# US 2021/0239508 A1 · Electro-optic sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0239508 A1 - Document ID: US20210239508A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/160,240 - Filed: 2021-01-27 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2020-01-31 - Assignees: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited - Applicants: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited - Inventors: Gregory Kopansky; John Joseph Zielinski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210239508A1 ## CPC - G01F 23/292: Light {, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet} - G01F 23/2922: {with light-conducting sensing elements, e.g. prisms} - G01K 1/026: {arrangements for monitoring a plurality of temperatures, e.g. by multiplexing} - G01K 7/01: using semiconducting elements having PN junctions (G01K7/02, G01K7/16, G01K7/30 take precedence) - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00) ## Abstract The present disclosure provides an electro-optic sensor that performs well in a wide range of temperatures. The sensors of the present disclosure can be used in high temperature applications. In some embodiments, the sensor can detect the presence or absence of fluid as well as measure temperature. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electro-optic liquid sensor comprising: an LED light emitter; an LED light detector; and a prism configured to reflect light emitted from the LED light emitter to the LED light detector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the LED light emitter is configured to generate light of a first range of wavelengths, wherein the LED light detector is configured to generate voltage when the light of the first range of wavelengths is shined on the LED light detector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the LED light emitter is configured to generate light of a first range of wavelengths, wherein the LED light detector is configured to generate current when the light of the first range of wavelengths is shined on the LED light detector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the LED light emitter and the LED light detector are LED that share substantially the same overlapping operating wavelength ranges. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a housing including a first end and a second end, wherein the LED light emitter is secured in the housing and the LED light detector is secured in the housing, wherein the prism is connected to the first end of the housing, wherein the housing is sealed and configured to be at least partially immersed into a tank containing liquid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The sensor of claim 5, further comprising a thermally conductive light blocking chassis located in a first end portion of the housing, wherein the LED light emitter and the LED light detector are secured in the thermally conductive light blocking chassis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The sensor of claim 5, wherein the housing comprises a seal flange at the second end of the housing, the seal flange configured to seal an opening in a tank wall into which the first end of the housing extends. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The sensor of claim 5, wherein the second end of the housing is configured to mate with an electrical connector ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The sensor of claim 5, wherein the tank is a gearbox and the liquid is oil. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the LED light emitter emits infrared or near-infrared light, and wherein the LED light detector detects infrared or near-infrared light. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the LED light emitter emits visible light, and wherein the LED light detector detects visible light. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the LED light emitter emits ultraviolet light, and wherein the LED light detector detects ultraviolet light. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a reflective optical member, wherein the reflective optical member is arranged to reflect light emitted by the LED light emitter to the LED light detector and the LED light emitter is configured to provide light at a plurality of intensity for assessing an operational state of the sensor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the LED light emitter or LED light detector is also a temperature sensor, wherein a signal conditioning unit is configured to determine the temperature of the liquid in the tank. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the LED light emitter and the LED light detector are 850 nanometer peak emission Gallium-Aluminum-Arsenide LED diodes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 5) The sensor of claim 5, wherein the temperature of the liquid is at least 150° C.. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the LED light emitter and the LED light detector are paired in terms of wavelength specifications. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The sensor of claim 1, wherein the LED light emitter and the LED light detector have the same hardware construction. ### Claim 19 An electro-optic liquid sensor system comprising: a sensor including: a sealed housing including a first end and a second end; an LED light emitter secured in the housing; an LED light detector secured in the housing; and a prism connected to the first end of the housing configured to reflect light emitted from the LED light emitter to the LED light detector; an electrical connector connected to the second end of the housing; an electrical cable including a first end connected to the electrical connector; and a signal conditioning unit connected to a second end of the electrical cable.