Method and assembly for monitoring a predetermined level in a container

US6263731A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Endress+Hauser Inc. · DE

Inventors

• Igor Getman · Lörrach, DE
• Sergej Lopatin · Lörrach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 27, 1998
• Grant date: Jul 24, 2001
• Expiry date: Apr 27, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S367/908
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An assembly for monitoring a predetermined level of a material in a container comprises two ultrasonic transducers mounted on the container in line with the level to be monitored, such that an interspace exists between the ultrasonic transducers into which the material enters on attaining the level to be monitored. The one ultrasonic transducer is an emitter transducer which at predetermined points in time for emitting ultrasonic pulses is energized by a frequency which is so low that the ultrasonic pulses are transmitted through the interspace to the detector transducer even when the interspace is filled with air. The other ultrasonic transducer is a detector transducer which converts detected ultrasonic pulses into electrical detection signals. To determine whether or not material is in the interspace between the ultrasonic transducers a check is made as to whether the detector transducer outputs after each point in time of emission a detection signal in a time interval corresponding to the transit time of the ultrasonic pulses from the emitter transducer to the detector transducer in air.