises an outer tube, and inner tube, and a set of optical fibers. The outer tube has a reflective inner surface capable of reflecting light and is configured to allow a liquid fuel to enter an interior of the outer tube on which the reflective inner surface is located. The inner tube is located within the outer tube in which an area is present between the reflective inner surface. The set of optical fibers are mounted to an outer surface of the inner tube. Each optical fiber has a core that is exposed on each part of an optical fiber opposite to the reflective inner surface and the optical fiber has a refractive index that is lower that the liquid fuel but higher than a gaseous form of any gas that may enter the area.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An optical fuel detection system comprising:
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an outer tube having a reflective inner surface capable of reflecting light and configured to allow a liquid fuel to enter an interior of the outer tube on which the reflective inner surface is located; an inner tube located within the outer tube in which an area is present between the reflective inner surface; and a set of optical fibers mounted to an outer surface of the inner tube wherein each optical fiber in the set of optical fibers has a core that is exposed on each part of an optical fiber opposite to the reflective inner surface and wherein the optical fiber has a refractive index that is lower that the liquid fuel but higher than a gaseous form of any gas that may enter the area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A fiber optic apparatus comprising:
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an elongate housing having a sleeve capable of allowing liquid to enter an interior of the sleeve and an inner member located within the sleeve in which an area is present between a surface of the inner member and an inner surface of the sleeve; and a set of optical fibers mounted within the elongate housing, wherein each optical fiber in the set of optical fibers has a core and a coating in which a portion of the core is exposed along a length of each optical fiber in the set of optical fibers, and wherein the portion faces a reflective surface within the elongate housing and wherein the reflective surface is capable of reflecting light. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for detecting a liquid, the method comprising:
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sending a light signal to a fiber optic detector comprising; a sleeve having a reflective inner surface on an interior of the sleeve capable of reflecting light and capable of allowing the liquid to enter the interior; an inner member located within the sleeve in which an area is present between a surface of the inner member and the reflective inner surface; a set optical fibers mounted along the surface of the inner member, wherein each optical fiber in the set of optical fibers has an inner core and a coating in which a portion of the inner core is exposed along a length of each optical fiber in the set of optical fibers, wherein the portion faces the reflective inner surface; receiving a response to the light signal to form a received response; and processing the response to detect the liquid. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification