The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 25, 1990
Filed:
Oct. 06, 1989
Frank A Nemeth, Harwinton, CT (US);
Imo Industries, Inc., Princeton, NJ (US);
Abstract
Plural sensor prisms and associated opticalfiber circuits are arrayed as a single vertical stem by which the individual prisms serve for response to each of a plurality of different liquid levels. Each prism is formed of light-transmitting plastic material which can be injection-molded to precision dimensions. The body configuration is such as to adapt to arrayed interconnection with tubular members, also of plastic, and bonded at telescoping fit of each prism to the tubular member or members to which it is connected. The prism configuration relied upon for sensed response to the presence of immersing liquid (as compared to air) is a solid region having an exterior profile which includes a downwardly convergent conical surface portion at least at spaced locales which are at equal but opposite offset from the cylindrical body axis, wherein the geometric apex angle of downward convergence is 90 degrees. As long as a given prism is exposed to air, a large amount of light is transmitted (by reflection within the prism) from a transmission optical fiber to a receiving optical fiber. But when immersed in a liquid, a portion of the light from the transmitting fiber is refracted into the liquid, resulting in a clearly detectable decrease in the amount of light coupled to the receiving fiber.