Capacitive filling level probe without dead zone

US12326354B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• RECHNER Industrie-Elektronik GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Stefan Gebhardt · Weidenberg, DE
• Armin Kohler · Ingolstadt, DE
• Eduard Bischler · Lampertheim, DE
• Nikita Philip Tatsch · Lampertheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 8, 2022
• Grant date: Jun 10, 2025
• Expiry date: Feb 27, 2043

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2035/1025
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A filling level measuring device, a method for capacitive filling level measurement of filling material in a container that includes a counter electrode integrated therein using a filling level probe, and a method for calibrating a filling level probe, that includes introducing the filling level probe into the container. The filling level probe has first and second spaced apart electrodes extending successively and substantially parallel to the counter electrode, thereby defining a measurement path. The level probe is operable in a first, second, or third measurement mode, by switching between a measurement potential or a shielding potential that can each be applied to the first and second electrodes, while a counter electrode potential is applied to the counter electrode. For capacitive filling level measurement, relative capacitance changes measured with a calibrated level probe in each measurement mode compared to an empty container, are used.