Abstract

An optical switch having a housing, a light source and a light detector. The light source and light detector are located remote from the housing. The light source is connected to the housing with a first light guide, and the light detector is connected to the housing with a second light guide. The first and second light guides have distal ends coupled to the activation, and a part of the activator housing or movable member is a glowable diffuse reflector. The switch moveable member moves in a path in the switch body between an optical path present state and an optical path absent state.

IPC Classes  ?

• G02B 6/26 - Optical coupling means
• G02B 6/35 - Optical coupling means having switching means

Abstract

Techniques related to optical devices are described herein. In an example, an optical device includes (a) an input optical channel and a corresponding output optical channel, and (b) an assembly of sub-wavelength grating layers aligned to optically couple the input optical channel to the output optical channel.

IPC Classes  ?

• G02B 6/34 - Optical coupling means utilising prism or grating
• G02B 6/28 - Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals
• G02B 6/293 - Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means
• G02B 6/38 - Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means

Abstract

An optical switch having a housing, and two optical fibers, that can be connected to a light source and a light detector. The optical switch includes a moveable member that moves from a first position to a second position. In the first position, an optical path is present through the two fibers guide using a reflection or emission of light from the glowable member. In the second position, there is no optical path present through the switch.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 21/49 - Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid
• G06M 7/00 - Counting of objects carried by a conveyor
• G02B 6/35 - Optical coupling means having switching means
• G01F 23/44 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats using bands or wires as transmission elements using electrically actuated indicating means
• G01F 23/70 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type using electrically actuated indicating means for sensing changes in level only at discrete points

Abstract

One embodiment of the invention is a combination of a tank and an optical switch, where the tank has a wall forming an enclosure for holding fluids, and the optical switch has a housing floatable in a liquid stored in the tank, and further has a first light fiber having proximal and distal ends, where the first light fiber is connected to a light source at the distal end, and a second light fiber having proximal and distal ends, the second light fiber connected to a light detector at the distal end, the first and second fibers separated by a gap, and a rigid rod connected to the housing and to the tank enclosure, where the rod moves in response to movement of the housing.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08B 21/00 - Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for

Abstract

An optical switch having a housing, a light source and a light detector. The light source and light detector are located remote from the housing. The light source is connected to the housing with a first light guide, and the light detector is connected to the housing with a second light guide. The first and second light guide cables have distal ends positioned through the housing and a part of the activator housing is a glowable diffuse reflector. The switch includes a moveable member that moves in a path in the switch body between an optical path present state and an optical path absent state.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06M 7/00 - Counting of objects carried by a conveyor
• G01N 21/49 - Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid

Abstract

An optical switch having a housing and optical fibers connectable to a light source and a light detector. The light source and light detector are located remote from the housing. The first and second light guide cables have distal ends positioned in a separator assembly and are optically aligned but separated by a gap. The switch includes a device to modify a light beam, and the device is usually adapted to removably occupy the gap. The switch may be embodied in a float.

IPC Classes  ?

• G02B 6/00 - Light guidesStructural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
• G02B 6/36 - Mechanical coupling means

Abstract

An optical switch having a housing, a light source and a light detector. The light source and light detector are located remote from the housing. The light source is connected to the housing with a first light guide, and the light detector is connected to the housing with a second light guide. The first and second light guide cables have distal ends positioned through the housing and are optically aligned but separated by a gap. The switch includes a device to interrupt a light beam that is usually adapted to removably occupy the gap. The switch may be embodied in a float, and includes part of the switch as a glowable member.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06M 7/00 - Counting of objects carried by a conveyor
• G01N 21/49 - Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid

Abstract

An optical switch having a housing and optical fibers connectable to a light source and a light detector. The light source and light detector are located remote from the housing. The first and second light guide cables have distal ends positioned in a separator assembly and are optically aligned but separated by a gap. The switch includes a device to modify a light beam, and the device is usually adapted to removably occupy the gap. The switch may be embodied in a float.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08B 21/00 - Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for

Abstract

An optical switch having a housing, a light source and a light detector. The light source and light detector are located remote from the housing. The light source is connected to the housing with a first light guide, and the light detector is connected to the housing with a second light guide. The first and second light guide cables have distal ends positioned through the housing and are optically aligned but separated by a gap. The switch includes a device to interrupt a light beam that is usually adapted to removably occupy the gap. The switch may be embodied in a float.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08B 21/00 - Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for

Abstract

An optical switch having a housing, a light source and a light detector. The light source and light detector are located remote from the housing, The light source is connected to the housing with a first light guide, and the light detector is connected to the housing with a second light guide. The first and second light guide cables have distal ends positioned through the housing and are optically aligned but separated by a gap. The switch includes a device to interrupt a light beam that is usually adapted to removably occupy the gap. The switch may be embodied in a float.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08B 21/00 - Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for