Fluid level monitor
US5031451A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F23/2967
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fluid level monitor for monitoring the level of fluid in a vessel comprises an inverted U-shaped propagation member which allows the propagation of stress waves therethrough. A first limb of the propagation member is immersed in the fluid in the vessel and a second limb is positioned outside the vessel. A transmitter transducer and a receiver transducer are acoustically coupled to the second limb of the propagation member. The transducer transmit stress wave pulses into the propagation member, the stress wave pulses produce a diffuse stress wave field in the propagation member which is damped by any fluid contacting the first limb of the propagation member. The transducer detects the stress waves propagating in the propagation member and produces an electrical signal corresponding to the level of the diffuse stress wave field. An analyzer measures the decay rate of the diffuse stress wave field which is indicative of the level of fluid in the vessel contacting the propagation member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.