A chemical vessel used for holding a liquid chemical precursor is disclosed comprising a liquid level sensor tube. The liquid level sensor tube is configured to operate in an environment where the liquid chemical precursor is heated to a point of boiling or vaporization. The liquid level sensor tube comprises housing with a slot built in to prevent any false readings of sensors disposed within the liquid level sensor tube.

A wireless drink container can monitor a person's hydration and prompt him or her to drink more if appropriate. The drink containers as described herein can monitor liquid levels and communicate with external devices about the liquid levels and rate of consumption. One or more sensors in the drink container monitor the liquid level within the container. A processor coupled to the sensor(s) estimates how much liquid has been removed from the container from changes in the liquid level and transmits a signal representing the change in liquid level to a smartphone or other external device. It also triggers an audio or visual indicator, such as an LED, that prompts the user to drink more based on the user's estimated liquid consumption and on the user's liquid consumption goals, which may be based on the user's physiology, activity level, and location.

A sensor for measuring multiple properties of a fluid, such as oil, including level, temperature, water contamination, and dielectric where the sensing elements include two or more interdigitated electrodes, a capacitive relative humidity sensor, and a temperature sensing element.

A circuit for simulating a capacitance fuel probe, the circuit comprising: an input for receiving an alternating current (AC) excitation signal; an output for outputting an output signal representing a capacitance of the simulated fuel probe; a single reference capacitance; a first amplifier connected to the reference capacitance, the first amplifier being configured to cause a current flow through the reference capacitance; a second, variable gain, amplifier, the second, variable gain amplifier being configured to output an AC signal representing a multiple of the current flow through the reference capacitance, wherein the AC signal output by the second amplifier is used to generate the output signal.

A pipetting unit (2) with capacitive liquid detection comprises: a pressure tube (10); a shield (12) disposed around the pressure tube (10); a coupling (14) for temporarily attaching a pipetting tip (4) to the pipetting unit (2), wherein when the pipetting tip (4) is connected, an electrical connection is established between the pressure tube (10) and the pipetting tip (4); and an electric circuit (20) coupled to the pressure tube (10) and the shield (12), wherein the electric circuit (20) is configured to apply a time-variable electrical signal to the pressure tube (10), said time-variable electrical signal permitting a capacitive detection of a contact between the pipetting tip (4) and a pipetting liquid (112) when the pipetting tip (4) is connected, and wherein the electric circuit (20) is configured to connect the shield (12) to ground.

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 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 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.