It is one thing to come up with a sensor but a whole different matter to come up with a sensor that satisfies the strict criteria required in a gauging application. The present chapter discusses the performance of the fabric coating sensor, its sensitivity, accuracy, calibration, and other parameters such as drift, sensitivity to environmental changes, and long-time stability. We start with initial performance tests on a prototype sensor whose purpose was to establish the viability of the sensor and to obtain data for further development that might be needed. Some of the tests were done in a laboratory environment but most were performed on an existing production line. The purpose of these tests, in addition to establishing the functional parameters of the sensor such as sensitivity and stability, was to also establish its viability in the industrial environment.

Chapter Contents:

• 6.1 Introduction
• 6.2 Empty sensor tests
• 6.3 Laboratory tests
• 6.4 Online testing results
• 6.5 Performance evaluation
• 6.5.1 Effect of distance from antenna tips to center plate
• 6.5.2 Effect of flutter
• 6.5.3 Effect of cell offset
• 6.6 Calibration of the sensor

Inspec keywords: sensors; coatings; fabrics; calibration; gauges

Other keywords: calibration; industrial environment; gauging application; fabric coating sensor; stability

Subjects: Corrosion, oxidation, etching, and other surface treatments; Measurement standards and calibration; Sensing and detecting devices; Measurement standards and calibration; Sensing devices and transducers