Abstract: A fluid level sensor system is disclosed for sensing a fluid level in a well. The system has a main body and an inlet housing coupled to the main body. The inlet housing has an internal chamber in communication with an ambient environment within the well. A bellows within the main body communicates with the internal chamber of the inlet housing. A movable element is responsive to movement of the bellows. A sensor detects when the movable element moves from a first position, indicating a first fluid level in the well, to a second position indicating a second fluid level within the well. An indicator is operably associated with the movable element and moves into a position to be viewable when the sensing element is moved to the second position, to provide a visual indication that the second fluid level has been reached.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a liquid dispensing apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a flexible bag. The apparatus has a support for supporting the flexible bag in use and a mounting adapted for receiving a proximal portion of the flexible bag, for progressive movement relative to the support towards an outlet located at a distal portion of the flexible bag. As the flexible bag is progressively wound up, liquid is squeezed from the proximal portion to the distal portion to dispense liquid from the outlet in a controlled manner in use. This allows desired and precise dosage portions of liquid to be squeezed from the bag and direct dosing from the flexible bag amongst other advantages.

Abstract: This invention provides a small form factor apparatus for selectively producing one or more of a plurality of wavelength distributions of radiation, comprising a UV Light Emitting Diode (LED) as the primary UV LED radiation source and one or more wavelength transforming (WT) materials separated from the primary UV LED radiation source, that in response to irradiation by the primary UV LED radiation source, produce transformed radiation having a wavelength distribution that is different from the wavelength distribution of the primary UV LED radiation source. None, one, or more than one of the various WT materials may be selected by the user, to allow either the primary UV radiation, or the transformed radiation, or both simultaneously, to be to be emitted from the apparatus in a preferred direction.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical liquid level sensor used to determine the level of a liquid within a vessel. The sensor includes two adjacent elongated optical elements, such as optical fibers, which connect a first end, or “sensing end”, to a second end, or “non-sensing end”. The sensing end includes an optical lens for sensing the level of a high temperature liquid, while the non-sensing end includes electronic components for processing optical signal data relating to the sensed liquid level. The ends are sufficiently separated by the elongated optical elements, such that high temperatures exerted on the sensing end when it is immersed in high-temperature liquid are not exerted on the non-sensing end. This configuration avoids the temperature degradation of the electronic components, thus extending the lifetime of the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus measures a fluid level in a container. A light source emits a light beam. A light sensor can sense the light beam. An optical conduit is arranged in a container for holding fluid. The optical conduit is arranged between the light source and the light sensor along a path of the light beam, such that at least one part of the light beam passes through the optical conduit, and at least an other part of the light beam passes through the fluid when the container holds the fluid. The sensor senses the light beam when a level of the fluid coincides with the one part of the light beam passing through the optical conduit, and the sensor does not sense the light beam when the level of the fluid coincides with the other part of the light beam passing through the fluid due to internal reflection at the fluid level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fluid level detection are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor assembly includes at least one optical fiber adapted to at least one of transmit and receive an optical signal, and a moveable float member. The float member is adapted to move in a first direction as the fluid level increases and in a second direction as the fluid level decreases. The float member blocks the optical signal at a first value of the fluid level, and allows the optical signal to pass at a second value of the fluid level. The presence or absence of the optical signal is detected to determine the level of fluid.

Abstract: An optical switch having a housing, a light source and a light detector. The light source and light detector are located remote from the housing. The light source is connected to the housing with a first light guide, and the light detector is connected to the housing with a second light guide. The first and second light guide cables have distal ends positioned through the housing and are optically aligned but separated by a gap. The switch includes a device to interrupt a light beam that is usually adapted to removably occupy the gap.

Abstract: A foam level in a delayed coking drum is detected by utilizing the varying density of the boiling mass in the coke drum which has larger bubbles and is less dense at the top and smaller bubbles and a higher density at the bottom. A plurality of radiation detectors are disposed on the drum and calibrated such that zero radiation is equivalent to 100 percent level. The percentage reading for each detector is multiplied by the fraction of height each detector is in relation to the total height of all the detectors to give a product and the products summed to give a level.

Abstract: A system for detecting neutron radiation. A liquid cocktail mixture comprised of a neutron absorber and a scintillator is housed in a Teflon® tube having a mirror at one end of the tube and a windowed portal at the other end of the tube. Neutrons that penetrate the tube react with the neutron absorber producing ionization that excites a scintillator to produce photons. A photo-multiplier tube is coupled with the windowed portal for receiving photons and converting the photons to electrical signals. A processing device is coupled to the photo-multiplier output for receiving and analyzing the electrical signals so as to provide a measurement pertaining to the presence and relative strength of neutron radiation. The tube can be adapted to function as a portable survey instrument. Alternatively, the tube can be stretched to cover large apertured areas. In such implementations a wavelength shifter is employed to convert light emitted to another wavelength giving a multiplier effect necessary for long light guides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nondestructive method or inspecting defects of the cladding of a nuclear fuel rod, which is featured by a wave emitter obliquely discharging an inspection wave to an inspected tube and a receiver arranged at a side of the inspected tube with respect to the wave emitter. If liquid is accumulated inside the tube, the incident inspection wave will be refracted so that the receiver can receive the refracted inspection wave at a specific location. The method can determine whether liquid is accumulated inside the tube and further is able to detect the level of the liquid.

Abstract: An inexpensive, optical position sensor for measuring a position or length, x, along a one-dimensional curvilinear, coordinate system. The sensor can be used, for example, to determine the position of an interface between a clear and an opaque fluid (such as crude oil and water). In one embodiment, the sensor utilizes the principle of dual-fluorescence, where a primary fiber emits primary fluorescent light and a parallel secondary fiber collects a portion of the primary fluorescent light that is not blocked by the opaque fluid. This, in turn, excites secondary fluorescence in the secondary fiber at a longer wavelength. A light detector measures the intensity of secondary fluorescence emitted from an end of the secondary fiber, which is used to calculate the unknown position or length, x. Side-emitting fibers can be used in place of, or in addition to, fluorescent fibers. The all-optical sensor is attractive for applications involving flammable liquids.

Abstract: A level detector comprises an array of light emitting devices mounted in a line parallel to an array of light receiving devices, the arrays being mounted within a housing capable of internally reflecting light from the emitting devices to respective receiving devices unless the respective parts of the level sensor are immersed in liquid. The outer internally-reflecting surface of the housing is preferable a continuous straight-line surface along the direction parallel to the arrays.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated liquid dispenser employing ultrasonic sensing to determine the level of a dispensed liquid with respect to the height of a container to be filled. In one aspect, the invention relates to a refrigerator with an automated liquid dispenser that utilizes ultrasonic sensing.

Abstract: For measurement of a liquid level, an optical fiber connected at its one end portion to force receiving means movably arranged in liquid to receive force from the liquid is dipped in the liquid together with the force receiving means, and a change in the force acting on said force receiving means when the liquid level changes is detected as a change in strain in the optical fiber by means of an optical fiber strain gauge connected to the other end of the optical fiber, thus measuring a water level of the liquid.

Abstract: Fill-level indicating device includes an array of optical detectors attached to a mount, vertically spaced apart relative to one another and distributed within the tank over the height of the latter, with each detector including a light source and a receiver, and means for feeding electric power to the light sources of the various detectors, for processing the signals arriving at the various receivers and for transmitting these to a liquefied-gas fill-level display gauge. The mount and the detectors on it are encapsulated in a synthetic resin that is highly transparent to the light beam emitted by the light sources and the surface of the resin facing the detectors is such that the beam emitted by the corresponding light source is reflected toward the associated receiver.

Abstract: A photo-curing light system in which a modulation of the light intensity or output is controlled via an analogue control voltage to the control line output of the lamp power supply. The control signal results in the lamp current being reduced from its maximum value to a lower value on a continuous and repeated basis thereby modulating the light and reducing the heating value to surrounding material such as tooth structure during the curing process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring parameters of combustible liquids within a tank includes a plurality of sensors disposable within the tank for generating signals indicative of parameters of the contents of the tank, a display disposed on the outside of the tank for generating human perceptible signals indicating parameters regarding the contents of the tank, and a nonconductive communications mechanism for conveying signals between the sensors and the display. The sensor generates electrical signals indicative of the parameter(s) measured. The electrical signal is then converted into an optical signal such as pulses of light. The optical signal is conveyed along the electrically nonconductive communications mechanism to the display. The optical signal is then converted back into an electrical signal outside of the tank where it may be processed to produce a human perceptible signal indicative of the parameter(s) measured.

Abstract: The present invention is a fluid level detector for providing a signal indicative of fluid level in a fluid container. The fluid level detector includes a first light conduit portion for providing light to fluid within the fluid container and a second light conduit portion for receiving light provided by the first light conduit portion. A light path extends from the first light conduit portion into the second light conduit portion. The light path has a light path length that varies with fluid level within the fluid container. The light path length variation produces light intensity variation at the second conduit portion which is indicative of fluid level in the fluid container.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus is disclosed for detecting reflective materials in a non-invasive and non-contact manner. The sensing apparatus includes a housing, sensing means disposed within the housing. Circuitry is provided for interpreting the information collected by the sensors. A power supply is coupled to the sensors and the circuitry with cables. The sensing means consist of an infrared LED and a detective diode. The infrared LED and the detective diode are disposed in a disk which is positioned at the proximal end of the hollow tube. The distal end of the hollow tube is appropriately sealed using a sealing cap. The sensing apparatus is also capable of determining the distance from the sensing means to the reflective surface in question.

Abstract: Device for the detection of liquid surfaces including a light source sending light onto a liquid surface, an oscillation element which is moved toward the liquid surface and causes the liquid surface to oscillate upon contact with the surface. The surface contact is detected by a light detector which picks up the radiation reflected by the liquid. Upon contact with the liquid, the light sent out by the light source is modulated by the oscillations of the liquid surface. The so modulated signal can be selectively identified by the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for indicating a level of a fluid in a reservoir and comprises a first multi-strand fiber optic cable with one end of the strands being disposed for receiving light from a light source for transmission to the second ends. A second multi-strand fiber optic cable having the same number of strands is disposed for receiving light from the second ends of the strands in the first cable. The second ends of the second cable are arranged for indicating the presence of light received by respective ones of the first ends of the second cable. A detector detects the level of the fluid in the reservoir, and an interrupter is disposed between the second ends of the first multi-strand fiber optic cable and the first ends of the second multi-strand fiber optic cable for interrupting the transmission of light between corresponding pairs of strands of the first and second fiber optic cables.

Abstract: A moveable body, cladding medium, and fiber are arranged to form a sensor suitable for use in monitoring changes in liquid, fluid, and material level and changes in pressure. The moveable body moves in response to changes in pressure or force. Movement of the body causes a change in the length of cladding medium surrounding an optical fiber. As the extent of cladded fiber length changes, the intensity of light transmitted through the fiber also changes.

Abstract: An evanescent wave liquid level sensor for measuring the density-compensated level of a liquid in a container. The sensor employs an eccentric core optical fiber fully immersed in the liquid to be measured. Light is injected into one end of the fiber. Some of the light will be lost due to evanescent wave losses. Changes in the ratio of the intensity of the input light and the reflected light are due solely to changes in the density of the liquid. Changes in the liquid density can then be used to compensate a liquid level measurement. Since the liquid temperature is related to its density, the sensor can also be used to measure changes in the liquid temperature.

Abstract: A fiber optic microbend sensor employs a resilient coil (12) with an optical fiber (10) positioned therein. The coil (12) has a predetermined length and pitch. An optical signal is applied to the optical fiber (10) with the coil (12) interrogating a parameter. Any movement of the coil (12) modulates the optical signal transmitted along the optical fiber (10). Detecting means (32) measures the modulations of the optical signal for characterization of the parameter.