A device for monitoring a liquid level of a liquid storage tank for a vehicle is capable of improving sensing sensitivity of a liquid level sensor by employing a structure capable of amplifying an electromotive force, which is generated by an electrode, at an electromotive force amplification layer including a carbon micro coil (CMC) and accurately sensing a frozen state of a liquid to perform a heating function so as to resolve the frozen state of the liquid.

A fluid level detector is provided, which has a transmitter, a receiver, and a sensing zone adjacent the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter and receiver are arranged such that when an electric field forms between the transmitter and receiver, a fringe electric field extends from the transmitter into the sensing zone. The transmitter and receiver are both on a same side of the sensing zone, and a fluid located at the sensing zone changes a measured capacitance at the transmitter and receiver system.

A cup for measuring the liquid intake of an individual. The cup comprising: a liquid holding portion, defined by at least one sidewall and a base; a liquid level sensor, comprising a plurality of conductive surfaces disposed in an array along the sidewall in a direction away from the base; and a processor, configured to derive a liquid level from the liquid level sensor by determining which of the plurality of conductive surfaces have a capacitance higher than a threshold value, the threshold value being indicative of the respective conductive surface being below a liquid level line, and thereby measure the liquid intake of the individual.

Systems and methods for non-contact sensing of the level of process fluid within a hygienic bubble trap are contemplated. In particular, it is contemplated that through the use of one or more capacitance probes having their sensor tips placed adjacent to the vessel wall of a hygienic bubble trap, ideally perpendicularly thereto, the fluid level of the process fluid within the hygienic bubble trap may be measured via the circuit of the capacitance probe detecting variances in the electrical field which extends through the vessel wall, as a result of changes in the dielectric as the process fluid rises and falls. In this fashion, the probe is not wetted and is never placed into physical contact with the process fluid, and thus does not need to undergo any clean-in-place or sterilize-in-place processes, greatly simplifying ease of use.

In one implementation, the specification discloses a liquid level sensor and communication device, system and/or method. In some implementations, the communication light weight portable, interactive device for personal or interpersonal non-video communication using voice messaging comprising a substantially thin polylateral shaped housing unit comprising: a) a front cover, a back cover and side walls connecting the front cover with the back cover; b) a digital sound recording unit configured with a manual switch for activating and recording a message; c) a digital sound storage unit; d) a playback unit configured with a manual switch for activating and playing back the recorded message; e) a microphone; and f) a speaker; and optionally, i) a light emitting device (LED) indicator or an audio indicator or a combination thereof, for indicating or alerting the presence of a recorded message; and/or ii) a manual ON/OFF switch for turning on and turning off the device when the device is not in use; wherein the sound recording unit, sound storage unit, playback unit, microphone and speaker are configured to allow a user to record a message and playback the message using the manual switches; and methods for using the device and/or iii) on/off switch also have a learning mechanism, by placing the unit on the empty part of the container and pressing on/off a number of times. Then the unit will learn the specifics of the bottle and will react to the filled portion of the bottle.

A liquid sensor assembly includes a sensor housing defining an interior cavity. The sensor housing has at least one inlet opening for liquid to pass into the cavity and at least one outlet opening for liquid to pass out of the cavity. A liquid sensor is in the cavity for sensing the presence of liquid in the sensor housing. The liquid sensor is between the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening. The liquid sensor has a sensor opening extending therethrough for the passage of liquid through the liquid sensor.

A device for monitoring the level or amount of a material within a container is provided. The device includes a detection mechanism that can be a direct detection mechanism or an indirect detection mechanism. When the detection mechanism senses an upper level of the substance in the container that is below a predetermined lower limit for the substance, the mechanism operates an alarm mechanism to emit an alarm to alert an individual to the low level of the substance within the container. The alarm can wirelessly communicate a salt level state to a wireless network or a device on a wireless network that can transmit the status through the Internet to any remote location. In one aspect, the alarm can be sent on a mesh network with a device that can transmit the status and other conditions through the Internet and to an application executing on a mobile device.

An apparatus includes a measurement circuit to be coupled to a sensor electrode at a vertical position of a container. The container is to include two fluids. The measurement circuit is to make a determination of a height of one of the fluids with respect to the other of the fluids based on a capacitive measurement of the sensor electrode.

A sample processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and an elevator with a chuck guide that contact the container holder as the chuck is lowered by the elevator to positon the chuck with respect to the cap of the container held in the holder and to hold jaws of the container holder in a closed position. In embodiment, the chuck guide includes a yoke with opposed arms and spindles located near distal ends of the arms that engage beveled shoulders of the container holder.

A level gauge with a control and evaluation electronic comprising a signal generator for generating an alternating voltage, a signal detector for detecting a reflected voltage, a resonant measuring probe, and a connecting element, which connects the evaluating electronic electrically to the measuring probe, with the connecting element comprising a first connecting conductor, which connects the signal generator to the measuring probe, and a second connecting conductor which connects the measuring probe to the signal detector.