SENSOR CASE

Abstract

A sensor case is configured for adjustable positioning of a sensor, mainly for measurement of object content. The sensor case includes an upper cover, a central cover, and a movable element. The upper cover presents an upper cover opening for a measurement beam of the sensor. The central cover is configured for storage of the sensor and presents a central cover opening for the measurement beam of the sensor. The movable element is shaped as a hollow spherical segment and presents element openings for the measurement beam of the sensor. The upper cover and the central cover are interlocked via a dismountable link, so that the upper cover opening for the measurement beam of the sensor in the upper cover and the central cover opening for the measurement beam of the sensor in the central cover are aligned above each other and a space between the upper cover and the central cover is adapted, in its size and shape, for rotary articulated placement of the movable element under the upper cover.

Claims

1. A sensor case is configured for adjustable positioning of a sensor, mainly for measurement of object content, said sensor case comprising: an upper cover presenting an upper cover opening for a measurement beam of the sensor; a central cover configured for storage of the sensor and presenting a central cover opening for the measurement beam of the sensor; and a movable element shaped as a hollow spherical segment and presenting element openings for the measurement beam of the sensor, wherein the upper cover and the central cover are interlocked via a dismountable link, so that the upper cover opening for the measurement beam of the sensor of the upper cover and the central cover opening for the measurement beam of the sensor of the central cover are aligned above each other and a space between the upper cover and the central cover is adapted, in its size and shape, for rotary articulated placement of the movable element under the upper cover.

2. The sensor case according to claim 1, said movable element being shaped as a hollow spherical segment of two bases cut off at opposite places and each element opening for the measurement beam of the sensor is formed by this cutoff.

3. The sensor case according to claim 1, said central cover including a cover body and a cap, with the cap being interlocked with the body of the central cover in an openable or dismountable manner

4. The sensor case according to claim 3, said cap providing a bottom face of the central cover which is positioned against the face of the central cover that carries the upper cover and this bottom face is also being adapted for attachment to the object.

5. The sensor case according to claim 1, said upper cover containing the recess.

6. The sensor case according to claim 1, said movable element being equipped with the scale.

7. The sensor case according to claim 1, further comprising a gasket, with the gasket being located between the central cover and the upper cover.

8. The sensor case according to claim 1, said dismountable connection between the cap and the central cover being provided by screw-bolts.

9. The sensor case according to claim 1, wherein the sensor case is made of polyamide and optical fibers.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing FIGURE, wherein:

[0032] FIG. 1 represents a sensor case according to the present invention.

[0033] The drawing FIGURE does not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawing is not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The invention is further disclosed in more detail in following non-limiting examples of embodiments.

Example No. 1

[0035] A preferred embodiment of a sensor case is shown in FIG. 1. The sensor case is intended for adjustable placement of the sensor, mostly for content measurement inside objects, and includes an upper cover 2 with an upper cover opening 5 for a measurement beam of the sensor, a central cover 3 intended for storage of the sensor with a central cover opening 5 for the measurement beam of the sensor, and a movable element 1. The movable element 1 is shaped as a hollow spherical segment of two bases cut off at opposite ends with openings 6 for the measurement beam of the sensor. The upper cover 2 and the central cover 3 are interlocked via a dismountable link, so that the upper cover opening 5 for the measurement beam of the sensor in the upper cover 2 and the central cover opening 5 for the measurement beam of the sensor in the central cover 3 are aligned above each other and the space between the upper cover 2 and the central cover 3 is adapted, in its size and shape, for rotary articulated placement of the movable element 1 under the upper cover 2.

[0036] Between the upper cover 2 and the central cover 3, a movable element 1 is placed shaped as spherical segment. The opening 5 of the upper cover 2 is circular with a recess 7, and the diameter of the opening 5 is smaller than the diameter of the section across the center of the movable element. This ensures that after placing the movable element 1 between the central cover 3 and upper cover 2, the movable element remains in place and cannot fall out. The movable element 1 is preferably located within the space between the upper cover 2 and the central cover 3 and can be rotated in an articulated fashion. As needed, the position of the movable element 1 is set so that the element opening 6 is oriented in the desired direction and the movable element 1 is simply anchored in this position by completely closing the dismountable link so that the link is fixed and movement of the movable element is limited even under rough treatment. A simple release of the dismountable link allows for movement and re-adjustment of the movable element 1 with re-direction of the opening 6 for the measurement beam of the sensor and this setting is fixated again by firm interlocking of the dismountable link.

[0037] The central cover 3 holds the sensor. The central cover 3 is equipped with a cap 4, which is interlocked with the central cover 3 in a dismountable fashion. Dismountable connection between the cap 4 and the central cover 3 can be realized using screw-bolts. The cap 4 serves for insertion and replacement of the sensor, for easier and better attachment of the sensor within the central cover 3 as well as protection of the sensor from contamination.

[0038] In this example of embodiment, the cap 4 represents the bottom face of the central cover 3, which is positioned against the face of the central cover 3 that carries the upper cover 2 and this bottom face also contains openings for attachment to the object using screw-bolts. Firm link between the case and the object can also be achieved by other common connecting techniques but the most preferable is dismountable link, which allows for removal of the case from the object when needed.

[0039] The upper cover 2 contains a recess 7. The recess allows for easier manipulation of the movable element and also allows for a larger range of measurement beam direction.

[0040] A scale is painted on the movable element 1 and, preferably, this specific example of embodiment uses serigraphy. This is used mainly when mounting the sensor for simpler and faster adjustment of the sensor beam direction. The scale can be used by assembly workers for simple orientation during sensor fitting so that unified beam direction is achieved.

[0041] The link between the central cover 3 and the upper cover 2 is preferably waterproof. Waterproofness is achieved by inserting a gasket, such as O-ring.

[0042] The depicted sensor case is made of high-strength polyamide and optical fibers, which is preferable from the point of the sensor placement and use.

Example No. 2

[0043] Identical with the example of embodiment 1, with the difference in that the cap 4 is connected with the central cover 3, and is openable by, hinges and a valve.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0044] The technical solution can be used to/for content measurement of objects, for example containers with liquid or solid contents, such as, but not limited to, garbage cans, water reservoirs, oil reservoirs, hoppers, silos, containers, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0045] 1 Movable element

[0046] 2 Upper cover

[0047] 3 Central cover

[0048] 4 Cap

[0049] 5 The opening of the upper cover and the central cover

[0050] 6 The opening of the movable element

[0051] 7 Recess