Fluid Level sensing on Ships and Yachts

In maritime vessels like ships and yachts, meticulous fluid level sensing of fuel, sewage, and portable water is paramount for smooth operations and safety. Similar to conventional fuel gauges, gauges for sewage and drinking water tanks rely on potentiometric feedback mechanisms to provide accurate readings of fluid volumes within the tanks.

For accurate fluid level sensing, reed sensors are integrated with resistors on specially designed printed circuit boards (PCBs), engineered to produce the desired output signals. These PCBs are meticulously crafted to accommodate the spatial constraints typically encountered in marine vessels, with tanks often characterised by elongated dimensions and limited vertical clearance.

Tailored reed sensors featuring high differential capabilities are utilised in conjunction with integrated resistors to facilitate precise fluid level sensing. As a magnetic float traverses the vertical length of the tank, the PCB tracks detect changes in resistance, generating a potentiometric feedback across two output channels. This feedback mechanism enables the gauge to accurately determine fluid levels, with high resistance indicating a full tank and low resistance signifying an empty one, or vice versa, depending on the design specifications.

To ensure reliable performance in environments prone to debris or semi-solids, such as sewage tanks, additional precautions are implemented. A perforated housing is strategically fitted around the float assembly, safeguarding it from potential obstructions while maintaining it’s fluid level sensing capabilities.

In essence, the integration of reed sensor-based PCBs represents a sophisticated yet compact solution for fluid level monitoring in maritime vessels, ensuring operational efficiency, resource optimization, and enhanced safety standards.

Application Classification

Applications are classified as Position Sensing, Pulse Counting, Electromagnetic or Relay, Temperature Sensing or Magnet Biasing types. This application is classified as follows and the link gives more information on best practices to help select the most suitable AT band and matching magnet.

Position sensing Type

When an application requires the end position of a movement sensed, or the sensing of a part when it comes into a zone, or when the Continue reading ->

Sep 29, 2024

Recommended Products

The Reed Switches and Sensors used in such applications need to be robust, durable and efficient in meeting a high life expectancy. Our engineers work hard in life testing our products under various conditions, and our intention is to ensure end product durability and life. Although we wouldn’t want to restrict any of our products for use in only certain applications, the recommended products for use in this application are listed below.