Sensor for Monitoring a Medium

Abstract

The invention relates to sensors for monitoring a medium comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation source and a detector of electromagnetic radiation, the medium being located in the ray path between the electromagnetic radiation source and the detector. The sensors are characterized by their ease of production. To that end, the electromagnetic radiation source and detector are disposed in at least one housing. Furthermore, the housing comprises two flat wall regions which are arranged at a mutual angle and are transparent to the electromagnetic radiation, such that these wall regions and the medium located thereat form a prism which refracts the electromagnetic radiation. In addition, the detector is at least a one-dimensional sensor comprising photo diodes for the refracted electromagnetic radiation, a spectrum which varies when the medium varies being detectable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Sensor for monitoring a medium comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation source and a detector for electromagnetic radiation, wherein the medium is located in a beam path between the electromagnetic radiation source and the detector, characterized in that the electromagnetic radiation source ( 1 ) and the detector ( 2 ) are arranged in at least one housing ( 5 ), in that the housing ( 5 ) has two flat wall areas that are angularly arranged relative to each other and are transparent for the electromagnetic radiation so that these wall areas and the medium located at the wall areas form a prism that refracts the electromagnetic radiation, and in that the detector ( 2 ) has at least a one-dimensional sensor with photo diodes for the refracted electromagnetic radiation, wherein a spectrum that changes with a change of the medium is detectable. 
     
     
         2 . Sensor according to  claim 1 , characterized in that in the beam path downstream of the electromagnetic radiation source ( 1 ) at least one device ( 3 ) for guiding and/or deflecting the radiation is arranged so that the electromagnetic radiation source ( 1 ) and the detector ( 2 ) can be placed adjacent to each other. 
     
     
         3 . Sensor according to  claim 1 , characterized in that mirrors ( 10 ) or total-reflecting prisms are the radiation-deflecting device ( 3 ) so that the radiation is deflected twice in sequence. 
     
     
         4 . Sensor according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the device ( 3 ) guiding the radiation is a light-wave conductor. 
     
     
         5 . Sensor according to  claim 1 , characterized in that electromagnetic radiation sources ( 1 ) for radiations of different wavelength and the detector ( 2 ) are connected to a data processing system so that sequentially radiation of different wavelength are refracted in the prism, formed of the wall areas and the medium located at the wall areas, and the resulting spectra can be detected and evaluated. 
     
     
         6 . Sensor according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the data processing system is a data processing system that determines the location of the electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength reaching the detector ( 2 ). 
     
     
         7 . Sensor according to  claim 1 , characterized in that in the beam path downstream of the electromagnetic radiation source ( 1 ) a device is arranged that influences the electromagnetic radiation so that electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength penetrates the medium and reaches the detector ( 2 ). 
     
     
         8 . Sensor according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a first part ( 6 ) of the housing ( 5 ) is a cup-shaped formed part comprised of a material transparent for the radiation, in that the first part ( 6 ) comprises a recess or a cutout ( 8 ) with the wall areas for the medium, and in that a second part ( 7 ) of the housing ( 5 ) is a cover ( 7 ). 
     
     
         9 . Sensor according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the formed part is embodied monolithically. 
     
     
         10 . Sensor according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the medium is an aqueous solution so that the concentration of at least one substance in the aqueous solution can be detected.