Using Capacitors to Measure Fluid Level

Measuring the level of a fluid is useful for a variety of applications, and the technology for the techniques employed in the acquisition of this measurement has progressed far beyond the use of sight glasses and mechanical floats. In fact, a widely used method to measure the amount of fuel in a gas tank is with a device that floats on top of the fuel combined with a sensor, the fuel gauge sending unit, that translates the angle of the float to the amount of fluid in the tank. With this method, the gauge tends to change position with the angle of the car as well as the angle of the float relative to the fluid, so a lot of the time the gauge position can be misleading. A more modern technique of measuring fluid level involves capacitors, and this article will detail the concepts and mathematics behind the relationship with fluid height.

Conceptual Background

Capacitors

For more details, see capacitor.

A capacitor consists of two conductors, e.g. conducting plates, separated by some kind of insulator. The insulator--a dielectric--within the gap between the two conductors can be air, plastic, glass, etc.

A Mathematical Model

What are the mathematical equations that allow us to model this topic. For example [math]\displaystyle{ {\frac{d\vec{p}}{dt}}_{system} = \vec{F}_{net} }[/math] where p is the momentum of the system and F is the net force from the surroundings.

A Computational Model

How do we visualize or predict using this topic. Consider embedding some vpython code here Teach hands-on with GlowScript

Examples

Be sure to show all steps in your solution and include diagrams whenever possible

Connectedness

1. How is this topic connected to something that you are interested in?
2. How is it connected to your major?
3. Is there an interesting industrial application?

History

Put this idea in historical context. Give the reader the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.

See also

Are there related topics or categories in this wiki resource for the curious reader to explore? How does this topic fit into that context?

Further reading

Books, Articles or other print media on this topic

External links

[1]

References

This section contains the the references you used while writing this page