Patent · US Expired

Multi-level probe and system for measurement of physical conditions in liquid-containing tanks

US5121340A · kind A · utility

36Cited by
18References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 8, 1990
Grant dateJun 9, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 8, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S367/908
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A multi-level probe for sonic range measurements utilizes a plurality of parallel reflectors that each include an opening arranged coaxially about a beam of ultrasonic energy transmitted along a reference axis from an associated transducer. The opening in each reflector permits most of the sonic energy to pass to a subsequent reflective surface, while the periphery about the opening provides echo signals for determining physical conditions in the environment through which the sonic energy has passed. A novel system is used for determining physical conditions that are a function of time differences between signals from different reflectors, calculated with a highly efficient digital signal processing algorithm.

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