Eltek S.p.a.

Fabio Cavalli

Mauro Zorzetto

Marco Pizzi

Piercarlo Merlano

Costanzo Gadini

An optical sensor device () for a fluid substance (LS) comprises a device body () having a detection portion (), associated to which is a sensitive optical part that comprises at least one of an emitter () and a receiver () of an optical radiation (R, R). The detection portion () is made of a material transparent to the optical radiation (R, R) and has an inner surface () and an outer surface (), the outer surface () being designed to be in contact with the fluid substance (LS) and the inner surface () being designed to be isolated from the fluid substance. The at least one of the emitter () and the receiver () of the sensitive optical part is optically coupled to the inner surface () of the detection portion (), in such a way that the optical radiation (R, R) is at least in part propagated through the detection portion (), in particular with an angle and/or an intensity that is variable as a function of a characteristic of the fluid substance. The optical sensor device () comprises a protection arrangement, configured for preventing possible deformation of the detection portion () caused by an increase in volume of the fluid substance (LS), in particular deformation of at least one of its inner surface () and its outer surface (). The protection arrangement comprises at least one compensation element () having an elastically deformable body, which is able to contract, for compensating thereby a possible increase in volume of the fluid substance (LS) or else for enabling a reversible displacement of the detection portion () following upon a possible increase in volume of the fluid substance (LS).

Optical sensor device for fluid substances having a protection arrangement for compensating increase in fluid volume or pressure

An optical sensor has a body including a transparent interface wall having an outer surface in contact with a liquid, to define therewith a reflection interface. An optical module is coupled at an inner surface of the interface wall, to detect a characteristic of the liquid substance via light reflection. The optical module includes a light emitter and a light receiver facing respective inclined surfaces of the interface wall. The optical module also includes a supporting structure which is elastically flexible, to enable the light emitter and the light receiver of the optical module to vary a relative position thereof and with respect to the inclined surfaces of the interface wall, when the supporting structure is secured to the inner surface of the interface wall.

Sensor device for containers of liquid substances

A sensor device for a container of a liquid substance comprises a body with a housing portion having a closing structure, the body having an inner surface and an outer surface. The housing portion is pre-arranged for assembly on the container, in such a way that a portion of the outer surface of the body faces the inside of the container to be in contact with the liquid substance, and the inner surface of the body is isolated from the inside of the container. Associated to the body is a first arrangement for detection of the level of the substance. Associated to the body of the device is a second arrangement for detection of a characteristic of the liquid substance, which comprises an emitter and a receiver of a given optical radiation. A first portion of the body of the device is made of a material designed for propagation of the given optical radiation, the emitter and the receiver being optically coupled to the inner surface of the body at the first portion. The first portion of the body of the device is shaped to contribute to propagation of the given optical radiation from the emitter to the receiver, in such a way that the given optical radiation is propagated through the first portion of the body of the device towards the receiver, at an angle and/or with an intensity that are/is variable as a function of the characteristic of the liquid substance.

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Casale Monferrato, Italy

Fabio Cavalli