Visual indicator with sensor
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorsGregory Kopansky, Rolland Tracy James, George Patrick Birch, Michael John Knox
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid level gauge includes a housing having a first end and a second end, and a window disposed in the housing, proximate to the first end. The fluid level gauge further includes an optical sensor disposed in the housing, proximate to the second end. A prism is disposed in the housing, between the optical sensor and the window, such that the prism and the window define a fluid chamber therebetween. The housing further includes a plurality of through holes that provides a fluid path from outside the housing to the fluid chamber.
Claims16
A fluid level gauge comprising:
- a housing having a first end and a second end;
- a window disposed in the housing, proximate to the first end;
- an optical sensor comprising a prism, a light transmitter, and a light receiver disposed in the housing, proximate to the second end such that the optical sensor and the window define a fluid chamber therebetween, wherein the light transmitter and the light receiver are disposed between the prism and the fluid chamber;
- and
- wherein the housing further includes a plurality of through holes that provides a fluid path from outside the housing to the fluid chamber.
A fluid gauge comprising:
- a housing having a window disposed in a first end, and a sensor comprising a prism, a light transmitter, and a light receiver disposed in a second end, with a fluid chamber disposed between the window and the sensor,
- wherein the housing includes a plurality of apertures that define a plurality of fluid paths to the fluid chamber and wherein the light transmitter and the light receiver are disposed between the prism and the fluid chamber,
- wherein the window provides an unobstructed view of the fluid chamber to an operator, and
- wherein the window at least partially reflects light when the fluid chamber is empty, and light at least partially passes through the window when fluid is in contact with the window.
A liquid level indicator comprising:
- a hollow housing defining a liquid chamber, the housing having a plurality of apertures defining a liquid path to the liquid chamber;
- a window disposed proximate to a first end of the hollow housing;
- and
- an optical sensor comprising a prism, a light transmitter, and a light receiver disposed proximate to the second end of the hollowing housing;
- wherein the light transmitter and the light receiver are disposed between the prism and the liquid chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.