Capacitive level sensor

• US 5,477,727 A
• Filed: 01/24/1994
• Issued: 12/26/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
• Original Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
• Inventors: Koga, Sadamichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WORTH, WILLIE M
• Application Number:
  US08/185,792
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 73/304 C, 361/284, 324/663, 324/690
• US Class Current: 73/304.00C
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/263 by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/268 mounting arrangements of probes
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 5/0132 Liquid dielectrics

Abstract

A main sensor electrode part 3 and a reference sensor electrode part 4 are deposited in patterns over the surface of a support member 10. A lead-out part 4b of the reference sensor electrode part 4 is extended through an unplated passage 11 of the main sensor electrode part 3 to the upper edge of the support member 10 to form there a terminal part 4a. A portion of the main sensor electrode part 3 is also extended to the upper edge of the support member 10 to form there a terminal part 3a. The support member 10 is deposited all over its surface with an insulating film 12 covering the both sensor electrode parts 3 and 4.

Claims

1. A capacitive level sensor which has first and second electrodes disposed opposite each other with a space therebetween said to define a capacitor whose capacitance is representative of the height of a liquid that is filled into the space between said first and second electrodes, said first electrode being made up of a main sensor electrode part and a reference sensor electrode part, said first electrode comprising:

support means for supporting said main and reference sensor electrode parts, said support means being disposed opposite to and spaced apart from said second electrode and having at least one surface;

said main sensor electrode part and said reference sensor electrode part being deposits of electroless plating or printing on said surface of said support means, said main and reference sensor electrode parts being spaced apart in the vertical direction;

an insulating film deposited over said surface and covering said main sensor electrode part and said reference sensor electrode part;

a terminal formed by extending one portion of said main sensor electrode part to an upper edge of said support means; and

a lead-out of said reference sensor electrode part extended through a vertical unplated portion of said main sensor electrode part to the upper edge of said support means to form there a terminal part.

2. The capacitive level sensor of claim 1, wherein said first and second electrodes are cylindrical in shape and the first electrode is disposed inside of the second electrode.

3. The capacitive level sensor of claim 1, wherein said first and second electrodes are cylindrical in shape and the first electrode is disposed outside of the latter.

4. The capacitive level sensor of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said support means is made of an insulating material.

5. The capacitive level sensor of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said support means is made of metal.