Material level sensor with removable optics
US5164606A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 1991 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F23/2925
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for sensing the presence of or level of material within a vessel that includes a light transmitting probe extending into the vessel through a wall of the vessel from externally thereof. The probe has a lens with a closed end within the vessel for contact with the material sought to be detected, and a light source/sensor unit positioned externally of the vessel. The light source/sensor unit directs light energy through the lens of the probe to the closed end of the lens, which is within the vessel. The source/sensor unit detects the presence of material in contact with the closed end of the lens as a function of light energy reflected back to the source/sensor unit. The light source/sensor unit is removably mounted on the lens so that the source/sensor unit may be removed from the lens for service without removing the lens itself from the vessel wall.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.