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:
May. 02, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 13, 1997
Douglas A Burkett, Eaton, OH (US);
Henny Penny Corporation, Eaton, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for optical sensing of liquid level in cooking vessels are disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a first sensor (P1) for detecting a liquid and generating a first signal indicating a vessel level of the detected liquid above a desired liquid level (110) in the cooking vessel (102); a second sensor (P2) for detecting the liquid and generating a second signal indicating the vessel level of the detected liquid below the desired liquid level (110) in the cooking vessel (102); a third sensor (P3) for detecting the liquid and generating a third signal indicating the vessel level of the detected liquid (110) at the bottom of the cooking vessel (102); and a controller (108) for receiving the signals and for determining the vessel level in the cooking vessel (102). The method for optically sensing liquid level in a cooking vessel comprises the following steps: first, sensing a vessel level of the liquid at a plurality of locations with a plurality of sensors positioned within the cooking vessel; second, generating at least one analog signal indicating a vessel level of the liquid at at least one of the sensors; third, processing the at least one analog signal; fourth, determining the vessel level of the liquid within the cooking vessel; and fifth, displaying the vessel level within the cooking vessel.