US4119860A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid measurement
Assignee: EUREKA DEVELOPMENTS Ltd
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Filing: 1977-02-14
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Granted: 1978-10-10
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Expires: 1997-02-14
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to sensing in respect to fluids and utilizes an effect relating to a beam of light and a fluid boundary. It has been found that a beam of light will be modulated differently when submerged and unimmersed in a fluid and also that between these two limit positions critical levels of the beam with respect to the boundary exist in which light transmission is at a maxima and a minima. These maxima and minima can be put to use in liquid level detection and control.
Inventors
- 👤 Cornelius Leonard Gooley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/284; G01F23/292; G01F23/2921
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of sensing with respect to a fluid boundary which comprises the steps of: transmitting light from a constant source; receiving light transmitted from said source; producing an electrical signal related to the intensity of said received light; and detecting at least one extremum in said signal, said at least one extremum occurring when said fluid boundary is positioned proximate the beam of light received in said receiving step.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of sensing with respect to a fluid boundary which comprises the steps of: transmitting light from a constant source; receiving light transmitted from said source; producing an electrical signal related to the intensity of said received light; and detecting at least one extremum in said signal, said at least one extremum occurring when said fluid boundary is positioned proximate the beam of light received in said receiving step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiving step receives light in a generally horizontal plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of said light transmitting and receiving steps transmits or receives light passing in a direction having components in horizontal and vertical planes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said detecting step comprises the step of translating said signal into an indication of fluid level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detecting step comprises the step of translating said signal in order to differentiate said signals produced by different fluids.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiving step receives light in a cross-sectional area of 0.1 inch or less.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiving step receives light incident on a plurality of optical fibres.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus for sensing with respect to a fluid boundary comprising: means for receiving light; means, responsive to said receiving means, for producing an electrical signal related to the intensity of the received light; and means for detecting at least one extremum in said signal occurring when said fluid boundary is positioned proximate the beam of light received by said receiving means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus for sensing with respect to a fluid boundary comprising: means for receiving light; means, responsive to said receiving means, for producing an electrical signal related to the intensity of the received light; and means for detecting at least one extremum in said signal occurring when said fluid boundary is positioned proximate the beam of light received by said receiving means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a light transmitter adapted to direct a beam of light for receipt by said receiving means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said receiving means is arranged to receive light in a generally horizontal plane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein one of said transmitter and receiving means is arranged to transmit or receive light passing in a direction having components in horizontal and vertical planes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said transmitter and receiving means are arranged to transmit and receive a beam of light in a generally horizontal plane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said transmitter comprises a plurality of optical fibres.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said receiving means has a receiving cross-sectional area of 0.1 inch or less.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said transmitter includes a light emitting diode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said receiving means comprises a plurality of optical fibres.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, comprising a plurality of transmitters and receivers disposed at different levels.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said transmitter is operative to transmit pulses of light.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of sensing with respect to a fluid boundary which comprises the steps of: transmitting light from a constant source; receiving light transmitted from said source; producing an electrical signal related to the intensity of said received light; detecting a maxima in said signal, said maxima occurring when said fluid boundary is positioned proximate the beam of light received in said receiving step.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of sensing with respect to a fluid boundary which comprises the steps of: transmitting light from a constant source; receiving light transmitted from said source; producing an electrical signal related to the intensity of said received light; detecting a maxima in said signal, said maxima occurring when said fluid boundary is positioned proximate the beam of light received in said receiving step.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of detecting a change in the position of a fluid boundary relative to a given position comprising the steps of: transmitting light from a constant source; receiving light transmitter from said source; producing an electrical signal related to the intensity of said received light; and detecting at least one extremum in said signal, said at least one extremum occurring when said fluid boundary is positioned proximate the beam of light received in said receiving step.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of detecting a change in the position of a fluid boundary relative to a given position comprising the steps of: transmitting light from a constant source; receiving light transmitter from said source; producing an electrical signal related to the intensity of said received light; and detecting at least one extremum in said signal, said at least one extremum occurring when said fluid boundary is positioned proximate the beam of light received in said receiving step.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of detecting a relative change in the position of a fluid boundary comprising the steps of: transmitting light from a constant source; receiving light transmitted from said source; producing an electrical signal related to the intensity of said received light; and detecting at least one extremum in said signal, said at least one extremum occurring when said fluid boundary is positioned proximate the beam of light received in said receiving step.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of detecting a relative change in the position of a fluid boundary comprising the steps of: transmitting light from a constant source; receiving light transmitted from said source; producing an electrical signal related to the intensity of said received light; and detecting at least one extremum in said signal, said at least one extremum occurring when said fluid boundary is positioned proximate the beam of light received in said receiving step.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus for sensing with respect to a fluid boundary comprising: a light source of constant intensity; means for receiving light from said source; means, responsive to said receiving means, for producing an electrical signal related to the intensity of said received light; means for detecting a maxima in said signal occurring when said fluid boundary is positioned proximate the beam of light received by said receiving means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus for sensing with respect to a fluid boundary comprising: a light source of constant intensity; means for receiving light from said source; means, responsive to said receiving means, for producing an electrical signal related to the intensity of said received light; means for detecting a maxima in said signal occurring when said fluid boundary is positioned proximate the beam of light received by said receiving means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus for detecting a change in the position of a fluid boundary relative to a fixed position comprising: a light source of constant intensity; means for receiving light from said source; means responsive to said receiving means, for producing an electrical signal related to the intensity of the received light; means for detecting at least one extremum in said signal occurring when said fluid boundary is positioned proximate the beam of light received by said receiving means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus for detecting a change in the position of a fluid boundary relative to a fixed position comprising: a light source of constant intensity; means for receiving light from said source; means responsive to said receiving means, for producing an electrical signal related to the intensity of the received light; means for detecting at least one extremum in said signal occurring when said fluid boundary is positioned proximate the beam of light received by said receiving means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-09 | 1982-04-10 | 1982-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-09 | 1986-04-10 | 1986-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-09 | 1990-04-10 | 1990-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |