| Madison's
ultrasonic level
sensors rely on high-frequency sound
waves above the range of human hearing (over
20,000 hertz) to measure level. Our ultrasonic sensors
use ultrasonic sound waves to sense the level of liquids,
solids or powders in airbased containers, tanks and
vessels of all sizes and shapes.
Madison's
sensors can be bench- or field-calibrated through
communications
with a PC or a push button on
the sensor. This capability enables the user to define
the span in the vessel and only trigger on objects
within that window. Each standard model has its defined
operating
distance listed on the catalog chart page. Custom models
can be designed for specific application needs based
on the variables that can be found on the Madison
Specification Work Sheet.
These
ultrasonic sensors are not susceptible to error due
to the target material's color,
shape or composition (e.g., transparent or opaque,
liquid or solid). They
are particularly good for applications that must
sense a non-metallic object in an environment where
there
is systematic, heavy wash down, liquid, dust, heavy
spray,
food, ink, or other environmental hazards. Since
sound energy is used for detection, the reflecting
object
does not have to be metal, but can also be glass,
plastic
or even paper.
Stagnant,
non-agitated liquids and solids consisting of large
and hard particles are
good reflectors and,
therefore, good candidates for ultrasonic level
measurement. Fluff, foam and loose dirt are poor
reflectors, and
dust, mist or humidity in the vapor space tend
to absorb ultrasonic
pulse. When these conditions are present, they
are generally not measurable. As a rule of thumb,
use
20% of the stated
range of a Standard model to see if it will overcome
these conditions. Where these characteristics are
present, a Madison radar
sensor might be appropriate.
Click
here for specific product operation characteristics,
or
contact
a
Madison representative
for further information. |
| Operation
Principle of Ultrasonic Level Devices: |
 |
| An ultrasonic transducer matched to air is stimulated
by a pulse transmitter, and it generates a pressure
wave that propagates to a target and then reflects
(in similar fashion to a loudspeaker). The reflected
wave is received by the same transducer, in the receiver
mode, and is converted into an electrical signal
(as a microphone would). The electrical signal is
amplified and processed to find the reflected echo
and then calculated to find the distance to a specific
target. Distances to a target are converted linearly
to a 4-20 mA current and, optionally, information
about level measurement is sent via RS232 or RS485
to a PC for processing such functions as diagnostics,
programmble set-up and data logging. |
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