Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Ryan Lindsay

David R Nowak

Eric G Parker

An optical device for measuring a level of a fluid in a container wherein a light conducting body having a top surface and a bottom surface is positioned within the container and into the fluid. A first end of the light conducting body and an oppositely disposed second end, preferably having stepped end surfaces, reflect and refract light in a predetermined manner based upon the fluid level in the container. A resulting brightness of the top surface is therefore inversely proportional to the level of the fluid. Such an optical device is particularly suited toward application to a vehicle fuel tank.

Fluid level indicator

An optical-electronic device measuring a charge level in a battery having a housing positioned within an interior of the battery, the housing having a cavity. A light source and a light receiving device are positioned within the cavity. A sensing surface and at least one reflecting surface are positioned within the cavity between the light source and the light receiving device. A box is formed with respect to the housing, the at least one reflecting surface dividing the box from the cavity. Light projected from the light source is transmitted from the sensing surface, where a portion of the light is refracted depending upon the charge level of the battery. The remaining light is transmitted to the at least one reflecting surface and then to the light receiving device. A level of charge is thereby determined based upon the amount of light sensed by the light receiving device.

Growing community of inventors

Hampshire, IL, United States of America

Ryan Lindsay