Remote sensing indicator

Claim 2

A remote sensing device for indicating the level of liquid within a container comprising in combination, a light source positioned within the container for emitting an optical signal, remote pilot light means positioned outside of the container, a photoelectric cell for receiving said optical signal from said light source when the liquid in the container is at or below said predetermined level, said photoelectric cell generating an electric signal in response to said optical signal; control rectifier means having anode, cathode and gate electrodes, said anode and cathode electrodes being connected in series with said remote pilot light means, said gate electrode being connected to said photoelectric cell to render said silicon controlled rectifier conductive when the liquid in the container is at or below said predetermined level, a diode connected in series with the anode and cathode of said silicon controlled rectifier, and alternating current power source means connected to said remote pilot light means and said controlled rectifier.

Claim 3

A remote sensing device for indicating the level of a liquid within a container comprising in combination, a light source positioned within the container for emitting an optical signal; remote flasher means positioned outside of the container, said remote flasher means being responsive to said light source within said container for indicating when the liquid therein is at or below said predetermined level; a photoelectric cell for receiving said optical signal from said light source when the liquid in the container is at or below said predetermined level, said photoelectric cell generating an electrical signal in response to said optical signal, controlled rectifier means having anode, cathode and gate electrodes, said anode and cathode electrodes being connected in series with said remote flasher means, said gate electrode being connected to said photoelectric cell to render said controlled rectifier conductive when the liquid in the container is at or below said predetermined level, and power source means connected to said remote flasher means and said controlled rectifier, whereby said remote flasher means will ultimately allow said controlled rectifier to become non-conductive when the liquid in the container exceeds said predetermined level.

Claim 4

A remote sensing device for indicating the level of a liquid within a container comprising in combination, a light source positioned within the container for emitting an optical signal; remote flasher means positioned outside of the container, said remote flasher means being responsive to said light source within said container for indicating when the liquid therein is at or below said predetermined level; a photoelectric cell for receiving said optical signal from said light source when the liquid in the container is at or below said predetermined level, said photoelectric cell generating an electrical signal in response to said optical signal, controlled rectifier means having anode, cathode and gate electrodes, said anode and cathode electrodes being connected in series with said remote flasher means, said gate electrode being connected to said photoelectric cell to render said controlled rectifier conductive when the liquid in the container is at or below said predetermined level, and power source means connected to said remote flasher means and said controlled rectifier, whereby said remote flasher means will ultimately allow said controlled rectifier to become non-conductive when the liquid in the container exceeds said predetermined level.

Claim 5

The remote sensing device of claim 2 further including a test light positioned outside of said container for developing a test optical signal to impinge upon said photoelectric cell, and a test switch connected in circuit with said test light for energizing the same thereby testing the operation of said remote flasher means and said silicon controlled rectifier. 4. The remote sensing device of claim 3 further including an ignition switch connected in circuit with said test switch and said test light and said remote flasher means and said silicon controlled rectifier so that the test light can be operated when the ignition switch is actuated.

Claim 6

A remote sensing device according to claim 2 wherein: said controlled rectifier has its anode electrically connected to a first side of said power supply through said remote indicator means and its cathode electrically connected to a second side of said power supply; said photoelectric cell and a variable resistor being electrically connected in series across said power supply, intermediate said power supply and said controlled rectifier; said gate electrode being connected intermediate said photoelectric cell and said variable resistor; and a light source electrically connected across said power supply, intermediate said power supply and said photoelectric cell and variable resistor.

Claim 7

A remote sensing device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said circuit means comprises a plurality of photoelectric cells, and switch means for selectively connecting any one of said cells and the gate of said controlled rectifier.

Claim 8

A remote sensing device, according to claim 2 wherein said power supply is a direct current power supply and said remote indicating means is a flasher type pilot light.

Claim 9

A remote sensing device according to claim 2 wherein said triggering means includes a variable resistor whereby the resistance of said resistor may be varied to compensate for variation in resistance of said photoelectric cell.

Claim 10

A remote sensing device according to claim 2, wherein said pilot light is electrically connected intermediate said anode electrode and the terminal common to said photoelectric cell and the positive side of said power supply.

Claim 11

A remote sensing device according to claim 2 wherein said pilot light is electrically connected intermediate the positive side of said power supply and the terminal common to said photoelectric cell and said anode electrode.