Slow wave time-domain reflectometer point level sensor
US5819582A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F23/2845
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Slow wave, time-domain reflectometer based point level sensors and instruments. Such sensors and instruments include a transmission line having an inner conductor, an outer shield that extends over that inner conductor so as to define a gap between the inner conductor and the outer shield, a dielectric material that fills the gap, except at a point, thereby defining a space, and an access opening for enabling a material being sensed to fill the space when that material is present. According to the invention the dielectric material has a permittivity substantially different from the material being sensed. Further included are a pulse generator for generating pulses on the transmission line, and a processing unit for determining whether the material being sensed fills the space. Beneficially the inner conductor is helically wound around a core, creating a slow wave transmission line.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.