초록 ▼

A fluid monitor determines the quality, intensity and/or level of a fluid by transmitting a beam of light through the fluid and evaluating any changes to the shape of the beam as a result of being transmitted through the fluid. The monitor includes a light source and a lens which generate an inciden

A fluid monitor determines the quality, intensity and/or level of a fluid by transmitting a beam of light through the fluid and evaluating any changes to the shape of the beam as a result of being transmitted through the fluid. The monitor includes a light source and a lens which generate an incident beam of light having a predefined cross sectional shape. The beam is transmitted through a volume of the fluid, which modifies the shape of the beam as a function of the fluid quality, intensity and/or level. The beam can be polarized before being transmitted through the fluid or after beam transmission. The polarized beam is directed to a detector which evaluates the horizontal and vertical components of the beam and provides a shape signal to a detection circuit. The detection circuit processes the shape signal received from the detector to determine the quality, intensity and/or level of the fluid based on any variations from the predefined shape of the incident beam. The detection circuit outputs a signal to a display unit indicating the quality, intensity and/or level of the fluid. The detection circuit may also actuate an alarm if the quality, intensity and/or level of the fluid is below a preselected minimum value.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A device for monitoring the value of a parameter associated with a fluid, the device comprising:a light source providing light;a beam conditioner for conditioning the provided light into a beam having a predefined cross sectional shape, said beam conditioner being positio

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A device for monitoring the value of a parameter associated with a fluid, the device comprising:a light source providing light;a beam conditioner for conditioning the provided light into a beam having a predefined cross sectional shape, said beam conditioner being positioned to direct the beam of light through the fluid;a detector being positioned for receiving the beam of light transmitted through the fluid and providing a shape signal representative of the cross sectional shape of the transmitted beam of light;an optical polarizer for polarizing the beam of light; anda circuit for receiving the shape signal and determining the value of the fluid parameter by comparing the shape signal to the predefined cross sectional shape of the beam of light conditioned by the beam conditioner, said circuit providing an output signal indicative of the value of the fluid parameter.