Optical product detection sensor
US8004683B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 2008 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 18, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2201/0627
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical detection sensor detects presence or absence of a product within a fluid delivery medium. An emitter directs radiation into the fluid delivery medium. Each of a plurality of detectors detects light within an associated one of a plurality of wavelength ranges transmitted through the fluid delivery medium. The output of each detector is further associated with at least one out-of-product threshold. A controller may further combine detector outputs, such as by multiplication, summation, or other mathematical operation, to produce additional measures of product presence or absence. Each combination output is also associated with at least one out-of-product threshold. The controller compares the output of each detector with the associated out-of-product threshold(s) and compares each combination output with the associated out-of-product threshold(s) to determine presence or absence of product within the fluid delivery medium. The sensor is able to determine presence or absence of a variety of products having different color, transparency or turbidity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.