At the bottom of this page you will find a small video showing a level reading procedure using this unit model.
Picture 2 below shows a project of SFlexC technology in a way of a probe for industry application.
The concept
The SFlexC is a flexible
metrological base technology developed to be included in the
construction or development of Fluid Level Sensors. Specifically,
invasive and flexible fluid level sensors without moving parts.
Its current measure scale is now defined on steps of 1 (mm) for sensor
lengths not exceeding 1000 (mm). Other lengths and other measure scales
have also being considered.
Figure 1 shows a graphical model of this sensor class. The working
height is the space between R and T points. The head may have a
different volumetry and different fixing points. Also, depending on the
specific need or final application, dimensions indicated in the figure
may be different.
Parts
These metrological
elements shall be considered components or 'metrological black-boxes'
that exist to be included in final products, for example level probes
for industry sectors.
The elements comprise:
An electronic head
In addition to
some wires, this head has a motherboard containing all the analog and
digital electronics necessary to perform its function. The output data
can be either analog or digital, depending on the target application.
A main flexible tube body
This is the body of the probe. A flexible ringed, metallic tube protects
the elementary plastic and metal parts in its interior.
A foot
A bottom termination part which
may include a particle filter.
Main characteristics
The three main
characteristics of these elements are:
> The inexistence of mobile parts associated or
responsible by the level measure process.
> The invasive tube is flexible.
> Fluid's level output information can be
customized.
Main applications
General measure of tank's fluid level for a set of
homogeneous fluids. Specially designed for fluids of fossil origin.
Fuels.
> Industrial applications.
> Automotive applications.
IP
The SFlexC technology and its most recent improvement named
SFX5002 were targeted for an international patent registration.
In the meanwhile the technology led to the European Patent Publication
No. EP3051260A1 in the European Patent Office -
www.epo.org. Registration EP3051260A1 on google patents.
In Video 1, at the right, you can watch SFlexC technology demonstrator
measuring fluid's level.
Of course it is not truly the fluid level that is under measure because
it is the sensor that is moving, not the fluid's level. Anyway, the idea
is to show the variation of the sensed level when the volume of the
fluid varies within the flexible tube or body of the sensor.
In this case, the fluid used was diesel oil and in the PC you can see an
horizontal graphic that appears from the bottom to the top of the
screen, changes its value each time there is a measured level change,
and whose length is approximately proportional to the percentage of the
fluid within the tube on each moment.
Idea, design and patent: Paulo Liborio
Involved knowledge areas:
+ Mathematics and Physics (flexible metrology solution's conception).
+ Calculation and design in electronics.
+ PCB design and prototypes assembling.
+ Basic mechanical design and assembling.
+ Programming for Microcontrollers (firmware to the metrology and communications).