A level sensor assembly (552) for estimating a level of a dielectric powder (412) in a container assembly (544) includes a first electrode member (554) that is coupled to the container assembly (544); a second electrode member (556) that is coupled to the container assembly (544): and a control system (424). The second electrode member (556) is spaced apart from the first electrode member (554) and configured so that powder (512) in the container assembly (544) is positioned at least partly between the electrode members (554) (556). The control system (424) utilizes a capacitance between the electrode members (554) (556) to estimate the level of the powder (512) in the container assembly (544).

A fluid sensor for detecting a content change, in particular a liquid front, in a sensor portion of a fluid system, wherein the fluid sensor includes at least one sensor electrode, the sensor electrode having an electrode potential and a capacitive behavior, the sensor electrode thus being capable to store electrical energy in an electrical field formed by the sensor electrode when being charged, causing the electrode potential to change accordingly, a capacitance value of the sensor electrode varies when the content changes, the fluid sensor includes evaluation electronics, the evaluation electronics including a unidirectional electrical device (UED), and an AC source, the AC source is coupled via the UED to the sensor electrode to charge the sensor electrode, and the evaluation electronics include a discharge path coupled to the sensor electrode for discharging the sensor electrode.

A calibration cup for use in calibrating a quantity of a dessert dispensed from a product dispensing machine includes a body portion having an interior cavity, the interior cavity including a first chamber adjacent to at least a second chamber being disposed along a longitudinal width of the body portion, the first and the at least one second chamber being configured for receiving a quantity of the dessert from the product dispensing machine; and at least one opening on the body portion, the at least one opening being configured for receiving a nozzle coupled to the product dispensing machine; where the body portion is configured for self-aligning the first chamber and the at least a second chamber to the product dispensing machine.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a grey water interface valve liquid level sensor system. The liquid level sensor system may deliver information about the water level and the water movement that occurs in a water reservoir. A control unit may then activate a valve to open so that the water can be removed via vacuum.

A liquid level sensor for a liquid electrolyte battery is provided. The liquid level sensor includes a probe having a reference electrode and an electrode array. The electrode array includes a plurality of electrodes that are serially disposed in a lengthwise direction of the probe. The reference electrode is capacitively coupled to each electrode within the electrode array, such that the probe provides a capacitance that varies when the probe is immersed in a liquid level that varies in relation to the probe. The liquid level sensor can alert a user of the need to refill the battery or alert a user of the need to refill the battery in the near future. The liquid level sensor can include a series of LEDs that selectively illuminate to indicate each such condition to the user.

A device and a method for detecting a water level of a water trap in a fuel cell can accurately output a water level of water collected in the water trap by reaction of the fuel cell. The device and the method for detecting a water level of a water trap can detect a change in a surrounding temperature of a water level sensor by mounting a separate temperature sensor in the water level sensor and accurately output the water level in the water trap regardless of the change of the surrounding temperature through a water sensor output value correction algorithm based on a detected temperature.

A sensor assembly is described herein that can automatically calibrate itself upon installation into an empty bin, eliminating the need to actually fill the bin to calibrate the level reading. The sensor will provide consistent measurement regardless of material properties (permittivity, density, temperature or moisture content). The capacitive nature of the sensor means that in some circumstances, it will sense the material through plastic/glass/fiber glass thereby allowing the sensor assembly to be mountable on the outside of a bin or container. The electrodes of the sensor system are designed to provide a continuous level reading.

A capacitive liquid level sensor is provided comprising a capacitive probe having a capacitance and comprising a sensing tip wherein the capacitive probe is configured such that the capacitance of the probe changes when the sensing tip is exposed to liquid. A signal generator operates to supply an electrical signal alternating between a high and low state to the capacitive probe, the electrical signal being configured such that the probe is alternately charged and discharged when the signal is high or low respectively. A comparator operates to detect the magnitude of an electrical signal across the capacitive probe and provides a first output signal value when the detected signal magnitude is greater than a predetermined threshold value and a second output signal value when the signal magnitude is less than the threshold value. A timer operates to receive an output signal from the comparator and measures a time period starting when the comparator output signal transitions to the first output signal value and ending when the comparator output signal transitions to the second output signal value. Liquid detection means also operate to utilize the time period measured by the timer to determine if the sensing tip is exposed to liquid.

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 (Ji-Jn), in particular on a face of an electrically insulating substrate (20) having a generally elongated shape, the electrodes (Ji-Jn) 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 (Ji-Jn) with respect to the inside of the container (1); and a controller (24) having a plurality of inputs. Each capacitive element comprises at least one of a single electrode and a set of electrodes connected together in common, in particular in parallel, the single electrode or the 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 (Ji-Jn) in order to deduce the level of the medium present container.

The sensor circuit (105) is configured for sensing of an electrolyte solution, such as an aqueous solution (1000) in a chamber (150). The sensor circuit comprises a signal generator configured for generating signals in a predefined frequency range above 1 MHz. It further comprises a capacitive sensor comprising a first and a second electrode (101, 102), wherein the electrolyte solution (1000) constitutes a medium of the capacitive sensor, and an output circuit for conditioning a response into a sensor signal. Herein, the capacitive sensor is part of a secondary, floating circuit which is coupled in a contactless manner to a primary circuit comprising the signal generator and the output circuit, and wherein said response is transmitted from the secondary circuit.