Optical impedance modulation for fuel quantity measurement comprising a fiber encased by a tube having a longitudinal slot with a lens
US9645004B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2014 |
| Grant date | May 9, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/40
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Systems and methods that use an optical impedance sensor that eliminates electricity for measuring fuel quantity in fuel tanks. The optical impedance sensor comprises two optical fibers spaced apart inside a meniscus tube, one to transmit light along its length and the other to receive light along its length. The meniscus tube minimizes the sloshing of fuel level. The fuel level in the tank modulates the optical impedance between the two optical fibers, resulting in changes in the total light received by an optical detector. Depending on fuel tank height, the optical impedance sensor may comprise different embodiments in which the detection apparatus shapes the light to be unidirectional (emitted and collected only on one side of the fiber) or omnidirectional (all directions).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.