Optical liquid level sensor including built-in test circuitry
US5880480A · kind A · utility
33Cited by
19References
12Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 13, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S250/903
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A liquid sensing apparatus for a fuel tank comprises a first optical sensor for producing an output having a first state that corresponds to the first optical sensor being exposed to air and a second state that corresponds to the first optical sensor being exposed to fuel; and a circuit for detecting the first and second optical sensor output states. The sensor circuit also has self test capability for testing both active and passive components. The sensor circuits can be accessed using a two wire only interface, and thermal stability can be achieved with the electronic circuit as shown.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.