Optical liquid-level sensor using a collimator in a pipe with small holes

Cherl-Hee Lee; Jonghun Lee; Jeon-Il Moon; Kwang Taek Kim

doi:10.1117/12.897974

28 September 2011 Optical liquid-level sensor using a collimator in a pipe with small holes

Cherl-Hee Lee, Jonghun Lee, Jeon-Il Moon, Kwang Taek Kim

Proceedings Volume 8185, Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems: Technology and Applications VIII; 81850T (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.897974
Event: SPIE Security + Defence, 2011, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

To measure a level of a flammable liquid, optical sensing methods have been reported more effective than other methods based on mechanical and electrical methods. This paper reports a new method that uses a collimator and a pipe to measure the liquid level. The presented liquid-level sensor consists of a gradient-index lens (GRIN lens), a metal pipe with small holes, and a floating buoy as a mirror. The liquid in the tank flows into the pipe through small holes and the floating buoy coated with aluminum will float over the liquid. The light collimated by a GRIN lens will be reflected at the floating buoy, which operates like mirror. The light reflected from the mirror is refocused through the GRIN lens and is varied as a function of the liquid distance. It is a simple design using a pipe to collect easily the. The experimental result was obtained using a pipe with the height of 2 m and width of 10 mm. The power loss was decreased with the ratio of 30 dB/m. This low-cost configuration easily collects the reflected light from the liquid surface without complicated aligning.

Citation Download Citation

Cherl-Hee Lee, Jonghun Lee, Jeon-Il Moon, and Kwang Taek Kim "Optical liquid-level sensor using a collimator in a pipe with small holes", Proc. SPIE 8185, Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems: Technology and Applications VIII, 81850T (28 September 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.897974

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
6 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Liquids

Sensors

Collimators

Mirrors

GRIN lenses

Fiber optics sensors

Gradient-index optics

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years