OPTICAL FLUID LEVEL DETECTOR

摘要

An optical liquid level sensor comprises a source of optical radiation, an optical detector sensitive to the optical radiation, and at least one optical element forming a surface which is positioned within a container and in which the light source directs radiation towards the surface to form a pattern which is dependent upon the level of the fluid the detector comprises an array of M detecting elements, where M is greater than 1, which elements capture an image of the pattern of radiation formed by the source upon the surface whereby the level of the fluid can be determined by analysing the image captured by the detector array. The device may analyse from the pattern any meniscus formed between surface and floor and from this determine the condition of the fluid.