Date of Award

5-2001

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

Zack Shana

Second Advisor

Martin Seitz

Third Advisor

Jeanne Hossenlopp

Abstract

To compete successfully in today's global economies, industries manufacturing processes must be efficient and cost effective. To meet this demand for increased productivity, industry is relying more on automation. With this increased desire to automate, new and improved methods of sensing are needed. Furthermore, as advances are made in materials and computer technologies, smaller, smarter and cheaper sensors are beginning to be realized.

The following thesis describes an improved type of fluid proximity sensor. This sensor uses IR light and a photo-sensitive surface to detect the presence of fluids contained in, and transported through, general purpose plastic tubing. It is believed that this fluid proximity sensor delivers higher performance and demonstrates greater flexibility than the currently available sensors. Although the sensor presented in this thesis was developed to meet a specific application, it can be equally utilized in countless other applications.

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