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.

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.

An optical liquid level detection sensor includes a light source for emitting a light beam, a liquid contact surface, and a light detector, where the light source is arranged to emit a light beam towards the liquid contact surface, which liquid contact surface reflects or transmits the light beam in dependence of liquid being present on the liquid contact surface, where the light detector is arranged to receive the light beam after reflection on the liquid contact surface, where the sensor includes an at least partially transparent ring element, and where the liquid contact surface is formed by an outer surface of the ring element.

An optical sensor enables a level of reflective fluid to be detected. The optical sensor includes a prism mounted at one end of a housing. The prism has an exterior surface that is parallel to the end of the housing and a width that corresponds to a width of the end of the housing. A photoemitter and a photodetector are mounted at another end of the housing to enable light emitted by the photoemitter to be reflected by the prism when the prism contacts reflective fluid and to enable light emitted by the photoemitter to pass out of the sensor when the prism is in contact with air.

In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a sensor for measuring at least one physical or chemical parameter of a cartridge or syringe filled with a liquid substance. In further aspects the disclosure relates to a cartridge equipped with such a sensor as well as to a drug delivery device equipped with such a cartridge, wherein the sensor comprises: a planar flexible foil arrangeable to an outer circumference of a barrel of the cartridge or syringe, at least a first and a second measuring electrode arranged on said foil, and at least a first and a second contact electrode arranged on said foil, wherein the first contact electrode is connected to the first measuring electrode and wherein the second contact electrode is connected to the second measuring electrode.

The invention relates to a system (1, 100) for detecting a filling state of a vial (22, 220) of a diffuser (2, 200), the vial containing a product intended to be diffused, the system comprising an acquisition unit (3, 300) provided with an optical sensor (4, 400b) intended to be arranged opposite the vial in order to acquire at least one light beam that has passed through the vial, a processing unit (5, 450) designed to detect, from the light beam, whether a filling level (n) of the vial is lower than a predetermined threshold, and a communication unit (6, 460) designed to send a notification (N) regarding the filling level to a remote electronic device (8, 800) depending on said detection.

A method and system for monitoring and managing fluid levels. The method involves registering the fluid level monitoring system over cellular networks to connect with one or more servers. A user interface is provided through a dedicated application or web browser, enabling users to set alert thresholds and access live feeds and data analytics. The system activates one or more cameras and flashlights when the fluid level reaches a predetermined threshold, capturing a photograph of the interior conditions and transmitting it to the user with an alert notification. Additionally, the system detects any alteration in orientation using accelerometers when the monitoring system becomes submerged, thereby triggering an alert to the user. This method and system enhance fluid management by providing real-time monitoring and responsive alerts, ensuring users can swiftly address fluid level changes.

The disclosure provides example apparatus and methods for monitoring EVD and LD drainage systems and generating alerts. The example apparatus includes (a) a U-shaped housing having a first end and a second end, where the first end and the second end of the U-shaped housing are configured to be arranged on opposing sides of a vessel, (b) a photodiode coupled to the first end of the U-shaped housing, (c) a laser diode coupled to the second end of the U-shaped housing, where the laser diode and the photodiode are arranged in the housing facing each other such that a contact layer of the photodiode is configured to receive a laser beam emitted from the laser diode, and (d) an alert processor electrically coupled to the photodiode and to at least one alert generator.

A trap bowl is provided to accumulate liquid droplets from a filter, as a liquid content. The trap bowl includes a transparent vertical prism. The transparent vertical prism includes a face that forms a vertical transparent surface facing against a content of the section. The face can provide a first angle of total reflection when content of the section is a type of gas, and a second angle of total reflection when the content of the section is the liquid content. A light source may emit a light beam incident on the face at an angle of incidence. The angle of incidence results in reflection of the light beam, striking the light receiver, when the face has the first angle of total reflection, and results in refraction of the light beam, missing the light receiver, when the face has the second angle of total reflection.

A sensor device for detection of water, having an inlet connector with an inlet opening, and at least one sensor element, wherein the inlet connector is exposed to or connected to a source of water, the inlet opening forms at least a part of a reservoir for reception of the water from the source of water, the reservoir is in fluid communication with a vent that vents the reservoir to the surrounding air and the sensor element is positioned within or adjacent to the inlet opening and/or the reservoir, such that it protrudes into the reservoir or forms an interface of the reservoir.