System and method for determining the level of a substance in a container based on measurement of resonance from an acoustic circuit that includes unfilled space within the container that changes size as substance is added or removed from the container
US9057638B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F23/2966
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Level of a substance in a container can be determined by exciting vapor in unfilled space within the container. Variable frequency oscillator and emitting transducer can provide signals to excite resonance of vapor. A sensor can measure the peak resonant signal of vapor excited in unfilled space within the container as the amount of substance in the container changes. A signal-processing unit coupled to the sensor and variable frequency oscillator can process signals sensed by the sensing transducer and can extract them from background noise affecting the acoustic signal of the system using correlation functions by referencing the signal generated by the variable frequency oscillator. A computer can obtain the signal processed by the signal-processing unit and calculate unfilled space within the container and derive therefrom an amount of filled space representing the amount of the substance contained therein. A gauge can indicate the amount of substance in the container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.