초록 ▼

Method and apparatus for making measurements on fluids related to their complex permeability are disclosed. A microwave probe is provided for exposure to the fluids. The probe can be non-intrusive or can also be positioned at the location where measurements are to be made. The impedance of the probe

Method and apparatus for making measurements on fluids related to their complex permeability are disclosed. A microwave probe is provided for exposure to the fluids. The probe can be non-intrusive or can also be positioned at the location where measurements are to be made. The impedance of the probe is determined, in part, by the complex dielectric constant of the fluids at the probe. A radio frequency signal is transmitted to the probe and the reflected signal is phase and amplitude detected at a rapid rate for the purpose of identifying the fluids. Multiple probes may be selectively positioned to monitor the behavior of the fluids including their flow rate. Fluids may be identified as between two or more different fluids as well as multiple phases of the same fluid based on differences between their complex permittivities.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for making measurements on at least one fluid, comprising the following steps: providing first and second electrodes in concentric relationship with each other to form a sensing probe, said first and second electrodes being electrically insulated from each other; exposing an end portion of

A method for making measurements on at least one fluid, comprising the following steps: providing first and second electrodes in concentric relationship with each other to form a sensing probe, said first and second electrodes being electrically insulated from each other; exposing an end portion of said sensing probe to said at least one fluid; transmitting a radio signal to said sensing probe through a signal transmission cable; receiving a reflected signal from said sensing probe with signal transmission cable; phase detecting to produce a first output signal that contains phase difference and amplitude difference information with respect to said reflected signal and a reference signal; repetitively sampling and digitizing said first output signal to produce a plurality of samples; and identifying said at least one fluid for each of said plurality of samples based on a complex permittivity of said at least one fluid.