Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for optical liquid level determination in a liquid dispensing system. Accurate volume dispensing based on the level determination is also provided. An optical sensor device emits a light signal downward into the tank toward the liquid, and received a portion of the light signal that has been reflected upwardly by a surface at the top of the liquid. A processing system calculates the height of the liquid in the tank based on a time of flight measurement of the light signal. A head pressure of the liquid over a controllable dispensing valve located at the bottom of tank may then be calculated using the calculated height of the liquid in the tank. An open time for the controllable dispensing valve is then calculated, based on the calculated head pressure, in order to dispense a predetermined volume of liquid from the tank.

Abstract: An optical liquid height determination system of the present embodiments includes light sensors capturing different amounts of light, based on level of liquid in the tank that blocks or limits light to particular sensors. The tank is enclosed in a container with a light source and the light sensors are installed on walls of the container. Light emitted by the light source is transmitted to the light sensors by passing through the liquid product, scattered, diffused, diffracted or reflected by the dairy product, through the tank walls which may be transparent or translucent, or from other surfaces in the container within which the tank is enclosed by. The set of electrical signals received from all the light sensors are compared against sets of calibrated signals corresponding to known liquid levels in the tank. The known height corresponding to the nearest set of calibrated signals is determined as the measured liquid height in the tank.

Abstract: An optical liquid height determination system of the present embodiments includes light sensors capturing different amounts of light, based on level of liquid in the tank that blocks or limits light to particular sensors. The tank is enclosed in a container with a light source and the light sensors are installed on walls of the container. Light emitted by the light source is transmitted to the light sensors by passing through the liquid product, scattered, diffused, diffracted or reflected by the dairy product, through the tank walls which may be transparent or translucent, or from other surfaces in the container within which the tank is enclosed by. The set of electrical signals received from all the light sensors are compared against sets of calibrated signals corresponding to known liquid levels in the tank. The known height corresponding to the nearest set of calibrated signals is determined as the measured liquid height in the tank.