Ultrasonic Sensor

Measurement Principle / Effective Use of

Ultrasonic Sensor

Measurement Principle of Ultrasonic Sensor
Ultrasonic sensors transmit ultrasonic waves from its sensor head and again receives the
ultrasonic waves reflected from an object. By measuring the length of time from the transmission
to reception of the sonic wave, it detects the position of the object.


Roles of Temperature Sensor (FW-H10R)

The head sensor FW-H10R comes with a temperature sensor for temperature compensation. This
is because the sound velocity in the atmosphere changes depending on temperature. The
temperature sensor inside the sensor head senses the temperature and compensates for the
changes of sound velocity.

Sound Velocity in the Atmosphere

The sound velocity in the atmosphere reaches 331.45 m/s when the temperature is 0C. The
sound velocity at different temperatures can be calculated with the following formula.

Where C: Sound velocity, T: Current temperature
C331.45 m/s 0.607 m/s x TC

Sound velocity increases by 0.607 m/s every time the temperature rises 1C.

Effective Use of Ultrasound Sensor
Detection of Liquid Level
Ultrasonic sensors are widely used for liquid level detection. However, in some cases,
measurements may not be successful, such as when the surface of the liquid is rough or foamed
up, or other objects on the liquid are wrongly detected.
In such cases, please place a pipe on top of the sensor head as shown below.
By detecting the liquid level inside the pipe, a wavy surface and entering of bubbles can be
prevented.


Detection of Acid, Alkali, and Organic Solvent Level
Although ultrasonic sensors are often used for liquid level detection, if it is used for acid, alkali,
or organic solvents, the sensor head can become damaged. In such cases, please examine
introducing the countermeasures introduced below.

Countermeasure 1: In the Case of Hermetically-sealed Tank


Enclose the sensor head with the tube with the length
shorter than the height of the insensible area and inject air
from the back of the tube. By sealing the back of the tube,
entry of volatile gas can be prevented because of the
difference of air pressure.

Countermeasure 2: In the Case of Open Top Tank



Purging air in front of the sensor head and pushing
volatile gas away in the horizontal direction will prevent
the sensor head from deteriorating.

Countermeasure 3: In the Case that Air Purge is not Possible



Protect the exposed sensor head surface inside the tank by
applying chemical resistant grease.
* For more details about chemical resistant grease, please
contact us separately.