"Fiber optic fuel and liquid gauge having an open rigid ""J"" shaped tube"
US5220180A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jun 15, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 15, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S250/904
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fiber optic fuel or liquid level gauge is disclosed which determines the liquid level by measuring the amount of light loss due to evanescent transfer to the fuel or liquid. An optical fiber is supported in the fuel or liquid tank, with a first end adjacent the highest possible liquid level to be measured with a reflector at the first end. The optical fiber extends downwardly through the tank, and its second end is connected to a light source for injecting light into the fiber. The intensity of the input light is compared to the intensity of light reflected from the first fiber end, and the liquid level is calculated from the light loss. The gauge has very high reliability since it has no moving mechanical parts.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.