LIQUID LEVEL INDUCTIVE
SENSOR
University of Jordan
School of Engineering
Department of Mechatronics Engineering
Transducers and Sensors 0908472
Dr. Riad Al-kasasbeh
Name: Taima Alamleh
ID = 0206697
Table of Contents
List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................... 1
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 2
The Mechatronics System ............................................................................................................................. 3
Sensor............................................................................................................................................................ 4
Signal conditioning ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Microcontroller ............................................................................................................................................. 9
Display ........................................................................................................................................................ 10
The system .................................................................................................................................................. 10
Signal Path .................................................................................................................................................. 10
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 11
List of Figures
Figure 1:Mechatronics System of this project .............................................................................................. 3
Figure 2:Sensor expression ........................................................................................................................... 4
Figure 3:Sensor calculations ......................................................................................................................... 4
Figure 4:Sensor block ................................................................................................................................... 5
Figure 5:Equation of (d) of the sensor .......................................................................................................... 6
Figure 6:Voltmeter connection ..................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 7:Rectifier .......................................................................................................................................... 7
Figure 8:Operational Amplifiers connection ................................................................................................ 7
Figure 9:Signal Conditioning block .............................................................................................................. 7
Figure 10:Signal Conditioning at 0 height .................................................................................................... 8
Figure 11:Signal Conditioning at 1 height .................................................................................................... 8
Figure 12:The relationship between the height and the output voltage of signal conditioning .................... 8
Figure 13:Microcontroller block ................................................................................................................... 9
Figure 14:Code of microcontroller ............................................................................................................... 9
Figure 15:Display block .............................................................................................................................. 10
Figure 16:System Connection ..................................................................................................................... 10
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Abstract
This project indicates a magnetic float level sensor's detailed schematic diagram, which is utilized
to monitor the fluid levels in a tank. The diagram shows the basic parts such as the core, the
armature, the air gap, and the float and how they react to the mechanisms in which level of fluid
changes. The most important thing here is explaining how the sensor works by examining the
impact of the magnetic field that leads to different levels of liquid on the armature movement.
Introduction
Measurements of liquid levels are very important in different industrial and residential uses for it
is very important for there to be no malfunction in its operations. The Magnetic float liquid level
sensor is an ideal option for these reasons. The magnetic float rises and falls as the amount of
liquid changes, enabled by a magnetic link with an armature-responsive movement which in turn
measures how high or low it is.
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The Mechatronics System
Figure 1:Mechatronics System of this project
The diagram represents the mechatronic system for measuring and display of a liquid level using
an inductive sensor. The input to this system is the liquid for which the level must be measured.
From this input, the inductive sensor detects information about the liquid level and sends it through
an electrical signal. The signal conditioning block amplifies this signal and makes sure the signal
is fit for further processing. The conditioned signal is sent to a microcontroller, which interprets
the data and converts it into a readable format. Finally, the processed information is shown on a
screen, displaying the level of the liquid. Precise measurement and real-time monitoring of liquid
levels are delivered by this system in different areas, whether industrial or consumer.
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Sensor
Starting with this picture, the sensor has a core, armature and air gap with floating element that is
connected to the armature
Figure 2:Sensor expression
Figure 3:Sensor calculations
The core and the armature will be represent as fixed reluctance, while the air gap will be
represented as variable reluctance.
The Reluctance is the property of a magnetic circuit which opposes the flow of magnetic flux and
it’s given by
𝑙
𝑅=
𝜇0 𝜇𝑟 𝐴
The air gap reluctance is given by
2𝑑
𝑅=
𝜇0 𝜋𝑟 2
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The core reluctance is given by
𝑅
𝑅=
𝜇0 𝜇𝑐 𝑟 2
The armature reluctance is given by
𝑅
𝑅=
𝜇0 𝜇𝐴 𝑟𝑡
For this project the dimensions and material are determent as:
𝑅 = 7.5 𝑐𝑚
𝑟 = 9 𝑐𝑚
𝑡 = 1 𝑐𝑚
The core and the armature are silicon steel, as these materials have high magnetic permeability
and low coercivity, enhancing the sensor's sensitivity and energy efficiency.
𝜇𝑐 = 𝜇𝐴 = 15000
And the number of turns 𝑛 = 350 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠
The maximum height of the liquid in the tank in this project is 1 meter.
Figure 4:Sensor block
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As we can see the circuit contains 2 fixed reluctances that represent the core and the armature and
one variable reluctance that represent the air gap
The magnetic motive force 𝑚𝑚𝑓 = 35 𝐴. 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠
The equation of the variable distance is shown below
Figure 5:Equation of (d) of the sensor
Which is
𝑑 = 1 − ℎ + 0.1 = 1.1 − ℎ
ℎ 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑
The constant number 1 is considered to be the maximum height of the liquid in the tank.
The constant number 0.1 is considered to be the initial air gap and the floating element height.
Signal conditioning
Figure 6:Voltmeter connection
After measuring the voltage across the coil we have to make the value to be between 0 and 5, so
we can enter it to the microcontroller
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But before that the rectifier is important since the signal is AC signal
Figure 7:Rectifier
Then there are multi-stages in signal conditioning using (instrumentational amplifier, summing
amplifier and inverting amplifier)
Figure 8:Operational Amplifiers connection
The All connections of signal conditioning block:
Figure 9:Signal Conditioning block
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Show that it gives 0 volt at 0 height and 5 volts at 1 height.
Figure 10:Signal Conditioning at 0 height
Figure 11:Signal Conditioning at 1 height
There is a problem that shows a non-linear relation between the height and the amplified voltage
which shown in curve below
Figure 12:The relationship between the height and the output voltage of signal conditioning
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Using fitting tools in MATLAB and obtaining this equation
ℎ = 𝑝1 ∗ 𝑣^6 + 𝑝2 ∗ 𝑣^5 + 𝑝3 ∗ 𝑣^4 + 𝑝4 ∗ 𝑣^3 + 𝑝5 ∗ 𝑣^2 + 𝑝6 ∗ 𝑣 + 𝑝7
𝑝1 = −0.00076083
𝑝2 = 0.01181
𝑝3 = −0.074974
𝑝4 = 0.26219
𝑝5 = −0.59012
𝑝6 = 0.96365
𝑝7 = 0.00014875
Microcontroller
To analyze the voltage using the equation above we need to enter the signal to the microcontroller.
We use the MATLAB function block to represent the controller
Figure 13:Microcontroller block
Figure 14:Code of microcontroller
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Display
Finally we need to display the value using any display components such as LCD.
Figure 15:Display block
The system
Figure 16:System Connection
Signal Path
1. First, the input will enter to the sensor block (Figure 3).
2. Then the voltage will be taken from the voltammeter (shown in signal conditioning block (Figure
8)) that is connect to the coil (in Figure 3).
3. The voltage signal will enter the Op-Amps (Figure 8) and taken as an output to the
microcontroller block (Figure 12).
4. And finally, the output will be shown on display block (Figure14).
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Conclusion
The magnetic float level sensor's schematic diagram is a visual representation of its operating
principle, with major focus on its core, armature, float and where each component is placed and
how they work. Understanding these parts and how they relate with one another is crucial for any
person working on designing, operating or maintaining liquid level measurement systems. The
purpose of this diagram is to act as instrument meant for teaching purposes on technology aspects
of sensors thereby
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