• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
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    • 专利摘要:
    liquid level indicator. examples provide a series of heaters sustained at different depths within the volume. a series of temperature sensors are held at different depths within the volume. the temperature sensors emit signals indicative of heat dissipation from the heaters to indicate a liquid level within the volume.
    公开号:BR112018008244B1
    申请号:R112018008244-9
    申请日:2015-10-28
    公开日:2021-06-29
    发明作者:Michael W. Cumbie；Robert N. K. Browning
    申请人:Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    [001] Several devices are currently employed to detect the level of a liquid within a volume. Some of these devices can be relatively complex and expensive to manufacture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [002] Figure 1A is a diagram of a portion of an exemplary liquid interface to an exemplary liquid level sensor.
    [003] Figure 1B is a diagram of portions of another exemplary liquid interface to an exemplary liquid level sensor.
    [004] Figure 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for determining a liquid level using the liquid level sensor of Figure 1.
    [005] Figure 3 is a diagram of an exemplary liquid level detection system.
    [006] Figure 4 is a diagram of an exemplary liquid supply system that includes the liquid level detection system of Figure 3.
    [007] Figure 5 is a diagram of another exemplary liquid supply system that includes the liquid level detection system of Figure 3.
    [008] Figure 6 is a diagram of a portion of another exemplary liquid interface of a liquid level sensor.
    [009] Figure 7 is an exemplary circuit diagram of the liquid level sensor of Figure 6.
    [010] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary liquid interface of Figure 6.
    [011] Figure 9A is a fragmentary front view of the liquid level sensor of Figure 6, which illustrates an exemplary heat peak that results from the pulsing of a heater.
    [012] Figure 9B is a fragmentary front view of another exemplary liquid level sensor, which illustrates an exemplary heat spike that results from the pulsing of a heater.
    [013] Figure 9C is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary liquid level sensor of Figure 9B, which illustrates the exemplary heat peak that results from the pulse of the heater.
    [014] Figure 10 is a graph illustrating an example of different sensed temperature responses over time to a heater pulse.
    [015] Figure 11 is a diagram of another exemplary liquid level sensor.
    [016] Figure 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of the exemplary liquid level sensor of Figure 11.
    [017] Figure 13 is a perspective view of another exemplary liquid level sensor.
    [018] Figure 14 is a front view of the exemplary liquid level sensor of Figure 13.
    [019] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary liquid level sensor of Figure 14.
    [020] Figure 16 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for forming the exemplary liquid level sensor of Figure 13.
    [021] Figure 17 is a front view of an exemplary panel in which multiple liquid level sensors were formed, before singulation.
    [022] Figures 18A to 18E are cross-sectional views illustrating the exemplary liquid level sensor of Figure 13 as it is being formed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES
    [023] Many existing devices that are currently used to detect the level of a liquid within a volume can be relatively complex and expensive to manufacture. For example, many liquid level detection devices available today use expensive components and expensive materials. Many liquid level detection devices available today involve complex dedicated manufacturing processes.
    [024] This disclosure describes several exemplary liquid level sensing liquid interfaces that are less expensive to manufacture. As will be described hereinafter, in some deployments, the disclosed liquid level sensing liquid interfaces facilitate the use of materials that have a wide range of temperature coefficient of resistance. In some deployments, the disclosed liquid level sensing liquid interfaces are well suited to detecting the level of otherwise corrosive liquids without using generally more expensive corrosion resistant materials.
    [025] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary liquid level detection interface 24 for a liquid level sensor. The liquid interface 24 interacts with liquid within a volume 40 and emits signals indicating the current liquid level within the volume 40. Such signals are processed to determine the liquid level within the volume 40. The liquid interface 24 facilitates detection of liquid level within volume 40 in a low cost way.
    [026] As shown schematically by Figure 1, the liquid interface 24 comprises strip 26, a 28 series of heaters 30 and a 32 series of sensors 34. The strip 26 comprises an elongated strip that is to be extended into the volume 40 which contains the liquid 42. The strip 26 supports the heaters 30 and sensors 34 so that a subassembly of the heaters 30 and sensors 34 are submerged within the liquid 42 when liquid 42 is present.
    [027] In an implementation, the strip 42 is supported (from the top or from the bottom) so that those portions of the strip 26, and its sustained heaters 30 and sensors 34, submerged within the liquid 42, are completely enclosed on all sides by liquid 42. In another deployment, strip 42 is supported along one side of volume 40 so that a face of strip 42 adjacent to side of volume 40 is not opposed by liquid 42. In one deployment, strip 42 comprises an elongated substantially flat rectangular strip. In another implementation the strip 42 comprises a strip having a different polygonal cross-section or a circular or oval cross-section.
    [028] The heaters 30 comprise individual heating elements spaced apart along a length of the strip 26. Each of the heaters 30 is sufficiently close to a sensor 28 so that heat emitted by the individual heater can be detected by the associated sensor 28. In one deployment, each heater 30 is independently actuatable to emit heat independently of other heaters 30. In one deployment, each heater 30 comprises an electrical resistor. In an implantation, each heater 30 is to emit a pulse of heat for a duration of at least 10 µs with a power of at least 10 mW.
    [029] In the illustrated example, the heaters 30 are employed to emit heat and do not serve as temperature sensors. As a result, each of the heaters 30 can be constructed from a wide variety of electrically resistive materials that have a wide range of resistance temperature coefficients. A resistor can be characterized by its resistance temperature coefficient, or TCR. The TCR is the resistor's change in resistance as a function of ambient temperature. The TCR can be expressed in ppm/°C, which means parts per million per degree centigrade. The resistance temperature coefficient is calculated as follows: temperature coefficient of a resistor: TCR = (R2-R1) e-6 / R1*(T2-T1), where TCR is in ppm/°C, R1 is in ohms at ambient temperature, R2 is resistance at operating temperature in ohms, T1 is ambient temperature in °C and T2 is operating temperature in °C.
    [030] Due to the fact that heaters 30 are separate and distinct from temperature sensors 34, a wide variety of thin film material choices are available in wafer manufacturing processes to form heaters 30. In one deployment, each of the heaters 30 have relatively high heat dissipation by area, high temperature stability (TCR < 1000 ppm/°C), and close coupling of heat generation to the surrounding medium and heat sensor. Suitable materials might be refractory metals and their respective alloys such as tantalum and its alloys, and tungsten and its alloys, to name but a few; however, other heat dissipation devices such as doped silicon or polysilicon can also be used.
    [031] The sensors 34 comprise individual sensing elements spaced apart along the length of the strip 26. Each of the sensors 34 is sufficiently close to a corresponding heater 30 so that the sensor 34 can detect or respond to heat transfer from the associated heater or corresponding 30. Each of the sensors 34 emits a signal that indicates or reflects the amount of heat transmitted to the particular sensor 34 that follows and corresponds to a heat pulse from the associated heater. The amount transmitted to the associated heater will vary depending on the medium through which the heat was transmitted before reaching the sensor. Liquid will thermally conduct heat at a faster rate when compared to air. As a result, differences between signals from sensors 34 indicate the level of liquid 42 within volume 40.
    [032] In an implementation, each of the sensors 34 comprises a diode that has a characteristic temperature response. For example, in one deployment, each of the sensors 34 comprises a P-N junction diode. In other deployments, another diode may be employed or other temperature sensors may be employed.
    [033] In the illustrated example, the heaters 30 and the sensors 34 are supported by the strip 26 so as to be interdigitated or interspersed with each other along the length of the strip 26. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "sustain" or "sustained" by" in relation to heaters and/or sensors and a strip means that the heaters and/or sensors are carried by the strip so that the strip, heaters and sensors form a single connected unit. Such heaters and sensors can be supported outside or inside and inside the strip. For purposes of this disclosure, the term "interdigitated" or "interleaved" means that two items alternate with each other. For example, interdigitated heaters and sensors can comprise a first heater, followed by a first sensor, followed by a second heater, followed by a second sensor, and so on.
    [034] In an deployment, an individual heater 30 may emit heat pulses that must be detected by multiple sensors 34 close to the individual heater 30. In an implant, each sensor 34 is moved no more than 20 µm away from an individual heater 30. In one deployment, sensors 30 have a minimum one-dimensional density across strip 24 of at least 100 sensors 34 per inch (2.54 cm) (at least 40 sensors 34 per centimeter). The one-dimensional density comprises a number of sensors per unit measured in one direction along the length of strip 26, the dimension of strip 26 extending to different depths, which define the depth or liquid level that detects the resolution of the interface. liquid 24. In other deployments, sensors 30 have other dimensional densities along strip 24. For example, in another deployment, sensors 34 have a one-dimensional density across strip 26 of at least 4 sensors per centimeter (10 sensors per inch (2.54 cm)). In other deployments, sensors 34 may have a one-dimensional density along strip 26 on the order of 1000 sensors per inch (2.54 cm) (400 sensors per centimeter) or greater.
    [035] In some deployments, the vertical density or number of sensors per centimeter or vertical inch may vary along the vertical or longitudinal length of strip 26. Figure 1A illustrates an example sensor strip 126 that has a variable density of sensors 34 along its main dimension or release a length. In the illustrated example, sensor strip 126 has greater sensor density 34 in those regions along the vertical height or depth where it can benefit most from a greater degree of depth resolution. In the illustrated example, sensor strip 126 has a lower portion 127 having a first sensor density 34 and an upper portion 129 having a second sensor density 34, the second density being less than the first density. In this deployment, sensor strip 126 provides a higher degree of accuracy or resolution as the liquid level within the volume approaches an empty state. In an implant, the lower portion 127 has a density of at least 40 sensors 34 per centimeter while the upper portion 129 has a density of less than 10 sensors per centimeter, and in an implant, 4 sensors 34 per centimeter. In still other implementations, an upper portion or an intermediate portion of sensor strip 126 may alternatively have a greater density of sensors as compared to other portions of sensor strip 126.
    [036] Each of the heaters 30 and each of the sensors 34 is selectively actuatable under the control of a controller. In one deployment, the controller is part of or carried by strip 26. In another deployment, the controller comprises a remote controller electrically connected to heaters 30 on strip 26. In one deployment, interface 24 comprises a component separate from the controller, which facilitates replacement of interface 24 or facilitates control of multiple interfaces 24 by a separate controller.
    [037] Figure 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 100 that can be performed using a liquid interface, such as liquid interface 24, to detect and determine the level of a liquid within a volume. As indicated by block 102, control signals are sent to heaters 30 which causes a subset of heaters 30 or each of heaters 30 to turn on and off so as to emit a pulse of heat. In one deployment, control signals are sent to heaters 30 so that heaters 30 are actuated or turned on and off (pulsed) sequentially to sequentially emit pulses of heat. In one deployment, the heaters are sequentially turned on and off in order, for example, in order from top to bottom along strip 26 or bottom to top along strip 26.
    [038] In another implementation, heaters 30 are actuated based on a search algorithm, in which the controller identifies which of the heaters 30 should be pulsed initially in an effort to reduce the total time or total number of heaters that are pulsed to determine the level of liquid 42 within volume 40. In an implantation, identification of which heaters 30 are initially pulsed is based on historical data. For example, in one deployment, the controller queries a memory to obtain data regarding the last detected level of liquid 42 within volume 40 and pulses those heaters 30 closest to the last detected level of liquid 42 before pulsing other heaters 30 further away from the last detected level of liquid 42.
    [039] In another implementation, the controller predicts the current liquid level 42 within volume 40 based on the last detected obtained level of liquid 42 and pulses those heaters 30 close to the predicted current liquid level 42 within volume 44 by pulsing other heaters 30 further away from the predicted current liquid level 42. In one deployment, the predicted actual liquid level 42 is based on the last detected liquid level 42 and a time lapse since the last detection of liquid level 42. In another deployment , the predicted current level of liquid 42 is based on the last detected level of liquid 42 and data indicating the consumption or withdrawal of liquid 42 from the volume. For example, in circumstances where the liquid interface 42 is detecting the volume of an ink in an ink supply, the predicted current level of the liquid 42 may be based on the last detected level of the liquid 42 and data such as the number of pages printed using ink or similar.
    [040] In yet another implementation, heaters 30 can be pulsed sequentially, where heaters near a center of the depth range of volume 40 are pulsed initially and where the other heaters are pulsed in order based on their distance to from the center of the volume depth range 40. In yet another deployment, subassemblies of heaters 30 are pulsed concurrently. For example, a first heater and a second heater can be pulsed concurrently where the first heater and the second heater are sufficiently spaced apart along the strip 26 so that heat emitted by the first heater is not transmitted or does not reach the sensor designed to detect heat transmission from the second heater. Concurrently pulsing heaters 30 can reduce the total time to determine the level of liquid 42 within volume 40.
    [041] In an implant, each heat pulse has a duration of at least 10 μs and with a power of at least 10 mW. In an implant, each heat pulse lasts between 1 and 100 µs and up to one millisecond. In one deployment, each heat pulse has a power of at least 10 mW and up to 10 W inclusive.
    [042] As indicated by block 104 in Figure 2, for each pulse emitted, an associated sensor 34 detects heat transfer from the associated heater to the associated sensor 34. In a deployment, each sensor 34 is actuated, turned on or verified following a predetermined period of time after the heat pulse from the associated heater. The time period can be based on the start of the pulse, the end of the pulse, or some other time value related to the periodicity of the pulse. In one deployment, each sensor 34 detects heat transmitted from the associated heater 30 that begins at least 10 µs after the end of the heat pulse from the associated heater 30. In one deployment, each sensor 34 detects heat transmitted from the associated heater 30 which begins 1000 μs following the end of the heat pulse from the associated heater 30. In another implementation, the sensor 34 begins heat sensing after the end of the heat pulse from the associated heater following a time period equal to a duration of the heat pulse, where such detection occurs for a period of time between two to three times the duration of the heat pulse. In still other implementations, the time delay between the heat pulse and heat detection by the associated sensor 34 may have other values.
    [043] As indicated by block 106 in Figure 2, the controller or other controller determines a level of liquid 42 within volume 40 based on the sensed transfer of heat from each emitted pulse. For example, liquid can transfer or transmit heat at a higher rate compared to air. If the liquid level 42 within volume 40 is such that liquid extends between a particular heater 30 and its associated sensor 34, heat transfer from the particular heater 32 to its associated sensor 34 will be faster compared to to circumstances where air extends between the particular heater 30 and its associated sensor 34. Based on the amount of heat detected by the associated sensor 34 following the emission of the heat pulse by the associated heater 30, the controller determines whether it is air or liquid which extends between the particular heater 30 and the associated sensor. Using that determination and the known location of heater 30 and/or sensor 34 along strip 26 and the relative positioning of strip 26 with respect to the floor of volume 40, the controller determines the level of liquid 42 within volume 40. Based on the determined level of liquid 42 within volume 40 and the characteristics of volume 40, the controller is further able to determine the actual volume or amount of liquid remaining within volume 40.
    [044] In one deployment, the controller determines the liquid level within volume 40 by querying a lookup table stored in memory, where the table appearance associates different signals from sensors 34 with different liquid levels within of volume 40. In yet another implementation, the controller determines the level of liquid within volume 40 using signals from 34 as input to an algorithm or formula.
    [045] In some deployments, method 100 and liquid interface 32 can be used not only to determine a higher level or surface of liquid within volume 40, but also to determine different levels of different liquids that are concurrently found in the volume. 40. For example, due to different densities or other properties, different liquids may layer on top of each other while remaining concurrently in a single volume 40. Each of such different liquids may have a different heat transfer characteristic. In that application, method 100 and liquid interface 24 can be used to identify where a layer of a first liquid ends within volume 40 and where a layer of a different second liquid, underlying or superimposed on the first liquid, begins.
    [046] In an implantation, the determined level (or levels) of liquid within volume 40 and/or the determined volume or quantity of liquid within volume 40 is emitted through a display or audible device. In still other deployments, the determined fluid level or fluid volume is used as a basis for triggering an alert, warning, or the like for the user. In some deployments, the determined liquid level or liquid volume is used to trigger the automatic reordering of refilling the liquid or closing a valve to stop the inflow of liquid at volume 40. For example, in printers, the determined level of liquid within volume 40 can automatically trigger reordering of ink cartridge replacement or ink supply replacement.
    [047] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary liquid level detection system 220. The liquid level detection system 220 comprises carrier 222, liquid interface 24 (described above), elective interconnection 226, controller 230 and display 232. Carrier 222 comprises a structure which supports strip 26. In an implant, carrier 222 comprises a strip formed from or comprising a polymer, glass or other material. In one deployment, carrier 222 has embedded traces or electrical conductors. For example, in an implant, carrier 222 comprises composite material composed of fiberglass cloth woven with an epoxy resin binder. In one deployment, carrier 222 comprises a laminated epoxy sheet reinforced with glass, tube, rod or printed circuit board.
    [048] The liquid interface 24, described above, extends along a length of the carrier 222. In one deployment, the liquid interface 24 is glued, bonded, or otherwise secured to the carrier 222. In some deployments, depending on of the thickness and strength of the strip 26, the carrier 222 can be omitted.
    [049] The electrical interconnect 226 comprises an interface by which the signals from the sensors 34 (shown in Figure 1) of the interface 24 are transmitted to the controller 230. In one implementation, the electrical interconnect 226 comprises electrical contact blocks 236. In others In deployments, the electrical interconnect 226 can take other forms. The electrical interconnect 226, the carrier 222 and the strip 24 collectively form a liquid level sensor 200 that can be incorporated into and affixed as part of a liquid container volume or it can be a separate portable sensing device that can be temporarily manually inserted into different containers or volumes of liquid.
    [050] Controller 230 comprises a processing unit 240 and associated non-transient computer readable media or memory 242. In one deployment, controller 230 is separate from liquid level sensor 200. In other deployments, controller 230 is incorporated. as part of sensor 200. Processing unit 240 requests instructions contained in memory 242. For the purposes of this application, the term "processing unit" shall mean a processing unit currently developed or of future development that executes sequences of instructions contained in a memory. The execution of sequences of instructions makes the processing unit perform steps such as generating control signals. Instructions can be loaded into random access memory (RAM) for execution by the processing unit from read-only memory (ROM), a mass storage device, or some other persistent storage. In other embodiments, interconnected circuits can be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the described functions. For example, controller 230 may be incorporated as part of one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Unless specifically noted otherwise, the controller is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software circuitry, nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by the processing unit.
    [051] Processing unit 240, which follows instructions contained in memory 242 performs method 100 shown and described above with respect to Figure 2. Processor 240, which follows instructions provided in memory 242, selectively pulses heaters 30. Processor 240, which follows instructions provided in memory 242, obtains data signals from sensors 34, or data signals that indicate heat dissipation from the pulses and heat transfer to sensors 34. Processor 240 , which follows instructions provided in memory 242, determines a liquid level within the volume based on signals from the sensors 34. As noted above, in some implementations, the controller 230 can additionally determine an amount or volume of liquid with the use of features of the volume or chamber that contains a liquid.
    [052] In a deployment, the display 232 receives signals from the controller 230 and presents visible data based on the determined level of liquid and/or determined volume or amount of liquid within the volume. In a deployment, display 232 features an icon or other graphic that depicts a percentage of the volume that is filled with liquid. In another implementation, the display 232 presents an alphanumeric indication of the liquid level or percentage of the volume that is filled with liquid or that has been emptied of liquid. In yet another implementation, the display 232 presents an "acceptable" alert or situation based on the determined liquid level within the volume. In still other implementations, the display 232 may be omitted, where the determined level of liquid within the volume is used to automatically trigger an event such as reordering to replenish liquid, actuating a valve to add a liquid to the volume, or the valve actuation to terminate ongoing addition of liquid to volume.
    [053] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the liquid level detection system 220 incorporated as part of a liquid supply system 310. The liquid supply system 310 comprises liquid container 312, chamber 314 and fluid or liquid ports 316. Container 312 defines chamber 314. Chamber 314 forms an exemplary volume 40 in which liquid 42 is contained. As shown in Figure 4, carrier 222 and liquid interface 24 project into chamber 314 from a bottom side of chamber 314, which facilitates liquid level determinations as chamber 314 approaches a state of being completely empty. In other implementations, carrier 222 at liquid interface 24 may alternatively be suspended from a top of chamber 314.
    [054] The liquid ports 316 comprise liquid passages through which liquid from within chamber 314 is distributed are directed to an external container. In one deployment, liquid ports 316 comprise a valve or other mechanism that facilitates selective discharge of liquid from chamber 314. In one deployment, liquid supply system 310 comprises an off-axis ink supply to a printing system. In another implementation, liquid supply system 310 further comprises a printhead 320 that is fluidly coupled to chamber 3142 to receive liquid from chamber 314 through liquid interface 316. For example, in one deployment, the printing system liquid supply 310, which includes printhead 320, can form a print cartridge. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "fluidly coupled" means that two or more fluid transmission volumes are connected directly to each other or are connected to each other by intermediate volumes or spaces so that fluid can flow from one volume to the other volume.
    [055] In the example illustrated in Figure 4, communication between controller 230, which is remote or separate from the fluid supply system tuner and 10, is facilitated by means of a cleaning connector 324 such as a universal serial bus connector or other type of connector. Controller 230 and display 232 operate as described above.
    [056] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the liquid supply system 410, another exemplary implementation of the liquid supply system 310. The liquid supply system 410 is similar to the liquid supply system 310, except that liquid supply system 410 comprises liquid port 416 in place of liquid port 316. Liquid port 416 is similar to liquid interface 316, except that liquid port 416 is provided in a cap 426 above chamber 314 of container 312. Those remaining components of system 410 that correspond to components of system 310 are similarly numbered.
    [057] Figures 6 to 8 illustrate the liquid level sensor 500, an example of the liquid level sensor 200. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a portion of liquid interface 224. Figure 7 is a diagram of sensor circuit 500. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through the liquid interface 224 of Figure 6 taken along line 8-8. As shown in Figure 6, the liquid interface 224 is similar to the liquid interface 24 described above, in that the liquid interface 224 comprises the strip 26 which supports a series of heaters 530 and a series of temperature sensors 534. In the example illustrated, heaters 530 and temperature sensors 534 are interdigitated or interspersed along length L of strip 26, where length L is the main dimension of strip 26 to extend through different depths when sensor 500 is being used. . In the illustrated example, each sensor 534 is moved away from its associated or corresponding heater 530 by an offset distance S, as measured in one direction along length L, of less than or equal to 20 µm and nominally 10 µm. In the illustrated example, sensors 534 and their associated heaters 530 are arranged in pairs, where adjacent pairs heaters 530 are separated from each other by a distance D, as measured in a direction along length L of at least 25 µm to reduce thermal interference between consecutive heaters. In one deployment, consecutive heaters 530 are separated from each other by a distance D of between 25 µm and 2,500 µm, and nominally 100 µm.
    [058] As shown in Figure 7, in the illustrated example, each heater 530 comprises an electrical resistor 550 that can be selectively turned on and off through the selective actuation of a transistor 552. Each sensor 534 comprises a diode 560. In one deployment, the Diode 560, which serves as temperature sensors, comprises a PN junction diode. Each diode 550 has a characteristic response to changes in temperature. In particular, each diode 550 has a forward voltage that changes in response to changes in temperature. Diode 550 exhibits an almost linear relationship between temperature and applied voltage. Due to the fact that temperature sensors 530 comprise diodes or semiconductor junctions, sensor 500 is lower in cost and can be manufactured in an extractor 26 using semiconductor fabrication techniques.
    [059] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an example sensor 500. In the illustrated example, strip 26 is supported by carrier 222 (described above). In an implant, strip 26 comprises silicon while carrier 122 comprises a polymer or plastic. In the illustrated example, heater 530 comprises a polysilicon heater that is supported by strip 26, but separated from strip 26 by an electrically insulating layer 562, such as a layer of silicon dioxide in the illustrated example, heater 530 is further encapsulated by a external passivation layer 564 that inhibits contact between heater 530 and the liquid being detected. Layer 564 protects heater 530 and sensors 534 from damage that would otherwise result from corrosive contact with the liquid or ink being detected. In one implant, the outer passivation layer 564 comprises silicon carbide and/or tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). In other implementations, layers 562, 564 may be omitted or may be formed from other materials.
    [060] As shown by Figures 7 and 8, the construction of sensor 500 creates multiple layers or barriers that provide additional thermal resistances R. The heat pulse emitted by heater 530 is transmitted through such thermal resistances to the associated sensor 534. A The rate at which heat from a particular heater 530 is transmitted to the associated sensor 534 varies depending on whether the particular heater 530 is surrounded by air 41 or liquid 42. The signals from sensor 534 will vary depending on whether they were transmitted through air 41 or liquid 42. Signal differences are used to determine the current liquid level within a volume.
    [061] Figure 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate the liquid interfaces 624 and 644, other exemplary implementations of the liquid interface 24. In Figure 9A, the heaters and sensors are arranged in pairs identified 0, 1, 2, .. .N. The liquid interface 624 is similar to the liquid interface 24, except that instead of being vertically interleaved or interdigitated along the length of the strip 26, the heaters 30 and sensors 34 are arranged in a matrix of side-by-side pairs. side vertically along the length of the strip 26.
    [062] Figures 9B and 9C illustrate the liquid interface 644, other examples of implementation of the liquid interface 24. The liquid interface 644 is similar to the liquid interface 24 except that heaters 30 and sensors 34 are arranged in an array of vertically spaced stacks along the length of strip 26. Figure 9C is a cross-sectional view of interface 644 further illustrating the stacked arrangement of pairs of heaters 30 and sensors 34.
    [063] Figures 9A to 9C further illustrate an exemplary pulsation of the heater 30 of the heater/sensor 1 pair and the subsequent heat dissipation through the adjacent materials. In Figures 9A to 9C, the temperature or intensity of heat dissipates or declines as heat moves further away from the heat source, heater 30 of the heater/sensor pair 1. Heat dissipation is illustrated by the change in hatching. in the Figures.
    [064] Figure 10 illustrates a pair of graphs, synchronized in time, of the exemplary pulse shown in Figures 9A to 9C. Figure 10 illustrates the relationship between the pulse of heater 30 of heater/sensor 1 pair and the response over time by sensors 34 of heater/sensor pairs 0, 1, and 2. As shown by 10, the response of each one of the sensors 34 of each of the pairs 0, 1 and 2 varies depending on whether air or liquid is over or adjacent to the respective heater/sensor pair 0, 1 and 2. The characteristic transient magnitude curve rises differently in the presence of air versus in the presence of liquid. As a result, signals from interface 644, as well as other interfaces such as interfaces 24 and 624, indicate the level of liquid within the volume.
    [065] In a deployment, a controller, such as controller 230 described above, determines a liquid level within the detected volume by individually pulsing heater 30 of a pair and comparing the magnitude of the temperature as detected from of the sensor of the same pair, with respect to the heater pulse parameters to determine whether liquid or air is adjacent for the individual heater/sensor pair. Controller 230 performs this pulse and detection for each pair in the matrix until the liquid level within the detected volume is found or identified. For example, controller 230 may first pulse heater 30 of pair 0 and compare the sensed temperature provided by sensor 34 of pair 0 to a predetermined threshold. Thereafter, controller 30 may pulse heater 30 of pair 1 and compare the detected temperature provided by sensor 34 of pair 1 to a predetermined threshold. This process is repeated until the liquid level is found or identified.
    [066] In another implementation, a controller, such as controller 230 described above, determines a liquid level within the detected volume by individually pulsing heater 30 of a pair and comparing multiple temperature magnitudes as detected by the sensors. multiple pairs. For example, controller 230 can pulse heater 30 of pair 1 and thereafter compare the temperature detected by sensor 34 of pair 1, to the temperature detected by sensor 34 of pair 0, to the temperature detected by sensor 34 of pair 2, and so on. onwards, with each temperature resulting from the pulsation of heater 30 of pair 1. In one deployment, the controller can use the analysis of multiple temperature magnitudes from different sensors vertically across the liquid interface, which result from a single pulse of heat, to determine whether liquid or air is adjacent to the heater/sensor pair that has the pulsed heater. In this deployment, the controller 230 performs such pulsation and detection by separately pulsing the heater of each matrix pair and analyzing the resulting corresponding multiple different temperature magnitudes until the liquid level within the detected volume is found or identified.
    [067] In another implementation, the controller can determine the liquid level within the sensed volume based on differences in multiple magnitudes of temperature vertically across the liquid interface that result from a single heat pulse. For example, if the temperature magnitude of a particular sensor changes drastically relative to the temperature magnitude of an adjacent sensor, the drastic change could indicate that the liquid level is at or between the two sensors. In a deployment, the controller can compare differences between the temperature magnitudes of adjacent sensors against a predefined threshold to determine if the liquid level is at or between the known vertical locations of the two sensors.
    [068] In still other implementations, a controller, such as the 230 controller described above, determines the liquid level within the detected volume based on the profile of a transient temperature curve based on signals from a single or multiple sensors. transient temperature curves based on signals from multiple sensors. In one deployment, a controller, such as controller 230 described above, determines a liquid level within the detected volume by individually pulsing heater 30 of a pair and comparing the transient temperature curve produced by the sensor of the same pair. , against the preset threshold or a preset curve to determine whether liquid or air is adjacent to the individual heater/sensor pair. Controller 230 performs this pulse and detection for each pair in the matrix until the liquid level within the detected volume is found or identified. For example, controller 230 may first pulse heater 30 of pair 0 and compare the resulting transient temperature curve produced by sensor 34 of pair 0 to a predetermined threshold or predefined comparison curve. Thereafter, controller 30 may pulse heater 30 of pair 1 and compare the resulting transient temperature curve produced by sensor 34 of pair 1 to a predetermined threshold or predefined comparison curve. This process is repeated until the liquid level is found or identified.
    [069] In another implementation, a controller, such as controller 230 described above, determines a liquid level within the detected volume by individually pulsing heater 30 of a pair and comparing multiple transient temperature curves produced by the sensors. multiple pairs. For example, controller 230 can pulse heater 30 of pair 1 and thereafter compare the resulting transient temperature curve produced by sensor 34 of pair 1, the resulting transient temperature curve produced by sensor 34 of pair 0, the temperature curve resulting transient produced by sensor 34 of pair 2, and so on, with each transient temperature curve resulting from the pulse of heater 30 of pair 1. In one deployment, the controller can use the analysis of multiple transient temperature curves from the different sensors vertically across the liquid interface, which result from a single heat pulse, to determine whether liquid or air is adjacent to the heater/sensor pair that has the pulsed heater. In this deployment, the controller 230 performs such pulsation and detection by separately pulsing the heater of each matrix pair and analyzing the resulting corresponding multiple different transient temperature curves until the liquid level within the detected volume is found or identified.
    [070] In another implementation, the controller can determine the liquid level within the detected volume based on differences in multiple transient temperature curves produced by different sensors vertically along the liquid interface that result from a single heat pulse . For example, if the transient temperature curve for a particular sensor changes drastically relative to the transient temperature curve for an adjacent sensor, the drastic change could indicate that the liquid level is at or between the two sensors. In a deployment, the controller can compare the differences between the transient temperature curves of adjacent sensors against a predefined threshold to determine if the liquid level is at or between the known vertical locations of the two sensors.
    [071] Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the sensor 700, an exemplary implementation of the sensor 500. The sensor 700 comprises the carrier 722, the liquid interface 224, the electrical interface 726, the actuator 728 and the collar 730. The carrier 722 it is similar to the 222 carrier described above. In the illustrated example, carrier 722 comprises a molded polymer. In other implementations, carrier 722 may comprise glass or other materials.
    [072] The 224 liquid interface is described above. Liquid interface 224 is bonded, glued or otherwise adhered to a face of carrier 722 along the length of carrier 722. Carrier 722 can be formed from, or comprise, glass, polymers, FR4 or other materials.
    [073] The electrical interconnect 226 comprises a printed circuit board that has electrical contact blocks 236 that make the electrical connection with the controller 230 (described above in relation to Figures 3 to 5). In the illustrated example, electrical interconnect 226 is wired or otherwise adhered to carrier 722. Electrical interconnect 226 is electrically connected to driver 728 as well as heaters 530 and sensors 534 of liquid interface 224. Driver 728 comprises an integrated circuit specific application (ASIC) that triggers heaters 530 and sensors 534 in response to signals received through the electrical interconnect 726. In other implementations, the triggering of the heaters 530 and detection by the sensors 534 may alternatively be controlled by an all-in driver circuit integrated in place of an ASIC.
    [074] Collar 730 extends around carrier 722. Collar 730 serves as a supply integration interface between carrier 722 and the liquid container where sensor 700 is used to detect the level of liquid within a volume. In some deployments, the collar 730 provides a liquid seal, which separates the liquid contained within the volume being detected and allows for interconnection 726. As shown in Figure 11, in some deployments, the driver 728 as well as the electrical connections between the driver 728, the liquid interface 224 and the electrical interconnect 722 are further covered by an electrically protective insulating wire bonding adhesive or encapsulant 735 such as a layer of molded epoxy composite.
    [075] Figures 13 through 15 illustrate sensor 800, another deployment of sensor 500. Sensor 800 is similar to sensor 700 except that sensor 800 comprises carrier 822 in place of carrier 722 and omits electrical interconnection 726 Carrier 822 comprises a printed circuit board or other structure that has embedded electrical traces and contact blocks to facilitate electrical connection between various electronic components mounted on carrier 722. In one deployment, carrier 822 comprises a composite material composed of cloth. of fiberglass fabric with an epoxy resin binder. In one deployment, carrier 222 comprises a laminated epoxy sheet reinforced with glass, tube, rod or printed circuit board, such as a printed circuit board FR4.
    [076] As shown by Figures 14 and 15, the liquid interface 224 is easily attached to the carrier 822 by an attachment adhesive 831. The liquid interface 224 is additionally wired to the ridge as are the driver 728 and the blocks of related electrical contact 36 provided as part of carrier 822. Encapsulator 735 overlaps or covers wire connections between liquid interface 224, driver 728, and electrical contact blocks 836. As shown in Figure 13, collar 730 is positioned around encapsulant 735 between a lower end of liquid interface 224 and electrical contact blocks 836.
    [077] Figures 16, 17 and 18A to 18E illustrate an exemplary method for forming sensor 800. Figure 16 illustrates method 900 for forming sensor 800. As indicated by block 902, the liquid interface 224 is attached to the carrier 822. As indicated by block 904, driver 728 is also attached to carrier 822. Figure 18A illustrates carrier 822 before attaching liquid interface 224 and driver 728. Figure 18B illustrates sensor 800 after attaching interface 224 and driver 728 (shown in Figure 14) with adhesive layer 831. In one deployment, adhesive layer 831 is stamped onto carrier 822 to accurately position adhesive 831. In one deployment, securing the liquid interface 24 and actuator 728 additionally include curing the adhesive.
    [078] As indicated by block 906 of Figure 16, liquid interface 224 is wired to contact blocks 836 of carrier 822 which serves as an electrical interconnect. As indicated by block 908 in Figure 16, wire connections 841 shown in Figure 18C are then encapsulated within encapsulant 735. In an implant, the encapsulant is cured. As shown in Figure 17, in one deployment, multiple 800 sensors can be formed as part of a single 841 panel. For example, a single FR4 panel that has electrically conductive traces and contact blocks for multiple 800 sensors can be used as a substrate on which the interfaces of liquid to 24, actuators 728 and encapsulant can be formed. As indicated by block 910 of Figure 16, in this deployment, the individual 800 sensors are singled out from the panel. As illustrated by Figure 18E, in applications where sensor 800 is to be incorporated as part of a liquid or fluid supply, collar 730 is further secured to carrier 822 between wire connections 841 and lower end 847 of the interface. liquid 224. In an implant, collar 730 is adhesively bonded to carrier 822 by an adhesive which is subsequently cured.
    [079] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary implementations, professionals skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed matter. For example, although different example deployments may have been described as including one or more features that provide one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the features described may be interchanged with each other or, alternatively, be combined with one another in the example deployments described or in other alternative deployments. Due to the fact that the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in technology are predictable. The present disclosure described with reference to exemplary embodiments and set forth in the following claims is clearly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically noted otherwise, claims that enumerate a single particular element also encompass a plurality of those particular elements. The terms "first", "second", "third" and so on in the claims merely distinguish different elements and, unless otherwise indicated, are not to be specifically associated with a particular order or particular numbering of elements in the disclosure.
    权利要求:
    Claims (11)
    [0001]
    1. Apparatus, comprising: an elongated strip (26) for extending into a volume (40) containing a liquid; a series of heaters (30) supported by the strip (26) along the strip (26), each of the heaters (30) at a different depth within the volume (40); and a series of temperature sensors (34) supported by the strip (26) along the strip (26), each of the temperature sensors (34) at a different depth within the volume, wherein the temperature sensors (34) emit signals indicative of heat dissipation from the heaters (30) to indicate a liquid level within the volume (40), wherein the heaters (30) and temperature sensors (34) are arranged in an array of spaced stacks along the length of the strip (26), CHARACTERIZED by the fact that each cell in the series of cells is supported by the same surface of the strip, each respective cell in the series of cells comprising a respective heater (30) and a respective temperature sensor ( 34) which are one above the other above the same surface of the strip in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the strip.
    [0002]
    2. Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the elongated strip (26) comprises silicon.
    [0003]
    3. Apparatus, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the series of heaters (30) and the series of temperature sensors (34) are encapsulated.
    [0004]
    4. Apparatus, according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the package is adapted to protect heaters and temperature sensors from damage from contact with the liquid being measured.
    [0005]
    5. Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it further comprises: a chamber that defines the volume (40) to contain the liquid; and a printhead fluidly coupled to the chamber for receiving liquid from the volume (40).
    [0006]
    6. Apparatus, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it additionally comprises a processing unit (240) to receive a signal emitted by a temperature sensor (34) and determine a liquid level within the volume (40) with base on the signal.
    [0007]
    7. Method for using the device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises: emitting heat pulses from the heaters (30); for each of the heat pulses emitted, detecting heat transfer to a temperature sensor (34); and determining a liquid level within the volume (40) based on the sensed heat transfer from each of the emitted heat pulses.
    [0008]
    8. Method according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that heat transfer to the emitted pulse is detected during the heat pulse.
    [0009]
    9. Method according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that heat transfer to the emitted pulse is detected after a predetermined period of time after the heat pulse.
    [0010]
    10. The method of claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises sequentially pulsing the heaters (30) in an order based on a previously detected level of liquid within the volume (40).
    [0011]
    11. Liquid Container (312) CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises: a chamber having a volume (40) for containing a liquid; and an apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6.
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    US20200348163A1|2020-11-05|
    JP2018531394A|2018-10-25|
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    AU2015413313B2|2019-02-14|
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    US20180100753A1|2018-04-12|
    IL258805A|2020-07-30|
    BR112018008244A2|2018-10-23|
    CA3002653C|2021-04-13|
    MX2018005241A|2018-08-01|
    KR20180062462A|2018-06-08|
    WO2017074342A1|2017-05-04|
    CA3002653A1|2017-05-04|
    ZA201802726B|2019-02-27|
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    法律状态:
    2020-05-12| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2021-06-01| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-06-29| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 28/10/2015, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    PCT/US2015/057785|WO2017074342A1|2015-10-28|2015-10-28|Liquid level indicating|
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