A refrigerator includes a pocket that is capable of accommodating multiple liquid containers. The pocket includes a first sensor provided to an inner wall that is in contact with the side face of each of the multiple liquid containers. A detector detects the remaining amount of each liquid container that is in contact with the first sensor electrode based on the state of the first sensor electrode.

A liquid product distribution network includes a keg distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus associated with a keg. The apparatus includes a radio transmitter device and sensing circuitry for sensing and communicating physical properties associating with the keg. A top or bottom chime of keg physically protects the sensing circuitry during keg distribution in the keg distribution network. The apparatus also includes a battery power supply unit fitted within and protected by the top or bottom chime. The apparatus further includes a unique identifier associated with the sensing and reporting device. The apparatus further includes a mobile communications device is configured to identify the keg based on the unique identifier associated with the sensing and reporting device embedded therein, and receive and process the radiofrequency signals from the radiofrequency signal transmission circuitry of the identified keg passively and without user interaction, for monitoring the physical properties and location of the keg.

A fuel gauge comprises two cylinders, internal and external respectively, each made of composite material based on electrically conducting fibers, and fixedly placed one inside the other without direct electrical contact between the cylinders, so that a capacity value for a capacitor formed by the cylinders is representative of a fuel level between the cylinders. The external cylinder includes an electrically insulating coating arranged on an external surface of said external cylinder, turned opposite the internal cylinder. The insulating coating of the external cylinder may be of a composite material based on glass fibers.

A sensor for detecting the level of a medium contained in a container, in particular a tank, comprises: an array of capacitive elements designed to be associated to the container (1), in particular so as to extend according to an axis of detection (X) of the level of the medium (L), the array of capacitive elements comprising a plurality of electrodes (J.sub.1-J.sub.n), in particular on a face of an electrically insulating substrate (20) having a generally elongated shape, the electrodes (J.sub.1-J.sub.n) being spaced apart from one another, in particular along the detection axis (X), and being preferably substantially coplanar with one another; at least one insulation layer (16) for insulating electrically the electrodes (J.sub.1-J.sub.n) with respect to the inside of the container (1); and a controller (24) having a plurality of inputs. Each capacitive element comprises a set of electrodes connected together in common, in particular in parallel, each set of electrodes being connected to a respective input of the plurality of inputs. The controller (24) is pre-arranged for discriminating a value of capacitance associated to each electrode (J.sub.1-J.sub.n) in order to deduce the level of the medium present container.

In accordance with an embodiment, a method for detecting a fluid level, includes providing a fluid container having a cavity and coupling a first sensor to the fluid container, the first sensor protected from a fluid in the cavity and positioned at a first vertical level of the fluid container. The method further includes causing movement of either the first sensor or the fluid container. The first sensor is used to detect the fluid level upon causing the movement of either the first sensor or the fluid container.

A fluid sensor has a first electrode, a second electrode, a housing containing the first and second electrodes, such that the electrodes extend from the housing, exposed metal between the first and second electrodes, and a drive signal electrically connected to the second electrode, such that when fluid is present in the reservoir, either the first electrode senses the presence of the fluid, or the drive signal senses presence of the fluid. A fluid sensor has a first electrode, a second electrode, a housing containing the first and second electrodes, a drive signal electrically connected to the second electrode, and sensing circuitry to measure a current from the second electrode to indicate a fluid level.

A remote pulse TDR liquid level measurement system and method may include inserting a probe into a body of water. The probe has a probe/air interface, and the body of water includes an air/water interface. A narrow pulse is remotely transmitted to the probe via a coaxial cable. A first impedance mismatch is received from the probe/air interface in a form of a positive reflected pulse, and a second impedance mismatch is received from the air/water interface in a form of a negative reflected pulse. A time between the positive reflected pulse and the negative reflected pulse is calculated, and the time is converted to a distance, the distance being indicative of the water level.

A remote pulse TDR liquid level measurement system and method may include inserting a probe into a body of water. The probe has a probe/air interface, and the body of water includes an air/water interface. A narrow pulse is remotely transmitted to the probe via a coaxial cable. A first impedance mismatch is received from the probe/air interface in a form of a positive reflected pulse, and a second impedance mismatch is received from the air/water interface in a form of a negative reflected pulse. A time between the positive reflected pulse and the negative reflected pulse is calculated, and the time is converted to a distance, the distance being indicative of the water level.

A capacitive level gauge for a container of a medium like compressed gas or liquid, comprising a body configured for being mounted on the container; two parallel lamellar electrodes extending from the body, for being inside the container and in contact with the medium; wherein the capacitive level gauge further comprises at least one spacer with two slots engaging with the two electrodes, respectively, maintaining a constant distance between the electrodes.

An ostomy bag can include one or more sensors for measuring one or more metrics. An ostomy wafer can also include one or more sensors for measuring one or more metrics. The sensors can be temperature sensors and/or capacitive sensors, for example, and the metrics can include bag fill, leakage, skin irritation, and phase of stoma output, among others.