초록 ▼

Noninvasive method for determining the liquid level and density inside of a container having arbitrary dimension and shape. By generating a flexural acoustic wave in the container shell and measuring the phase difference of the detected flexural wave from that of the originally generated wave a smal

Noninvasive method for determining the liquid level and density inside of a container having arbitrary dimension and shape. By generating a flexural acoustic wave in the container shell and measuring the phase difference of the detected flexural wave from that of the originally generated wave a small distance from the generated wave, while moving the generation and detection means through the liquid/vapor interface, this interface can be detected. Both the wave generation and wave detection may be achieved by transducers on the surface of the container. A change in the phase difference over the outer surface of the vessel signifies that a liquid/vapor interface has been crossed, while the magnitude of the phase difference can be related to fluid density immediately opposite the measurement position on the surface of the vessel.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [6.] A method for continuously determining the location of the liquid/gas interface of a liquid-containing enclosure, said method comprising the steps of:(a) applying a sine wave burst of sound having a frequency, that does not correspond to any resonant mode of the enclosure,

[ What is claimed is:] [6.] A method for continuously determining the location of the liquid/gas interface of a liquid-containing enclosure, said method comprising the steps of:(a) applying a sine wave burst of sound having a frequency, that does not correspond to any resonant mode of the enclosure, to a wall of the enclosure which is disposed approximately perpendicular to the liquid/gas interface, establishing thereby a flexural wave in the wall;(b) detecting the flexural wave generated in the wall at a point on the wall nearby to the location of application of the sine wave burst and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the liquid/gas interface therefrom, the location of application of the sine wave burst of sound and the location of detecting the flexural wave being located on opposite sides of the liquid/gas interface; and(c) measuring the phase difference between the sine wave burst and the detected flexural wave; whereby the location of the liquid/gas interface is determined by the magnitude of the phase difference.