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US4197458A
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US
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Electro-optical apparatus for the detection of the presence of liquid
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-07-31
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Granted: 1980-04-08
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Expires: 1998-07-31
Abstract
Abstract An electro-optical apparatus for the detection of the presence of liquid, comprising at least one monochromatic infrared transmitter arranged at the region of a hollow body probe composed of synthetic, high molecular material and totally reflecting the infrared radiation. There are further provided at least one infrared receiver and a circuit for signal processing. The hollow body probe composed of the synthetic, high molecular material or substance is connected by means of a detachable fluidtight connection composed of a further synthetic, high molecular material of the same substance group with a support having at least one hollow chamber or space.
Inventors
- 👤 Benno Perren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/284; G01F23/292; G01F23/2921; G01F23/2922; G01F23/2925; G01F23/2927; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/85; G01N21/8507
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An electro-optical apparatus for the detection of the presence of a liquid, comprising: a hollow body probe composed of a synthetic, polymerized substance selected from a predetermined substance group and totally reflecting infrared radiation; at least one monochromatic infrared transmitter arranged at the region of said hollow body probe; at least one infrared receiver; a support having at least one hollow space; a detachable fluidtight connection means for connecting the hollow body probe with said support; and said detachable fluidtight connection means being composed of a synthetic, polymerized substance of the same substance group as the hollow body probe composed of said synthetic, polymerized substance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An electro-optical apparatus for the detection of the presence of a liquid, comprising: a hollow body probe composed of a synthetic, polymerized substance selected from a predetermined substance group and totally reflecting infrared radiation; at least one monochromatic infrared transmitter arranged at the region of said hollow body probe; at least one infrared receiver; a support having at least one hollow space; a detachable fluidtight connection means for connecting the hollow body probe with said support; and said detachable fluidtight connection means being composed of a synthetic, polymerized substance of the same substance group as the hollow body probe composed of said synthetic, polymerized substance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including: circuit means for processing signals received from the infrared receiver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said support is provided at its outer surface with at least one layer composed of a synthetic, polymerized substance of the same substance group as the hollow body probe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said connection means comprises a sleeve having internal threads; said hollow body probe having external threads; and at least one of said threads having a substantially conically extending outer diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said connection means comprises a sleeve having internal threads; said hollow body probe having external threads; and at least one of said threads having a substantially conical-shaped extending core diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said support comprises a substantially tubular-shaped body containing said hollow space; and a signal cable receivable in said hollow space of said tubular-shaped body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said support comprises a substantially flat body containing said hollow space; and a signal cable receivable in said hollow space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said infrared transmitter and said infrared receiver are arranged adjacent one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said hollow body probe includes totally reflecting boundary surface means; said infrared transmitter being arranged closer to said totally reflecting boundary surface means than said infrared receiver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 9, further including: a deflection cone provided for said infrared transmitter at a side thereof where there is radiated the infrared radiation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein: said infrared transmitter has a side radiating infrared radiation; and an optical lens arranged forwardly of said radiating side of said infrared transmitter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein: said optical lens comprises a Fresnel lens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said hollow body probe contains a totally reflecting boundary surface means; and a tapered portion with which merges said totally reflecting boundary surface means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including: an infrared filter arranged ahead of at least said infrared receiver.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
86 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said infrared transmitter has a maximum radiation intensity amounting to less than about 200 mW/sterad; said infrared transmitter having an optical axis; the spatial radiation distribution of the infrared radiation having a main maximum which is at least approximately axially symmetrical and aligned essentially in the direction of the optical axis of the infrared transmitter; and the spatial distribution of the radiation intensity in a plane of half power has a half-angle aperture of less than 4°.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said hollow body probe is composed of a halogen-containing polymerizate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein: said hollow body probe is formed of a substance selected essentially from the group consisting of: fluoroethylenepropylene, perfluoroalkoxy, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylenetetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride and polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said hollow body probe includes totally reflecting boundary surface means; and at least one heating element arranged at the region of said totally reflecting boundary surface means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein: said heating element constitutes a temperature-stabilizing circuit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said infrared transmitter has a side which radiates infrared radiation; and an absorber tube arranged about said infrared transmitter at least at the region of said side which radiates said infrared radiation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electro-optical apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including: an additional hollow body probe; and said hollow body probe and said additional hollow body probe defining two hollow body probes joined together to form a maximum-minimum circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3906232A
Cited
US4020345A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-08 | 1983-10-08 | 1984-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-08 | 1987-10-08 | 1988-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-08 | 1991-10-08 | 1992-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |