(6/8)
002-01 / 20070227 / eb461_ts.fm
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
3-TERMINAL TYPE POWDER LEVEL SENSORS
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
The three-terminal type powder level sensor is equipped with a
primary electrode and an output electrode on the piezoelectric
ceramic. The self-oscillation method is used to vibrate the perime-
ter-supported unimorph at its innate vibration frequency.
The unimorph structure utilized for this is shown in Fig.6.
Self-oscillation is carried out using a drive circuit such as that of
Fig.7.
Vibration characteristics are shown in Fig.8, as loading is gradually
increased starting from a non-loaded state with no powder contact-
ing the sensor diaphragm surface. Vibration can be maintained
since gain from the main electrode to the output electrode is high
in the non-loaded state. As the loading of the sensor diaphragm
surface increases (Fig.9), this gain decreases, and the gain
needed to maintain vibration can no longer be maintained as a
threshold loading value is exceeded. Then vibration stops.
The presence or absence of powder is detected by determining
whether a vibration occurs and then outputting the result.
Fig.8: Frequency characteristics of gain and phase change with a contact load to
be applied to piezoelectric vibrator surface
Metal
diaphragm
Electrode
Piezoelectric
disk
R2
Q1
R3
R4
Q2
R6
R1
C1
C3
D1
C2
R5
D2
Fig.6: Electrode structure of 3-terminal piezoelectric vibrator
Fig.7: Self-oscillation formula drive circuit with 3-terminal piezoelectric vibrator
Fr
Gain max.
Gain
Phase
4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000 7500 8000
25
15
5
–5
–15
–25
–35
Gain
( dB
)
–180
–130
–80
–30
20
70
120
170
Phase
( deg
)
Frequency(Hz)
Gain
Phase
4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000 7500 8000
25
15
5
–5
–15
–25
–35
Gain
( dB
)
–180
–130
–80
–30
20
70
120
170
Phase
( deg
)
Frequency(Hz)
Gain
Phase
4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000 7500 8000
25
15
5
–5
–15
–25
–35
Gain
( dB
)
–180
–130
–80
–30
20
70
120
170
Phase
( deg
)
Frequency(Hz)
Fig.9: Input and output waveform of piezoelectric vibrator
Ei
n
Ei
n
E
out
Input voltage
Amplifier
Output voltage
E
out
Gain