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An antenna assembly for use with a level measurement device for measuring the level of a material held in a container is provided. The antenna assembly includes an upper section for coupling to the level measurement device, and an antenna for transmitting energy pulses emitted by the level measureme

An antenna assembly for use with a level measurement device for measuring the level of a material held in a container is provided. The antenna assembly includes an upper section for coupling to the level measurement device, and an antenna for transmitting energy pulses emitted by the level measurement device and receiving energy pulses reflected by the material in the container. A transducer module is disposed between the upper section and the antenna. A controller is operably connected to the transducer module, the transducer module being responsive to control signals of the controller for activating the transducer module such that the transducer module, when activated by the controller, vibrates the antenna to dislodge or remove material adhering to the antenna.

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1. A level measurement apparatus for determining the level of a material held in a container, the apparatus comprising:an enclosure containing, a transducer having a transmitter module for emitting energy pulses and a receiver module for receiving reflected energy pulses; a controller operably coupl

1. A level measurement apparatus for determining the level of a material held in a container, the apparatus comprising:an enclosure containing, a transducer having a transmitter module for emitting energy pulses and a receiver module for receiving reflected energy pulses; a controller operably coupled to the transducer, the transmitter module being responsive to control signals of the controller to emit energy pulses, the receiver module being responsive to reflected energy pulses, the receiver module converting the reflected energy pulses into a corresponding electrical signal; an antenna coupled to the enclosure for transmitting the energy pulses emitted by the transducer and receiving energy pulses reflected by the material in the container; a vibratory cleaning module coupled to the level measurement apparatus for vibration of the antenna; and a vibratory controller unit operably connected to the vibratory cleaning module, the vibratory cleaning module being responsive to control signals of the vibratory controller unit for activating the vibratory cleaning module, when activated by the vibratory cleaning module vibrates the antenna to remove material adhered to the antenna. 2. The level measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibratory cleaning module comprises a transducer, the vibratory cleaning module being mounted to the enclosure.3. The level measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the enclosure includes a head portion and a neck portion, the vibratory cleaning module being mounted to an outer surface of the head portion or neck portion of the enclosure.4. The level measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the vibratory controller unit generates a high voltage energy pulse for vibrating the vibratory cleaning module.5. The level measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the antenna comprises a horn antenna.6. The level measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibratory cleaning module comprises at least one piezoelectric ring coupled to the antenna, when activated the vibrations of the piezoelectric ring are transmitted to the antenna to dislodge material adhering to the antenna.7. The level measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibratory cleaning module comprises a pair of piezoelectric rings disposed between the antenna and the enclosure, when activated the vibrations of the piezoelectric rings are transmitted to the antenna to dislodge material adhering to the antenna.8. The level measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the vibratory controller unit generates a high voltage energy pulse for vibrating the piezoelectric rings.9. The level measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibration frequency of the vibratory cleaning unit is set to the resonant frequency of the antenna or some other optimized frequency.10. The level measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the vibration frequency of the vibratory cleaning unit is between 20 kHz and 50 kHz.11. An antenna assembly for use with a level measurement device for measuring the level of a material stored in a container, the antenna assembly comprising:an upper section for coupling to the level measurement device; an antenna for transmitting energy pulses emitted by the level measurement device and receiving energy pulses reflected by the material in the container; a transducer module disposed between the upper section and the antenna; and a controller operably connected to the transducer module, the transducer module being responsive to control signals of the controller for activating the transducer module, wherein the transducer module, when activated by the controller, vibrates the antenna to dislodge material adhering to the antenna. 12. The antenna assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the transducer module comprises at least one piezoelectric ring coupled to the antenna, when activated vibrations from the piezoelectric ring are transmitted to the antenna to dislodge material adhered to the antenna.13. The antenna assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the transducer module comprises:a hollow connector having an inner surface adapted to transmit energy pulses of the level measuring device, upper and lower threaded portions, and an unthreaded portion disposed between the upper and lower threaded portions, the upper threaded portion of the connector being connected to a threaded portion of the upper section, the lower threaded portion of the connector being connected to a thread portion,.of an intermediate mounting member; and upper and lower piezoelectric rings fitted around an outer surface of the unthreaded portion of the connector. 14. The antenna assembly as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:a conductive shim disposed between the upper and lower piezoelectric rings; and a conductive shim disposed below the lower piezoelertric ring. 15. The antenna assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the vibration frequency of the transducer module is set to the resonant frequency of the antenna or some other optimized frequency.16. The antenna assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the controller generates a high voltage energy pulse for vibrating the piezoelectric rings.17. The antenna assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the controller generates a high voltage energy pulse for vibrating the transducer module.18. The antenna assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the antenna comprises a horn antenna.19. The antenna assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the vibration frequency of the transducer module is set to the resonant frequency of the antenna or some other optimized frequency.20. The antenna assembly as claimed in claim 15 or 19, wherein the vibration frequency of the transducer module is between 20 kHz and 50 kHz.