Multichamber ultrasonic sensor for determining a liquid level

US9121745B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Oliver Beyer · Herford, DE
• Henning Grotevent · Nuremberg, DE
• Bernd Harigel · Zell unter Aichelberg, DE
• Manfred Roth · Munich, DE
• Gerd Unverzagt · Nuremberg, DE
• Andreas Weibert · Nuremberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 6, 2012
• Grant date: Sep 1, 2015
• Expiry date: Jan 7, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01F23/2962
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An ultrasound sensor arrangement for determining a fluid level includes an elongated housing with a lid and a floor, and a measuring chamber in the housing, in which a fluid has the same level as the fluid outside the measuring chamber, and an ultrasound transmitter/receiver on the floor within or outside the housing in the area of the measuring chamber. Transmitted sound signals from the ultrasound transmitter/receiver reflect from the fluid surface and are received by the ultrasound transmitter/receiver to determine the fluid level from the signal transit time. At least one further chamber is arranged at least partially in front of or around the measuring chamber. The outermost chamber forms the inlet chamber. The several chambers are connected to each other for fluid flow.