Imo Industries Inc.

Joseph D Rando

An optical sensor element provides cantilevered support of a bent length of glass-rod core of first refractive index having a cladding of second refractive index that is less than the refractive index of the core, and wherein the outer radius of the bend (which may be a single bend, or a plurality of spaced bends) is at least the diameter of the cladded core. Provision is made at the respective ends of the cladded core for completing a light circuit via the length of the cladded core, and flexible leads, as of multi-mode optical fiber, enable completion of the optical circuit to a remotely located control unit having an electrically powered light source and a photodetector, at the respective ends of the circuit. Provision of threshold-operated circuitry at the control unit enables automatic electronic evaluation (and further-remote output delivery) of signals which reflect (a) one or more detected light levels, (b) interface level between two mingled liquids having different specific gravity, and (c) the monitored integrity of the optical circuit as a whole.

Optical liquid-level sensing apparatus

A magnetically responsive reed switch assembly having one or two cantilevered reed members arranged to close and open a gap responsive to respective levels of magnetic exposure, supports two optical fiber members in end-to-end closely spaced confrontation with the common axis alignment or misalignment of the fibers being a function of the relative closed or opened gap condition. A convenient method of fabrication involves mounting opposing cantilevered reed members on a substrate which is bent to bring the reed members closer together longitudinally. While so bent, a gap closing magnetic field is generated and a continuous length of optical fiber is bonded to the flat aligned surfaces of the reed assembly. The fiber is scored, broken at scoring, and stress and magnetic field is relieved, whereupon fiber ends shift laterally to produce open circuit condition.

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Dudley, MA, United States of America

Joseph D Rando