According to the manufacturer, the system is ideal for high reliability blocked chute detection in bulk material conveying and transfer systems, solving the problem of false tripping and failure to respond which can occur with traditional tilt switch types.
The detector can tell if the path between sender and receiver is blocked.
Other major areas of application are boom collision detection, nucleonic switch replacement and point level switching for most solid and liquid materials, including wet, dry, and bulk material.
The complete system includes two functions, a sender and a receiver.
The sender transmits rapid bursts of microwave energy. The matching receiver is positioned in line with the sender. If the beam path is blocked by any object or material, the receiver will not be able to detect the signal. The presence or absence of the signal at the receiver is used to switch a relay for indication or control purposes. The receiver may be mounted up to 100m (328 ft) from the sender.
The sensitivity of the detector is adjustable, allowing the system to tolerate build-up or changes in material properties.
According to the company, systems are available configured as remote (where a controller drives the sender and receiver) or integral (stand alone sender and receiver), depending on user requirements and access to sensing positions.