SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING AN OPTICAL SENSOR FOR LIQUID METERING

摘要

A metering assembly uses light refraction to determine the liquid level in a metering container. An image of a liquid-air boundary in the metering container is projected onto a sensor which accurately tracks the movement of the boundary. By tracking the location of this boundary, the assembly can determine when the container has the desired level of liquid being metered. In one embodiment, the assembly for use in a combinatorial chemistry synthesis apparatus has a generally transparent or translucent container adapted to hold a liquid and an optical liquid level sensor coupled to the container. The sensor comprises a light source, a photosensor, and a focusing device positioned at a distance from the light source to reproduce an image of a liquid/air boundary in the container onto the photosensor.