Project: Design of a connected sensor for measurement

from the height of water in a stream.

Module: Sensors and Instrumentation.
Plan :

Introduction

I. Different methods of level detection

1-Hydrostastic methods
2-Electric methods
3-Methods based on the use of radiation

II. Case study: Design of a connected sensor for measurement

from the height of water in a stream
1- The constraints of the device
2-Technical possibilities
3-Measurement of water height
4-Brain and electronic control
5-Internet transmission
6-Power supply
7-Box and protection
8-INSTALLATION

Conclusion
Introduction

A level sensor is an electronic device that allows for

measure the height of the material, generally of the liquid.

Level sensors are divided into two main types:

The point level measurement sensors are used for

mark a single discrete liquid level - a condition of
predefined level.
Generally, this type of level detector works like a
high alarm, to signal an overflow condition, or as
what indicator for a low alarm condition.

The continuous level probe is more sophisticated and can

ensure monitoring of the level of an entire system. It measures the
liquid level over a range, rather than at a single point, which
produces an analog output that is directly correlated to the level
water.
 I- Different methods of level detection

1-Hydrostatic methods of level measurement

The first methods of measuring and controlling liquid levels are based on
on the hydrostatic properties of liquids (hydrostatic pressure, buoyancy)
of Archimedes).
The measurement transmitted by the sensors used is a continuous function of the height.
of liquid. It is independent of its electrical properties but depends, except in
the case of the float, the density of the liquid.

We distinguish four principles of my

the float
It stays on the surface of the liquid, it is rendered
solidarity of a position sensor that delivers the signal
electric corresponding to the level. The measurement
is then similar to the measurement of a displacement or the
detection of a position.

[Link] diver
It is a submerged cylinder whose height is at least equal to the height
maximum of the liquid in the tank. The diver is suspended from a sensor.
dynamometric that is subjected to a force F (weight
apparent), which depends on the height h of the liquid.
F=P-rxgxhxS

With:
r x g x h x S: Archimedes' thrust acting on the volume
diver's immersion
air of the diver section
P: weight of the diver
1.3. Pressure sensor
It measures:

the pressure at the bottom of the tank when it is open to the air
free, this pressure is the image of the liquid level h
P=ρ.g.h

With:

ρ: the density of the liquid

the graphite

h :hauteur

The differential pressure when the tank is closed and under pressure

[Link] sensor (or bubble limnimetry)

The principle consists of blowing a constant airflow into a small
pipe opening under the surface of the water, the air pressure is
balanced by the column of water. The air pressure that needs to be applied
to produce bubbles is equal to the fluid pressure at the end of
cane. The measurement of water height is equal to the air pressure provided.
Installation conditions:

The end of the bubbling must be located below the minimum water level and at-
on possible deposits
Absence of elbow and length limited to a few meters for the pipe
air (pressure losses)
Avoid high water speeds (suction forces that may distort
notably the measure
2-Hydrostático methods of level measurement

They use the electrical properties of the liquids that we want to measure or
control the level and are the only ones to use sensors that translate directly
the level in electrical signal.

2.1. Conductive probes

They are only suitable for conductive products (liquids, pastes,
grainy...), are not subject to wear and allow for the detection of a level
high, low or intermediate. These probes are equipped with one or more electrodes
according to the models.
 Each electrode is installed through a watertight passage so that their
The lower extremity is located at the detection level. It must be isolated.
electrically from the mass of the tank when it is metallic. As soon as the liquid
touch an electrode, it grounds a low voltage alternating current circuit. The ground
is constituted either by the metallic reservoir or by a second electrode
when the tank is not metallic. The weak current passing through the electrode
is of amplitude proportional to the length of the immersed electrode and is sufficient to
activate a relay. We use low alternating voltage to eliminate any
risk of liquid electrolysis.

2.2. Capacitive sensors

They are more commonly used than the previous ones and function at
the help of a plunged electrode in the tank.
For insulating products (oil, petroleum...), the probe consists of a rod.
metallic isolated from the tank. When the probe is discovered, the dielectric is
so the ambient air (dielectric constant = 1). In the presence of an insulating product, the
the capacitance of the capacitor increases under the effect of products that possess a
dielectric constant greater than 1. This change in capacitance is addressed for
actuate a relay or provide an output signal proportional to the level of the product.

For conductive products (water, solutions

salines...) the dielectric constant no longer plays any role. The probe rod is
coated with an insulating material of constant thickness, playing the role of
dielectric. The capacitor plates are then made up of the rod
metallic of the probe and the conductive liquid. If the tank is insulating, we
immerse a framework. The capacity of the capacitor depends on the density and the
temperature of the products, to remedy this problem, a second one is used
capacitive probe, permanently submerged and serving as a reference.
3-Methods based on the use of radiation
They allow for contactless measurements with the product, which ...
constitutes a major advantage.
3.1. Ultrasonic probes

The principle is based on the emission of a reflected ultrasonic wave on the

water surface. We capture the echo and measure the travel time. The time
The path is independent of the nature of the fluid and the pressure. It is necessary to
however, maintain a so-called 'dead' zone near the sensor (30 to 60 cm)
according to the probes).

3.2. Radars
The principle is similar to that of ultrasound waves, an wave is used.
infrared light. The advantage over ultrasound is that the process is independent
of temperature, humidity and dust. The transducer operates
successively as transmitter and receiver. It is placed at the top of the tank.
and emits in a cone of small opening the wave that after reflection on the surface
the liquid returns to the transducer which converts it into an electrical signal.
 Emission Reflection

4. Summary of liquid level sensor characteristics

Technology Étendue de mesure Précision Gamme de Température Pression max

(bar)

Float 10 mm to 30 m 0.5 to 5 % -180 to 450 °C 100

Diver 30 cm to 6 m 0.5% -150 à 450 °C 40

Pressure sensor 0 to 25 bar 0.5 to 1% -20 to 120 °C 40

Capacitive probe 0 to 10 m 1% -20 à 85 °C 40

Radar 0 to 30 m 10 mm - -

Ultrasound 0 to 50 m 1% -190 à 250 °C 40

II-Case study: Design of a connected sensor for the
measurement of the water height of a stream

Our project aimed to create a system capable of measuring height.

of a stream's water and display it.

Fabrication of a water height sensor, limnigraph with

SMS and internet transmission

1-The constraints of the device:

Rivers, canyons, and streams are mostly located on some

remote and mountainous areas. There are no electrical outlets available or
still 3G/4G network. The environment is humid and electronics do not appreciate it.
condensation. The rivers also experience periodic floods that uproot
the trees and project them. Rocks can be propelled across the entire bed
of the stream tearing everything in its path. Our device must by
consequently adapt to all these constraints.

2-Technical possibilities:

First of all, we need a water level sensor or a device capable of

to indicate to us in numerical form the height of the water. This is the part
mistress of the machine! We will need to connect the sensor to a housing of
control and transmission of information. This box could then
function in 2 ways:

Either he waits for a request, then takes a measurement and responds to the request.

Either it operates in complete autonomy. The device sends by itself the

water heights at regular intervals.

The first solution is interesting. But also the heaviest. It implies

the creation of an embedded server type Raspberry or Arduino powered 24/7
with a significant energy and network stability issue.

The second solution is the one I chose: The device is set by default.
off. It lights up at regular intervals. It stays on for a few tens of
seconds, just the time to take a measurement and then transmit it on
internet, to turn off again.

3-Measurement of water height:

There are only 3 possibilities:

Assemble a float inside a pierced metal tube fixed in the

current. The float activates on/off buttons.
Place a water pressure sensor to measure the water pressure between
the background and the surface.

Fix a distance sensor above the surface and measure it.

distance between it and the water.

The 3 possibilities are feasible, but the first one does not withstand shocks.
mechanics. The next two are proven systems in
natural environment. Indeed, they are used for measuring industrial tanks,
dams, water reservoirs, drilling, groundwater, and
streams.
 For distance sensors, we have 3 types of sensors:
infrared, laser and ultrasound. Laser technology is the most precise. But
Don't forget that light passes through water. Therefore, you will need to measure the speed.
of the displacement of light in water. This solution seems complicated to me;
Furthermore, the nature of the water can vary (clear, dirty, muddy).

For ultrasound, there is also a concern: electromagnetic fields are moving.

in the air at a different speed depending on the fluctuation of pressure
atmospheric, humidity and especially ambient temperature, which
totally distorts the measurements as soon as we exceed a distance of 1 meter. We do not
you cannot choose just any sensor. Those that are capable
self-regulate their data according to temperature and humidity. You
You can also buy a cheap ultrasonic sensor and regulate it yourself.
measures with a temperature sensor.

4-Brain and electronic control:

Our device needs to perform an extremely simple task: it is therefore not

no question of using a Raspberry-type micro-computer which would be too
energy-greedy. Therefore, we will go for a microcontroller of type
Arduino; like almost all microcontrollers, Arduino boards are controlled
with C++. It is a so-called 'low-level' programming language. We
I use it in trading, in video games, and other demanding programs for its
exceptional speed but also in embedded electronics for savings at
maximize the limited resources available, particularly in RAM.

5- Internet transmission:

The absence of 3G and the budget constraint do not allow us to proceed.

by satellite, we are forced to use the GSM network. Our Arduino
she will therefore have to send a text. This will be retrieved with the help of a service provider

service or thanks to a phone that, combined with an application

as "sms Gateway", will allow you to transmit the content of your sms
on the internet, via email or through http, ftp protocol. There are dozens of
electronic cards / Shield more or less ready to use that allow
to insert and support Sim cards.

6- Power supply :
We will power our system with a conventional battery. The battery will be
connected to a timer that will power the Arduino at an interval
Regular. Lithium-type batteries seem to better withstand self-discharge.
than alkaline ones. It is important for the use we will make of it. The Uno
works with a current between 6 and 20v. A 20v battery is
high and could prematurely damage the Uno capacitors.
In contrast, with a 6v power supply: your Uno will stop functioning
à la moindre faiblesse. Soyez donc bien réfléchi sur le voltage ! Pour mon tuto je
do not install a solar panel. But it is a very interesting option if your
The tag is intended to be placed in a sunny area.

7- Box and protection:

You need a waterproof box. Don't forget that the larger your box is, the more...
you will favor condensation. You can absorb the moisture contained
in the box using silica packets. You can apply a varnish of
protection on electronics with a special aerosol. There is also the method
radical that consists of pouring resin into your box ensuring a
waterproof under any circumstances (lighting manufacturers for swimming pools do it)
good!)

8-INSTALLATION :

It is known that the sensor, placed above

the flow, intermittently emits some
ultrasonic waves that propagate towards the
water surface. A part of the waves is
reflects towards the functioning sensor therefore
in receiver. We measure the time taken by
the wave to go down and up. This time
is a function of the water level. Knowing
the total height of the structure, we find the
height of effluents. So the sensor is
positioned vertically above the point
to measure, or parallel to the axis
flow in the channel with a return
angle. For a good reception of the wave,
The beam must be strictly perpendicular to the surface of the effluents.
To measure the network load, it can be installed in a
chimney at the outlet.

Conclusion:

Measurement of the water height of a stream" as part of the project,

allowed us to develop a rigorous methodology and
work effective, to adapt to the project's approach, its
constraints and difficulties and putting knowledge into practice
acquired during the training period.

In conclusion, this project has been for us a complement to our

training, in this sense, we hope that this
the experience will be enriching both theoretically and practically through the
realization of this water level detection sensor of a
stream.