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Ask an Expert Forum Best sensors for measuring fuel flow rate in vehicles
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  • Replies 29 replies
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  • flow sensor
  • sensors
  • turbineflow
  • learning center
  • electronics
  • Hallaffect
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Best sensors for measuring fuel flow rate in vehicles

boodle
boodle over 2 years ago

We are looking for a sensor that can be fitted on the Cars fueltanks & help in determining the fuel pumped into the vehicle. A display or meter reader along with the sensor isn't the need. Just a sensor would work.  So, a simple low-priced device with good accuracy is the need. Are turbine flow (Hall affect) the only sensors that will fit this need or other sensors available to measure it?

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  • michaelkellett
    michaelkellett over 2 years ago in reply to boodle +3
    I answered you a while ago in your other thread (it's a bit confusing when you have two on the same topic.) You probably won't like my answer any better: A flow sensor capable of giving accurate measurements…
  • phoenixcomm
    phoenixcomm over 2 years ago +2
    The best method for measuring fuel is a capacitive system. This is the same system that is used on aircraft. You need a minimum of two cap sensors, one is in the bottom of the tank and is used for calibration…
  • phoenixcomm
    phoenixcomm over 2 years ago in reply to phoenixcomm +2
    BTW with the above solution you know the volume of your tank at a standard temperature. So the math is not that big of a deal. also, this will give you a fuel rate over time. and in airplanes, you have…
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  • dougw
    dougw over 2 years ago

    You can measure the depth of fuel in the tank using a pressure sensor at the bottom of the tank. It will require calibration table to translate depth to volume.

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  • dougw
    dougw over 2 years ago

    You can measure the depth of fuel in the tank using a pressure sensor at the bottom of the tank. It will require calibration table to translate depth to volume.

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  • boodle
    boodle over 2 years ago in reply to dougw

    dougw  Thanks, i researched & discussed on load-cells but they are inaccurate & has limitations. Neither ultrasonics or capacitance sensors fits the resolution well. 

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  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 2 years ago in reply to boodle

    The ultrasonic solution from TI that I tested could measure 20 micrometer liquid level changes with an affordable MSP430, 2 dedicated ICs and a piezo transducer.

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  • dougw
    dougw over 2 years ago in reply to boodle

    There are a lot of challenges to install any sensor in a fuel tank, but resolution isn't the biggest one.

    The TI capacitance measurement chip I tested could measure capacitance changes down to 0.3 femtofarads and it had 28 bit resolution. If the tank was 1 meter deep, that would be a resolution of 0.0037 micrometers.

    /products/roadtest/rv/roadtest_reviews/557/texas_instruments_fd

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