Capacitive fuel level sensors

EPSILON ES

EPSILON fuel level sensor is designed for precision (with accuracy <99%) measuring the level of fuel in reservoirs and vehicle fuel tanks. The sensor can be used in fuel management systems (control of fuel discharges and fuel refills) and in satellite vehicle monitoring systems (GPS/GLONASS) of different manufacturers.

 

Unique differences from the sensors of other manufacturers:

  • More precise measurement of fuel level due to a higher resolution sensor`s level and the best characteristics of linear measuring scale;
  • Tech modular design (measuring head is mounted and dismantled independently of the fuel probe, which allows easy and quick to change, if necessary, the measuring head without re-calibration of the tank);
  • The ability to use short-measuring probes (for flat tank depth of less than 30 cm);
  • Light weight (300 g) and simple installation.

 

 

Sensor description

Inside the sensor`s measuring head is the level converter, digital signal processing circuit, the data exchange device, voltage regulator and circuit, providing the necessary protection for the input and output circuits. 

  

                            

                                                                              

The measuring of the fuel level is provided by the measuring head with the probe, which is immersed into fuel. The probe is a coaxial capacitor formed by an aluminum tube (outer electrode) and insulated copper string (inner electrode). The necessary tension of the string is supported by a spring which is located in a contact connector of the probe.

The mounting of the sensor is performed using self-drilling screws, flange fixing probe (together with a gasket) on the tank. Tightness of the measuring head is provided by O-ring seal located in the front groove.

Protection of the interface cable from mechanical effects is provided by a flexible metal hose.

Safety of the sensor is provided with the application of:

  • intrinsically safe measuring circuit with normalized values of voltage, inductance, capacitance and resistance;
  • multi-layered security and front-end supply chain;
  • metal shell of the measuring head with a proper degree of protection (IP-68 according);
  • compound filling the shell of the measuring head.

Operation principle

Sensor probe is immersed in the fuel and works as a variable capacitor, whose capacity is linearly dependent on the level of its filling with fuel.

 

 

The sensor measuring head performs a linear transformation, capacity of the probe into a digital code-level fuel, processing of the digital data by averaging the results of measurements, temperature measurement of fuel tank and issuance of data in a uniform protocol for EDE RS-485 or RS-232 or analog signals (only the level), depending on the model.

Data on the fuel level may be issued in the form of 10-and 12-or 16-bit value, the temperature data - in the form of an 8-bit value.

To determine the amount of the controlled fuel calibration procedure must be carried out on the fuel tank, in which we establish the relationship between the amount of fuel level to the sensor code level.

Calibration procedure is performed by specialists of RCS or its authorized dealers to install the sensor on the vehicle.

Installation of the sensor

The sensor is mounted in the center fuel tank, as shown in the figure. Only in this case, the tilt acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle fuel level in the measuring point of the least subject to fluctuations. The probe should be oriented vertically downward.

Improper installation of the probe may cause loss of accuracy in determining the amount of fuel!

If the tank top difficult to obtain, it is necessary to remove the tank from the vehicle to perform proper installation the sensor.

The sensor is screwed into the threaded hole of the flange as shown in the figure. Tightness is ensured by a rubber O-ring groove located at the end of the measuring head.

After the installation the sensor is sealed:

Tank calibration

To ensure accurate monitoring of fuel, the tank should be calibrated: initially empty (full) tank is filled (merged) in equal portions, with fuel, and with the help of special software ES Install it is measured and recorded by the sensor after adding (draining) the each serving.

To achieve the most accurate performance of the probe is desirable to “train” the sensor. It is desirable to perform the calibration procedure not immediately after installing the sensor, but some time later, after the vehicle's mileage is corresponding with the expenditure of fuel in the 50 ÷ 70% of tank capacity. During this time, normalized by mechanical clearance, provided by a rubber gasket flange and a polymer sealant, and the entire surface of the probe forms a stable dielectric layer of fuel.

If the "training" of the sensor is not possible, then before the calibration of the tank, by the method of filling, using a new sensor (the probe) to immerse the probe into the fuel, remove and allow the fuel to drain for 20 -30 minutes. If the calibration is performed by draining, then the specified procedure is not needed. At the time of calibration of the sensor must be disconnected from the onboard controller and connected to the PC. At the end of the calibration connection to the onboard controller should be restored.

The result of calibration in the form of tank calibration tables and the credentials of the work performed is saved in PC format, which provides data transmission in the control software.

 Attention! Calibration of the tank must be made using the same kind of fuel, which will be operated by the sensor (for example, can not be used for calibration of petrol, if you intend to operate with diesel fuel).

Technical characteristics

Description Unit Value Notes
General
Valid values of electrical conductivity controlled by the fuel, not more then cm/m 10-8  2
Temperatures range °C -40...+80  
IP level protection of probe head IP68    
Measurments
The range of measured values of the position of the controlled fuel mm От 10 до 910 1,3,4,5
The resolution of the measurement of diesel fuel in the static mode, not worse then mm  0,05
The basic allowable error level measurement in a static mode, not more then mm 0,5 7
The average period of measurement results in dynamic mode с 8  
Bit code representation of measurement results bit 10/12/16 Level (8)
8 Temperature
Power Supply
Supply voltage, the operating range V 7-50 Nominal
   
Current consumption mA 5,5±0,5 With 12V
2,5±0,2 With 24V
Mode   Constant  
Acceptable impact of pulsed voltage on power circuits   ± 200V, 1s
± 1100V, 1 ms
9
Interface
Digital   RS-485 General
RS-232 10
Analog     11
Installation size and weight
Execution of planting flange   SAE,
5 holes d=5mm
12
Type the thread probe   М25х1,5  
Size of the hexagon wrench for the measuring head mm 36  
The height of the measuring head over the surface of the tank, including the planting flange, not more then mm 29 13, 14
Weight of the sensor, not more then gr 250 4, 14
 

 

 

Contact details

Address

Novozabarskaya Str. 2/6

Kiev, Ukraine 04074

Email Address

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Phone Number

+38 093 887 46 26

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