Title :
A planar capacitive precision gauge for liquid-level and leakage detection
Author :
Toth, Ferry N. ; Meijer, Gerard C M ; van der Lee, M.
Author_Institution :
Delft Instrum. Group, ENRAF BV, Netherlands
fDate :
4/1/1997 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A new capacitive precision liquid-level gauge has been developed. The sensor consists of a low-cost planar electrode structure, a capacitance-controlled oscillator and a microcontroller. The device is able to measure absolute levels of conducting and nonconducting liquids with a 1 mm uncertainty over a 4 m range. The system has a high resolution of 0.1 mm at short measuring times of only 0.2 s. Slow level movements of 0.02 mm/h can be detected within 18 min
Keywords :
capacitance measurement; electric sensing devices; leak detection; level measurement; measurement errors; microcontrollers; voltage-controlled oscillators; 0.2 s; 18 min; absolute levels; capacitance-controlled oscillator; conducting liquids; leakage detection; liquid-level detection; low-cost planar electrode structure; measuring times; microcontroller; nonconducting liquids; planar capacitive precision gauge; resolution; slow level movements; uncertainty; Calibration; Capacitance measurement; Capacitive sensors; Conductivity measurement; Costs; Dielectric liquids; Electrodes; Fuels; Insulation; Leak detection;
Journal_Title :
Instrumentation and Measurement, IEEE Transactions on
