Optical liquid level sensor having a plurality of optical fibers

US9116029B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Wolfgang Kreitmair-Steck · Ottobrunn, DE
• Frank Singer · Regenstauf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 9, 2013
• Grant date: Aug 25, 2015
• Expiry date: Dec 18, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01F23/2927
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An optical level sensor mounted to a ceiling of a tank includes a sensor tube. The sensor tube is provided with support and guidance elements extending with at least three radially distributed positions inside the tank. The support and guidance elements collect, support, and guide optical fibers to different heights of the tank. Each optical fiber has a number of input sides and a number of turns forming sensor heads between two input sides, for a different level. The corresponding support and guidance element bends the fiber in the turns forming sensor heads of a small radius r around at least one corresponding guideway.