Flame treated turbidity sensor
AssigneeMaytag Corporation
InventorsAnthony L. Durfee, John H. Miilu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved turbidity sensor is provided with a pair of spaced apart arms respectively housing a light transmitter and a light receiver, with the receiver adapted to sense the light from the transmitter and generate a corresponding output signal. The opposing surfaces of the arms adjacent the transmitter and receiver are flame treated for approximately one second each so as to raise the surface energy such that bubble-induced noise is reduced or eliminated for a more accurate output signal.
Claims19
An improved turbidity sensor for sensing turbidity of wash water in a dishwasher, comprising:
- a plastic housing having first and second spaced apart arms;
- a light transmitter in the first arm;
- a light receiver in the second arm adapted to sense the light from the transmitter and generate an output signal;
- and
- the arms having surfaces treated with heat to reduce bubble-induced noise in the output signal.
A method of manufacturing a turbidity sensor, comprising:
- molding a plastic housing;
- installing a sensor in the housing to generate an output signal corresponding to water turbidity;
- and
- heat treating the housing to affect the surface energy of the housing so the sensor avoids bubble-induced noise.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.