Abstract: A fluid sensing system includes a target positioned at a target level, a first transducer configured to generate a first sound wave, and a second transducer configured to generate a second sound wave. An electronic processor is configured to produce a first signal to drive the first transducer and receive a first indication of a detected first echo from the first transducer. The electronic processor is configured to determine a first level of the fluid and determine whether the first level is less than or equal to the target level. The electronic processor is configured to produce, in response to determining the first level is less than or equal to the target level, a second signal to drive the second transducer, receive a second indication of a detected second echo from the second transducer, and determine a second level of the fluid based on the second indication.

Abstract: A fluid sensing system includes a target positioned at a target level, a first transducer configured to generate a first sound wave, and a second transducer configured to generate a second sound wave. An electronic processor is configured to produce a first signal to drive the first transducer and receive a first indication of a detected first echo from the first transducer. The electronic processor is configured to determine a first level of the fluid and determine whether the first level is less than or equal to the target level. The electronic processor is configured to produce, in response to determining the first level is less than or equal to the target level, a second signal to drive the second transducer, receive a second indication of a detected second echo from the second transducer, and determine a second level of the fluid based on the second indication.

Abstract: A method of sensing a fluid. The method includes determining a slope based on a first measurement of a first ultrasonic pulse traveling through the fluid, a second measurement based on a second ultrasonic pulse traveling through the fluid, a first temperature of the fluid, and a second temperature of the fluid. The method further includes comparing the slope to a predetermined slope and the first measurement to a predetermined measurement.

Abstract: A system for sensing characteristics of a fluid contained within a tank. The system including an ultrasonic sensor, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The ultrasonic sensor is configured to output a ultrasonic pulse into the fluid, receive an echo of the ultrasonic pulse, and output a signal based on the received echo. The temperature sensor is configured to sense a temperature of the fluid and output a temperature signal corresponding to the temperature of the fluid. The controller is configured to determine a time-of-flight based on the output of the ultrasonic pulse and the received echo of the ultrasonic pulse, receive the temperature signal, determine a characteristic of the fluid based on the time-of-flight and the temperature signal, compare the characteristic of the fluid to a baseline characteristic, and output a signal based on the comparison between the characteristic of the fluid and the baseline characteristic.

Abstract: A fluid sensing system including a first transducer, a second transducer, a filter, and a controller. The first transducer is configured to output a first sound wave through a first fluid in a first measurement channel. The second transducer is configured to output a second sound wave through a second fluid in a second measurement channel. The filter is configured to substantially prevent aeration in the second fluid contained within the second measurement channel. The controller is configured to determine a first characteristic of the first sound wave, and determine a second characteristic of the second sound wave. The controller is further configured to determine a percentage of aeration by volume within the first fluid based on the first characteristic and second characteristic, and output the percentage of aeration by volume within the first fluid.

Abstract: A method of sensing a fluid. The method includes determining a slope based on a first measurement of a first ultrasonic pulse traveling through the fluid, a second measurement based on a second ultrasonic pulse traveling through the fluid, a first temperature of the fluid, and a second temperature of the fluid. The method further includes comparing the slope to a predetermined slope and the first measurement to a predetermined measurement.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the energy of sound waves generated for fluid sensing. The system includes a transducer configured to generate a first sound wave and a second sound wave and to detect a first echo of the first and second sound waves. The system also includes a driver configured to drive the transducer to produce the first and second sound waves. The system also includes a controller configured to compare a signal characteristic of the first echo of the first and second sound waves. The controller is configured to control the driver based on comparing the signal characteristic of the first echo of the first and second sound waves.

Abstract: A system for sensing characteristics of a fluid contained within a tank. The system including an ultrasonic sensor, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The ultrasonic sensor is configured to output a ultrasonic pulse into the fluid, receive an echo of the ultrasonic pulse, and output a signal based on the received echo. The temperature sensor is configured to sense a temperature of the fluid and output a temperature signal corresponding to the temperature of the fluid. The controller is configured to determine a time-of-flight based on the output of the ultrasonic pulse and the received echo of the ultrasonic pulse, receive the temperature signal, determine a characteristic of the fluid based on the time-of-flight and the temperature signal, compare the characteristic of the fluid to a baseline characteristic, and output a signal based on the comparison between the characteristic of the fluid and the baseline characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the energy of sound waves generated for fluid sensing. The system includes a transducer configured to generate a first sound wave and a second sound wave and to detect a first echo of the first and second sound waves. The system also includes a driver configured to drive the transducer to produce the first and second sound waves. The system also includes a controller configured to compare a signal characteristic of the first echo of the first and second sound waves. The controller is configured to control the driver based on comparing the signal characteristic of the first echo of the first and second sound waves.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an ultrasonic sensor including a transducer, a reflector spaced a known distance from the transducer, and a memory. A water bath is heated to approximately fifty centigrade and the ultrasonic sensor is at least partially submerged in the water bath. When submerged, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted through a portion of the water bath from the transducer. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted toward the reflector and a reflected ultrasonic wave is received back at the transducer. A time of flight of the ultrasonic wave is measured. A calibration coefficient is determined based on the time of flight of the ultrasonic wave and an expected time of flight of the ultrasonic wave. The calibration coefficient is loaded into the memory of the ultrasonic sensor.

Abstract: A system for sensing a fluid. The system including a fixed object; a first transducer generating a first sound wave in a horizontal direction and to detect a first echo of the first sound wave from the fixed object; a second transducer generating a second sound wave in a vertical direction; a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the fluid; and a controller. The controller configured to produce a first signal to drive the first transducer to produce the first sound wave, produce a second signal to drive the second transducer to produce the second sound wave, receive a first indication of the detected first echo, receive a second indication of the detected second echo, receive a temperature indication, determine a quality of the fluid based on the first indication and the temperature indication, and determine a quantity of the fluid based on the second indication.

Abstract: A sensor operable to sense a characteristic of a fluid. The sensor includes a sensing area, a filter, and a transducer. The sensing area is configured to contain the fluid. The filter covers the sensing area. The filter is configured to allow a liquid portion of the fluid to enter the sensing area and substantially prohibit a gas portion of the fluid to enter the sensing area. The transducer is operable to output a pulse of sound through the liquid portion of the fluid contained within the sensing area, receive the reflected pulse of sound, and output a characteristic of the fluid based on the received pulse of sound.

Abstract: A three-mode ultrasonic sensor for determining temperature, level, and/or concentration of a fluid. In one embodiment, the sensor includes a target positioned at a level; a controller, and a transducer electrically connected to the controller. The controller is configured to generate an ultrasonic signal, to receive a reflection of the ultrasonic signal from at least one of the target and a surface of a fluid, and generate a signal based on the reflection. The controller is further configured to receive the signal, and determine whether a level of the surface of the fluid is one of the following group: above the level of the target, below the level of the target, and substantially the same as the level of the target.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an ultrasonic sensor including a transducer, a reflector spaced a known distance from the transducer, and a memory. A water bath is heated to approximately fifty centigrade and the ultrasonic sensor is at least partially submerged in the water bath. When submerged, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted through a portion of the water bath from the transducer. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted toward the reflector and a reflected ultrasonic wave is received back at the transducer. A time of flight of the ultrasonic wave is measured. A calibration coefficient is determined based on the time of flight of the ultrasonic wave and an expected time of flight of the ultrasonic wave. The calibration coefficient is loaded into the memory of the ultrasonic sensor.

Abstract: A fluid sensor for sensing at least one characteristic of a fluid. The fluid sensor includes a sensing area, a sensing element and a mesh. The sensing element is configured to sense a characteristic of fluid located within the sensing area. The mesh is positioned around the sensing area. The mesh is configured to allow a liquid portion of the fluid to enter and exit the sensing area, and substantially prohibit a gas portion of the fluid to enter the channel.

Abstract: Technology is described for tank coupled to an ultrasonic sensor subassembly where the combination of the tank and ultrasonic sensor subassembly for an ultrasonic sensor. In an embodiment, ultrasonic sensor subassembly is configured to form an ultrasonic sensor upon coupling to a tank having a tank wall. The ultrasonic sensor subassembly includes a sensor subassembly housing, a planar piezoelectric element located within the sensor subassembly housing, and a circuitry electrically connected to the planar piezoelectric element, where the planar piezoelectric element includes a surface coupled to the tank wall such that the tank wall forms a matching layer of an ultrasonic sensor, and the circuitry configured to produce a signal to drive the planar piezoelectric element to generate a sound wave, and receive an indication of a detected echo from the planar piezoelectric element. Various other methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor operable to sense a characteristic of a fluid. The sensor includes a sensing area, a filter, and a transducer. The sensing area is configured to contain the fluid. The filter covers the sensing area. The filter is configured to allow a liquid portion of the fluid to enter the sensing area and substantially prohibit a gas portion of the fluid to enter the sensing area. The transducer is operable to output a pulse of sound through the liquid portion of the fluid contained within the sensing area, receive the reflected pulse of sound, and output a characteristic of the fluid based on the received pulse of sound.

Abstract: A system for sensing a fluid. The system including a fixed object; a first transducer generating a first sound wave in a horizontal direction and to detect a first echo of the first sound wave from the fixed object; a second transducer generating a second sound wave in a vertical direction; a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the fluid; and a controller. The controller configured to produce a first signal to drive the first transducer to produce the first sound wave, produce a second signal to drive the second transducer to produce the second sound wave, receive a first indication of the detected first echo, receive a second indication of the detected second echo, receive a temperature indication, determine a quality of the fluid based on the first indication and the temperature indication, and determine a quantity of the fluid based on the second indication.

Abstract: A system for sensing a fluid. The system including a fixed object; a first transducer generating a first sound wave in a horizontal direction and to detect a first echo of the first sound wave from the fixed object; a second transducer generating a second sound wave in a vertical direction; a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the fluid; and a controller. The controller configured to produce a first signal to drive the first transducer to produce the first sound wave, produce a second signal to drive the second transducer to produce the second sound wave, receive a first indication of the detected first echo, receive a second indication of the detected second echo, receive a temperature indication, determine a quality of the fluid based on the first indication and the temperature indication, and determine a quantity of the fluid based on the second indication.

Abstract: A fluid sensor for sensing at least one characteristic of a fluid. The fluid sensor includes a sensing area, a sensing element and a mesh. The sensing element is configured to sense a characteristic of fluid located within the sensing area. The mesh is positioned around the sensing area. The mesh is configured to allow a liquid portion of the fluid to enter and exit the sensing area, and substantially prohibit a gas portion of the fluid to enter the channel.