WO2010093929A1 - An optical pressure activated device - Google Patents

Abstract

A switch that includes a switch body with a hollow interior portion, a pair of optical fibers disposed in the switch body, each fiber having two ends, one end of the fibers being optically aligned the switch interior but separated by a gap, the switch body having an opening into the interior portion, and a membrane sealingly mounted to the opening. The switch includes a member positioned in interior and moveable in response to the membrane's movement, where the member is movable between a first and second position, where at least one of the positions of the member is in the gap.

Description

An Optical Pressure Activated Device

Priority Claim: This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application number

61/152475, filed on February 13, 2009, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Field of Invention: The invention relates to pressure activated switches, more particularly, optical pressure activated switches

Background of the Invention

Many working environments present explosion hazards or present a risk of electrical shock. Float switches are commonly used in applications of this sort to detect level for activation of a pump or other device, but float switches generally have electrical current that passes through wires and a switch housed within the float, such as a mercury switch located in the float. In certain environments, a pressure activated switch is preferred, where a pressure difference is detected and the switch is triggered when the pressure differential is sufficient (e.g. the fluid column above the switch is sufficiently high to generate the needed pressure differential). In a pressure activated switch, the device will trigger when the fluid level at the device exceed a specific pressure (such as in a pressurized container, and the container pressure exceeds a specific pressure).

Wires to the switch run to a control panel (or other device) located external to the tank or pit and are located outside the hazardous area. These all present a spark hazard, and if a breakdown in insulation occurs along the electrical path, an explosion can result.

It would be desirable to have a pressure activated switch located within the hazardous environment that presents no hazard, and could be used to determine a pressure or specific pressure within the hazardous environment.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a cross section through one embodiment of the invention in a pressure neutral environment Figure 2 is a cross section through a pressure actuator of the invention in an external over pressurized environment

Figure 3 is a cross section through a pressure actuator of the invention in a pressure neutral environment. Figure 4 is a cartoon depiction of one means to modify the transmissive characteristics of the received light, by varying the amount of space for the light to transmit across.

Figure 5 is a cross section through a pressure actuator of the present device showing a two level pressure detector embodiment.

Figure 5A is a cross section through a pressure actuator of the present device showing a two level pressure detector embodiment using a single input fiber and two output fibers.

Figure 6 is a prospective view of one embodiment of a cable for use in the pressure activated device.

Figure 6A is a cross section through the cable of figure 6.

Figure 7A is a cross section through one embodiment of an actuator showing a two level switch having two receptor cables and a single side firing input fiber.

Figure 7B is a cross section through one embodiment of an actuator showing a two level switch showing both paths blocked.

Figure 8 is a cross section through one embodiment of the actuator where the member is mounted to the switch housing Figure 9 is a schematic showing a switch tree deployed in a pump vault vessel. Summary of the Invention

The invention is an optically activated pressure activated switch 100 for use in a hazardous or non hazardous environment, and in one embodiment, the switch activation components are contained in a housing and used to signal when a predetermined pressure differential is achieved, where the signal can be used by downstream devices, such as pumps, set point controllers, variable frequency devices, etc. The switch invention 100 uses a light beam from a transmitter located remotely from the switch, (such as outside the hazardous environment) which travels through a light carrying cable, fiber, tube, light guide or light pipe (all considered a "light guide" or "light fiber" or "optic fiber") to a switch means located in a switch body (such as located in the hazardous area). Based on the position or "status" of the switch (optical path interrupted or absent or modified, or optical path complete or present), the light can travel to a powered light detector or receiver located away from switch body (such as outside the hazardous area), which based on the presence of absence of light, detects the status of the switch, and circuitry can act on the status to activate or deactivate a powered device, such as a pump or motor. The switch contains a membrane that is deformable in response to a pressure change across the membrane surface. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The pressure activated device is a variation on the optical switch disclosed in U.S. patent 7,234,830 and PCT application number PCT/US07/070122 hereby incorporated by reference. The present device is intended to operate in an environment (generally a fluid filled environment, either liquid or gas) where the pressures can vary, and the switch is intended to detect at least a specific pressure difference, and possibly, multiple pressure differences.

One embodiment of the present device is shown in figure 1. The pressure switch device 100 has optical fibers 1 and 2 disposed in the interior of a container or switch body housing 3 with the fibers ends within the interior of the housing 3 optically aligned but separated by a gap 4. The ends of the two fiber optic cables 1 and 2 are "optically aligned," or "optically alignable" when light is emitted from one terminal end (the emitter fiber), will travel though the gap (possibly along a zig-zag path if reflective or glistening material, such as a reflective "mirrored" surface or glistening surface, are employed to communicate or transfer the emitted beam to the receptor cable) and a portion of the transmitted light will enter the terminal end of the second fiber (the receptor or reception fiber) for detection by a light detector 50. The internal transmission path in the switch body may require portions of the housing or other parts of the switch interior to be mirrored, reflective or glistening for reception at the receptor or receiving fiber end to establish the desired optical alignment. For instance, the two fibers ends may be parallel with 45 degree reflective surface positioned at a suitable distance from the fiber ends to create light path between the fiber ends or other suitable angle, based upon the separation distance of the fibers and the location of the reflective surface. For instance, if the separation distance between the fibers is negligible and the cable parallel and pointing at reflective member 5, then the gap is that distance separating the end of the fibers from the end of the movable member 5 (e.g. a gap that shrinks until member 5 touches the fiber ends, thereby occupying the gap (totally filling the gap)). In this event, the two fibers, while parallel, are "optically aligned" by a path through the reflective, mirrored or glistening surface. One fiber distal end is connected to a light source 30, and another fiber distal end is connected to a light detector 50. Preferably the light source 30 and light receiver or detector 50 will be located external to the switch housing 3 in a non-hazardous area in a control panel or other device (they do not have to be located together), and only the fiber optic cables will travel from the switch body 3 to the panel. The light source 30 can be any suitable source, such as a laser, incandescent light bulb, sunlight, a light emitting diode, and light generally refers to any electromagnetic radiation, but for fiber optics, preferably the light source will consists of visible light, infrared light, sunlight, and ultraviolet light; more preferably, light from about 300 nanometers to about 30,000 nanometers in frequency. Suitable sources 30 and detectors 50 can be found at www.fiberopticproducts.com: with sources such as E97 (red 660 nanometers, bright) and detector D92. Using these sources and detectors, the light source can still be detected with an offset of one inch over a gap of about 1 inch. In any embodiment, the desired separation of the two fiber ends will depend upon the sensitivity of the light detector and the strength of the source utilized.

The shape of the housing 3 can vary, but a truncated cone shape may be used. Positioned on an exterior open channel into the interior of the housing 3 is a membrane 6. The membrane 6 is a flexible substrate or material, such as a thin metal or elastomeric flexible substrate that will deform based upon a pressure differential between the exterior environmental pressure surrounding the membrane's exterior face, and the pressure in the interior of the switch body housing 3 that is exposed to the interior face of the membrane. The housing 3, or at least that portion of the housing 3 containing the membrane interior, is preferably sealed against the housing 3 to prevent the external environment surrounding the switch housing 3 from communicating with the interior environment of the container. Preferably the membrane 6 a circular membrane to allow for even distortion of the membrane 6 around the mount of the membrane to the housing 3. The membrane 6 may be sealingly mounted to a separate insert, such as glued to an outer rigid annular insert, and the annular insert sealingly coupled to the housing 3, or as shown in figure 1, the membrane 6 may be directly attached to the housing, here shown by being pinched between annular rings 40 (one on top and one on the bottom of the membrane) and retained to the housing 3 by bolts or other attachment devices. Any method of sealingly mounting the membrane to the housing 3 can be used. The choice of materials and material thickness of the membrane 6 will depend on the environment, for the membrane should preferably be inert in the deployed environment, and sufficiently flexible to flex a specific amount in response to a specified pressure differential across the membrane's faces. Polypropylene, butyl rubber, buna-N rubber, metal, polyesters, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimides, silicon films, Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene), or Viton (a hexafluoropropylene - vinylidene fluoride co-polymer from Dupont) are materials that may be used as a flexible membrane.

As described, the fiber ends 1 and 2 are separated in the switch interior by a gap 4. The light fibers can be fixed in a desired orientation or position within the interior of the housing 3 by attachment to a suitable surface in the interior of the housing 3, such as attachment to an interior partition in the housing 3 interior. A member 5 (for instance, an opaque 0.5x1.0x0.1 inch opaque block of aluminum or opaque plastic), is used as a means to interrupt a light beam (i.e. interrupt the light transmission path) or a means to modify the emitted light beam (i.e. modify the characteristics of the emitted light prior to entering the end of the receiving fiber optic cable end) and is coupled to the membrane's movement and movable to a position within the gap 4. The means to interrupt and means to modify will both be referred to as "means" in the following, unless a distinction in function is to be made. The means 5 may be positioned on a membrane or diaphragm 6 (joined or connected to the membrane 6, or simply rest on the membrane 6) or the means may be mounted within the switch interior and moveable by deflection of the membrane. Such a configuration is shown in figure 8, where the means is a member, such as a rigid lightweight tab, block, or cylinder 5, that is spring mounted (or other biasing means) to partitions 7. For a vertically mounted float switch, the spring is not preferred if gravity is sufficient to keep the member 5 positioned adjacent the membrane 6. There may also be intermediary devices between the membrane and the specific means. The motion of the means 5 may be restrained by partition walls 7 or a channel walls 8 (or both) contained in the interior of the actuator, housing or membrane (see e.g., figure 5). In the general, a "means to modify emitted light" includes blocking the emitted light so that substantially no light is received at the receptor fiber.

The movable means 5 slides within the interior of the switch body by deformation of the membrane 6, and is positioned on the membrane to transition and move within the gap 4 between the fibers to establish a status of "light path present" and "light path absent" or "light path modified," with potential variations between the two status positions. As shown in figure 1, one embodiment of the means is a lightweight member or cylinder 5 (such as constructed from plastic or aluminum or other lightweight material) and the means is movable in the gap 4 with suitable movement of the membrane 6. For instance, the means can occupy a blocking position (blocking the light path between the two fibers, such as shown in figure 2, or a transmission position, not occupying the gap such as shown in figure 1 (or occupying the gap but with a clear region in the member positioned between the two fiber ends). As described, the means may also modify the transmissive characteristics of the emitted light, such as by having a member that varies transmissive characteristics along the length of the member (e.g. different colored sections, or regions, such as region A, B, C, and D, where the transmissive characteristics are, for instance, 25%, 50%, 70% and 100% light absorption, or the variations may be continuously varying over the length of the means. For instance, shown in figure 4 are four different positions of a notched tab or member 5, that functions as a "means for modifying the emitted light." In this embodiment, the notch opens upwardly opening, but the notch could also open downwardy. At the initial position shown in A, the member is lowered (membrane relaxed) and the emitting cable 2 has an unblocked transmission path through the member 5. As the member 5 rises due to pressure differential across the membrane surface, the "visability" of the emitting fiber 2 by the receptor cable (the amount of amount of light transmitted through the gap and member) decreases until position D is achieved, in which event, the path between the emitting and receptor cable is blocked. The variation in received light at the receptor cable and light detector 50 can be used for instance, to operate a pump, a set point controller (for instance to 4-20 ma controller), or any other device. There should be at least one position of the switch 100 where there is a light path between the fibers 1, 2 with sufficient light received or of a distinct characteristic (color, polarity, strength) transmitted to and through the receptor fiber for ultimate reception at the light detector to be "detectable" by the light detector, and a second position of the switch where the light path is blocked, or the character or characteristic of the light received (too weak or attenuated to be detected or the received light is of a modified character) by the light detector so that the light detector can determine that a change has occurred in the switch status. For instance, with the switch in a first position, the detector sees red light, and in a second position, the detector sees blue light by filtering the emitted light though a colored section of the member 5, suitably positioned on the member 5.

The switch housing 3 will generally be fixed in a specific position or level within a vessel (such as a tank), where it is desired to operate based on the detected pressure in the vessel. For instance, the pressure switch 100 may be hung from the top of the tank by the cabling, and the switch weighted to be non-buoyant in the fluid environment within the tank. Alternatively, the switch housing 3 may be attached or coupled to the vessel sidewall to fix the container at a specific location or height within the vessel. Alternatively, the switch body may be attached to the exterior of the vessel, with the membrane exposed to the vessel interior through an opening in the vessel sidewall. For instance, a nozzle could extend outward from the tank, and the switch body would attach to the nozzle, such as by threading into the nozzle, quick connect, flange bolting, or otherwise. For a gas or vapor filled tank, the location of the switch is not critical, as tank pressures are substantially equal throughout the tank). It is not necessary that the container be fixed at a particular level, as the container may also be floatable but tethered, in which event, pressure differences at the end of the tethered location will be detected. This tethered configuration is not preferred. In one embodiment, the interior environment of the container 90 will be at the same atmospheric pressure as that where the optical fibers terminate. In this event, the fiber cable 8 is generally fluidly connected to the environment where the cable 8 is terminated (for instance, at the light source or light receiver). Indeed, the cable 8 may be constructed with an air passageway or tube 310, or the cable may be constructed to wick and provide a fluid communication through the cable without including a specific air tube 310. Alternatively, the housing 3 may also have a sealed interior, with no pressure communication through the cable 8 or other means, in which instance, the switch interior 90 is always near a set pressure.

As pressure in the vessel near the switch body changes (such as by a rising fluid level) the membrane will move accordingly. For instance, with increasing pressures, the membrane 6 will deform inwardly into the interior 90 of the switch housing 3, thereby moving the means also inwardly within the gap to change the status of the switch. With decreasing pressures, the membrane will deform or move outwardly. For instance, as shown in figure 2, the switch membrane 6 is immersed in a liquid and deformed inwardly, while in figure 3, the liquid level in the vessel is below the membrane 6, and the membrane is relaxed (for instance, equalization of pressures across the membrane). The resultant movement of the membrane moves the associated means, allowing for a change in the transmission path between the fiber ends.

As shown in figure 2, the pressure in the external vessel exceeds that of the interior of the switch body 3. The membrane 6 will deform inwardly, raising the means 5 positioned thereon, and with sufficient pressure differential, the means 5 will occupy the gap 4 between the light fiber ends 1 and 2. Once the means 5 occupies the gap 4 between the fiber ends, the presence of the means 5 in the gap 4 can be detected (e.g. detect presence or absence of light, detect a change in the color of light, detect a variation in the amount of light transmitted, etc). The switch can be constructed where the transmission path is absent when the membrane is relaxed, for instance, with a long member that extends in a blocking relationship to the fiber ends when the membrane is relaxed. In this embodiment, the means may include a transmissive region (such as a transparent region in the member, or a hole in the member) that will be moved upward into the gap and allow light transmission through the transmissible region when the membrane is sufficiently flexed inward. The device may be also designed to allow transmission across the gap 4 when the membrane 6 is relaxed or in a first position (see figure 1) and interrupt the light path when a sufficient pressure differential is present resulting in the membrane 6 moving the means into position between the fibers and then interrupting or modifying the transmission of light between the two fiber ends (see figure 2). As described, the switch, may have two discrete statuses (on/off), and may also have step-wise status or a continuously variable status, each associated with a pressure differential. In all embodiments, the switch may also be used in a low pressure environment, in which event the membrane will bow outwardly.

Indeed, if the membrane 6 is flexible enough, the membrane 6 itself may be the means 5 used to modify the transmissive characteristics between the two fibers 1 and 2 by having the membrane 6 deform and partially occupy the gap 4 between the fibers. The change in the light transmission characteristics through the gap 4 caused by the means 5 can be detected and used to operate a switch, relay, or take some other action. Indeed, the received light characteristics may be used simply to quantify the pressure in the tank or the liquid level in the tank, for instance by activation a pump, compressor or other device. The characteristics of the pressure switch 100 may have to be calibrated to achieve the desired pressure/transmissive characteristics relationship.

The range of pressures detectable can vary with the materials chosen for the membrane material and the weight, density and other characteristics of the chosen means. A spring 9 or other resilient means may be used to modify the deformation characteristics of the device, as shown in figures 1 and 2, and the spring tension may be adjustable to suit a particular setting. Finally, several pairs of fibers may be deployed in the same container, and each pair used to detect a different pressure differential associated with different positions of the membrane. For instance, as shown in shown in figure 5, the switch 100 has two pairs of optic fibers 1 and 2. and 1000 and 2000, each with gaps therebetween that can be occupied by the means 5 positioned on the membrane 6. As shown in Figure 5, two input fibers (for instance 1 and 1000) and two output fibers (2 and 2000) are mounted within the switch housing 3. The switch activator (the means that changes the status of the switch) is shown again as a member 5 that can be moved by action of the membrane 6 between first one pair of fiber (1 and 2), then sequentially between the second pair of fibers (1000 and 2000), thus allowing the detection of two different pressure differentials. For instance, the first pair (1, 2) closest to the membrane 6 could correspond to a high level indicator and used to activate a first pump, the second fiber pair (1000, 2000) could correspond to an overfill condition, and used to activate a second pump. A two level switch is also shown in figure 5A, but in this embodiment, only a single thicker input fiber 1 is used, with two receptor fibers 2 and 2000 still being employed. Alternatively, as shown in figure 7 and 7A, a single side emitting or side glow fiber 1 is orientated perpendicular to be receiving or receptor fibers 2 and 2000. Since a side emitting fiber's 1 attenuation losses are greater than an end emitting optical fiber, a short piece of side emitting fiber "A" may be positioned and fed by an end emitting fiber "B" aligned with the end of the side emitting fiber A. In this fashion, the several pairs or multiple fibers can be used to detect different specific pressure differences.

If the housing is a floatable housing, a preferred float design and cable is disclosed in application number 12/577,572 filed 10/12/2009 hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, and attached hereto for convenience, as disclosed, one preferred optical fiber is 1 mm diameter polymetyl-methacrylate (PMMA) resin with a polyethylene jacket in a flat embodiment. With jacket, the overall diameter is of each PMMA fiber is 2.2 mm nominal. One manufacturer is Mitsubishi Rayon Co., LTD. (Tokyo, Japan), type SH 4001. The switch housing 3 is attached to a fiber optic cable 250 containing the two fibers 1, 2 (see figure 1) where one embodiment consists of fiber optic cables with a sheath 101. Other cable designs can be used, such as including a filler material within the cable sheath (such as polyester fibers), excluding the filler material, a cable where each fiber optic cables is jacketed, a cable where the fibers are encased in the same material as the jacket (e.g. a solid cable), or other designs. For a fixed position pressure switch 100, the fibers are not necessarily jacketed, or even case in a single surrounding sleeve. Alternatively, the fibers may be contained in a simple pipe enclosure or conduit (e.g. PVC pipe, metal pipe, Teflon tube, viton tube, etc) and the conduit connected to the switch body 3. For a pressure switch designed to detect differential pressure from ambient pressure, the cable or conduit may contain an open tube 310 that exits at one end in the interior of the switch, and at the other end in the ambient environment, such as at the light source location, or the cable design may be designed with sufficient fluid communication through the cable itself without open tube 310 (considered a wicking cable). Alternatively, a tube or pipe separate from the fiber cable may connect the switch housing interior 90 to a desired pressure environment. The tube 310 is used to equalize the pressure inside the switch housing to ambient or alternatively, the tube 310 may be connected to a source of vacuum or pressure at or near the terminating cable end to maintain the pressure within the switch housing interior 90 at a specific pressure, or alternatively, the housing 3 may be pressurized and sealed at time of construction or deployment (for instance, the housing may include a sealing valve to pressurize the switch interior to a desired pressure.

Fibers can be glass fibers or plastic fibers, with one preferred fiber being a 1 mm diameter polymetyl-methacrylate (PMMA) resin with a polyethylene jacket when the switch is within a float embodiment with flexible cable. With jacket, the overall diameter is of each PMMA fiber is 2.2 mm nominal. One manufacturer is Mitsubishi Rayon Co., LTD. (Tokyo, Japan), type SH 4001. If the housing is in a fixed container, almost any optical fiber will be suitable, with the choice of fibers dependent on the length of the transmission path, attenuation characteristics of the fiber, and other relevant path features.

Multiple pressure switches can be installed in a vessel. For convenience, multiple switches may be mounted on a pipe (for instance, mounted vertically or horizontally on the pipe) in a vertically spaced relationship, to create a switch "tree" 1000. For instance, the switches can be threaded into the pipe, with the fiber wiring running in the interior of the pipe, such as shown in Figure 9. A similar tree structure could be used to attach any type of optical switches, including tethered optical switches that are not pressure switches.

It is intended that the following claims be interpreted as covering all such alterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

APPENDIX

An Optical Switch

Priority Claim: This application is a continuation in part of U.S. 1 1/756,397 filed on May 31, 2007, and this application claims priority thereto and the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Field of Invention

The invention relates to switches used primarily in hazardous environments, such as switches used in liquid level detection in tanks or switches to activate equipment within a hazardous environment. Background of the Invention

Many working environments present explosion hazards or present a risk of electrical shock. One hazardous environment is a pumping station or a tank that contains hazardous and/or flammable or volatile gases or liquids and chemicals to be pumped. Float switches are commonly used in applications of this sort to detect level for activation of a pump (see Figure 2), but float switches generally have electrical current that passes through wires and a switch housed within the float, such as a mercury switch located in the float. Wires from the float switch run to a control panel (or other device) located external to the tank or pit and are located outside the hazardous area. Some specialty control panels are explosion proof and can be located in the hazardous area. As liquids rise in the tank, the float tilts and a ball or conductive liquid, such as mercury, moves and makes contact with an electrical switch or contacts of some sort causing the switch to activate. Electrical current then passes from the control panel through the wires, to the switch, completing the circuit. These all present a spark hazard, and if a breakdown in insulation occurs along the electrical path, an explosion can result.

Some tanks containing flammable liquids or gases use ultrasonic level detection which sends a sonic burst to the surface of the liquid and then back. The transit time of the beam is used to determine the liquid level (some alternative devices use radar or microwave radiation as an energy packet instead of a sound wave, and other sensing technologies are used in level detection, APPENDIX

e.g. magnetostrictive, submersible pressure transducers, bubblers, capacitance, etc.). No electrical current is used within the tank or pit and the transmitter and receiver are located external to the hazardous atmosphere, usually mounted on the external tank surface, with the sensing device positioned in the tank. This technique is not generally used to remotely signal a device, such as a signal to engage/disengage a pump (such as a dosing pump) at discrete levels, as these level detectors will detect all fluid levels requiring additional logic circuits to select a predetermined height or level for operation of a pump, thereby raising the complexity and expense of such as system.

In some hazardous environments, explosion proof containers are used to contain equipment or devices that may present a possible sparking hazard, such as controls, pumps, motors, etc. While pumps or other devices located in a hazardous environment may be contained in an explosion proof housing, these devices must be activated or deactivated by electrical signals (e.g. providing power to the device). Activation is done remotely from the hazardous environment to reduce the possibility of explosion. Hence, when an operator is onsite, the operator cannot manually activate/deactivate the device within the hazardous area unless the activation device is in an explosion proof housing. It would be desirable to have a switch located within the hazardous environment that could be used to manually activate/deactivate the powered device, and have the switch not present an arcing hazard, and would not have to be located in an explosion proof housing. Summary of the Invention

The invention is an optically activated switch for use in a hazardous environment, (non- hazardous environments also are contemplated) and in one embodiment, the switch activation components are contained in a floatable housing and used to signal the need to operate a pump or other device. As discussed, a switch is a device having a status (on/off, make/break, open/closed or other status indicator) that can be used to control an electrical device. The switch invention uses a light beam from a transmitter located outside of the hazardous atmosphere ("outside the hazardous APPENDIX

environment" includes a location within an explosion proof container or housing) which travels through a light carrying cable, fiber, tube or light guide (all considered a "light guide") to a switch means located in a hazardous area. Based on the position or "status" of the switch (optical path interrupted, or optical path complete), the light can travel to a powered light detector or receiver located outside the hazardous area, which detects the status of the switch, and circuitry can act on the status to activate or deactivate a powered device, such as a pump or motor. Several means of breaking or interrupting the light path can be utilized. The controller to which the switch is connected can be configured to activate a pump or device upon detection of the light or detection of the lack of the light. Objects of the invention

It is an object of the invention to have a switch that uses no source of electrical current or electrical resistance at the switch location.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 depicts an optically activated float. Figure 1 A is a detail of the float of figure 1.

Figure 2 depicts a conventional float.

Figure 3 depicts an optically activated float having a damped switch.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the float of figure 3.

Figure 4A is a detail of the separator assembly of the float of figure 4. Figure 5 depicts a switch operated mechanically or manually.

Figure 6 depicts another embodiment of a float switch.

Figure 7 depicts another embodiment of a float switch with a delay ring.

Figure 8 depicts a tether cable for a float embodied switch.

Figure 9 depicts a light and a limit optical switch located in a hazardous environment. Figure 10 is a representative circuit diagram incorporating the switch, and used to power a device. APPENDIX

Figure 11 depicts a top view of an ampoule with two parallel same side optical fibers where the two fibers are optically aligned by position of the reflective bar at position A and where the two fibers are optically non-aligned (or optically interrupted) by position of the reflective bar at position B. Figure 12 is a cartoon showing a magnet used to delay operation of the switch through a pre- selected range of motion.

Figure 13A depicts the operation of a wide angle float as the pump chamber fills. Figure 13B depicts the operation of a wide angle float as the pump chamber is pumped down. Figure 14 depicts a float embodiment of the switch using a paddle insert separator assembly. Figure 15 is a partial cross-section through a float embodiment showing details of sealing method. Figure 16 is a cross section though a tank showing a optical float switch hung from a tank flange. Detailed Description of the Invention

Shown in figure 1 is an embodiment of the invention in a float. The invention includes a housing 1, two light guides 2 (hereafter described as fiber optic cables), a light source 3, and a means to interrupt or modify the alignment, here by interposing an object between the distal ends. The housing shown has an interior section. The two cables 2 are preferably positioned into the housing 1. Each cable terminates near, at or within the housing 1. The terminal (or distal) ends of the cables are positioned in the housing near each other, but separated by a gap 10 (see figure 1, detail A). The gap 10 is generally positioned in the separator assembly 6 within the housing 1. The separator assembly fixes the relationship of the cable terminal ends and maintains the gap, although this relationship can be fixed through use of the housing alone. The gap can vary in size, with 0.01 - 0.5 inch suitable for most applications, but could be larger. Some light detectors can sense the presence of light radiation across a gap of up to four inches. The ends of the two fiber optic cables should be "optically aligned," or "optically alignable" that is, light emitted from one terminal end will travel though the gap (possibly along a zig-zag path if reflective material, such as mirrors, are employed to bounce the emitted beam appropriately) and a portion of the transmitted light will enter the terminal end of the second cable. The path may require portions of the housing or APPENDIX

movable member to be mirrored or reflective to establish the transmission path. The portion of emitted light that is received at the reception fiber, through the alignment, should be sufficient to allow the light detector to detect the presence of light on the receptor cable. For instance, the two cables may be parallel with 45 degree reflective surfaces positioned at the fiber ends (or other suitable angle, based upon the separation distance of the fibers and the location of the reflective surface) so the two fibers, while parallel, are "optically aligned" by a path reflection off the reflective surface. In any embodiment, the allowed separation of the two fiber ends will depend upon the sensitivity of the light detector and the strength of the source. Suitable sources and detectors can be found at www.fiberopticproducts.com: with sources such as E97 (red 660 nanometers, bright) and detector D92. Using these sources and detectors, the light source can still be detected with an offset of one inch over a gap of about 1 inch.

As shown in the detail A of figure 1, a preferred separator assembly 6 generally includes an internal chamber 6A with one fiber cable 2 terminal end positioned adjacent to, in or on the wall of the interior chamber and the other fiber optic cable 2 terminal end positioned on an opposite wall of the internal chamber 6A, with the two ends optically aligned. The separator assembly is generally an assembly removable from the interior of the float with the cables positioned on the assembly. Applicant believes it is more efficient to build the separator assembly with attached cables and inserted into the float, than using only a hollow interior with the cables inserted into or attached to the interior walls of the float, although such a design is workable and within the scope of the invention. The separator assembly is not required, but is preferred. For instance, shown in figure 4 is a separator assembly 6, comprising a glass or clear plastic ampoule 5. Ampoule contains a slidable bar, ball, or cylinder (or other shape) 1OA (a movable member), and has the two light guides coupled on opposing sides of the ampoule exterior through use of a yoke or collar 1 1. The ampoule or internal chamber is used to restrain the movement of the movable member (e,g, ball, plug), but any device may be employed to restrain or limit the movement of the movable member, that is, a closeable chamber is not required. Separator assembly 6 would be positioned in the APPENDIX

interior of the float, usually the separator assembly will be fixedly positioned in the float interior such as with epoxy or a friction fit. As shown in Figure 4, a collar 12 is used to fix the ampoule in position in the interior of the float, and in some cases collar 12 functions as additional weight to modify the buoyancy and center of gravity of the float as needed. The weight can be lead or other dense material, for instance, steel particles encased in a corrosion resistant (preferably an environmental friendly) material. Yoke 11 and collar 12 could be combined (not shown). A detail of yoke 1 1 is shown in Figure 4, detail A. In a non-float embodiment, the separator assembly may not be preferred.

An alternative separator assembly is shown in figure 14. The separator is a flat paddle 60, constructed of flexible plastic. Formed in the paddle are clips 61 to hold the ampoule and optical cables. The paddle 60 is inserted in the bottom 'Λ of the housing IA and fixed into position. The paddle may be fixed by potting the bottom of the paddle to the housing portion IA, leaving the top portion of the paddle free to flex. The top of the housing IB is then attached to the bottom IA, such as by RF welding or spin (or friction) welding. As shown, the top of the paddle 60 is not form fitting to the top of the float housing IB, to allow the top of the paddle (where the ampoule is located) to flex in response to shock forces. For instance, operators have been known to "clean" floats by swinging the float by the tether and slamming the float into a wall. Additional details of a paddle mount (and the float housing) is shown in PCT/US2009/051714, hereby incorporated by reference. Also shown in this PCT is a method of sealing the cables in the housing. An improved method is to externally thread both sides of the cable conduit (41 A and 41B in figure 8 of the PCT) within the float interior, and to thread the two fibers through a santoprene stopper, shore 72A (santoprene is a thermoplastic vulcanizate material, and may be obtained from Advanced Elastomer Systems, L.P), and then to seal the stopper against with cables by applying pressure through a stainless steel fitting threaded over the stopper (see figure 16). The fitting has a beveled internal flange at the top which meshes with the bevel on the stopper as it is tightened, thus forming a permanent seal to seal out liquids. On the bottom of the cable conduit (closest to the cable entry to APPENDIX

the float), a similar fitting may be employed, which, when tightened, squeezes the against outer cable jacket, thus making a second seal. This second seal is also designed to crimp into the outer jacket of the cable and prevent movement of the cable, thus allowing the cable to support heavy amounts of debris that can accumulate on a float, (see figure 15). A third seal may be used with the bottom fitting. The third seal preferably consists of a flat annular Santoprene washer. When it is installed around the nominal OD overall jacket of the cable and forced inside of ID of the channel, it forms an additional tight seal.

In the embodiment shown in figure 1, the housing 1 is floatable, and the cables "tether" the housing 1 to a fixed point, allowing the float to rise and fall with the media for a range of elevations. In some literature, tethered float switches are designed as "tilt" switches or tilt detectors. A tethered or anchored float switch may float on the liquid surface, or indeed, be fully submerged in the liquid, as its height is restrained by the tether or anchor. The two fiber cables 2 are contained in a single cable structure, later described. One of the fiber optic cables is connected to a light source 3, and the other cable is connected to a light detector 5. The light source 3 can be any suitable source, such as a laser, incandescent light bulb, sunlight, a light emitting diode, and light generally refers to any electromagnetic radiation, but for fiber optics, preferably the light source will consists of visible light, infrared light, sunlight, and ultraviolet light; more preferably, light from about 300 nanometers to about 30,000 nanometers in frequency. Preferably the light source 3 and light receiver or detector 5 will be located external to the hazardous area in a control panel or other device (they do not have to be located together), and only the fiber optic cables will travel into the hazardous area to the housing 1.

As shown in the Detail A of figure 1, the internal chamber 6A of the separator assembly 6 creates the needed gap between the fiber optic cables 2 terminal ends. Located within the internal chamber 6A is a movable means to interrupt optical alignment 10, such as a Tollable or slidable ball or bar or cylinder, or an opaque fluid positioned within the internal chamber partially filling the chamber. If the housing floats, at a certain level the floating housing will tilt (as it is tethered by APPENDIX

action of the cable that is tied to an internal or external fixed weight, or the housing is attached to another stationary device with a cable or tether) and as it tilts, the means to interrupt optical alignment will move within the internal chamber due to gravitational forces. If the degree of movement is sufficient, the means to interrupt optical alignment will block (or unblock) the light path between the two terminal ends of the fiber optic cables 2. Additionally, if the housing 1 is a fixed device (that is, it does not float on the media but is fixed at a desired height), the means to interrupt optical alignment can be a floating arm or floating barrier positioned in the internal chamber 6A of the housing. As the water level rises up to the level of the housing, the floating arm or barrier will rise (much like a floating limit switch) to block the light beam (or unblock the light beam). In this instance, the switch will have a means to fix the elevation of the housing, such as a clamp, to attach the housing to a structure in the hazardous environment, such as a dosing pump or to the container storing the hazardous material.

For example, in figure 6 is shown one embodiment, where the housing is a cylindrical shell 100 with an center hollow interior 101 that is open on both ends to the external environment. The housing would be fixed in position in the hazardous environment. Trapped in the interior is an opaque float body 102. The two ends of hollow interior 101 may have a mesh filter covering the openings that retains the float body in the hollow interior. Positioned on opposing sides of the interior 101 are the two optic cable 104A and B. As the fluid in the chamber rises, the float body 102 rises and will block the optical path between the two cables 104 A and B. As mentioned above, the cables do not have to be on opposing sides, but must either be optically aligned, or be optically alignable.

In a float embodiment, a preferred embodiment is a non-orientable float. In such a float, the float body can rotate about an axis through the float (generally, and axis that starts at the tethered cable entry to the float, through the center of the float interior, to exit generally opposite the cable entry). For a non-orientable float, the movement of the movable means to interrupt should be substantially along an axis of the substantially aligned with the axis of float body (generally an axis APPENDIX

through the optical cable entry, through the interior of the float exiting at the near the center of opposite end of the float housing). When the movement of the moveable member is substantially aligned with the float axis, rotation of the float about the float axis will not adversely impact the operation of the optical switch. With a switch in a floatable housing, the optical fibers will bend as the float rises and falls.

Over a period of time, the bending of the optic fibers can result in fracture or severing of the fibers, potentially destroying the functioning of the switch. This problem is most acute at the tether point of the cable, as the bending radius of the cable at this location can be small. To help alleviate this, a fairly stout tether cable design is preferred. Shown in figure 8 is one suitable design 250. The twin fiber optic cables 150 (here shown as lmm diameter sheathed with a polyvinylchloride (PVC) coating 100) are positioned in the interior of an outer sheath member 300, here a 0.020 inch thick PVC extruded watertight jacket, used for strength. More than two optic fibers may be located in the cable. Bendable fibers are more appropriate, such as available from Corning, Inc. as ClearCurve fibers. A preferred fiber is 1 mm diameter polymetyl-methacrylate (PMMA) resin with a polyethylene jacket. With jacket, the overall diameter is of each PMMA fiber is 2.2 mm nominal. One manufacturer is Mitsubishi Rayon Co., LTD. (Tokyo, Japan), type SH 4001. The inventors have found that the PMMA optical fibers are less prone to fracture over repeated bending of the cable. Indeed, the inventors have found the surprising and even stunning result that such a cable design can achieve more than 4,000,000 cycles of flexing without fracturing the fibers. It is believed this is achieveable due to allowance for some fiber movement within the cable, as well as the use of PMMA optical fibers. Other plastic fibers may be substituted for the PMMA.

The fiber-optic cables or light guides are deployed in a filler material 160 in the interior of the extruded sheath 300. As shown in figure 8, the filler material is very fine hair-like polypropylene fibers, all contained in a paper or tissue wrap 200, but other fibrous materials may be suitable (Kevlar aramid, polyethylene, polyesters, etc.) This filler material provides tensile strength to the cable, but leaves air gaps within the cable interior. That is, the cable is not a solid cable. As APPENDIX

constructed, the interior of the tether cable 250 is substantially filled with minor gaps, leaving some freedom of movement for the optical fibers within the interior. In the design shown, it is preferred that both optic fibers be sheathed to prevent shorting of the switch in the cable (particularly for the use of side glow cables (not preferred), for end glow cables, this may not be necessary). For long tether lengths, it may be preferred to include a strong reinforcing cable, such as a steel, Kevlar, carbon fiber, etc. cable within or attached to, the tether cable structure. The cable shown in Figure 8 houses two optic fibers. The cable may contain more than two fibers. As described, this cable design is similar to traditional copper or electrical conductors. Traditional optical cables are solid cables and are difficult to strip the cables to access just the optical fibers. Further, in a solid cable, bending of the cable results in a similar bend in the fibers, as the fibers cannot move within the cable interior. This preferred embodiment cable design has the benefits of ease of stripping, and allowance for fiber movement. Other filler material may be used.

In a float embodiment containing the optical switch, the float may reach a position where the switch will "flutter" between an optical path open or "blocked" position or optical path closed or "complete" position due to inherent instabilities in a float embodiment. For instance, the float's position may jitter due to surface waves in the fluid environment. This float jitter may cause the slidable or rollable means to interrupt optical alignment (or the switch activator) located in the float interior to move back and forth, causing the switch status to rapidly move between open and closed (note, switch "open" can be interpreted as path blocked or path complete, depending on how the device connected to the switch circuitry is configured to respond to the status of the switch). To reduce switch "flutter" a damped switch can be employed by including a means to dampen the switch activator or the means to interrupt optical alignment. The optical switch may be damped through a variety of means. For instance, in the embodiment shown in figure 4, detail A, the ampoule may be filled or partially filled with a damping fluid 1 10, such as mineral oil or other clear or light transmissive fluid. The fluid in the ampoule serves two purposes, lubrication (to help prevent the rollable or slidable means to interrupt from scratching the walls of the ampoule and APPENDIX

possibly modifying the optical characteristics of the ampoule walls) and acts as a damping force, creating a drag on the bar or ball reducing sudden movements of the bar or ball. When a damping fluid is used, it is preferred to separate the fluid from the light guides (such as by having the fluid contained in an ampoule) to avoid contamination of the light guide distal ends by the damping fluid. The amount of fluid in the ampoule can vary from a few drops to fully filled.

Alternatively, a slidable bar, ball cylinder or other structure could be used with the sides of the structure roughened (or the interior walls of the ampoule could be roughened or have added ridges) to create additional surface area resulting in additional frictional forces opposing a sudden movement of the bar. For instance, shown in figure 7 is a ring or annulus positioned in the separator assembly chamber 6. A rollable ball is used as the slidable member. The ring in the housing chamber insures that a ball positioned in the chamber will not move from position A (unblocked) to position B (blocked) without a sufficiently large enough movement of the housing to allow the ball to roll over the ridge created by the ring. The ending position of the ball would not be altered by minor fluctuations in the float position. Also, an hourglass shaped vessel may be used, where the neck of the hourglass can pass the slidable or rollable ball, specially designed segmented cylinders, other movable structure, or other light blocking device (e.g. opaque liquid). In this instance, the shape of the chamber is used to control switch flutter.

Another means to deal with switch flutter is to allow the light to blink, flash or pulse periodically, and a change in status of the switch is detected by the presence or absence of a suitable number of pulses. For instance, if the light path is initially blocked, and the status changes, the change will be noted after detection of so many consecutive light pulses (detection of, say 5, consecutive flashes, detecting the presence or absence of a predetermined number of flashes over a predetermine time interval helps reduce switch flutter); if the light path is not blocked, then a change in status would be detected after detection of the absence of a certain number of pulses or flashes of light over a predetermined time interval. This is generally not preferred as it increases APPENDIX

the complexity of the circuitry tied to the switch, but may be useful where the lifetime of the light source is an issue.

Another means to deal with switch flutter is not to use a constantly "on" light source. Instead, the source can remain off until the switch is "polled" for its status. For instance, the electronics tied to the switch, such as a controller (e.g. PLC or microcontroller), may interrogate the status of the switch every second, and turn the light source on once per second for a designated time, and "look" for the return status, e.g., either light blocked or light present on the return optical fiber. Alternatively, the light may stay on, and the status of the switch polled at the light detector. Again, this is not preferred, as it increases the complexity of the circuitry tied to the switch. To reduce switch flutter, the change in switch status should be consistent for a selected period of time.

Another method to reduce switch flutter is to use magnets suitably positioned in the separator assembly in conjunction with a cylinder or slidable bar or structure composed of magnetably interactive material. Shown in figure 12 is a cartoon depicting the movement of a slidable magnetic interactive cylinder or slug (here an 18-8 cold formed 3/16" D x 1/2" L stainless steel cylinder (sometimes denoted 300 series stainless steel having approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel)) in an ampoule, and a "horseshoe" magnet positioned in the interior of the float where the two ends of the horseshoe near the sides or ends of the ampoule. The horseshoe magnet is shown for purposes of explanation and is not preferred. As the float moves from position A through position D, rotating "upwardly," the slug "sticks" to ampoule near the magnet, say near the N pole of the magnet. Before or at position E, the gravitational force overcomes the magnetic force and the slug slides downwardly, thus unblocking the optical path through the ampoule. As the float rotates from position E downwardly (not shown), the slug will again stick to the ampoule near the S pole of the horseshoe magnet and will release when the float returns to a position before or at position A. As used herein, a weak magnetic interaction means that for a given magnet and slug or moveable structure (or vice versa, where the magnet moves), the magnetic force exerted between the slug or device and magnet is insufficient to overcome the gravitational force acting on the slug, APPENDIX

thereby allowing the slug to be released at some point as the position of the slug approaches vertical, as shown in figure 12.

The actual release point of the slug can vary by modifying the strength of the magnet, the weight of the slug, or the magnetizability of the slug's material. In use, the location of the magnets can vary. For instance, in figure 12, detail A, two magnets Ml and M2 can be positioned at or near each end of the ampoule or chamber (either internal or external to the chamber) (by using two different strength magnets, the release point of the slug on an upward rotation can be different for the release point on a downward rotation). Other configurations are possible, for instance using a single donut style magnet positioned around the middle of the chamber or a bar magnet positioned near the middle of the chamber, or using a magnet as the slug and positioning weakly magnetic material at each end of the ampoule or chamber.

The use of the magnet and magnetically interactive slug allows the switch to remain in its last configuration (e.g. complete optical path or interrupted optical path) over a selected range. This allows the float to operate as a "wide angle" float switch. Shown in figure 13 is a typical wide angle pump switch operation. In figure 13 A, the pump chamber fills with fluid and the pump remains "off' until the float reaches position B. At position B, the pump turns on. As shown in figure 13B, the pump remains "on" as fluid is pumped out until position A is reached, at which time the pump turns off. A delay means can also be an electronic circuit (such as a timer or RC circuit) that delays the alteration of the switch from one state (e.g. switch "on" or active), to a second state (e.g. switch off or inactive). In this instance, while the delay means does not delay the movement of the movable member, it delays recognition that the movable member has moved, and for purposes of this invention, is also considered as a "delay means" or a "means to delay movement of the delay member." Fluid, as used herein, can include flowable solids (capability of loose particulate solid to move by flow), such as flours, grains, corn, beans, liquid mashes, sands, etc. The switch as described uses optically aligned light guides and a means to interrupt optical alignment by interposing an object. Alternatively, the light guides may be optically aligned by a APPENDIX

light path that bounces off a reflective moveable member, such as a reflective bar. Sufficient movement of the slidable object destroys the bounce path, and hence, results in non-alignment of the distal ends of the light guides. In this configuration, the switch activator (the sliding bar, cylinder, ball, etc) is the means to interrupt optical alignment upon suitable movement. For instance, the fibers may be parallel, but offset, positioned on the exterior of the ampoule, as shown in figure 1 1. Positioned in the ampoule is a slidable reflective bar (the ampoule may have a track for the bar to slide in, or be suitably shaped (e.g. rectangular prism), to maintain the orientation of the bar in the ampoule, however, if the receptor is sensitive, a reflective cylinder or ball may be used in a cylindrical ampoule, as some scattered light will be detected by a sensitive detector, such as the D92 detector). When the bar is interposed between the distal ends (position A), the reflective surface creates optical alignment. When the bar is not interposed, optical alignment is destroyed (position B).

Instead of moving an object between the optical fiber distal ends to modify the optical alignment, one end (or both ends) of the fibers could be movable between a first position of optical alignment of the distal ends and a second position of optical non- alignment, such as by moving one end (e.g. having that end mounted on a sliding bar) to move sufficiently so that the optical alignment is interrupted, or having both ends move to either align the distal ends or interrupt the optical alignment, such as by moving both fibers in unison until a fixed object is interposed between the two ^'fiber ends. These arrangements are not preferred, as movement of the fibers places stress on the fibers and repeated movement may result in fracturing the fibers.

A floating housing 1 can be constructed in any number of ways. One such way would be to use foam in a two part mold, encasing the separator assembly within (or by welding two half floats together). The housing can also could be constructed of two halves fused together by glue or heat, or welding (e.g., spin welding for thermoplastics, electrical welding for metals (e.g., stainless steel floats)) with the separator assembly located within the housing. Any object that floats could be APPENDIX

drilled or carved out and the separator assembly (if employed) could be inserted inside and then sealed using any number of means, including plastic injection molding methods.

The receiver or detector 5 can be located external to the hazardous area in a control panel or other device, and is not required to be located with the light source. Any number of commercially available devices that are sensitive to light energy, such as devices containing a photo eye or photo transistor, are suitable as a light detector or receiver. The presence or absence of light, through the switch, detected at the receiver, is indicative of the position of the floating housing in the environment. The status of the switch can be utilized as a signal means to perform a specific task such as starting or stopping a pump In a float activated switch, it is preferred that a top portion of the float be of a contrasting color from the bottom of the float, or contain a contrasting pattern (such as a bullseye), so that the orientation of the float can be discerned by looking at the float, even in dirty water. One configuration has the top of the float a light color, with the bottom of the float a darker color. This two toned float configuration (multi-toned configurations could be used) allows an operator to tell if the float is facing up or down simply by inspection. The exterior of the float housing thus has an indicia to allow a viewer to identify the orientation of the float.

The invention is not limited to a float embodiment. For instance, the switch components (housing, light guides, means to interrupt optical alignment and light source and light detector) can be used as any type of switch. For instance, shown in figure 5 is a device switch. The switch has a housing 200 (here a plate with two upstanding flanges) into which a first 201 and second 202 light guide are mounted and separated by a gap, but optically aligned. One of the light guides is connected to a light source, another to a light detector. Slidably mounted to the plate is slide 210. Slide is movable between positions (e.g. position A, blocking transmission, and position B, allowing transmission) between the light guides 202 and 201. Figure 5 depicts a "slide" switch type, but any type switch device can employ the optical components, including a toggle type switch, push button type switch, rotary type switch, rocker type switch, key activated switch, limit APPENDIX

switch, proximity switch or other type of manually or mechanically operated switch where the operation of the switch occults or blocks the light path or otherwise interrupts optical alignment (or as later described, modifies the transmitted characteristics of the source light) between the two light guides, through manual or mechanical activation (e.g. relay operation of the switch activator) as opposed to gravity operation by a float switch.

As a general purpose switch, the optical switch may incorporate a means to modify the received characteristics of a light beam, allowing the switch have multiple "statuses," instead of simply on or off. Such a switch could be used to control devices with selectable settings (such as selecting the speed of a motor) or if the allowed variation is an analog variation, the switch can operate as a "dimmer switch" or continuously variable switch. For instance, the slidable bar could be a stepped density filter or a stepped transmission filter, such as available from Edmund Optics (www.edmundoptics.com) as model numbers 147-524, 147-525, 147-526 or 147-527. These models have eleven regions of different transmission characteristics (e.g., different density, thus modifying the transmitted lights amplitude characteristics). In this embodiment, the slidable bar does not totally block the light path at all positions on the bar, but generally allows partial transmission through the bar. Hence, the relative position of the bar with respect to the cable ends within the float interior or separator assembly can be determined based upon a the amount of light received by the light receptor after passage through the bar. Hence, the amount of light transmitted through the bar can be used to allow the device to function as a multiple position switch, to control devices having selectable positions.

Instead of modifying the degree of light transmission though the bar, other parameters could be used to modify the received characteristics of the source light, such as polarization or frequency. For instance, if the bar had four regions of different color, the light transmitted through the bar will vary in color or frequency based upon the position of the bar with respect to the source of light. The relative position of the bar (as detected by reception of a different color or frequency of light) can then be used to perform different functions (e.g., start pump 1, start pump 2, etc). A continuous or APPENDIX

analog gradation in transmission characteristics could also be used instead of a stepped bar as a "dimmer" type of switch to control a variable speed motor. Another type of dimmer or continuously variable type switch would two polarization filters, one fixed and one rotatable, with the distal ends of the fibers aligned through the polarized lenses. By rotation of one of the polarization filters (such as by mechanical or manual activation of the switch activator), the amplitude of the transmitted light can be varied in a continuous manner. AU of the above are considered a means to modify the received characteristics of a light beam. Indeed, the "means to interrupt optical alignment" is also a "means to modify the received characteristics of a light beam" as the modification is the non-transmission or non-reception of the light beam by operation of non- alignment of the distal ends or by interposing a light opaque object between the distal ends.

Further, the optical switch can accommodate "three way switches" or multiple pole, multiple throw type switches. Additional light fibers or light sources/receivers may be needed for a particular application. For instance, for a three way switch, each switch has three distal fiber ends

(here denoted the source, the common, and the traveler). The "traveler" optical fiber is to run between the two switches. Each three way switch contains a mirror or other reflective surface that provides optical alignment within the switch between the "source wire" and either the traveler or the common within each switch, and interrupts optical alignment with the non-selected path. That is, the light beam in a three way switch has two possible routes through the switch, and the route through the switch selects the path (by movement of the switch activator). Again, instead of moving a reflective surface, the optical fiber could be moved by operation of the switch.

Generally, for a switch embodiments described, the housing (or at least that portion containing the distal ends of the light guides and the gap therebetween (such as the separator assembly) will be substantially lightproof, and it is preferred that the housing itself be substantially lightproof with the switch activator or actuator (the slide, pushbutton, toggle, etc), for manual operation, extending through the housing. The distal ends of the light guides are located in the interior of the housing in order to keep the optical switch components isolated from external light APPENDIX

sources (such as ambient light) which might provide a false reading. If ambient light is not an issue (e.g., the light source is a non-common frequency, or bursts of light are used, or highly directional fibers are used, etc), the housing does not need to be light proof, and simply is used to define a gap between the distal ends of the light guides, such as shown in figure 5. The switch as described could be positioned within the hazardous environment, such as adjacent to (or attached to) an explosive proof housing containing a device (e.g., a motor or pump within the interior of the explosive proof housing). The light source and light detector utilized by the switch can be located in a remote switch panel or other remote device, and located separately if desired. Alternatively, the source and detector can be located in the interior of the explosive proof housing, and the light guides from the switch (within the hazardous environment) routed into the interior of the explosive proof housing through an explosive proof connector (the interior of an explosive proof container is considered to be remote from the hazardous environment). See figure 9, showing an optical toggle light switch 1000 operating a light fixture 1002 located in a hazardous environment, and is wired 1004, through an explosion proof conduit or using explosion proof wire), to a panel 1003 located outside the hazardous environment (the light may be wired to an explosion proof panel in the hazardous environment). The light fixture 1002 is in an explosion proof housing, but the optical switch 1000 is not. The optical switch light guides 1005 proximal ends are located in the panel 1003 and connected to the light source and light detector. The status of the switch is detected in the panel 1003, such as through use of a circuit (one suitable circuit is shown in figure 10), which circuit will power or de-power the light fixture based upon the detected switch status. In this fashion, an operator located in the hazardous environment can deactivate or activate the electrical device at or near the device itself, instead of at a remote switch panel or activation using an expensive explosion proof housing for the switch. Figure 9 also shows an optical limit switch 1010. This optical switch can be connected to panel 1003 using light guides 1005 (not shown). This limit switch is activated by a level arm 1 100 of a valve or other device that activates or deactivates the optical limit switch 1010. APPENDIX

The circuit in figure 10 shows the light source (E97) and light detector (D92) with the corresponding optical fibers connected to a float embodiment of the optical switch. The circuit is designed to have the relay de-energized when the return optical fiber is dark, that is, when the detector fails to detect light on the return optical fiber. If light is detected, the relay is energized, closing switch 90, which is used to connect power to the light fixture located in the hazardous region.

In this fashion, the powered components of the optical switch are electrically isolated from the hazardous environment, and the only energy present within the hazardous environment is a light beam. In a hazardous environment, such an optical switch presents a safe and economic alternative to conventional switches using an electrical contact in the hazardous environment that present a potential source of electric spark and ignition within the hazardous environment.

Another float embodiment for use in storage tanks consist of a stainless steel float (or other inert material) of suitable shape (ball, sausage shape, a cylinder with flat or domed ends, etc) with an optical activator positioned therein, on the cable beyond the tether point. One connecting optical cable can consist of the fiber optic fibers, either jacketed or unjacketed, installed inside of a hollow flexible tube or hose, made from a number of possible inert materials (inert to the intended environment). For instance, for use in a hydrocarbon storage tank, a flexible polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (e.g. Teflon) jacket may be used, or a braided stainless steel jacket (e.g., type 316 stainless). A teflon tube may also have an overall jacket of braded stainless steel or other materials which will add to its ruggedness and/or chemical resistance. The individual optic fibers, preferably comprising PMMA fibers with a polyethylene jacket, are housed by the jacket. The body of the float is coupled to the tube with compression or mechanical fittings made of 316 stainless steel.

The distal end of the tube is connected to an inert fitting (e.g., 316 stainless steel) which can be connected to any number of other devices. A preferred terminating device is a threaded flange to which the tube is connected on the interior facing face of the flange, and a terminating box, such an APPENDIX

explosion proof fitting, on the exterior facing face pf the flange. A channel through the flange allows the fibers to connect in the terminating box.

As described, the optical float hangs downwardly from a top tank flange into the tank interior. The float is tethered to a fixed or removable fixture within the tank, such as a pipe, rod, cable or chain. Alternatively, the float may be effectively tethered by placing a weight or "anchor" on the float cable that has sufficient weight to overcome the buoyancy of the float, and thus to restrain the height of the float, even when fully submerged in the tank liquid. See figure 16.

Generally connected to the terminating box is a conduit that will route the optical fibers to a remote panel for connection to the electrical equipment (light source/receiver, power, etc). Alternatively, the electrical equipment may be located at the terminating box, but such is not desired, as explosion proof housings may be required.

While the present invention has been described in connection with a number of embodiments and implementations, the present invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements.







Claims

Claims

1. A switch comprising a switch body having a hollow interior portion, a pair of optical fibers disposed in said switch body, each fiber having distal and proximal ends, said proximal ends of said fibers being optically aligned in said interior portion but separated by a gap, one of said distal ends connectable to a light source, another of said distal ends connectable to a light detector, said switch body having an opening into said interior portion, a membrane sealingly mounted to said opening, a means to modify an emitted light positioned in said interior portion, said means to modify an emitted light movable between a first and a second position in response to movement of said membrane, wherein in at least one of said positions, said means is positioned at least partially in said gap.

2. The switch of claim 1 wherein said first position corresponds to a first switch status and said second position corresponds to a second switch status.

3. The switch of claim 1 wherein said means to modify an emitted light further comprises an opaque portion.

4. The switch of claim 1 wherein said means to modify an emitted light further comprises a transparent portion.

5. The switch of claim 1 wherein said means to modify an emitted light further comprises a notched member.

6. The switch of claim 1 wherein said means to modify an emitted light is mounted on said membrane.

7. The switch of claim 1 wherein said means to modify an emitted light is not attached to said membrane.

8. An optical cable comprising an outer sheath of length and having a first and second end, at least two optic fibers positioned in the interior of said sheath and a fluidly connected path within said sheath, each of said optic fibers and said fluidly connected path extending within said sheath from said first end to said second end.

9. The optical cable of claim 8 wherein said fluid air path is an air tube.

10. The optical cable of claim 9 wherein said sheath is a solid elastomer.

11. A switch comprising a switch body having a hollow interior portion, a pair of optical fibers disposed in said switch body, each fiber having a distal and proximal ends, said proximal ends of said fibers being optically aligned in said interior portion but separated by a gap, one of said distal ends connectable to a light source, another of said distal ends connectable to a light detector, said switch body having an opening into said interior portion, a membrane sealingly mounted to said opening, a member positioned in said interior portion, said member movable between a first and a second position in response to movement of said membrane, wherein in at least one of said positions, said member positioned in at least partially in said gap.

12. The switch according to claim 11 wherein said member is mounted in the interior of said chamber, and biased to contact said membrane.

13. The switch according to claim 12 further including a light detector and light source located remote from said switch housing, one of said distal optical fiber ends being connected to said light source, another of said optical fiber distal ends being connected to said light detector.