Method for measuring the relative proximity of and interacting with a plurality of media/molecular structures
US5973770A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/88
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus for determining the level of fluid in a vessel comprises a fixed optical emitter for emitting light into the vessel, a light steering means for steering light emitted by the fixed optical emitter, the light steering means for steering the light to reflect from a surface of one of the vessel and a substance within the vessel, a window for receiving the steered light prior to transmission to the vessel, a detector for receiving light from the vessel, and a processing system for determining distance from the vessel or substance in accordance with a predetermined geometric relationship. The apparatus may additionally comprise a level for determining a number of degrees out of plumb of the vessel. Also, the apparatus may comprise an acoustic transmitter and receiver for determining the depths of first and second liquids in the vessel which are immiscible in one another.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.