초록 ▼

A fill level measuring device for measuring a fill level of a fill substance in a container and a method for fill level measurement using this fill level measuring device are provided. The fill level measuring device can perform fill level measurements upon re-start immediately on its own and reliab

A fill level measuring device for measuring a fill level of a fill substance in a container and a method for fill level measurement using this fill level measuring device are provided. The fill level measuring device can perform fill level measurements upon re-start immediately on its own and reliably, and includes: at least one antenna, which issues transmitted signals (S) and receives echo signals (E); a signal processor, which serves for deriving from the received echo signals (E) an echo function containing the amplitudes (A) of the echo signals (E) as a function of travel time; a memory for storing data in a table whose columns serve for storing the echo functions in the columns in a sequence which corresponds to the fill levels associated with the individual echo functions; and an evaluation unit, which accesses the table for determining the fill level.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A fill level measuring device for measuring a fill level of a substance in a container, comprising: at least one antenna for issuing transmitted signals (S) and for receiving echo signals (E); a signal processor, which serves for deriving from the received echo signals

The invention claimed is: 1. A fill level measuring device for measuring a fill level of a substance in a container, comprising: at least one antenna for issuing transmitted signals (S) and for receiving echo signals (E); a signal processor, which serves for deriving from the received echo signals (E) an echo function, which contains amplitudes (A) of the echo signals (E) as a function of their travel time; a memory for storing container-specific data in a table, whose columns serve for recording in each case one echo function, wherein the echo functions are stored in the columns in a sequence corresponding to the fill levels of the respective echo functions; and an evaluation unit, which has access to the table for determining the fill level. 2. A fill level measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the data are stored in said memory in compressed form. 3. A method for the storing of container-specific data in the table of a fill level measuring device, comprising the steps of: identifying an echo reflected from a fill substance surface as a fill level echo on the basis of a previously input fill level; following the identified echo over a period of time; and issuing periodically, during this period of time, transmitted signals (S) sensing their echo signals (E) and, from the echo signals, forming echo functions, each of which is stored in the table in a column having a columns index corresponding to a fill level determined at a particular point in time by the following of the fill level echo. 4. The method for the storing of container-specific data in the table of a fill level measuring device as claimed in claim 3, wherein: the plausibility review includes recognizing in the table contour lines, which indicate a change of a travel time of particular echoes as a function of the fill level; it is checked whether a contour line section is present, in which the travel times fall with increasing fill level and in which the travel times in one column are less than the travel time of the useful echo in the same column; the useful echo is refuted as an echo reflected at the fill substance surface, if such a contour line section is present; and the useful echo is accepted as an echo reflected at the fill substance surface, if such a contour line section is not present. 5. The method for storing of container-specific data in the table of a fill level measuring device as claimed in claim 4, wherein: the instantaneous fill level is found by means of the table, when the plausibility review shows that the useful echo does not come from a reflection at the fill substance surface, and the entire method is repeated; and for the useful echo, that echo is chosen, which corresponds to the instantaneous fill level determined by means of the table. 6. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein: data missing in the table are determined by extrapolation and stored in the table. 7. The method for the storing of container-specific data in the table of a fill level measuring device comprising the steps of: issuing a transmitted signal (S), sensing its echo signal (E), and deriving an echo function from the echo signal (E); designating a useful echo as probably coming from a reflection at the fill substance surface, this useful echo is followed over a period of time; issuing during this period of time, transmitted signals (S), whose echo signals (E) are sensed, and, from the echo signals, determining echo functions, each of which is stored in the table in a column under a columns index corresponding to a fill level determined at a particular point in time by the following of the fill level echo. 8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the steps of: performing a plausibility review of the table, the result of which either confirms, or refutes, the useful echo to be an echo reflected from the surface of the fill substance. 9. The method for the storing of container-specific data in the table of a fill level measuring device as claimed in claim 8, wherein: the instantaneous fill level is found by means of the table, when the plausibility review yields that the useful echo does not come from a reflection at the surface of the fill substance, and the entire method is repeated; and as useful echo, that echo is chosen, which corresponds to the instantaneous fill level determined by means of the table. 10. The method for the storing of container-specific data in the table of a fill level measuring device as claimed in claim 9, wherein: the instantaneous fill level is found by means of the table, when the plausibility review shows that the useful echo does not come from a reflection at the fill substance surface, and the entire method is repeated; and for the useful echo, that echo is chosen, which corresponds to the instantaneous fill level determined by means of the table. 11. A method for the storing of container-specific data in the table of a fill level measuring device comprising the steps of: issuing a transmitted signal (S), and sensing its echo signal (E); choosing from the echo signal, a plurality of echoes; designating one of such echoes as a useful echo probably coming from a reflection at the fill substance surface; periodically issuing during the period of time, transmitted signals (S), whose echo signals (E) are sensed, for each echo signal (E), the travel times of the chosen echoes are determined, and for each echo signal (E), the probable fill level to be associated with the useful echo is determined; determining the column corresponding to this probable fill level; and storing values in this column for each of the chosen echoes in rows corresponding to the travel times of the chosen echoes. 12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the steps of: conducting a plausibility review of the table, the result of which either confirms or refutes the useful echo as an echo reflected from the fill substance surface. 13. The method for the storing of container-specific data in the table of a fill level comprising: at least one antenna for issuing transmittal signals (S) and for receiving echo signals (E); a signal processor, which serves for deriving from the received echo signals (E) an echo function, which contains amplitudes (A) of the echo signals (E) as a function of their travel time; a memory for storing container-specific data in a table, whose columns serve for recording in each case one echo function, wherein the echo functions are stored in the columns in a sequence corresponding to the fill levels of the respective echo functions; and an evaluation unit, which has access to the table for determining the fill level comprising the steps of: issuing a transmitted signal (S) whose echo signal (E) is sensed; deriving a current echo function from the echo signal (E); and performing a comparison of the echo function with the echo functions stored in the table. 14. The method for the storing of a container-specific data in the table of a fill level measuring device as claimed in claim 13, wherein: the comparison leads to an echo function in the table having the greatest agreement with the current echo function, and the fill level is set equal to the fill level associated with the column index of such echo function in the table.