Patent · US Expired

Level and interface detection

US4471223A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
6References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 9, 1982
Grant dateSep 11, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 9, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01F23/288
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Method and apparatus to determine the position of a liquid/liquid or liquid/vapor interface in a remote inaccessible location, for example in undersea oil storage tanks, by exposing the liquids or liquid and vapor to gamma-radiation from a source adjacent to or within the vessel containing the liquid(s) and monitoring the gamma-radiation issuing from the liquids or liquid and vapor, and using long lengths of optical fibre to convey the signals received to a measuring instrument. The invention employs optical fibres which may be up to several hundred meters long and among its advantages is the need for no moving parts, electrical supply or electronics at the remote location.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.