초록 ▼

Disclosed is a monitoring system and method for detecting the presence or absence of material at a location. The apparatus may generally be constructed to include a sensing unit, including an antenna probe for positioning at the location wherein material is to be detected, and a control unit for res

Disclosed is a monitoring system and method for detecting the presence or absence of material at a location. The apparatus may generally be constructed to include a sensing unit, including an antenna probe for positioning at the location wherein material is to be detected, and a control unit for responding to signals from the sensing unit indicating the presence of material at the antenna probe. The control unit may include an indicator to inform an operator of the presence or absence of material at the antenna probe, and also an output which enables peripheral equipment to operate only under selected conditions at the antenna probe. The sensing signal from the sensing unit is dc, with fluctuations indicating the presence of material at the antenna probe. The sensing signal may be communicated a considerable distance to the control unit over ordinary electrical lead lines without electrical shielding, and the control unit responds to a break in such communication lines by not permitting enabling of such peripheral equipment.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of material at a location comprising sensing means, including: a. oscillator means for providing an oscillatory output signal; b. reference means, for receiving said oscillatory output signal and providing a reference; c. sensor means, including antenn

Apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of material at a location comprising sensing means, including: a. oscillator means for providing an oscillatory output signal; b. reference means, for receiving said oscillatory output signal and providing a reference; c. sensor means, including antenna probe means for positioning at said location, and for receiving said oscillatory output signal; d. switching means for alternately permitting said oscillatory output signal to be applied to said reference means and to said antenna probe means; e. an electrical energy source for providing electrical energy for application to said oscillator means by connection means whereby the absence of material, to be sensed, at said location, is accompanied by substantially the same rate of electrical energy consumption by said oscillator means when said oscillatory output signal is applied to said antenna probe means as when said signal is applied to said reference, and, with such material present at said location, electrical energy is consumed by said oscillator means at a greater rate when said signal is applied to said antenna probe means compared to when said signal is applied to said reference; and f. means for detecting a change in the rate of energy consumption from said electrical power source whereby the presence or absence of said material at said location may be determined.