Systems and methods that use a differential spectral liquid level sensor to measure the level of liquid in a reservoir (e.g., a fuel tank or other storage container). The use of a differential spectral liquid level sensor solves the problem of common-mode intensity variations (i.e., intensity variations not due to the level of the liquid) by having two different wavelengths propagate through the same optical path but have different spectral attenuations in the liquid. By determining the ratio of the received optical powers, common-mode intensity variations can be neutralized, thereby enhancing the accuracy of the received power reading and the resulting liquid level indication.

Systems and methods that use a passive differential optical sensor to measure the level of liquid in a reservoir (e.g., a fuel tank or other storage container). More specifically, the passive differential optical liquid level sensor solves the problem of common-mode intensity variations by employing three optical fibers that will be disposed vertically in the reservoir. The system comprises a side-emitting optical fiber having one end optically coupled to an optical source, a side-receiving optical fiber optically coupled to a first optical detector, and a total internal reflection optical fiber having one end optically coupled to the other end of the side-emitting optical fiber and another end optically coupled to a second optical detector. A computer or processor is configured to perform differential processing of the detected light and then determine the liquid level based on the differential processing results.

A pump assembly with at least one liquid space (32) in an interior. The liquid space (32) contains a liquid or is configured for receiving a liquid. A sensor (34, 42) is arranged in the liquid space (32), which sensor is configured to detect at least one material property of the liquid located in the liquid space (32). A filter element (44) is arranged in the interior of the liquid space (32) such that the filter element (44) shields the sensor (34, 42) with respect to the surrounding liquid space (32), the filter element (44) being permeable to the liquid. A method for controlling a pump assembly is also provided.

The disclosure relates to a method for measuring fill level of a fill substance using terahertz (THz) pulses or for determining distance to an object using terahertz pulses, as well as to a fill-level measuring device suitable for performing such method. The THz pulses are transmitted with a repetition frequency, wherein the repetition frequency according to the invention is controlled in such a manner as a function of travel time that the repetition frequency increases in the case of decreasing travel time and decreases in the case of increasing travel time. The separation or the fill level is determined not based on the measured travel time, but is based on repetition frequency. An exact fill level determination can be performed based on THz pulses, even when the frequency of the THz pulses significantly fluctuates. Consequently, very simply embodied pulse production units with comparatively small requirements for frequency stability of the THz pulses can be used.

A method for monitoring an oil level in a machine includes transmitting a light beam into an optical system to be reflected or refracted to a receiver to generate a reception signal. The light beam is emitted at a set transmission power, and an oil deficiency is recognized when the reception signal exceeds a predefined level value. The transmission power of the light beam is settable between a minimum and a maximum transmission power, and contamination of the optical system is analyzed by: (a) the transmitter transmits a first light beam at the maximum transmission power to generate a first reception signal, and (b) analyzing the difference between the first reception signal and a second reception signal generated by a light beam at less than the maximum transmission power, the magnitude of the difference representing a measure of the degree of contamination of the optical system.

Systems and methods that use a passive differential optical sensor to measure the level of liquid in a reservoir (e.g., a fuel tank or other storage container). More specifically, the passive differential optical liquid level sensor solves the problem of common-mode intensity variations by employing three optical fibers that will be disposed vertically in the reservoir. The system comprises a side-emitting optical fiber having one end optically coupled to an optical source, a side-receiving optical fiber optically coupled to a first optical detector, and a total internal reflection optical fiber having one end optically coupled to the other end of the side-emitting optical fiber and another end optically coupled to a second optical detector. A computer or processor is configured to perform differential processing of the detected light and then determine the liquid level based on the differential processing results.

Systems and methods that use a differential spectral liquid level sensor to measure the level of liquid in a reservoir (e.g., a fuel tank or other storage container). The use of a differential spectral liquid level sensor solves the problem of common-mode intensity variations (i.e., intensity variations not due to the level of the liquid) by having two different wavelengths propagate through the same optical path but have different spectral attenuations in the liquid. By determining the ratio of the received optical powers, common-mode intensity variations can be neutralized, thereby enhancing the accuracy of the received power reading and the resulting liquid level indication.

The present disclosure provides a method and a system for determining the height of a solution in a container in order to amplify and detect a target nucleic acid, the method comprising the steps of: using an illuminator to emit infrared light at the container, which is a colored container; using a detector comprising a photosensor, so as to sense the infrared light passing through the container and refracted, the detector being arranged in the direction of sensing the refracted infrared light; using the sensed refracted infrared light so as to acquire an image; and analyzing the acquired image so as to determine the height of the solution in the container.

A system for measuring product quantity may include a first plurality of sensor assemblies and a second plurality of sensor assemblies, the second plurality of sensor assemblies being laterally opposed to and aligned with the first plurality of sensor assemblies, wherein opposed pairs of sensor assemblies are configured to detect a presence of a product disposed between the opposed pairs of sensor assemblies.

A method for collecting and analyzing operational information from a network of components associated with a liquid energy commodity comprises the steps of: (a) measuring an amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage at one or more storage facilities in the network, and storing that measurement data; (b) determining a flow rate of the liquid energy commodity in one or more selected pipelines in the network, and storing that flow rate data; (c) ascertaining an operational status of one or more processing facilities in the network, and storing that operational status information; (d) analyzing the measurement data, the flow rate data, and the operational status information to determine a balance of the liquid energy commodity in the network or a selected portion thereof at a given time; and (e) communicating information about the balance of the liquid energy commodity to a third-party market participant.