Sensing Complements GM’s Fix for Volt Battery Problem
January 6, 2012 by Randy Frank
Filed under Featured, Liquid Level
The innovative Chevrolet Volt suffered a setback when some battery packs caught fire days or weeks after government safety tests. The company has found that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests caused a puncture in the side of the battery pack allowing coolant leakage into the pack. Later, the coolant’s interaction with electronics inside the pack ignited the battery cells.
In addition to strengthening an existing portion of the vehicle’s safety structure to further protect the battery pack in a severe side collision and adding a tamper-resistant bracket to the top of the battery coolant reservoir to help prevent potential coolant overfill, a sensor is also part of the solution. The added sensor in the reservoir of the battery coolant system monitors coolant levels to warn the owner if a problem develops.
Side-Mount Level Switches from Gems
Gems® Sensors & Controls™ introduces several new versions to their LS-7 Series of robust point level switches. These compact, side mount level switches are made from Gems Versaplast™ engineered plastic for high temperature applications up to 300°F (148.9°C).
The Gems Versaplast™ engineered plastic used on these new level switches is an extremely versatile material compatible with a wide range of challenging fluids such as oils and solvents. Versaplast™ enables the new LS-7 Series sensors to provide an affordable solution for handling high temperature applications and corrosive fluids. The durable Versaplast™ LS-7 level switches are CE, UL and CUL approved, are ideal for use within methylene chloride and anti-freeze tanks, and are well suited for low coolant, low hydraulic monitoring within off-highway vehicle and transportation applications.
These new Versaplast™ LS-7 Series versions expand the broad range of small, side mounted level switches from Gems Sensors available for a wide variety of fluids or applications. Additional specifications include pressure capability to 100 psi (6.8 bar), and a float arc of just 1.25 inches – beneficial in confined spaces. Options include internal and externally installed versions, and metric or U.S. threads.
Gems Sensors & Controls
www.GemsSensors.com
Capacitive Sensor for Liquid Level Detection
September 15, 2011 by Randy Frank
Filed under Capacitive, Featured, Liquid Level
Detecting liquid levels in confined spaces in machines and facilities can pose problems. For these types of applications, Baumer developed its CFDK 25 capacitive sensor. The 52.4 x 25-mm flat housing design has a height of only 6 mm and has an available mounting frame. In addition to attachment with two screws, the frame allows installation with cable ties, a Velcro fastener or glue.
The capacitive sensor has four fixed nominal sensing distances from 2 to 15 mm offered in a chemical resistance housing made of Polyamid 12 plastic.
For further information on Baumer’s CFDK 25 capacitive sensor, click here.
Gems Introduces a New Rugged Metal Electro-Opto Sensor
August 16, 2011 by admin
Filed under Level, Liquid Level
Gems® Sensors & Controls™ (Gems) introduces the new low cost, miniature ELS-950M Series of Electro Optic Level Sensors (ELS) for a wide range of applications and industries.
The ELS-950M Series expands on the existing ELS-950 product line with a brass housing to perform in harsh environments, maintain integrity in temperatures ranging from -40°F to +230°F and pressures to 250 psi.
ELS-950M liquid level sensors feature an over-molded electronics insert, TPE insulated wires, and a flurocarbon O-ring seal to create a watertight, environmentally resistant assembly. The ELS-950M is UL and CE approved to EMI standards and shock and vibration tested to MIL standards, IP66/67 and RoHS compliant. These robust sensors are available in 5 or 12 Vdc models with mounting options of ¼” NPT, ½”–20UNF-2B or M12x1-8.
“With the development of the ELS-950M Series, Gems has continued to expand the broad offering of our ELS product line,” says Kevin Castonguay, Product Marketing Manager for Gems Sensors & Controls. “The product delivers a robust and reliable solution for OEM customers. The small, solid state-sensor is durable enough to handle almost any application or temperature.”
The compact size, durability, and low cost of the sensor creates an excellent option for liquid level applications in medical diagnostic equipment, sterilizers, washers, dialysis equipment; lubricant systems in machine tools, generator sets, on- or off-road vehicles; hydraulic fluid reservoirs; HVAC and refrigeration systems; radiators and fluid overflow containers and OEM food and beverage applications.
Gems Sensors & Controls
www.GemsSensors.com
Gems Introduces New Line of High Precision Magnetostrictive Level Sensors
June 9, 2011 by admin
Filed under Level, Liquid Level
Gems® Sensors & Controls™ (Gems) announced the launch of the new XT-1000 series of magnetostrictive continuous level sensors for OEM and end user applications.
The XT-1000 series offers a line of robust, stainless steel sensors with highly accurate continuous level measurement in lengths from 8 inches to over 13 feet. The XT-1000 measures liquid media levels using the complete probe length and is largely unaffected by temperature. The sensor offers constant sensing of fluid level regardless of the physical state of the media including: bubbles, foam, condensation, precipitation, pressure, temperature or changes in density.
The use of magnetostriction is ideal in applications that require extremely accurate indication such as the chemical and water treatment industries. The 4-20mA sensor is compatible with a variety of tank dimensions and offers an explosion-proof version for installation in potentially explosive atmospheres where electrical equipment of category 1 (zone 0) or category ½ (zone 0/1) are required. Also available with the digital Hart protocol operating system, the sensor is able to output the position of the first, second or both floats.
“The XT-1000 increases the breadth of the Gems continuous level product line with a highly accurate magnetostrictive technology solution” says Kevin Castonguay, Product Marketing Manager for Gems Sensors & Controls. “The high resolution sensor is a robust solution for a wide variety of OEM and end user applications such as; chemicals and petrochemicals, biotech and pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, water treatment, beverage, food processing and underground storage tanks for leak detection.”
Gems Sensors & Controls
www.GemsSensors.com
Liquid Level Sensor for Food and Beverage Measurements
March 31, 2011 by Randy Frank
Filed under Capacitive, Featured, Liquid Level
Stuff that sticks to the sides of the container makes accurate level measurements difficult. The LMT Series from ifm efector specifically addresses this problem for viscous media and powders in food and beverage processing tanks and pipes.
High frequency (MHz) capacitive spectrum profiling technology enables the sensor to ignore foam and deposit build-up and differentiate between residue and actual product in a tank.
The solution involves sweeping the frequency band of 50 to 200 MHz for the capacitive sensor and taking three measuring points: electromagnetic field damping, permittivity phase shift of the molecule polarization in the magnetic field, and the media conductivity in the electric field. An algorithm in the sensor processes these measurements to calculate the signal amplitude.
For more information including a video about ifm efector’s LMT Series Sanitary Point-Level Sensor, click here.
ASM Introduces Compact MEMS Inclinometer for OEM Applications
June 16, 2010 by admin
Filed under Inclinometer, Level
ASM introduces its smallest addition to the POSITILT® inclinometer series that is available in single and dual axis versions. By using MEMS technology, this new inclinometer PTAM20 series is packaged into a very compact, flat housing making it ideally suited for OEM applications. The measurement range for the single axis version is available from +/- 15° to +/- 180°, in increments of 15°. For the dual axis version, the measurement range is available from +/- 15° to +/- 60°, in increments of 15°.
Due to its small size of 7mm in height and 48 mm in diameter, the PTAM20 series inclinometer has been designed to fit into the tightest locations in OEM applications. The enclosure is rated IP60 which is suitable for many instrumentation functions.
The maximum measurement range for the single axis version is +/- 180° and +/- 60° for each axis in the dual axis version. Each version is available with smaller ranges in +/- 15° increments. Several analogue output types are available: 0.5-4.5 V, 0.5-10 V and 4-20 mA.
The resolution is 0.05° and the linearity is up to +/- 0.5°. Each version offers high shock resistance.
ASM UK
www.asm-sensor.co.uk
Servo Inclinometers Have IP64 Environmentally Sealed Housing
May 11, 2010 by admin
Filed under Inclinometer
Sherborne Sensors announced the North American market introduction of the LSI series, a family of cost-effective, rugged, closed loop gravity referenced servo inclinometers. The LSI series is specially designed to withstand severe shock and vibration inputs, for precision measurement capabilities in even the most demanding of environments.
The LSI series incorporates a unique, flexure-supported torque balancing system, which is rugged enough to withstand shock inputs of 1500 g, yet still provides excellent accuracy and repeatability over a wide operating temperature range. For added durability, sensor components and associated electronics are contained within IP64 environmentally sealed housing. Units are available in ranges of ±14.5°, ±30° and ±90°, and offer a high level, 5-Volt analog DC-output signal, proportional to sine of the angle of tilt. LSI series models are fully self-contained, and are able to connect to a DC power source and a readout or control device, to form a complete operating system. These robust units are ideal for use in civil engineering, structural monitoring, geophysical and seismic studies, machinery and structural alignment, pipeline leveling, crane safety and satellite antenna leveling applications, among others. Recommended accessories include bi-polar power supplies and the new DTI series digital panel indicator, which allows a user to read outputs directly in degrees. All are available from Sherborne Sensors.
NASA Develops More Accurate Fuel Tank Sensor
May 6, 2010 by admin
Filed under Level, Liquid Level
NASA has developed wireless sensor technology is giving recreational boat owners safer and more accurate readings of how much fuel is in their tanks.
The NASA-developed magnetic measuring system also has potential use in planes, trains and automobiles.
Originally developed by NASA to retrofit aging aircraft with safety equipment, the technology is a spinoff for designing and using sensors without the shortcomings of many commonly-used liquid storage measurement systems.
Traditional marine fuel-gauge float systems can provide inaccurate readings because of a boat’s movement. A vessel’s pitch and roll in open waters can create a “seesaw” effect on fuel gauges. This new wireless fluid-level measurement system has two stationary pieces of conducting material located in the fuel, connected to an inductor on the outside of the tank.
Another aspect of the wireless fuel-level sensor system is the design can be modified to detect water, a concern for recreational boaters. It also can be modified to detect other non-fuel liquid contaminants in a tank. While this particular system is for a marine application, it could be modified for other uses.
Hermetic Switch Introduces Liquid Level Sensors
CHICKASHA, OK – Hermetic Switch, Inc.unveiled its new series of liquid level sensors, also known as float sensors or fluid level sensors.
The new PRX+1660 series represents a new product line for the company, which enables Hermetic to address the need for reliable, robust, and reasonably priced sensors for liquid level monitoring applications in appliance, automotive, control, household, industrial, municipal, petrochemical, power generation, processing, and recreational markets.
These sensors can be used for level sensing or monitoring of brake fluid, contained water, dilute acid, gasoline, oil, or any number of process liquids, limited only by the series’ material of construction (polyamide or polypropylene).
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