Product category:
Level Sensors and Leak Detectors
News Release from: Max Em Engineering | Subject: Multi-function Liquid Sensor
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 08 June 2000
Liquid sensor measures level,
temperature, quality
By using a single probe design and a single electronic hardware with different software, the multi-function Liquid Sensor can measure many liquid properties as well as detecting ice
By using a single probe design and a single electronic hardware with different software, the multi-function Liquid Sensor can measure many liquid properties as well as detect ice on surfaces like aircraft wing, bridges and house roofs Our patented multi-function liquid sensor measures liquid level, temperature and liquid quality
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 6 Mar 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Multifunction liquid sensor maintains its accuracy
A solid state sensor can accurately and economically measure liquid parameters and detect ice.
Optical sensors are easy to set up, easy to use
The new B45 series of intelligent optical sensors from ABB Control is designed to offer maximum versatility and ease of use for a wide variety of control applications.
The two main features that distinguishes our liquid sensor are its multi-functionality and its capability to give accurate reading without calibration.
Most of the sensing needs of a car (present and future) will be satisfied by using two multi-functions sensors.
The first one is a multi-function liquid sensor and the second one is a multi-function tire sensor.
We have developed concepts for both sensors but built and tested only the multi-function liquid sensor.
The prototypes of our multi-function liquid sensor can presently measure liquid level, temperature, determine the kind of liquid and also determine the acidity of the liquid.
Further reading
Flexible bar code scanner designed to adapt
Thanks to the Adaptascan's autofocus capability and WindowsT-based configuration software, changes in focus, scan pattern, label format and communication requirements can be made on-line.
Compact imaging system attracts 1600 unit order
The new AV1200 imaging system from Accu-Sort offers versatile, high speed reading or decoding of linear and 2D codes on flat work and cartons within a depth of field of 50mm.
Compact bar code reader offers versatile mounting
For its versatile, high speed reading or decoding of linear and 2D codes on flat work and cartons within a depth of field of 50mm, the new AV1200 from Accu-Sort may be unmatched.
We also have tested prototypes of this sensor (the tests were conducted in the Icing Tunnel at NASA Lewis Center) that can detect ice on surfaces and measure flow rate.
This sensor will eventually measure the engine oil quality by measuring oil viscosity degradation, determine percentage of liquid contaminants in oil or fuel and measure oil acidity other liquid properties.
The present sensor design reads the liquid level continuously with an accuracy of 0.15 inch regardless of how clean or dirty is the liquid.
A better reading accuracy is achievable with some geometric designs that will increase the signal to noise ratio for the same level of power.
The sensor uses low-power (important for fire control) .
The relative temperatures are read with accuracy of 0.01 degree C.
The estimated cost of the electronic hardware including the microprocessor for the automotive market (after NRE cost is paid) is $ 2 a unit (estimated cost by Allegro and Micrel, ASIC houses) while the estimated automotive probe material cost for the probe is about $1 a foot.
The sensing element is basically a wire with taps on it every one inch.
(A wider tap spacing is also possible).
For other smaller markets (less than 5,000 units and after a much smaller NRE cost), the electronic hardware board will cost $ 20 and the probe will be less than $5 per foot.
This sensing technology can be used in the aircraft market to detect ice on surfaces, determine fuel kind and level, detect smoke and also detect acidity of Skydrahl.
This technology can be used in the food boxes of supermarkets to detect ice and ice thickness on cooling coils as well as detect humidity and temperature inside the large food boxes.
This technology can also be used in the agriculture market to measure the soil humidity.
In the cleaning of computer chips, this sensor can be used to detect level and temperature as well as determine the kind of acid.
We have tested the probe with coolants, diesels, fuel, water and oil.
We are interested in licensing the patented multi-function liquid sensor technology to a company in the car, truck, aircraft and other markets that will market, sell and productize it to the market that they serve.
We would like to develop together with our licensee the pre-production prototype to take advantage of our experience and expertise and to avoid re-engineering cost and time efforts.
This sensor has been tested in measuring the oil level of industrial compressors that are used in refrigeration.
It was compared with the capacitive sensor that could not detect the oil level when the refrigerant became a foam floating on top of the oil.
The dielectric constant of such a foam and the oil are very close to each other.
Our potential licensee for this application has started the productization of the probe and the electronic hardware for this application.
The Failure Mode Analysis (FMEA) of this sensor for this application, will start the last week in August.
Presently, we are also building a sensor that will measure the liquid acids level in acids that are used to clean computer chips.
• Max Em Engineering: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
