Patent ID: 8654338
Filing Date: 2014-02-18
Classification: G01M,G01N

Abstract:
1. Optical sensor structure for sensing the presence of liquid in a sealed conservator tank, the tank including a bladder isolating oil from air, the bladder having a first surface exposed to the air and an opposing second surface exposed to the oil, the sensor structure comprising: a sensor head including a body having first and second opposing ends, a plurality of perforations through the body and spaced between the first and second ends, and a mirror disposed at the second end, the perforations being constructed and arranged to receive and hold fluid therein, the sensor head being constructed and arranged to rest on the first surface of the bladder, a light source, a first fiber optic cable between the light source and the first end of the body, a light detector, and a second fiber optic cable between the light detector and the first end of the body, wherein when the light source provides light through the first fiber optic cable and to the perforated body, the light reflects off the mirror and is received by the second fiber optic cable and by the light detector, and wherein the amount of light received by the light detector is reduced when liquid, instead of air, is in at least some of the perforations in the body.