Continuous liquid level detection based on two parallel plastic optical fibers in a helical structure

Yingzi Zhang; Yulong Hou; Yanjun Zhang; Yanjun Hu; Liang Zhang; Xiaolong Gao; Huixin Zhang; Wenyi Liu

doi:10.1117/1.OE.57.2.026112

16 February 2018 Continuous liquid level detection based on two parallel plastic optical fibers in a helical structure

Yingzi Zhang, Yulong Hou, Yanjun Zhang, Yanjun Hu, Liang Zhang, Xiaolong Gao, Huixin Zhang, Wenyi Liu

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 57, Issue 2, 026112 (February 2018). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.57.2.026112

Abstract

A simple and low-cost continuous liquid-level sensor based on two parallel plastic optical fibers (POFs) in a helical structure is presented. The change in the liquid level is determined by measuring the side-coupling power in the passive fiber. The side-coupling ratio is increased by just filling the gap between the two POFs with ultraviolet-curable optical cement, making the proposed sensor competitive. The experimental results show that the side-coupling power declines as the liquid level rises. The sensitivity and the measurement range are flexible and affected by the geometric parameters of the helical structure. A higher sensitivity of 0.0208 μW/mm is acquired for a smaller curvature radius of 5 mm, and the measurement range can be expanded to 120 mm by enlarging the screw pitch to 40 mm. In addition, the reversibility and temperature dependence are studied. The proposed sensor is a cost-effective solution offering the advantages of a simple fabrication process, good reversibility, and compensable temperature dependence.

Citation Download Citation

Yingzi Zhang, Yulong Hou, Yanjun Zhang, Yanjun Hu, Liang Zhang, Xiaolong Gao, Huixin Zhang, and Wenyi Liu "Continuous liquid level detection based on two parallel plastic optical fibers in a helical structure," Optical Engineering 57(2), 026112 (16 February 2018). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.57.2.026112

Received: 6 November 2017; Accepted: 30 January 2018; Published: 16 February 2018

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available