Apparatus and method for detecting liquid level in a clear or partially clear container
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11744976-B2
Publication Date
2023-09-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
A trap bowl is provided to accumulate liquid droplets from a filter, as a liquid content. The trap bowl includes a transparent vertical prism. The transparent vertical prism includes a face that forms a vertical transparent surface facing against a content of the section. The face can provide a first angle of total reflection when content of the section is a type of gas, and a second angle of total reflection when the content of the section is the liquid content. A light source may emit a light beam incident on the face at an angle of incidence. The angle of incidence results in reflection of the light beam, striking the light receiver, when the face has the first angle of total reflection, and results in refraction of the light beam, missing the light receiver, when the face has the second angle of total reflection.
Core Innovation
The disclosure describes a filter-trap apparatus and a therapeutic gas inhalation therapy that use optical sensing to determine whether a trap bowl is properly installed and whether a trap bowl has remaining capacity during operation of a therapeutic gas delivery system. In response to powering on the therapeutic gas delivery system, the system determines proper installation based on a first optical sensor output and, upon determining the trap bowl is properly installed, determines remaining capacity based at least in part on a second optical sensor output.
The disclosed approach uses transparent prism optics in which a circumferential prism is formed from transparent prism material with a selected refractive index and an optical transmitter/receiver emits a collimated light beam at a defined angle. When the trap content is gas, total internal reflection returns the light to the receiver, indicating proper installation and not-overfilled conditions, whereas when liquid reaches prism faces, refraction prevents return, indicating an over-maximum fill condition.
Additional prism embodiments include vertical prism faces and multiple optical receivers arranged to distinguish installation and level conditions, including proper installation, over-maximum fill, and missing or improperly rotated trap bowls. A controller verifies installation and level and notifies a user or attendant for servicing or emptying based on the determinations, and the method receives a sample gas, filters liquid from the sample gas, and delivers a result of the filtering through an output.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a therapeutic gas inhalation therapy method that uses first and second optical sensor outputs to determine trap bowl installation and remaining capacity, and that then samples, filters liquid, and outputs a result. The dependent claims further define specific light-beam logic for the properly installed determination and notification behaviors for missing or improperly installed trap bowls and for a full filter trap.
Optical determination of trap bowl installation on system power-on
Powering on a therapeutic gas delivery system and, in response, determining whether a trap bowl is properly installed based on a first optical sensor output.
Optical determination of trap remaining capacity using sensor output
Upon determining the trap bowl is properly installed, determining whether the trap bowl has a remaining capacity based at least in part on a second optical sensor output.
Filtering of sample gas and delivery of filtering result
Upon determining the trap bowl is properly installed, in combination with determining the trap bowl has a remaining capacity, receiving a sample gas, filtering a liquid from the sample gas and delivering a result of the filtering by an output of the filtering.
Light-beam logic for properly installed trap bowl
Determining the trap bowl is properly installed when a first optical receiver receives a light beam and a third optical sensor does not receive a light beam.
Notification for missing or improperly installed trap bowl
If the first optical receiver does not receive a light beam and the third optical sensor does receive a light beam, generating a notification that the trap bowl is missing or improperly installed.
Light-beam logic for remaining capacity from the second sensor
Indicating that the trap bowl has remaining capacity when the second optical receiver does not receive a light beam.
Notification for full filter trap
If the second optical receiver receives a light beam, generating a notification that the filter trap is full.
The claim set ties therapeutic gas inhalation therapy to two-step optical verification: it first determines whether the trap bowl is properly installed using first and third optical sensor light reception logic, then determines remaining capacity using a second optical sensor light-reception condition. When both determinations indicate suitable conditions, the method receives a sample gas, filters liquid from the sample gas, and delivers a filtering result via an output, with dependent claims adding notification for missing or improper installation and for a full filter trap.
Stated Advantages
Enables verification of whether a trap bowl is properly installed based on optical sensor outputs.
Enables determination of remaining capacity of the trap bowl based on a second optical sensor output.
Filters liquid from a sample gas and delivers a result of the filtering via an output.
Generates notifications when the trap bowl is missing or improperly installed.
Generates notifications when the filter trap is full.
Documented Applications
Therapeutic gas inhalation therapy using a therapeutic gas delivery system with a filter-trap liquid filtering and sample gas receiving arrangement, including controller-driven verification and notification for trap servicing/emptying.
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