Exterior Electrode Liquid Level Sensing for Aircraft Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional liquid level sensing systems for potable water tanks face issues such as corrosion, mechanical obstructions, and installation challenges due to direct contact with the liquid and internal protrusions, particularly in compact spaces like aircraft installations.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive liquid level sensing system using an electrode mounted on the exterior of the vessel wall, with capacitance detection circuitry to sense the charge collected, allowing for reliable and durable liquid level determination without direct contact with the liquid, and accommodating curved surfaces by removing nonlinearity effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional point level sensors are placed inside the vessel to determine liquid level, then liquid level sensing is achieved, but corrosion of the sensor occurs due to direct contact with the liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is extracted from the vessel interior and mounted on the exterior surface of the vessel wall, eliminating direct contact with the liquid while maintaining liquid level sensing capability through capacitive coupling through the vessel wall
Solution Approach 2:
The vessel wall acts as a dielectric intermediary between the electrode and the liquid, allowing the electrode to sense liquid level through capacitive coupling without direct contact, thus preventing corrosion while maintaining sensing function
2Reliability
If point level sensors with protrusions are used inside the vessel, then liquid level sensing is achieved, but mechanical obstruction issues arise with internal baffling and limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing electrode is extracted from the vessel interior and mounted on the exterior surface, eliminating protrusions that cause mechanical obstructions with internal baffling and fitting challenges in compact spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing approach transitions from internal three-dimensional space occupation to external surface mounting, utilizing the exterior surface of the vessel wall as the mounting dimension, thereby eliminating spatial conflicts with internal structures
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces corrosion, enhances installation ease, and provides accurate, continuous liquid level measurements with infinite resolution, suitable for compact installations like aircraft tanks.
Implementation Method 1
capacitance detection circuitry can be operatively connected to the electrode. The capacitance detection circuitry can be configured to sense the collected charge on the electrode
Implementation Method 2
The vessel wall is a dielectric gap between the electrode and the vessel interior
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid level sensing system includes a vessel and an electrode. The vessel includes a vessel wall separating a vessel interior from a vessel exterior. The electrode is mounted to an exterior side of the vessel wall spanning a distance corresponding to a desired-level-determining range. The vessel wall is a dielectric gap between the electrode and the vessel interior. The electrode is configured to collect a charge corresponding to a liquid level. A method for determining a liquid level in a vessel includes collecting a charge on an electrode, sensing the collected charge on the electrode with a capacitance sensor through an electrical line, and determining a liquid level in a vessel based on the collected charge sensed by the capacitance sensor.