초록 ▼

An optical detector for determining the degree of translucency of a medium includes an elongate collector that gathers radiant energy along its length and transmits the gathered energy to its ends. A sensor is positioned in proximity to at least one of the collector ends to detect the amount of radi

An optical detector for determining the degree of translucency of a medium includes an elongate collector that gathers radiant energy along its length and transmits the gathered energy to its ends. A sensor is positioned in proximity to at least one of the collector ends to detect the amount of radiant energy received by the collector. The amount of radiant energy received by the collector and transmitted to the sensor is proportional to the degree of average translucency of the medium. In one embodiment, the medium is a filter and the degree of detected translucency is directly proportional to the degree of filter contamination. In another embodiment, the medium is a liquid and the degree of detected translucency is directly proportional to liquid level. The collector is preferably formed from one or more fluorescent-doped fiber optics. When a plurality of fiber optics is used, the ends thereof may be terminated in one or more sleeves such that radiant energy transmitted along their lengths can be detected by the sensor.

대표청구항

[ The embodiments for which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.] An apparatus for detecting the degree of translucency of a medium, the apparatus comprising:

[ The embodiments for which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.] An apparatus for detecting the degree of translucency of a medium, the apparatus comprising: