Patent ID: 6127671
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: E03C,G01S

Abstract:
An object-sensor-based flow-control system comprising:A) a fluid conduit having an inlet and an outlet;B) an electromechanical valve interposed in the conduit and operable by application of control signals thereto to switch between an open state, in which it permits fluid flow through the conduit, and a closed state, in which it prevents fluid flow through the conduit;C) a sensor assembly including:i) an optical-radiation emitter operable by application of emitter signals thereto to emit optical radiation in an emitter radiation pattern;ii) an optical-radiation receiver that generates a receiver signal in accordance with a receiver radiation pattern in response to optical radiation received thereby; andiii) a sensor reflector so shaped and disposed with respect to the optical-radiation emitter and receiver as so to redirect optical radiation from the optical-radiation emitter and/or toward the optical-radiation receiver as to result in a sensor radiation pattern the greatest ratio of whose extents in orthogonal directions exceeds that of the combination of the emitter and receiver radiation patterns; andD) a control circuit that causes optical radiation to be sent into a target region by applying emitter signals to the optical-radiation emitter, receives resultant receiver signals from the optical-radiation receiver, and in accordance with the resultant receiver signals operates the electromechanical valve by applying control signals thereto.