Apparatus and method for determining a fluid level within an enclosed container
US7508312B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 2006 |
| Grant date | Mar 24, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 4, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02M2200/27
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level within an enclosed housing. The present invention provides an enclosed housing having a dynamic fluid level contained therein. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic radiation source for directing electromagnetic radiation rays toward the interior of the enclosed housing and an electromagnetic radiation detector for receiving and measuring reflected electromagnetic radiation rays. The electromagnetic radiation detector provides a detector output signal to a controller. The controller interprets the detector output signal to determine whether the fluid level has statically reached a desired level and then generates a controller output signal for indicating that the fluid level has statically reached the desired level. The method includes the steps of generating a logic signal in response to the measured electromagnetic radiation and analyzing the logic signals over a period of time to determine whether a predetermined fluid level has been reached.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.