Vibration Testing a Float Based Sender

Float based Fuel Level senders are not expected to see any vibration as the internal fluid is supposed to dampen the motion.

There are several critical applications where this is not  the experience in the field and people have turned to alternative technologies like - Capacitive or Ultrasonic fuel level sensors to get better performance

However -   Each one of these systems also struggles with agitated fluid  -

A float still rides on the surface giving the potential for an accurate reading no matter what is going on - The real issue with float sensors is not the float,  it is the method for recording the float position.    Resistance based senders wear as the contact rubs vigorously over the resistance trace.  Fluids attack the resistance grid and wiper

What if we kept the good part of this level sensor - the float and replaced it with a clever bit of electronics

Best of both worlds - Simple and Effective

Float Based Sensors - Accuracy Quality Reliability

Float Based Sensors 

These sensors have been in use for a long period of time.  They have a few advantages that are difficult to overcome.   If they have a less than stellar reputation it is more about the electronics used, than the method  of finding a fluid level.    We will assume that quality and good practice

• The float will find the surface 

• Provides a reliable value for full and empty
• Provides a stable output, even under fluid agitation.

• Simple mechanism and controlled motion about a pivot.

• Used everyday in the most critical applications 

• Independent of fluid type or composition

• The singular most popular method for measuring liquid level 

• A float and pivot arm can be maintained for millions of operational cycles 

The typical methodology for finding level is resistance - either in a wound wire or a resistance grid.  The output is simply a distinct resistance value.  However this mechanical method for obtaining an electrical value for fluid level has a few problems.

• This practice introduces a mechanical wear item into the system.  It is this wear on the resistance surface that draws the most criticism.

• The CIES Inc float sensor design has only a pivot to wear - and we can utilize a lighter float as there is limited friction to overcome.

• Resistance needs electrical modification to correlate with volume 

• The CIES Inc. float sensor design is digital output and can be programmed to tank volume 

• Resistance circuits immersed in fluids are susceptible to corrosion from alcohol in gasoline or de sulfered diesel or potentially to the 100LL replacement.

• The CIES Inc. float sensor design sensing element is outside of the fuel compartment no chance for corrosion 

CIES Inc answered the quest  - What if we could combine the simple and effective elements of a pivoted float and replaced the resistance element and its problems from the fuel tank sending system

Only CIES Inc has a patent to combine a sophisticated, reliable and stable sensor technology to a simple float mechanism.

CIES FUELRITE Level Sensor 

Utilizing the patented Anisotropic Magneto Resistive technology allows CIES Inc in an intrinsically safe non contact system.

CIES Inc  effectively married the simplicity and effectiveness of the float based system with a non contact level sensing technology with the following characteristics:

• Effective 
• Accurate
• Sensitive - Measures down to 0.02 Degrees 
• Immune to nearby magnetic fields
• No hysterisis -
• No drift over time or temperature - stable 
• Intrinsically Safe 

A proven system backed by exhaustive testing. 

Let us know your unique application

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