Patent ID: 6333512
Filing Date: 2001-12-25
Classification: G01F,G01P,Y10S

Abstract:
An optical gauge for measuring a level of a liquid in a container, the optical gauge comprising:an elongate, tubular member having opposite ends and a bore extending between the opposite ends, the bore being adapted to receive liquid that may be present in the container;a light source positioned for projecting radiant energy into the bore from one end of the tubular member;a continuous elongate light collector extending along a length of the tubular member for receiving, at least indirectly, radiant energy from the light source, the light collector having opposite ends and being formed such that radiant energy incident on a length of the light collector is transmitted to the light collector ends;a light blocking member located within the bore and operably associated with an upper surface of the liquid for blocking at least a portion of the radiant energy from the light collector between the light blocking member and the other end of the tubular member, the light blocking member being movable with respect to the light collector in response to change in liquid level within the tubular member for varying the position of the radiant energy incident on the light collector to thereby vary the amount of radiant energy transmitted to the light collector ends; andat least one photosensor positioned for detecting the amount of radiant energy transmitted to at least one of the light collector ends,wherein the amount of radiant energy transmitted to the at least one light collector end and detected by the at least one photosensor is indicative of the liquid level.