Abstract: A fluid sensor including a sensing area configured to receive a fluid. The fluid sensor includes a transducer and a capacitive sensor. The transducer is configured to output an ultrasonic wave through the fluid. The capacitive sensor includes a capacitive plate configured to reflect the ultrasonic wave toward the transducer.

Abstract: A level measurement system including a tank, a transducer, and a controller. The tank is configured to contain a liquid. The transducer is configured to output an ultrasonic signal into the tank. The controller has a memory and electronic processor. The controller is electrically coupled to the transducer and is configured to determine a ring time of the transducer, and determine a level of the liquid contained within the tank based on the ring time of the transducer.

Abstract: A fluid sensor including a sensing area configured to receive a fluid. The fluid sensor includes a transducer and a capacitive sensor. The transducer is configured to output an ultrasonic wave through the fluid. The capacitive sensor includes a capacitive plate configured to reflect the ultrasonic wave toward the transducer.

Abstract: A fluid sensor including a sensing area configured to receive a fluid. The fluid sensor includes a transducer and a capacitive sensor. The transducer is configured to output an ultrasonic wave through the fluid. The capacitive sensor includes a capacitive plate configured to reflect the ultrasonic wave toward the transducer.

Abstract: A level measurement system including a tank, a transducer, and a controller. The tank is configured to contain a liquid. The transducer is configured to output an ultrasonic signal into the tank. The controller has a memory and electronic processor. The controller is electrically coupled to the transducer and is configured to determine a ring time of the transducer, and determine a level of the liquid contained within the tank based on the ring time of the transducer.

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 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 fluid sensor including a sensing area configured to receive a fluid. The fluid sensor includes a transducer and a capacitive sensor. The transducer is configured to output an ultrasonic wave through the fluid. The capacitive sensor includes a capacitive plate configured to reflect the ultrasonic wave toward the transducer.

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 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 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.

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 determining a quality and/or depth of a fluid in a tank. The system includes a controller, one or more transducers, and a temperature sensor. A fixed distance transducer transmits a sound wave toward a fixed surface. A depth transducer transmits a sound wave which reflects off a surface of the fluid. The temperature sensor senses a temperature of the fluid in the tank and provides an indication of the temperature to the controller. The controller measures the elapsed time for the sound waves to travel between the fixed distance transducer and a fixed surface and the elapsed time for the sound waves to travel between the depth transducer and the surface of the fluid held within the container. Using the elapsed times and the temperature of the fluid, the controller is able to determine a quality and the depth of the fluid.

Abstract: A target magnet assembly configured to be secured to a rotating shaft of a steering gear assembly. The target magnet assembly includes an index hub with a mount and a magnet secured by the mount. The mount includes a tab with a protrusion extending from the tab, a finger, and a stop. The magnet includes an axial retention groove receiving the finger, a top surface abutting the stop, and a radial retention groove receiving the protrusion.