Development of a measurement device of water level at the bottom of fuel tanks using an optical cable sensor.

대용량 탱크에서 물과 유류의 이중 액면 높이 계측용 센서 개발

A fuel tank contains water at the bottom under the fuel. The water comes from humidity by temperature change of inside and outside of tank. So it is necessary to measure both level to check precise amount of oil. But measuring instrument for level of water and fuel is not available yet. Since the fuel is inflammable, the sensor system must not include any electric circuits in the fuel tank. Optical cable sensor can satisfy this non-explosive condition. The displacement of a float changing by water level makes bending curvature of optical cable different. As the float rise up, the optical cable is bent more and the light signal in the cable decreases. The reduction of light signal is detected and it is converted into the change of water level. The output signal from a photo diode shows the proportional relation of water level. The increase of sensor voltage as a unit of ㎷ follows the level position of the float that is located between water and gasoline in the tank.