System and method for identifying levels or interfaces of media in a vessel
US9645002B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2014 |
| Grant date | May 9, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F23/2922
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Systems and methods for identifying the level of media in a vessel with a sensing cable including an optical fiber sensor array aligned with a heating element disposed in the vessel. An excitation source is configured to propagate at least one heat pulse through the heating element along at least a portion of the sensing cable to affect an exchange of thermal energy between the heating element and the one or more media exposed to the sensing cable. An optical signal interrogator is adapted to receive a signal from each of a plurality of sensor locations and measure a temperature profile corresponding to the heat pulse at the sensor locations. A control unit is configured to identify a level of each of media by determining properties of the media exposed to the sensing cable at each of the sensor locations based on the temperature profile corresponding thereto.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.