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:
Oct. 26, 1999
Filed:
May. 06, 1998
Harold B Carter, Metairie, LA (US);
Kevin Schehrer, Boulder, CO (US);
Quantum Imaging, Inc., Metairie, LA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for determining the level of fluid in a vessel comprises a fixed optical emitter for emitting light into the vessel, a light steering means for steering light emitted by the fixed optical emitter, the light steering means for steering the light to reflect from a surface of one of the vessel and a substance within the vessel, a window for receiving the steered light prior to transmission to the vessel, a detector for receiving light from the vessel, and a processing system for determining distance from the vessel or substance in accordance with a predetermined geometric relationship. The apparatus may additionally comprise a level for determining a number of degrees out of plumb of the vessel. Also, the apparatus may comprise an acoustic transmitter and receiver for determining the depths of first and second liquids in the vessel which are immiscible in one another.