Noninvasive method for determining the liquid level and density inside of a container
US6053041A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S367/908
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Noninvasive method for determining the liquid level and density inside of a container having arbitrary dimension and shape. By generating a flexural acoustic wave in the container shell and measuring the phase difference of the detected flexural wave from that of the originally generated wave a small distance from the generated wave, while moving the generation and detection means through the liquid/vapor interface, this interface can be detected. Both the wave generation and wave detection may be achieved by transducers on the surface of the container. A change in the phase difference over the outer surface of the vessel signifies that a liquid/vapor interface has been crossed, while the magnitude of the phase difference can be related to fluid density immediately opposite the measurement position on the surface of the vessel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.