Clever combination for filling level control

Ultrasonic diffuse-reflection sensor and transducer from ipf monitor silo containers

Sensors with analog evaluation are required for reliable fill level monitoring of large containers. The ideal solution for this task is an ultrasonic sensor from the UT30 in combination with the versatile analog converter BA050100 from ipf electronic.

The ultrasonic scanner UT309023 with a measuring range of 600mm to 6,000mm is mounted in the lid area of a silo container in such a way that the sound transducer of the sensor and thus the sound cone is aligned on the material to be detected. The diffuse reflection sensor works according to the so-called echo propagation time process. Based on the time required for the ultrasonic waves to travel from the sensor to the material surface in the transducer and back to the device, the sensor calculates the exact distance and outputs this value via an analog signal proportional to the distance. Via the teach mode or the integrated IO-Link interface of the UT309023 can be used to easily switch between current and voltage signals. A PLC (programmable logic controller) is not necessarily required to evaluate the filling level, as this can also be done directly via the measuring transducer. BA050100 can also be used.

With the two 16-bit analog inputs and the four digital outputs of the BA050100 such an application can be realized with little effort. The measuring transducer, which is adjustable to both a current and voltage signal, is parameterized via the touchscreen on the front. In addition, the four digital outputs can be freely assigned to the analog inputs and an event can be set individually for each output. In this specific case, the digital outputs control different colored segments of a signal light as well as an acoustic signal, which are switched for a short time via the pulse output setting when the tank is 90 percent full. An additional setting allows the switching operations of the indicator lights to be shown in parallel on the display by changing color.

Further links

Reihe UT30

Ultraschalltaster UT309023

Analogwandler BA050100