摘要:
Optical power uses light to run remote, isolated circuits without metallic wires. An optical power system may include a single photovoltaic component that supplies a first voltage in response to impingement of light on the photovoltaic component. A voltage booster receives the first voltage from the photovoltaic component and supplies a second voltage signal at a second voltage that is greater than the first voltage. The optical power system may be integrated with a sensor that is powered by the second voltage from the voltage booster. The photovoltaic component may be an inexpensive light emitting diode.
摘要:
An optic sensor system comprising an optic sensor (10), a pair of photoelectric devices (12,14) and a pair of optic fibers (16,18) that transmit light respectively between the photoelectric devices (12,14) and the sensor (10). The photoelectric devices (12,14) serve as both a source of input light for the sensor (10) as well as a light detector for the light returned from the sensor (10). A control circuit is used to switch the photoelectric devices (12,14) on and off, thus determining the periods of time that each operates as a source or detector.
摘要:
A method and system are disclosed for determining the density of a liquid, such as aircraft fuel (18), by measuring the amplitude of the reflections of ultrasonic pulses from the faces of the walls (21 and 21′) of a reference material (20). A transducer (14) transmits an ultrasonic interrogation pulse through the liquid to the reference material (20). The density of the reference material (20) is known and its boundaries are well defined. The interrogation pulse is reflected from the faces of the reference material boundaries to provide first, second and third return pulses which are used to determine the density of the liquid (18). The density determination is accomplished by determining characteristic impedances, reflection coefficients and transmission coefficients as a function of the returned pulse amplitudes.
摘要:
An optic sensor system comprising an optic sensor (10), a pair of photoelectric devices (12,14) and a pair of optic fibers (16,18) that transmit light respectively between the photoelectric devices (12,14) and the sensor (10). The photoelectric devices (12,14) serve as both a source of input light for the sensor (10) as well as a light detector for the light returned from the sensor (10). A control circuit is used to switch the photoelectric devices (12,14) on and off, thus determining the periods of time that each operates as a source or detector.
摘要:
A liquid sensing apparatus for a fuel tank comprises optical sensors (12',62) contained in a housing (70), each sensor including a light source (24',66) such as an LED, and a light detector (26',68) such as a phototransistor. A prism (28',64) is optically coupled to each of the sensors (12',62). The prisms (28',64) being of different dimensions relative to each other. The light emitted by the light sources (24',66) will be refracted and returned to the light detectors (26',68). The amount of light refracted and hence detected by each of the detectors (26',68) will depend on the type and level of liquid in the tank and the output of the detectors (26',68) affected accordingly. The shapes and dimensions of the two prisms (28',64) are different, so that the first sensor (12') provides different outputs depending on whether it is exposed to (a) air or (b) fuel and the second sensor (62) produces different outputs depending on whether it is exposed to (a) air or water or (b) fuel. The outputs of the two sensors (12',62) are connected to a sensor circuit by a simple two wire connection. The circuit can provide a signal to indicate the type and the relative amount of each fluid in the tank.
摘要:
Optical power uses light to run remote, isolated circuits without metallic wires. An optical power system may include a single photovoltaic component that supplies a first voltage in response to impingement of light on the photovoltaic component. A voltage booster receives the first voltage from the photovoltaic component and supplies a second voltage signal at a second voltage that is greater than the first voltage. The optical power system may be integrated with a sensor that is powered by the second voltage from the voltage booster. The photovoltaic component may be an inexpensive light emitting diode.
摘要:
A liquid sensing apparatus for a fuel tank comprises optical sensors (12',62) contained in a housing (70), each sensor including a light source (24',66) such as an LED, and a light detector (26',68) such as a phototransistor. A prism (28',64) is optically coupled to each of the sensors (12',62). The prisms (28',64) being of different dimensions relative to each other. The light emitted by the light sources (24',66) will be refracted and returned to the light detectors (26',68). The amount of light refracted and hence detected by each of the detectors (26',68) will depend on the type and level of liquid in the tank and the output of the detectors (26',68) affected accordingly. The shapes and dimensions of the two prisms (28',64) are different, so that the first sensor (12') provides different outputs depending on whether it is exposed to (a) air or (b) fuel and the second sensor (62) produces different outputs depending on whether it is exposed to (a) air or water or (b) fuel. The outputs of the two sensors (12',62) are connected to a sensor circuit by a simple two wire connection. The circuit can provide a signal to indicate the type and the relative amount of each fluid in the tank.