초록 ▼

An ultrasonic liquid quantity measuring apparatus directs a collimated beam of ultrasonic energy from a transmitter transducer (14) through a conveyor (15) into the liquid (11) in a container (10) perpendicular to the top liquid surface. The ultrasonic beam travels with little loss through a tube (2

An ultrasonic liquid quantity measuring apparatus directs a collimated beam of ultrasonic energy from a transmitter transducer (14) through a conveyor (15) into the liquid (11) in a container (10) perpendicular to the top liquid surface. The ultrasonic beam travels with little loss through a tube (20) connected to the conveyor (15) until it reaches the top liquid surface. At this time the energy is reflected and detected with a receiver transducer (14). A microprocessor (34) measures the total signal round trip travel time representing the height of the liquid (11). Using several ultrasonic transducers (14) and knowing the size and shape of the container (10) the quantity of liquid (11) in the container (10) is accurately determined. A calibration (known reflected signal time) transducer (14a) is used to compensate for the change in propagation velocity due to temperature change in the liquid (11). Conventional electronic circuitry including the microprocessor (34) is employed to coordinate the operation of the several transducers (14 and 14a) automatically.

대표청구항 ▼

An ultrasonic quantity measuring apparatus for liquid in a container having a bottom and a known size and shape comprising: a source of ultrasonic energy located externally of said container; at least one conveyor within said container having low ultrasonic propagation loss properties with a stabile

An ultrasonic quantity measuring apparatus for liquid in a container having a bottom and a known size and shape comprising: a source of ultrasonic energy located externally of said container; at least one conveyor within said container having low ultrasonic propagation loss properties with a stabile dielectric constant, said at least one conveyor being a rod essentially of a thermoset cross-linked styrene copolymer with a metallic coat; each said conveyor to direct the energy from said source located externally of said conveyor to a selected point adjacent the bottom of said container; a conduit extending from each said selected point substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the liquid in said container; an opening in each said conduit to permit liquid in said container to enter said conduit whereby said ultrasonic energy travels from said selected point through said conduit to the upper surface of said liquid where it is reflected back through said conduit; clock means to measure the time required for the ultrasonic energy travel aforesaid in each said conduit; and other means to receive each said time measurement from said clock means and to calculate the liquid quantity in said container therefrom and the known size and shape of said container.