Pressure transmitter takes dual role
A
Sensor-Technik UK product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Sep 4, 2007
A novel pressure-sensor-based solution allows operators of water spraying vehicles to monitor both water level and flow rate.
The engineering team at Bedford-based Sensor-Technik UK recently provided a robust system for monitoring water levels which overcame some typically unpredictable challenges In land fill sites, road construction, open quarries and coal mines, keeping dust to a minimum is vital so as not to disturb local residents and to keep the ground compacted.
This is achieved by constant spraying with water.
But is important for vehicle operators to know exactly how much is being sprayed.
Also, it is just as important to know how much water is left in the tank at any given time so that the vehicles can be used most efficiently between refills.
Sensor-Technik was asked to implement a level sensing and control solution for one vehicle manufacturer which would provide operators with accurate information on water use.
The sensor had to be very robust and operate over a wide temperature range as the vehicles are exported all over the world and used in extreme climatic conditions.
Further, the solution had to be suitable for use by unskilled operators, providing simple setpoints and audio alarms.
Sensor-Technik suggested the use of a pressure transmitter fitted to the bottom of the tank and connected to a digital readout.
This single sensor solution would provide readings for both the level in the tank and the rate of delivery of water.
Although the implementation and installation were conceptually simple for Sensor-Technik, two issues had to be resolved.
The first was that, during filling of the tank, the water pressure on the sensor from the jet stream was greater than under normal operation, leading to overpressure readings.
This was overcome by moving the sensor to a quieter corner of the tank.
Secondly, operators reported some instability of readings.
This turned out to be due to the fact that the sensor was very sensitive compared with the digital display.
The problem was overcome with filtering electronics to average the sensor output, with Sensor-Technik striking the right balance in the filter to combine stability of the reading with accuracy.
By combining a simple display and a pressure transmitter, a cost-effective solution was developed that helped maximise the efficiency of vehicle use, reducing wear and delivering operators savings on time, fuel and money.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Google Ads
Contact Sensor-Technik UK
Related Stories
- IFM adds M8 proximity sensor to R series
- Dew-point hygrometer connects wirelessly to PC
- Pressure sensor modules are Atex prepared
- Test system gives accurate vibration measurements
- Dytran's 3224A3 measures vibration in tight spaces
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,517)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,179)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (200)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (369)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (914)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (310)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (568)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,361)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (411)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,276)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (497)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,060)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,028)
- Plantwide control (1,324)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,174)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (806)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,459)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (703)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (440)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (500)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,222)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,160)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (555)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (679)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (420)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (798)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (369)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,963)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,215)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,093)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,598)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (939)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,441)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (418)
-
Capital Equipment (3,387)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (510)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,093)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (930)
-
Sensors (7,080)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (699)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (399)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (700)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (284)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (152)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,384)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,623)
