Capacitive probe for measuring the level of an electricity-conducting liquid in a vessel and method of manufacturing such a probe
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G01R-02726
G01F-02326
출원번호
US-0396569
(2003-03-26)
우선권정보
FR-0008606 (1999-07-02)
발명자
/ 주소
Lenormand, Roland
Chaput, Christophe
출원인 / 주소
Institut Francais du Petrole
대리인 / 주소
Antonelli, Terry, Stout &
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
7인용 특허 :
11
초록▼
Capacitive probe measuring the level, in a vessel and with high precision, of the interface between a conducting fluid (F1) and a non-conducting fluid (a gas or oil for example), suited to work under high pressure and high temperature conditions. The probe comprises a preferably tubular insulating l
Capacitive probe measuring the level, in a vessel and with high precision, of the interface between a conducting fluid (F1) and a non-conducting fluid (a gas or oil for example), suited to work under high pressure and high temperature conditions. The probe comprises a preferably tubular insulating layer (3) made of a dielectric heat-resisting material (a metal oxide such as zirconia or alumina) baked at a high temperature, with a first face in contact with conducting fluid (Fl) and an opposite face in contact with a second electrode (4), consisting for example of a coating or of a layer made of a fusible alloy deposited on the opposite face of insulant (3), selected according to the temperature range within which the capacitive probe is intended to work, or possibly of an added tube. Alloys based on zinc, tin, copper, etc, can for example be used. A second capacitor of the same type used for temperature compensation of the first one can be placed within the tubular insulating layer. Its capacitance is for example of the order of 1 nF. The probe can be applied in laboratory apparatuses working under high pressure and high temperature conditions, notably in petrophysical test cells.
대표청구항▼
1. A capacitive probe for measuring continuously a level, in a vessel, of an electrically conducive fluid, comprising:a tubular element made of a heat resistant electrically insulating material with a first face in physical contact with the electrically conductive fluid, forming a first electrode, a
1. A capacitive probe for measuring continuously a level, in a vessel, of an electrically conducive fluid, comprising:a tubular element made of a heat resistant electrically insulating material with a first face in physical contact with the electrically conductive fluid, forming a first electrode, and an opposite face in physical contact with a second electrode, and a capacitance measuring device which continuously measures capacitance variations of the capacitor formed by the electrodes as the electrically conductive fluid changes level within the vessel; and wherein the second electrode is made of a fusible metal alloy having a melting temperature above a maximum temperature range at which the capacitive probe is intended to operate and the fusible metal alloy is cast against the opposite face of the tubular element. 2. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 1, wherein:the fusible metal alloy forming the second electrode is cast between the tubular element and a central solid rod. 3. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tubular element comprises:a metal oxide. 4. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 3, wherein:the metal oxide comprises zirconia. 5. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 3, wherein:the metal oxide comprises alumina. 6. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular element comprises:a metal oxide. 7. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 6, wherein:the metal oxide comprises zirconia. 8. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 6, wherein:the metal oxide comprises alumina. 9. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 1 wherein:the fusible metal alloy is cast within an inner volume of the tubular element. 10. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 1 wherein:the fusible metal alloy is cast between the tubular element and a conducting wall of the vessel. 11. A capacitive probe in accordance with claim 1 wherein:the electrically insulating material comprises a ceramic. 12. A capacitive probe in accordance with claim 1 wherein:the electrically insulating material comprises a refractory material. 13. A capacitive probe in accordance with claim 1 wherein:the electrically insulating material comprises a metal oxide. 14. A capacitive probe for measuring continuously a level, in a vessel, of an electrically conductive fluid, comprising:a tubular element made of a heat resistant electrically insulating material with a first face in physical contact with the electrically conductive fluid, forming a first electrode, and an opposite face in physical contact with a second electrode and a capacitance sensor which continuously measures capacitance variations of a capacitor formed by the electrodes as the electrically conductive fluid changes level within the vessel; and wherein the second electrode is made of a fusible metal alloy deposited on the opposite face of the tubular element made of the electrically insulating material, the alloy having a melting temperature above a maximum temperature range at which the capacitive probe is intended to operate and the fusible metal alloy contacts the opposite face of the tubular element. 15. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 14, wherein:the second electrode is formed by filling the inner space of tubular element with a fusible alloy. 16. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 14, wherein:the second electrode is cast between the inner face of tubular element and a central core. 17. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 16, wherein:the central core comprises a solid rod. 18. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 14, wherein:the second tubular element is within the vessel and electrically insulates a wall of the vessel from the electrically conductive fluid contained therein. 19. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 18, wherein:the second electrode is made of a fusible alloy having a melting temperature below the temperature used to form the tubular elements. 20. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 19, wherein:the tubular elements are made from a heat resistant material. 21. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 14 wherein:the fusible metal alloy is cast within an inner volume of the tubular element. 22. A capacitive probe as claimed in claim 14 wherein:the fusible metal alloy is cast between the tubular element and a conducting wall of the vessel. 23. A capacitive probe in accordance with claim 14 wherein:the electrically insulating material comprises a ceramic. 24. A capacitive probe in accordance with claim 14 wherein:the electrically insulating material comprises a refractory material. 25. A capacitive probe in accordance with claim 14 wherein:the electrically insulating material comprises a metal oxide.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (11)
Calhoun Jeffrey (Peekskill NY) Zupanski Stanimir T. (Bedford NY), Capacitive probe sensor with reduced effective stray capacitance.
Dayal, Yogeshwar; Splichal, William Francis; Sawyer, Steven D.; Gardner, Eric Rankin; Lentner, Bruce J.; Eisermann, Philip O., Systems and methods for remotely measuring a liquid level using time-domain reflectometry (TDR).
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.