CN101680646B

CN101680646B - Optical switch

Info

Publication number: CN101680646B
Application number: CN2007800531850A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 罗利·L·考克斯; 克里斯多佛·E·考克斯
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-31
Filing date: 2007-05-31
Publication date: 2013-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2027-05-31
Also published as: KR101356592B1; BRPI0721740A2; WO2008147415A1; KR20100030636A; CN101680646A; MX2009012915A; HK1143628A1; CA2687514A1; EP2165115A4; EP2165115A1

Abstract

An optical switch having a housing [1], a light source [3] and a light detector [5]. The light source [3] and the light detector [5] are located remote from the housing. The light source [5] is connected to the housing with a first light guide [2], and the light detector [5] is connected to the housing with a second light guide [2]. 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 the light beam.

Description

A kind of optical switch

Invention field

The present invention relates to mainly be used in the switch of hazardous environment, the switch of the detecting liquid level that for example is used in jar or start the switch of the instrument in the hazardous environment.

Background of invention

There is the dangerous of blast in many working environments or have the risk of electric shock.Hazardous environment is pumping plant or comprise gas danger and/or inflammable or volatile that will aspirate or the jar of liquid and chemicals.Generally in this class is used, use float switch to survey the horizontal plane (see figure 2) of the startup of pump, but float switch generally make electric current through being contained in electric wire and the switch in the float body, for example is positioned at the mercoid switch in the float body.Electric wire from float switch arrive be positioned at jar or the cellar for storing things is outside and be positioned at the outside, deathtrap control panel (or other equipment).Some professional control panels are explosion-proof and can be positioned in the deathtrap.Along with the rising of liquid in the jar, float body tilts, and ball or conducting liquid, mercury for example, and the contact of mobile and contact electric switch or some kinds causes switch activated.So electric current arrives switch from control panel through electric wire, form circuit.All there is the danger of spark in these, and if along the damage of circuit generation insulating barrier, can cause blast.

Some jars that comprise flammable liquid or gas use ultrasonic level to survey, and send the ping string to liquid surface, return then.The transmission time of wave beam is used for determining that (device of some replacements uses radar or microwave radiation to replace sound wave as the energy bag to liquid level, and in horizontal plane is surveyed, use other detection technologies, such as magnetostriction, the water-immersed pressure transducer of energy, diffuser, electric capacity etc.).In jar or cellar for storing things, do not use electric current, and transmitter and receiver be positioned at the outside of hazardous environment, be installed in usually on the surface of outer pot, and sensor device be positioned in the jar.This technology generally is not used in long-rangely signals to equipment, for example at the signal of discrete levels engaged/disengaged pump (for example constant displacement pump), because these horizontal plane detectors will be surveyed all liquid levels, require other logic circuit to select pump operated predetermined height or horizontal plane, therefore increased for example complexity and the cost of such system.

In some hazardous environments, use anti-explosion container to hold instrument or the device that has possible sparking danger, for example controller, pump, motor etc.Though the pump or other the device that are positioned in the hazardous environment are contained in the explosion-proof casing, these devices must by the signal of telecommunication (such as, be the device power supply) start or cancel.Startup is finished away from hazardous environment, to reduce the possibility of blast.Therefore, as operator during in the working site, unless starting drive in explosion-proof casing, otherwise the operator can not manually boot/cancel the device in the deathtrap.Expectation uses the switch that is positioned in the hazardous environment to manually boot/cancel the device of electricity consumption, and makes switch the danger of electric arc not occur forming, and not necessarily is positioned in the explosion-proof casing.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is the optics starting switch that is used in the hazardous environment, (also be expected at not dangerous environment use) and in one embodiment, switch activated parts are contained in the floating housing and are used for sending the signal that needs operating pumps or other devices.As discussing, switch is the device with the state (ON/OFF, on/off, opened/closed or the indication of other states) that can be used for controlling electronic equipment.The light beam from the transmitter that is positioned at hazardous environment outside (" outside of hazardous environment " comprises the position in anti-explosion container or the housing) is used in the invention of this switch, arrives the switching device that is positioned at the deathtrap through overload optical cable, optical fiber, light pipe or photoconduction (all think " photoconduction ").Position or " state " (light path interruption based on switch, or light path is finished), light can advance to photo-detector state, electricity consumption or the receiver that is positioned at outside, deathtrap search switch, and circuit can work to start or cancel the equipment of electricity consumption, for example pump or motor based on described state.Can utilize several devices to disconnect or interrupt light path.The controller that described switch connects can be configured to, based on detecting light or not detecting light and start pump or device.

The invention provides a kind of optical switch, comprise and have inner housing, with electric light source with use electro-optical detector, described light source and described photo-detector are away from described housing, described light source is connected to described housing with first photoconduction, described photo-detector is connected to described housing with second photoconduction, described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction have the far-end that navigates in the described housing, and in described inside, described far-end by a gap separately, described optical switch also has the change device of the received characteristic of change light beam, and it is movable between position A and position B that described change device is fit to about at least one far-end in the described far-end of described first photoconduction and second photoconduction.

The present invention also provides a kind of optics float body switch, comprise and have inner housing, first photoconduction and second photoconduction, described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction have the far-end that navigates in the described housing, and in described inside, described far-end by a gap separately, described optical switch also has the change device of the received characteristic of change light beam, it is movable between position A and position B that described change device is fit to about at least one far-end in the described far-end of described first photoconduction and second photoconduction, described far-end at least one position optical alignment in described position A or B, and described switch is floatable.

The present invention also provides a kind of optical switch, comprise housing, with electric light source with use electro-optical detector, described light source and described photo-detector are away from described housing, described light source is connected to described housing with first photoconduction, described photo-detector is connected to described housing with second photoconduction, described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction have the far-end that is positioned in the described housing, and described far-end is divided by a gap, and described optical switch comprises the device of changing beam propagation properties, and the device of described change beam propagation properties is fit to move between position A and position B about at least one far-end in the far-end of described optical alignment.

The present invention also provides a kind of optical switch, comprise and have inner housing, use electric light source and use electro-optical detector, described light source and described photo-detector are away from described housing, described light source is connected to described housing with first photoconduction, described photo-detector is connected to described housing with second photoconduction, described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction have the far-end that is positioned in the described housing, and one of described far-end can the primary importance of aiming at the described distal end optical of described second photoconduction and and the described far-end of described second photoconduction unmovable between the second place of optical alignment.

The present invention also provides the method for the liquid level of a kind of detection in the explosive environment of danger, said method comprising the steps of: in a dangerous explosive environment, dispose aforesaid optical switch, from away from the described light source luminescent of the explosive environment of described danger for described first photoconduction transmission, and the described optical receiver that is used in away from the position of the explosive environment of described danger checks that described second photoconduction is with or without light.

The invention target

Target of the present invention is the switch that obtains using in the position of switch passive electric current or resistance.

The accompanying drawing summary

Fig. 1 has described the float body that optics starts.

Figure 1A is the details of the float body of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 has described traditional float body.

Fig. 3 has described the float body of the optics startup with damper switch.

Fig. 4 is the profile of the float body of Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 A is the details of separator assembly of the float body of Fig. 4.

Fig. 5 has described machinery or manually operated switch.

Fig. 6 has described another embodiment of float body switch.

Fig. 7 has described another embodiment that the float body of ring retard switch is arranged.

Fig. 8 has described the heaving pile of the switch that is used for the float body realization.

Fig. 9 has described lamp and the spacing optical switch that is positioned in the hazardous environment.

Figure 10 is the typical circuit figure in conjunction with switch, and is used to the device power supply.

Figure 11 has described the vertical view that two parallel arrow-necked bottles with side optical fibers (ampoule) are arranged, two optical fiber at position A place by reflection bar position optical alignment, two optical fiber at position B place by the position of reflection bar optical alignment (or optical interrupt) not.

Figure 12 shows to be used for delaying switch by the animation of the magnet of the operation of previously selected range of movement.

Figure 13 A has described when pump chamber is filled, the operation of wide angle float body.

Figure 13 B has described when pump chamber during by step-down, the operation of wide angle float body.

Figure 14 has described and has used oar to insert the float body embodiment of the switch of separator assembly.

Detailed Description Of The Invention

Fig. 1 is presented at the embodiments of the present invention in the float body.The present invention includes the device that housing 1, two photoconductions 2 (after this being described as optical cable), light source 3 and interruption or change are aimed at, here by between far-end, inserting object.The housing that shows has inner area.Two optical cables 2 navigate to 1 li of housing.Each optical cable is at cursory housing 1 place or in 1 li termination of cursory housing.The end of optical cable (or far away) end be positioned in the housing close to each other, but by gap 10 (seeing Fig. 1 details A) separately.Gap 10 generally is positioned at 6 li of the separator assemblies of 1 li of housing.Separator assembly is determined the relation of optical fiber cable termination and is kept the gap, though this relation can be determined by independent use housing.Gap length can change, and the 0.01-0.5 inch is fit to major applications, but can be bigger.Some photo-detectors can pass the light radiation that occurs up to 4 inches gap by sensing.The end of two optical cables is answered " optical alignment ", in other words, the light that sends from a terminal will be propagated the terminal that the part by gap (if use reflecting material, for example speculum suitably reflects the light beam that sends, may along winding raod directly) and the light that transmits will enter second optical cable.This part that enters must enough allow photo-detector can survey the existence of light radiation.For example, two optical cables are parallel with 45 ° of reflecting surfaces that are positioned at optical fiber connector, so though two optical fiber are parallel, " optical alignment ".Two optical cable ends certain distance of can setovering, and if catch sufficient light and transmission by being connected to the optical cable of photo-detector, optical alignment still is to start optical receiver.Partly, the degree of biasing will depend on the sensitiveness of photo-detector and the intensity in source.Suitable source and detector can find at www.fiberopticproducts.com: for example source E97 (ruddiness 660 nanometers, flash of light) and detector D92.Use these sources and detector, have 1 inch the biasing still can probe source in about 1 inch gap.

Shown in the details A of Fig. 1, separator assembly 6 generally comprises inner room 6A, and the terminal of an optical cable 2 is positioned at the wall of contiguous inner room, in the wall of inner room or on the wall at inner room, and the terminal of another root optical cable 2 is positioned on the relative wall of inner room 6A, the two ends optical alignment.Separator assembly generally is the assembly that can remove from the inside of float body, and optical cable is positioned on this assembly.The applicant believes to set up to have the optical cable of connection and to be inserted into separator assembly in the float body than only using optical cable to insert or to be connected to the inside of the hollow in the inwall of float body more effective, and design although it is so is feasible and within the scope of the invention.Separator assembly is optional, but preferred.For example, Fig. 4 shows the separator assembly 6 of the plastics arrow-necked bottle 5 that comprises glass or cleaning.Arrow-necked bottle comprises slider bar, spheroid or cylinder (or other shapes) 10A, and has by using clip or collar 11 to be coupling in two photoconductions on the opposite side of arrow-necked bottle outside.Separator assembly 6 is positioned in the inside of float body, and separator assembly will for example be fixedly located in float body inside with epoxy resin or frictional fit usually.As shown in Figure 4, collar 12 is used for arrow-necked bottle is fixed on the position of inside of float body, and in some situations, collar 12 act as the impost of the center of gravity of change buoyancy and float body as required.Weight can be plumbous or other dense materials, for example wraps in the metallic particles in corrosion-resistant (preferred environmental protection) material.Clip 11 and the collar 12 combinable (not shown)s.The details of clip 11 shows in Fig. 4 details A.In the embodiment of non-floating, separator assembly is not preferred.

The separator assembly of replacing shows at Figure 14.Separator is flat blade 60, is made of flexiplast.Clip 61 forms at blade, to hold arrow-necked bottle and optical cable.Blade 60 is inserted into the bottom 1/2 of housing 1A and is fixed in the appropriate location.By the bottom package of blade is fixed blade to housing parts 1A, stay the top section free bend of blade.The top of housing 1B is connected to bottom 1A then, for example welds by RF.As showing, there not be to form the top of the blade 60 that the top with float body housing 1B matches, with top (arrow-necked bottle present position) bending in response to impulsive force that allows blade.For example, the operator has known by tether and waves float body and float body is thrown away " cleaning " float body on the wall suddenly.

In embodiment shown in Figure 1, housing 1 is floatable, and optical cable " is housing 1 " to fixing point, allows float body to rise and fall in the scope of absolute altitude with medium.Two optical cables 2 are included in the single fiber optic cable structure of describing after a while.Wherein an optical fiber cable is connected to light source 3, and another optical cable is connected to photo-detector 5.Light source 3 can be any suitable source, for example laser, incandescent lamp, sunshine, light emitting diode and be commonly referred to as the light of any electromagnetic radiation, but for optical fiber, preferably, light source will be made up of visible light, infrared light, sunshine and ultraviolet light; More preferably, the light from about 300 nanometers to about 30,000 nanometer frequencies.Preferred light source 3 and optical receiver or detector 5 will be positioned at control panel or other devices (they not necessarily are positioned at together) lining of outside, deathtrap, and have only optical cable will advance to arrival housing 1 in the deathtrap.

Shown in the details A of Fig. 1, the inner room 6A of separator assembly 6 produces the gap that needs between optical cable 2 terminals.Being positioned in the inner room 6A is the device that interrupts optical alignment 10, for example can roll or slidably ball or bar or cylinder, or be positioned at the opaque fluid of partially filled chamber in the inner room.If housing is floating, the housing floating at some horizontal plane will tilt (because its effect that is bound to the optical cable of inside or external stability weight hitches, or housing is connected to another fixture with optical cable or tether) and along with it tilts, the device that interrupts optical alignment will move in inner room owing to centrifugal force.If movement degree is abundant, the device that interrupts optical alignment will be blocked the light path between two terminals of (or opening) optical fiber cable 2.Therefore, if housing 1 is fixture (just, housing is not floating but be fixed on the height of expectation on medium), the device that interrupts optical alignment can be flotation arm or the floating barrier that is positioned in the inner room 6A of housing.Along with the water surface is elevated to the horizontal plane of housing, flotation arm or floating barrier will rise (more as floating limit switch) with break beam (or opening light beam).In this situation, switch will have the device of stationary housing absolute altitude, clamp for example, and housing is connected to the structure in the hazardous environment, constant displacement pump or be connected to storing dangerous container of material for example.For example, shown a kind of embodiment at Fig. 6, its middle shell is circular cylindrical shell 100, and the two ends of the inside 101 of center hollow are all open to external environment condition.Housing can be fixed on the position in the hazardous environment.Opaque float body 102 is absorbed in inside.The two ends of hollow inside 101 have the well strainer that covers opening, and float body is retained in the hollow inside.Two optical cable 104A are positioned on the relative side of inside 101 with 104B.Along with indoor fluid rises, float body 102 rises and will block light path between two optical cable 104A and the 104B.As mentioned above, optical cable not necessarily must be positioned on the relative side, but but must be optical alignment or optical alignment.

Owing to switch is arranged in the floatable housing, optical fiber will and fall and crooked with the liter of float body.Through after a while, the bending of optical fiber can cause fracture or the disconnection of optical fiber, has destroyed the function of switch potentially.In order to help to alleviate this problem, preferred quite solid heaving pile design.What Fig. 8 showed is a kind of suitable design 250.Two optical cables 150 (be shown as diameter 1mm here, coat with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating 100) are positioned at the inside of crust member 300, and the water-proof jacket of 0.020 inch thick PVC mold pressing is used for strengthening intensity here.Can be positioned in the optical cable more than two optical fiber.Optical fiber cable or light guide configurations are 160 li of the filler materials of the inside of mold pressing crust 300.As shown in Figure 8, the filler material is the superfine polyethylene fibre as hair, is included in 200 li of paper bags all.As making up, the inside of heaving pile 250 is filled up substantially, is that optical fiber stays very little freedom of movement in inside.Shown in design in, preferred two optical fiber all are wrapped by to prevent the switch short circuit (particularly for using side heating optical cable (not preferred), for end heating optical cable, need not do like this) in the optical cable.Tether length for long preferably includes and forces solid optical cable, and for example steel, Kevlar, carbon fiber etc. are in the heaving pile structure or be connected to the optical cable of heaving pile structure.Fig. 8 shows the optical cable that holds two optical fiber.Optical cable can comprise more than two optical fiber.

In comprising the float body embodiment of optical switch because the inherent instability in the float body embodiment, float body can arrive switch will light path open " blocking-up " position or light path are closed or " finishing " position between the position of " swing ".For example, the position of float body is owing to the surface wave of fluid environment is shaken.The shake of this float body can cause that the slip or the tourelle (or switching starter) that are positioned at float body internal interrupt optical alignment move back and forth, cause on off state motion (attention rapidly between open and close, switch " is opened " and be may be interpreted as that light path is blocked or light path is finished, and depends on the state how device that is connected to on-off circuit disposes responding to switch).In order to reduce " swing " of switch, use damper switch by comprising the device that suppresses switching starter or the device that interrupts optical alignment.Optical switch can suppress by multiple device.For example, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 details A, arrow-necked bottle is full of or part is full of damping fluid 110, for example mineral oil or other transparent or light-transmissive fluid.Fluid in the arrow-necked bottle satisfies two purposes, lubricated (helping prevent the wall of the interrupting device scratch arrow-necked bottle that rolls or slide and the optical characteristics that may change the arrow-necked bottle wall) also serves as damping force, produce pulling force at slider bar or ball, reduce the unexpected motion of slider bar or ball.When using damping fluid, preferably fluid separates (for example by liquid is included in the arrow-necked bottle) with photoconduction, pollutes the photoconduction far-end to avoid damping fluid.The amount of the fluid in the arrow-necked bottle can be full of variation fully from several dripping to.

Alternatively, slider bar, ball, cylinder or other structures can be used with shaggy texture edge (or the inner wall surface of arrow-necked bottle is coarse or the ridge of interpolation arranged), cause stoping the additional surface area of additional friction power of the unexpected motion of slider bar with generation.For example, Fig. 7 shows ring or the endless belt that is positioned at 6 li of separator assembly chambers.Roller ball is as sliding component.Ring in the shell chamber guarantees do not have enough big motion to roll across under the situation of encircling the ridge that produces to allow ball at housing, and the ball that is positioned in the chamber will can not move to position B (blocking-up) from position A (opening).The final position of ball can not changing than minor swing owing to the float body position.Same, can use the vessel of hourglass shape, the neck of hourglass can pass through sliding ball, specially designed segmentation cylinder, other bascules or other photoresistances device (such as, opaque liquid) that breaks.In this situation, the shape of use chamber is come the swing of gauge tap.

The other method that solves the switch swing is permission optical flare, flash of light or beats periodically, and the change of on off state is surveyed by the pulse that is with or without suitable quantity.For example, if light path begins to be blocked, and state changes, and (detects group flashing light detecting a plurality of continuous light pulses, such as 5 times, survey in predetermined time interval be with or without the flash of light that pre-determines quantity and help to reduce the switch swing) after will notice change; If light path is blocking-up not, after surveying the light pulse that does not have quantification or glisten in the predetermined time interval so, detect the change of state.Generally not preferably not like this, because it has increased the complexity of the circuit that is attached to switch, but be that the place of problem is useful in the life-span of light source.

The other method that solves the switch swing is not use the light source of constant " opening ".Replace with, the source can keep closing up to its state of switch " inquiry ".For example, be attached to the electronic device of switch, controller (such as PLC or microcontroller) for example, per second inquiry on off state, and open light source once at the time of appointment per second, and " observation " state of returning, for example light is blocked or light appears at and returns optical fiber.Alternatively, it is bright that light keeps, and inquire about the state of switch at photo-detector.Again, not preferably not like this, because it has increased the complexity of the circuit that is attached to switch.In order to reduce the switch swing, to the selected time cycle, the change of on off state should be consistent.

The other method that reduces the switch swing is to use the magnet that is positioned at suitably in the separator assembly or use the structure of mainly being made up of the magnetic interaction material in conjunction with cylinder or slider bar.Figure 12 shown description slip magnetic interaction cylinder or fuse (the cold formation of 18-8 here 3/16 " D * 1/2 " L type stainless steel cylinder (expression sometimes has 300 series stainless steels of about 18% chromium and 8% nickel)) the animation of motion in arrow-necked bottle, " shape of a hoof " magnet is positioned at the inside of float body, and the two ends of horseshoe are near side or the end of arrow-necked bottle.The demonstration horse-shoe magnet is for the purpose of explaining and not preferred.Along with float body moves through position D from position A, " making progress " rotation, fuse " clings " arrow-necked bottle near magnet, such as near the magnets N utmost point.Before the E of position or at position E, centrifugal force overcomes magnetic force, and therefore fuse opens the light path by arrow-necked bottle to lower slider.Along with float body is rotated down (not shown) from position E, fuse will cling the arrow-necked bottle near the S utmost point of horse-shoe magnet again, and before the A of position or position A will discharge during when the float body home position.As used herein, faint magnetic interaction means, (or vice versa for specific magnet and fuse or bascule, the place of magnet movement), the magnetic force that is applied between fuse or device and the magnet enough overcomes the centrifugal force that acts on the fuse, therefore allow to discharge fuse at certain point, as the subvertical position of fuse, as shown in figure 12.

The magnetizability of the weight of intensity, fuse that the actual point of release of fuse can be by the change magnet or the material of fuse changes.In use, the position changeableization of magnet.For example, at Figure 12 details A, two magnet M1 and M2 can be positioned at every end of arrow-necked bottle or chamber or near every end (inside of chamber or outside) (by using the magnet of two kinds of varying strengths, fuse is different from the point of release that is rotated down at the point of release that rotates up) of arrow-necked bottle or chamber.Other structures are possible, for example use single circle type magnet of the centre be positioned at surrounded chamber or are positioned near the centre of chamber magnetic stripe, or use magnet as fuse and weak magnetic material is positioned at every end of arrow-necked bottle or chamber.

Use the fuse of magnet and magnetic interaction allow switch selected scope remain on it last structure (such as, finish the light path of light path or interruption).Allow float body to be operating as " wide angle " float body switch like this.Figure 13 has shown the operation of typical wide angle switch pump.At Figure 13 A, pump chamber is full of fluid, and pump maintenance " pass ", up to float body in-position B.At position B, pump is opened.Shown in Figure 13 B, pump keeps " opening ", extracts fluid out up to in-position A, and this moment, pump cut out.

Use the photoconduction of optical alignment and by inserting the device that object interrupts optical alignment as the switch of describing.Alternatively, photoconduction is by from reflex activity the member for example light path of reflection bar reflection and optical alignment.The sufficient movement of slip object destroys reflection path, and therefore causes the far-end misalignment of photoconduction.At this structure, switching starter (slider bar, cylinder, ball etc.) is the device that interrupts optical alignment according to suitable motion.For example, optical fiber can be parallel, but setovers, and is positioned at the outside of arrow-necked bottle, as shown in figure 11.The sliding reflection bar is positioned at that (arrow-necked bottle can have the track that slides into for reflection bar in the arrow-necked bottle, or suitable moulding (such as, right-angle prism), to keep the orientation of reflection bar in arrow-necked bottle, yet, if the receiver sensitivity is used reflection circle cylinder or ball so in the cylinder arrow-necked bottle, because some scattered lights will be detected by sensitive detector, D92 detector for example).When reflection bar inserts between the far-end (position A), reflecting surface produces optical alignment.When not inserting bar, optical alignment destroyed (position B).

Replacement moving object and change optical alignment between the optical fiber far-end, one end (or two ends) of optical fiber can be movable between the second place of primary importance that distal end optical is aimed at and non-optical aligning, for example by the motion one end (such as, that end is installed on the slider bar) come sufficient movement make to interrupt optical alignment, or make two end motions, to aim at far-end or to interrupt optical alignment, for example get involved between the end of two optical fiber up to fixing object by consistent two optical fiber that move.Not preferred these are arranged, because the motion of optical fiber stress application on optical fiber, and the motion that repeats can cause fibercuts.

Floating housing 1 can enough many modes make up.A kind of such mode is to use foam in two parts model, in separator assembly is wrapped in (or by the two halves float body is welded together).Housing also can be made of the two halves that are welded together by glue or heat, and separator assembly is positioned in the housing.Any floating object can get out or carve out, and separator assembly (if use) can insert the inside, makes sealing in many ways then, comprises injection molding forming method.

Receiver or detector 5 can be positioned in the control panel of outside, deathtrap or other devices, and do not require with light source and be positioned at.Many commercial device to the luminous energy sensitivity, the device that for example comprises photo eye or photistor is suitable as photo-detector or receiver.Light is arranged or do not have light to indicate the position of floating housing in environment by switch in the receiver detection.The duty of switch can be carried out particular task as recoil simulator, for example begins or stop pump.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiment of float body.For example, switch block (device of housing, photoconduction, interruption optical alignment and light source and photo-detector) can be as the switch of any kind.For example, Fig. 5 has shown the device switch.Switch has housing 200 (being the plate that two vertical edges are arranged) here, and first photoconduction 201 and second photoconduction 202 are installed to 200 li of housings and are divided by a gap, but optical alignment.One of them photoconduction is connected to light source, and another is connected to photo-detector.Slide block 210 is slidably mounted to plate.Motion between the position of slide block between photoconduction 202 and 201 (such as, position A, blocking-up transmission, and position B allow transmission).Fig. 5 describes " slip " switchtype, but the switchgear of any kind can use optics, comprise tumbler switch, push-button switch, swinging switch; rocker type switch; the switch that key starts; limit switch; the manual or mechanically operated switch of degree of approach switch or other types; be the operation of float body switch opposing gravity by manual or mechanically activated (such as the operation of relays of switching starter); the operation of switch is sheltered or blocked light path or otherwise interrupts two optical alignments (or as describe after a while, change the source light-transfer characteristic) between the photoconduction.

The same with the switch of general objects, optical switch can be in conjunction with the device of the receiving feature of changing light beam, and the permission switch has multiple " state " rather than simply opens or closes.Such switch can be used for optional setting (for example selecting the speed of electrode) if come control device or the variable that allows is analog variable, and switch can be operating as " dim switch " or continuous variable switch.For example, slider bar can be ladder density optical filter or ladder transmission optical filter, for example can from Edmund optics (www.edmundoptics.com) obtain as model 147-524,147-525,147-526 or 147-527.These model optical filters have 11 different transmission characteristic districts (for example different density, the therefore amplitude characteristic of the light of change transmission).In this embodiment, slider bar is not all blocked the light path of all positions on the bar, but the general part transmission that allows by this slider bar.Therefore, slider bar can be determined based on the amount of the light that is received by optical receiver behind the process slider bar about the relative position of the optical cable end in float body inside or the separator assembly.Therefore, transmission can be used for allowing device to act as multiposition switches by the amount of the light of slider bar, has the device of controllable position with control.

Replace the transmission of change light by the degree of slider bar, the characteristic of the source light that other parameters can be used for more relocating the receiving, for example polarization or frequency.For example, have four different colours districts if bar slides, transmission will change in color or frequency based on the position of slider bar about light source by the light of slider bar.So the relative position of slider bar (as receiving the optical detection of different colours or frequency) can be used for carrying out different functions (such as, beginning pump 1, beginning pump 2 etc.).Also can use the continuous of transmission characteristic or simulation gradient to replace the ladder bar to control variable speed electric motors, particularly as the switch of " dimmer " type.The switch of the dimmer of another type or continuous variable type has two polarizing filters, one fix one rotatable, the far-end of optical fiber is aimed at by polarized lens.By rotating one of them polarizing filter (for example by machinery or manually boot switching starter), the amplitude of the light of transmission can change in a continuous manner.Below all be considered to change the mode of the characteristic that light beam receives.In fact the device of optical alignment " interrupt " also is " device of the characteristic that the change light beam receives " because change be by the misalignment operation of far-end or by between far-end, inserting light tight object non-transmitting beam or receiving beam not.

Further, optical switch can regulate " three-point switch " or multipole, throw the type switch more.Special application needs other optical fiber or light source/receiver.For example, for three-point switch, each switch has three optical fiber far-ends (representing source, common port and the ring (traveler) of living here)." ring of living " optical fiber is operated between two switches.Each three-way switch comprises speculum or other reflecting surfaces, is provided in the switch at the optical alignment between ring or the common port of living in " source line " and each switch, and interrupts the optical alignment in non-selected path.Just, the light beam in the three-way switch has two by the potential route of switch, and passes through the route selection path (by the motion of switching starter) of switch.Again, replace the motor reflex surface, optical fiber can move by console switch.

Usually, for the switch embodiment of describing, housing (or comprising that part of of the far-end of photoconduction and gap therebetween (for example separator assembly) at least) will be directly against sunshine, and preferred housing self is directly against sunshine together with switching starter or actuator (slide block, button, trigger etc.), for manual operation, expand housing to.In order to keep the external light source (for example surround lighting) that the optical switch parts are isolated may provide false readings, the far-end of photoconduction is positioned at enclosure interior.If surround lighting be not problem (such as, light source is not universal frequency, or uses the burst of light, or uses high orientation optical fiber etc.), housing need not be against sunshine, and only be used for limiting the gap between the far-end of photoconduction, and is for example shown in Figure 5.

The switch of describing can be positioned in the hazardous environment, for example is close to the explosion-proof casing that (or being connected to) comprises device (for example, the motor in the inside of explosion-proof casing or pump).The light source of switch utilization and photo-detector can be positioned at remote switch panel or other remote-control devices, but and if need location-independent.Alternatively, source and detector can be positioned at the inside of explosion-proof casing, and from the photoconduction of switch (in hazardous environment) by explosion-proof connector (inside of anti-explosion container is considered to away from hazardous environment) in accordance with regulations route send to the inside of explosion-proof casing.See Fig. 9,1000 operations of display optical lamp toggle switch are positioned at the light fixture 1002 in the hazardous environment, and wired 1004 connect, and by explosion-proof conduit or use explosion-proof line, is connected to the panel 1003 (lamp can be wiredly connected to the explosion-proof panel in the hazardous environment) that is positioned at the hazardous environment outside.Light fixture 1002 is explosion-proof casings, but optical switch 1000 is not.The near-end of the photoconduction 1005 of optical switch is positioned at 1003 li of panels and is connected to light source or photo-detector.At the state of panel 1003 search switch, for example by using circuit (a kind of suitable circuit shows at Figure 10), this circuit will be light fixture power supply or outage based on the on off state of surveying.In this way, the operator who is positioned in the hazardous environment stops using near electronic installation self or electronic installation self or the startup electronic installation, and replacement is at the remote switch panel or use the explosion-proof casing of expensive switch to start.Fig. 9 is display optical limit switch 1010 also.This optical switch can use photoconduction 1005 (not shown)s to be connected to panel 1003.This limit switch is started by other devices of the lever arm 1100 of valve or startup or inactive optics limit switch 1010.

The circuit of Figure 10 shows light source (E97) and the photo-detector (D92) that is connected to the float body embodiment of optical switch with corresponding optical fiber.Circuit design is for when to return optical fiber be dark, just when the detector detection is returned light on the optical fiber and failed, makes the relay deenergization.If detect light, make relay power, Closing Switch 90 is used for the light fixture that is positioned in the hazardous area with being electrically connected in.

In this way, the consuming parts of optical switch and hazardous environment electricity are isolated, and the unique energy that appears in the hazardous environment is light beam.In hazardous environment, such optical switch proposes the safety of traditional switch and economic substituting, and traditional switch is used electric contact in hazardous environment, and it the source of potential electric spark and igniting occurs in hazardous environment.

Claims

1. optics float body switch, comprise and have inner housing, first photoconduction and second photoconduction, described housing is floatable in required fluid, in described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction each has near-end and far-end, the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction navigates in the described housing, and in described inside, the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction by a gap separately, the near-end of described first photoconduction can be connected to the light source away from described housing, the near-end of described second photoconduction can be connected to the photo-detector away from described housing, described optics float body switch also has the change device of the received characteristic of change light beam, described change device is suitable for tilting and being movable about at least one far-end in the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction between primary importance A and second place B along with described housing, the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction at least one position optical alignment in described primary importance A or second place B, and when movement degree is abundant, two light paths between the far-end can be blocked or open to described change device, and wherein said first photoconduction and described second photoconduction is coupled to described housing and crooked along with the elevating movement of described housing.

2. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction is positioned in the separator assembly, described separator assembly is positioned in the described housing, described separator assembly has the interior section of hollow, and described separator assembly also has the device that suppresses described change device.

3. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein, amplitude, frequency or the polarization of described change device change light beam.

4. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein, the described device that suppresses described change device is the fluid that is arranged in the described interior section of described separator assembly.

5. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 4, wherein, described separator assembly comprises arrow-necked bottle.

6. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein, described change device is the opaque fluid that is arranged in the described interior section of described separator assembly.

7. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein, described change device is the device of optical alignment of the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction of change and described second photoconduction.

8. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 1, also has magnet apparatus, this magnet apparatus and material faintly interact, to postpone described change device about the relative motion of at least one far-end in the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction.

9. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first photoconduction is parallel with described second photoconduction.

10. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 1, also comprise blade, described blade has top section and base section, the described top section free bend of described blade, and described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction are held with the clip that is formed on the described blade.

11. optics float body switch, comprise housing, with electric light source with use electro-optical detector, described light source and described photo-detector are away from described housing, described light source is connected to described housing with first photoconduction, described photo-detector is connected to described housing with second photoconduction, described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction have the far-end that is positioned in the described housing, and but the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction is close is divided by a gap, and described optics float body switch comprises the change device of changing beam propagation properties, described change device is fit to about at least one far-end in the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction movable between primary importance A and second place B, the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction at least one place in described primary importance A and described second place B is optical alignment, described housing is floatable, and described first photoconduction and the bending along with the elevating movement of described housing of described second photoconduction.

12. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 11, wherein, the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction is positioned in the separator assembly, described separator assembly is positioned in the described housing, described separator assembly has the interior section of hollow, and described separator assembly also has the device that suppresses described change device.

13. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 11, wherein, amplitude, frequency or the polarization of described change device change light beam.

14. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 12, wherein, the described device that suppresses described change device is the fluid that is arranged in the described interior section of described separator assembly.

15. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 14, wherein, described separator assembly comprises arrow-necked bottle.

16. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 12, wherein, described change device is the opaque fluid that is arranged in the described interior section of described separator assembly.

17. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 12, wherein, described change device is the device of optical alignment of the far-end of the change far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction.

18. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 11, also comprise pump and the pump chamber that is filled with fluid, floatable described housing is arranged in the described fluid of described pump chamber, the switching manipulation of described optics floating body is wide angle floating body switch, wherein when the described fluid rising in the described pump chamber makes that described optics floating body switch arrives open position by the position, pass, described pump is opened, and when making that from described pump chamber extraction fluid described optics floating body switch arrives position, described pass by described open position, described pump cuts out.

19. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first photoconduction is parallel with described second photoconduction.

20. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 11, also comprise blade, described blade has top section and base section, the described top section free bend of described blade, and described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction are held with the clip that is formed on the described blade.

21. optics float body switch, comprise and have inner housing, first photoconduction and second photoconduction, with electric light source with use electro-optical detector, described housing is floatable in required fluid, in described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction each has near-end and far-end, described light source and described photo-detector are away from described housing, described light source is connected to the near-end of described first photoconduction, described photo-detector is connected to the near-end of described second photoconduction, the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction is positioned in the described housing, and the primary importance that one of far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction is aimed at the distal end optical of described second photoconduction along with described housing is tilted in and and the far-end of described second photoconduction not movable between the second place of optical alignment, and wherein said first photoconduction and described second photoconduction is coupled to described housing and crooked along with the elevating movement of described housing, described housing is floatable in required fluid.

22. optics float body switch as claimed in claim 21, described housing also has the flexible cable that is coupled to described housing, and described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction are arranged in the described cable.

23. the method for the detection liquid level in the explosive environment of danger said method comprising the steps of:

In a dangerous explosive environment, dispose claim 1 or 11 described optics float body switches,

Transmit for described first photoconduction from the described light source luminescent away from the explosive environment of described danger, and

The described photo-detector that is used in away from the position of the explosive environment of described danger checks that described second photoconduction is with or without light.

24. method as claimed in claim 23, wherein, described hazardous environment is in pumping plant or process tank.

25. method as claimed in claim 23, wherein, described light source is felt the pulse to dash with all period interval and is sent light, and use described photo-detector to check that the described step of described second photoconduction is surveyed to be with or without the light pulse appearance that pre-determines quantity in the predetermined time interval.

26. method as claimed in claim 23 is carried out when the controller request from the described step of described light source luminescent.

27. method as claimed in claim 23 checks that with described photo-detector the described step of described second photoconduction is carried out when the controller request.

28. optical switch, comprise housing, with electric light source with use electro-optical detector, described light source and described photo-detector are away from described housing, described light source is connected to described housing with first photoconduction, described photo-detector is connected to described housing with second photoconduction, described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction have the far-end that is positioned in the described housing, and but the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction is close is divided by a gap, and described optics float body switch comprises the change device of changing beam propagation properties, described change device is fit to about at least one far-end in the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction movable between primary importance A and second place B, the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction at least one place in described primary importance A and described second place B is optical alignment, described housing is movable, and described first photoconduction and the bending along with the elevating movement of described housing of described second photoconduction.

29. optical switch as claimed in claim 28, wherein, the far-end of the far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction is positioned in the separator assembly, and described separator assembly is positioned in the described housing, and described separator assembly has the interior section of hollow.

30. optical switch as claimed in claim 29, wherein, described separator assembly also comprises the device that suppresses described change device.

31. optical switch as claimed in claim 28, wherein, amplitude, frequency or the polarization of described change device change light beam.

32. optical switch as claimed in claim 30, wherein, the described device that suppresses described change device is the fluid that is arranged in the described interior section of described separator assembly.

33. optical switch as claimed in claim 30, wherein, described separator assembly comprises arrow-necked bottle.

34. optical switch as claimed in claim 28, wherein, described change device is the device of optical alignment of the far-end of the change far-end of described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction.

35. optical switch as claimed in claim 28, wherein said first photoconduction is parallel with described second photoconduction.

36. optical switch as claimed in claim 28 also comprises blade, described blade has top section and base section, the described top section free bend of described blade, and described first photoconduction and described second photoconduction are held with the clip that is formed on the described blade.