Patent ID: 7772538

Claim:
A float activated optical switch, comprising a number of components including a float, having an outer surface defining a float interior; a powered light source; a powered light detector, said light source and light detector located remote from said float; a first light guide having proximal and distal ends, said first light guide connected to said light source; a second light guide having proximal and distal ends, said second light guide connected to said light detector, said first and second light guides distal ends positioned in said float interior and said distal ends being optically aligned but separated by a gap in said float interior; and a means to interrupt a light beam, said means to interrupt a light beam adapted to removably occupy said gap in said float interior; said float and said components positioned in said float interior being floatable in a desired liquid, said first and second light guides coupled to said float and adapted to bend between said distal and proximal ends with movement of said float from a first position, where said means to interrupt is positioned to allow light transmission between said distal ends of said first and second light guides, to a second position, where said means to interrupt is positioned to interrupt light transmission between said distal ends of said first and second light guides.