Device for determining a level of the surface of a fluid in a fluid container

US10444057B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Karl-Friedrich Pfeiffer · Erlangen, DE
• Claus Weber · Zirndorf, DE
• Henning Grotevent · Nuremberg, DE
• Wighard Jaeger · Spardorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 26, 2015
• Grant date: Oct 15, 2019
• Expiry date: May 26, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01F23/2968
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for determining a height of a fluid surface in a fluid container. In some embodiments, the device comprises: a first sound transducer and a second sound transducer for transmitting and receiving sound signals; a reference element disposed at a predetermined distance from the second sound transducer in a fluid space of the fluid container; a deflection element in the fluid space to deflect sound signals by a predetermined angle in the direction of the reference element; and a control unit. The two sound transducers are adjacent a base portion of the fluid container and aligned similarly. The control unit is configured to establish a speed of sound within a fluid in the fluid space based at least in part on travel of the second sound signals and thereby to establish the height of the fluid surface over the base portion of the fluid container dependent on the first sound signals and the speed of sound within the fluid.