2344 results about "Level sensor" patented technology

A system for determining the level of an analyte in a physiological fluid of a live individual is described. A wearable sensor periodically obtains data representative of the level of the analyte and has a passive RFID tag that stores the data. A receiver wirelessly interrogates the sensor with an RF interrogation signal. The RFID tag modulates or otherwise modifies the wireless interrogation signal using the data and the receiver receives back the modulated or otherwise modified interrogation signal and extracts the data from it. The receiver then determines, from the data, the level of the analyte in the fluid. The sensor may be a photometric or colorimetric sensor or an electrochemical sensor. The receiver may be, or be incorporated into, a hand-held device, a portable device, a PDA, a mobile telephone, or a laptop computer. The resulting system is more versatile and consumes less power than conventional systems.

A pump system for applying negative pressure to a wound, including a flow monitor capable of detecting a deviation from a reference airflow rate provided by a controlled leak to determine whether the system is operating normally or abnormally, and a flow status annunciator to indicate a normal operating condition or whether an abnormal condition is a leak or an occluded line in the system. The pump system further includes a pressure controller for regulating operation of a pump to control pressure in the system at a range around a user-selected setpoint. The pump system may also include a waste collector and a level sensor for detecting when the collector is full.

Systems and methods for the identification, powering and control of products and product packaging. The systems can include a point of sale display having a contactless power supply. The contactless power supply can provide a source of wireless power for products and product packaging. The products and product packaging can include light emitting diodes, e-ink displays and printed speaker circuits that activate as the operating frequency of the contactless power supply varies. Other embodiments include product level sensors, inductive reader networks, printed temperature sensors, product alignment systems, passive identification circuits and methods for controlling operation of the same.

A fringing-field capacitive liquid level sensor comprising an electrically insulating substrate, having a first and a second pattern of conductive capacitance plates plated on the substrate. Each pattern constitutes a fringing-field capacitor having a capacitance the value of which is both dependent on the liquid level and dependent on the dielectric constant of the liquid. The ratio of the two capacitances, however, is proportional to the liquid level and independent of the dielectric constant of the liquid. The fringing-field capacitive liquid level sensor may be used for measurement of liquids of substantially any dielectric constant without requiring full-scale calibration or knowledge of, and calibration for, dielectric constant of the liquid to be measured. Compensation for tilt angle can be provided through the addition of a second level sensor.

A pump system for applying negative pressure to a wound, including a flow monitor capable of detecting a deviation from a reference airflow rate provided by a controlled leak to determine whether the system is operating normally or abnormally, and a flow status annunciator to indicate a normal operating condition or whether an abnormal condition is a leak or an occluded line in the system. The pump system further includes a pressure controller for regulating operation of a pump to control pressure in the system at a range around a user-selected setpoint. The pump system may also include a waste collector and a level sensor for detecting when the collector is full.

A level sensor for detecting the level of a medium contained in a vessel comprises:an array of capacitive elements designed to be associated with the vessel (1), comprising a plurality of electrodes (J1-Jn), spaced apart from each other along an axis of detection (X),an insulation layer (16) for electrically insulating the electrodes (Ji-L) with respect to the inside of the vessel (1),a controller (24) having a plurality of inputs.Each capacitive element comprises at least one of a single electrode and a group of electrodes connected in common to each other, the single electrode or the group of electrodes being connected to a respective input of the plurality of inputs.The controller (24) is prearranged for discriminating a value of electrical capacitance associated with each electrode (J1-Jn) to deduce the level of the medium present in the vessel.

An audio loudness compensation system includes a level sensor receiving an audio input signal and operable to estimate a level of the audio input signal over a first predetermined time period, and a level mapper receiving the estimated level and operable to map the estimated level to a raw audio gain in response to a slope setting and an offset setting. The system further includes an attack and decay filter receiving the raw audio gain and operable to smooth out increasing and decreasing changes in the raw audio gain in response to a second and, possibly a third predetermined time period, and a compensation filter receiving the smoothed raw audio gain and operable to modify the audio input signal in response to the smoothed raw audio gain, a center frequency setting and a bandwidth setting, and generate a loudness compensated audio output signal.

A navigational aid including an intelligent display mode and a communication system communicates with a vehicle's sensor system and / or historical- or time-based information to reduce the number of businesses that are displayed on the map by filtering out unneeded or less preferred services. When the vehicle's fuel level sensor detects that the fuel tank is almost empty, a message can be sent from the sensor system to the navigational aid such that the navigational aid can then begin showing a visual indication (e.g., text or graphical information such as an icon) of the location of fuel stations on the screen. Additionally, the location receiver indicates to the filter when the navigational aid is close to the programmed destination. At that point, the filter can be informed that it should start showing garages or areas where the vehicle can be parked without having cluttered the screen with parking garages that were not close to the destination. Similarly, when in need of other services (e.g., hotel or restaurant services), the navigational aid can display preferred brands (while omitting non-preferred brands) and make reservations when a communication system is included which is capable of communicating with the service provider. Additionally, prices or relative prices for the services may also be indicated.

A sensor for measuring a level of a conductive liquid, is provided. The sensor includes at least two electrodes that can be positioned in a holding tank so as to be partially submerged in the conductive liquid, sensor leads coupled to the at least two electrodes, and circuitry and a controller for determining the properties of the electrolyte, the circuitry being coupled to the at least two electrodes via the sensor leads, and the controller being coupled to the circuitry. The sensor may be used as an electrolyte level sensor in a flow battery system.

A method and system for automatically adjusting the operating parameters of a rate-adaptive cardiac pacemaker in which maximum exertion levels attained by the patient are measured at periodic intervals and stored in order to compute or update a maximum exercise capacity. The slope of the rate-response curve is then adjusted to map an exertion level corresponding to the updated maximum exercise capacity to a maximum allowable pacing rate. In accordance with the invention, a maximum exercise capacity is determined by cross-checking periodic maximum exertion level sensor values with a motion-level sensor value.

Systems and methods for the identification, powering and control of products and product packaging. The systems can include a point of sale display having a contactless power supply. The contactless power supply can provide a source of wireless power for products and product packaging. The products and product packaging can include light emitting diodes, e-ink displays and printed speaker circuits that activate as the operating frequency of the contactless power supply varies. Other embodiments include product level sensors, inductive reader networks, printed temperature sensors, product alignment systems, passive identification circuits and methods for controlling operation of the same.

An electronic fuel sensor which utilizes the characteristics of fluid (such as gasoline) to dissipate heat more readily than a gas. Specifically the fuel sensor utilizes a linear array of sensors comprising a couple heat detector and heat source which can determine which of the sensors are in fluid and which are in air.

A capacitive fluid level sensor is disclosed that operates without the use of a float, wherein sensing electrodes are spaced to form a measured capacitance that changes in accordance with a changing fluid level, the electrodes forming a sensing element, and being electrically insulated from the measured fluid. The sensing element is fabricated such that it can be attached to the outside of a dielectric wall of a vessel, or embedded within a dielectric material. An interdigital comb configuration of sensing element is also disclosed in which depressions or gaps are formed into a dielectric material that is present between the fingers of the comb.

A vehicle leveling system including at least one level sensor, a controller and an output. The sensor measures how level the vehicle is relative to horizontal. Optionally, it does so dynamically, as the vehicle moves across a potential parking area. The controller analyzes the sensor measurements, and informs the operator via the output whether the vehicle is level in a given direction, whether the vehicle is leveling, whether the vehicle can be leveled at a given location, and / or the “best” leveling that the system is capable of at a location. The system also may automatically level the vehicle relative to the ground for the operator. In one embodiment, the leveling system communicates with an existing vehicle electronic height control system. The leveling system overrides or controls the normal operation of this system, and uses it to level the vehicle, for example, by adjusting the vehicle suspension.

A liquid level controller for a device having a liquid reservoir includes a control board and a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly is disposed within the reservoir and includes a liquid level sensor, which is electrically connected to the control circuit. The control board includes a control circuit and a pump. The control circuit has a control circuit and a resistive power supply to power the control circuit. The control circuit controls the pump in response to signals from the level sensor and includes a CMOS logic gate and a MOSFET transistor to switch the pump. The control circuit further includes a second resistive power supply connected to a relay which controls an alarm. The second power supply is activated by a transistor responsive to an alarm signal from the level sensor, and powers the relay only when the alarm signal is present.

Improper microphone position and speech level on a telephone headset is sensed by comparison of a speech envelope to multiple signal threshold levels. A first threshold is used to determine whether a headset user is talking. A second threshold is used to determine whether a signal level at the microphone is sufficiently strong for proper communication. An indicator is activated when the user is talking and the signal level is too weak. Typically, a weak signal is caused by a mispositioned microphone or a user talking too softly.

Methods and apparatus for vertical die chip-on-board sensor packages are provided. Such vertical die chip-on-board sensor packages can comprise a vertical sensor circuit component comprising a first face, a second face, a bottom edge, a top edge, two side edges, input / output (I / O) pads and at least one sensitive direction wherein the I / O pads are arranged near the bottom edge. Such vertical die chip-on-board sensor packages can also comprise one or more horizontal sensor circuit components comprising a top face, a printed circuit board (PCB) mounting face, a vertical sensor circuit component interface edge, two or more other edges, and one or more sensitive directions wherein the vertical sensor circuit component interface edge supports the vertical sensor circuit component along the Z axis and conductively or non-conductively connects to the vertical sensor circuit component. The methods and apparatus provided include a multi-axis magnetometer for measuring the magnetic field intensity along three orthogonal axes comprising one or more magnetic field sensing circuit components mounted by their PCB mounting face to a PCB and a vertical magnetic sensor circuit component mounted to the PCB such that the vertical magnetic sensor circuit component is attached to and supported by the magnetic field sensing circuit component.

A plant growing system for growing plants. The system includes a control module, an atmospheric condition sensor module, an atmospheric condition response module, a nutrient concentration sensor probe module, and a nutrient pump module. The atmospheric condition sensor module may include: a photo sensor, a humidity sensor, and an air temperature sensor. The atmospheric condition response module may include: a lighting module, a humidifying module, a dehumidifying module, a heating module, and a cooling module. A nutrient level sensor module and a communication module are configured to communicate a detected level of water. The communication module comprises an audio communication module and a graphical user interface module. The nutrient pump module comprises: a first nutrient reservoir, a nutrient pump, a first nutrient dispersion member, a second nutrient reservoir, and a second nutrient dispersion member. There is a power module comprising a solar panel which is configured to provide energy.

The invention relates to wireless biotelemetry of low level bioelectric and biosensor signals by means of directly modulating the backscatter of a resonant circuit. Low level electrical analog or digital signals are directly applied to a resonant circuit containing a voltage-variable capacitor such as a varactor diode, that proportionally shifts the resonant frequency and so amplitude of radiofrequency backscatter in a way that represents analog bioelectric or biosensor waveform data. By strongly driving the resonant circuit with a radiofrequency source, a voltage variable capacitance can be caused to amplify the bio-signal level by a parametric process and so provide sufficient sensitivity to telemeter for low millivolt and microvolt level signals without additional amplification. A feature of the device is its simplicity and that it accomplishes both modulation and preamplification of low level sensor signals by the same variable capacitance circuit which reduces the device size and power consumption.

A generator produces variable output of hydrogen and oxygen from electrolysis of water as a fuel supplement for combustion of hydrocarbon fuel. The generator includes an electrolytic reactor having a sealed cathode chamber partially filled with an electrolyte solution, and an anode immersed within the solution and electrically isolated from the chamber. A level sensor and reservoir maintain solution levels in one or more reactors configured in electrolyte communication. A source of electrical power energizes reactors responsive to changing combustion demand. A cooling system cools the reactors to allow the generator to operate at high amperage. An optional controller shifts reactor duty cycles to equalize reactor service over time. Gases produced in reactor air space above solution level are drawn or pumped to a combustion chamber to combine with hydrocarbon fuel and air. The combination results in greater combustion efficiency and reduces harmful emissions.

A dispenser for dispensing paper or non-woven sheet product for wiping, wherein the level of sheet product contained in the dispenser decreases as the sheet product is dispensed, the dispenser comprising an ultrasonic level sensor for determining the level of the sheet product contained in the dispenser, wherein the ultrasonic sensor is arranged to direct the ultrasonic beam toward a surface associated with the sheet product, wherein a distance that the beam travels to the surface changes progressively as the level of the sheet product in the dispenser changes from a full condition to an empty condition.

The invention relates to a method for detecting a differential pressure or for correcting a pressure value detected in the fluid on the basis of a pressure of a surrounding medium, wherein at a first point in time the pressure of the surrounding medium is detected and at a later, second point in time the pressure of the fluid is detected, and the pressure value detected in the fluid is corrected on the basis of the pressure of the surrounding medium. The invention furthermore relates to a pump system with a level sensor in which this method is applied, as well as to the use of a pressure sensor in such a pump system.

A fuel level sensor for sensing and monitoring the level of remaining fluid in a container such as a fuel tank for a motorized vehicle is disclosed. The fuel level sensor incorporates an improved float and pivot arm member attached to a hub that rotates about a pivot base. The conventional resistor card technology, commonly found in automotive applications for translating the position of the float into an electrical signal, is replaced by a more reliable non-contact magnetic flux sensing circuit. The fuel level sensor incorporates a magnetic sensor and magnetic circuit in a commonly known and practiced rotational position sensor configuration for determining the angular position of a hub relative to its pivot base, where the hub is attached to a conventional float-arm member and the base remains stationary relative to the fuel container. The preferred embodiment includes a magnetic flux sensor positioned between two movable magnets. The magnetic flux sensing element is a Hall effect integrated circuit, magnetoresistor, magnetodiode, magnetotransistor, or similar magnetic flux sensing element with associated electronic circuitry having adjustable or programmable features including ratiometry, gain, offset voltage, temperature coefficient, and output signal range limiting. Critical electronic components are hermetically sealed making the fuel level sensor fully submersible in fuel for long term fuel exposure.

A variable ice storage assembly for a refrigerator includes a storage cavity adapted to receive ice from an ice maker. The storage assembly is positioned between a light emitter and a receiver of an ice level sensor. The storage assembly can be utilized in a non-reflecting configuration wherein the ice level sensor functions in a standard manner, or a reflecting configuration wherein the sensing level is effectively lowered within the storage assembly. In the reflecting configuration, first and second mirrored inserts, supported by respective insert portions on the storage assembly, cooperate with first and second reflecting plates on the storage assembly to redirect light from the emitter in a circuitous path. A user may position the mirrored inserts at various angles, depending on the level of ice desired within the storage assembly. The storage assembly may be utilized alone, or as in insert within an ice bucket.

The invention provides a level sensor configured to determine a height level of a surface of a substrate, comprising a detection unit arranged to receive a measurement beam after reflection on the substrate, wherein the detection unit comprises an array of detection elements, wherein each detection element is arranged to receive a part of the measurement beam reflected on a measurement subarea of the measurement area, and is configured to provide a measurement signal based on the part of the measurement beam received by the respective detection element, and wherein the processing unit is configured to calculate, in dependence of a selected resolution at the measurement subarea, a height level of the measurement subarea, or to calculate a height level of a combination of multiple measurement subareas.

An airborne surveillance platform supporting optoelectronic and electronic sensors, including level sensors, is automatically stabilized in a horizontal plane by varying the length of two tethers out of three. Error signals from the level sensors are transmitted over a wireless link to control components on a rotating platform on the host vehicle, which automatically vary the length of tethers. Applications include images of the surrounding terrain generated by a video camera and a thermal imager in military, police and civil emergency operations.

A power trailer support structure and leveling system continuously monitors the levelness a trailer containing the machinery train of a mobile power system. The invention can level the power trailer automatically while the gas turbine and electrical generator in the trailer are shut down, and can monitor and provide alarm and shut down protection when the gas turbine and electrical generator are operating. The invention includes a plurality of jacks and level sensors mounted to a power trailer, a programmable logic controller interconnected with the jacks and level sensors, and an interface for displaying jack positions and the output of the level sensors. A plurality of actuator mechanisms provide for automatic and manual control and a plurality of power systems between the actuator mechanisms and the jacks extend and retract the jacks in response to operation of the actuator mechanisms.

A wafer exposure device includes a wafer stage. An optical exposure system exposes a wafer on the wafer stage. A sensor block measures a distance to a wafer provided on the wafer stage. The sensor block includes a plurality of height level sensors. Each height level sensor measures and outputs height level values. The wafer exposure device compares with one another the measured height level values outputted by respective height level sensors. The wafer exposure device calculates individual sensor position offset values to be attributed to the individual height level sensors. The wafer exposure device corrects the measured height level values output by the respective height level sensors using the calculated sensor position offset values of the respective height level sensor.