Multifunctional fluid level and quality sensing device

摘要

A multifunctional fluid level and quality sensing device including a fluid level sensor and a capacitive sensor for detecting fluid level, fluid quality, errors in the sensing device, and issues in a fluid delivery system. In detecting fluid level, impedance of the capacitive sensor is used in improving sensing performance of the fluid level sensor, while in detecting fluid quality and errors in the sensing device, an expected impedance range with an upper boundary value and a lower boundary value is calculated, and a fault is generated when the measured impedance value is out of the expected impedance range. The fluid level and quality sensing device can also be used in a fluid delivery system for detecting system issues, and the results can be used for further isolating errors in the system. Operating status of higher level system provides more information for this purpose.

主权项

1. A fluid level and quality sensing device, comprising:
a fluid level sensing means for measuring a level of a fluid proving a level sensing signal indicative of said level of said fluid; a capacitive sensor including at least two electrodes positioned in said fluid providing an impedance sensing signal at least indicative of said level of said fluid; a controller configured to
determine an expected impedance range including an upper boundary value and a lower boundary value in response to at least said level sensing signal, andgenerate a fault signal in response to at least said expected impedance range and said impedance sensing signal.