Patent ID: 9655286
Date: 2017-05-16
CPC Classifications: F24F,G01F,G05D,H05K

Claim:
1. An apparatus comprising: a proximity sensor; a plug configured to couple to a wall of a fluid system within an opening in the wall to seal the opening, without contacting an inner surface of the wall of the fluid system, the plug being hollow and including a fluid sense window which projects through the wall into the fluid system substantially transverse to the opening in the wall when the plug is coupled to the wall within the opening; and wherein the plug comprises a fluid-sensor-receiving space continuously extending within the plug from one side of the wall, through the opening in the wall and into the fluid sense window within the fluid system on another side of the wall, the fluid-sensor-receiving opening being open at the one side of the wall, and the fluid-sensor-receiving space being configured to at least partially receive therein the proximity sensor and, when the plug is coupled to the wall and seals the opening, with the proximity sensor within the fluid-sensor-receiving space of the fluid sense window, the proximity sensor extends within the plug from the one side of the wall, through the wall into the fluid sense window within the fluid system on the another side of the wall to sense across the fluid sense window presence of fluid within the fluid system by emitting an electric field through the fluid sense window into the fluid system, and sensing a disruption in the electric field due to the presence of the fluid within the fluid system, the fluid sense window comprising a non-conductive material which allows the electric field to pass therethrough, and wherein the proximity sensor is removable from the fluid-sensor-receiving space of the fluid sense window without requiring uncoupling of the plug from the wall or unsealing of the opening in the wall.