Patent ID: 7770447
Filing Date: 2010-08-10
Classification: G01F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A transducer for use in a fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container having a wall with an outer surface and an inner surface, the transducer comprising: a piezoelectric element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal; and a lens with an upper portion, a lower portion, and a focal point, the upper portion including a curved surface with a convex side, wherein the piezoelectric element is coupled to the upper portion of the lens so that, when the lower portion of the lens is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the wall at a predetermined position, the lens is intermediate the piezoelectric element and the wall and the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the focal point of the lens and toward the wall, and wherein, when the transducer receives a second ultrasonic signal from the wall that results from the first ultrasonic signal and that is affected in a predetermined manner by presence or absence of fluid at the inner surface of the wall, the ultrasonic transducer generates an output electrical signal corresponding to the second ultrasonic signal.