Patent attributes
An optical liquid level transducer is provided that eliminates the need for moving parts, linearization, temperature compensation, material incompatibility with fuel, light output and sensing fluctuations due to temperature changes, and so on. As described, the liquid level is digitally sensed by analyzing axial images of the probe section and outputting changes in liquid level accordingly. The optical liquid level transducer employs an absolute measurement technique with no moving parts such that when power is turned off and restored to the fuel sender, liquid level is automatically determined even if the fuel level in the tank were to change during the “power-off” condition. The optical liquid level transducer is independent of liquid type, temperature and other environmental factors, and does not require special materials that may be incompatible with fuel.