A Liquid Level Measurement Technique Outside a Sealed Metal Container Based on Ultrasonic Impedance and Echo Energy

The proposed method for measuring the liquid level focuses on the ultrasonic impedance and echo energy inside a metal wall, to which the sensor is attached directly, not on ultrasonic waves that penetrate the gas–liquid medium of a container. Firstly, by analyzing the sound field distribution charac...

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Main Authors: Bin Zhang, Yue-Juan Wei, Wen-Yi Liu, Yan-Jun Zhang, Zong Yao, Li-Hui Zhao, Ji-Jun Xiong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2017-01-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/17/1/185
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author Bin Zhang
Yue-Juan Wei
Wen-Yi Liu
Yan-Jun Zhang
Zong Yao
Li-Hui Zhao
Ji-Jun Xiong
author_facet Bin Zhang
Yue-Juan Wei
Wen-Yi Liu
Yan-Jun Zhang
Zong Yao
Li-Hui Zhao
Ji-Jun Xiong
author_sort Bin Zhang
collection DOAJ
description The proposed method for measuring the liquid level focuses on the ultrasonic impedance and echo energy inside a metal wall, to which the sensor is attached directly, not on ultrasonic waves that penetrate the gas–liquid medium of a container. Firstly, by analyzing the sound field distribution characteristics of the sensor in a metal wall, this paper proposes the concept of an "energy circle" and discusses how to calculate echo energy under three different states in detail. Meanwhile, an ultrasonic transmitting and receiving circuit is designed to convert the echo energy inside the energy circle into its equivalent electric power. Secondly, in order to find the two critical states of the energy circle in the process of liquid level detection, a program is designed to help with calculating two critical positions automatically. Finally, the proposed method is evaluated through a series of experiments, and the experimental results indicate that the proposed method is effective and accurate in calibration of the liquid level outside a sealed metal container.
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spelling doaj.art-f2b2d98600c449e980359930797641b12022-12-22T02:53:08ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202017-01-0117118510.3390/s17010185s17010185A Liquid Level Measurement Technique Outside a Sealed Metal Container Based on Ultrasonic Impedance and Echo EnergyBin Zhang0Yue-Juan Wei1Wen-Yi Liu2Yan-Jun Zhang3Zong Yao4Li-Hui Zhao5Ji-Jun Xiong6Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement, Ministry of Education, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, ChinaSoftware School of North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, ChinaKey Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement, Ministry of Education, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, ChinaKey Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement, Ministry of Education, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, ChinaKey Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement, Ministry of Education, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, ChinaKey Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement, Ministry of Education, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, ChinaKey Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement, Ministry of Education, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, ChinaThe proposed method for measuring the liquid level focuses on the ultrasonic impedance and echo energy inside a metal wall, to which the sensor is attached directly, not on ultrasonic waves that penetrate the gas–liquid medium of a container. Firstly, by analyzing the sound field distribution characteristics of the sensor in a metal wall, this paper proposes the concept of an "energy circle" and discusses how to calculate echo energy under three different states in detail. Meanwhile, an ultrasonic transmitting and receiving circuit is designed to convert the echo energy inside the energy circle into its equivalent electric power. Secondly, in order to find the two critical states of the energy circle in the process of liquid level detection, a program is designed to help with calculating two critical positions automatically. Finally, the proposed method is evaluated through a series of experiments, and the experimental results indicate that the proposed method is effective and accurate in calibration of the liquid level outside a sealed metal container.http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/17/1/185ultrasonic sensorultrasonic impedanceecho energysealed metal containerliquid level measurement
spellingShingle Bin Zhang
Yue-Juan Wei
Wen-Yi Liu
Yan-Jun Zhang
Zong Yao
Li-Hui Zhao
Ji-Jun Xiong
A Liquid Level Measurement Technique Outside a Sealed Metal Container Based on Ultrasonic Impedance and Echo Energy
Sensors
ultrasonic sensor
ultrasonic impedance
echo energy
sealed metal container
liquid level measurement
title A Liquid Level Measurement Technique Outside a Sealed Metal Container Based on Ultrasonic Impedance and Echo Energy
title_full A Liquid Level Measurement Technique Outside a Sealed Metal Container Based on Ultrasonic Impedance and Echo Energy
title_fullStr A Liquid Level Measurement Technique Outside a Sealed Metal Container Based on Ultrasonic Impedance and Echo Energy
title_full_unstemmed A Liquid Level Measurement Technique Outside a Sealed Metal Container Based on Ultrasonic Impedance and Echo Energy
title_short A Liquid Level Measurement Technique Outside a Sealed Metal Container Based on Ultrasonic Impedance and Echo Energy
title_sort liquid level measurement technique outside a sealed metal container based on ultrasonic impedance and echo energy
topic ultrasonic sensor
ultrasonic impedance
echo energy
sealed metal container
liquid level measurement
url http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/17/1/185
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