Patent ID: 6443006
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
A sensor for measuring a dielectric strength and a level of a fluid above a predetermined level in a container, the sensor comprising:a linear capacitor disposed within the container to engage the fluid while the level of the fluid is above the predetermined level, the linear capacitor having a first capacitance that is sensitive to the dielectric strength and the level of the fluid above the predetermined level; a compensator capacitor disposed within the container and submerged in the fluid when the level of the fluid is at least as high as the predetermined level, the compensator capacitor having a second capacitance that is sensitive to the dielectric strength of the fluid and an electronic circuit including a first oscillator electrically connected to the linear capacitor to convert the first capacitance into a first frequency, a second oscillator electrically connected to the compensator capacitor to convert the second capacitance into a second frequency, and a processor electrically connected to the first oscillator and the second oscillator, the processor being operational to calculate the dielectric strength and the level of the fluid above the predetermined level substantially simultaneously based upon the first frequency and the second frequency.