초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a level gauge system for determining a filling level of a product contained in a tank, comprising a transceiver for generating, transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals; a signal propagating device connected to the transceiver and arranged to propagate a tr

The present invention relates to a level gauge system for determining a filling level of a product contained in a tank, comprising a transceiver for generating, transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals; a signal propagating device connected to the transceiver and arranged to propagate a transmitted electromagnetic signal along a generally vertical path towards a surface of the product inside the tank, and to return a surface echo signal resulting from reflection of the transmitted electromagnetic signal at the surface of the product contained in the tank; and processing circuitry connected to the transceiver and configured to determine the filling level based on the surface echo signal. A surface of the signal propagating device comprises a surface portion that exhibits a wettability defined by a contact angle between the surface portion and water being less than 30°.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A level gauge system for determining a filling level of a product contained in a tank, the level gauge system comprising: a transceiver for generating, transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals;a signal propagating device connected to said transceiver, said signal propagating device comp

1. A level gauge system for determining a filling level of a product contained in a tank, the level gauge system comprising: a transceiver for generating, transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals;a signal propagating device connected to said transceiver, said signal propagating device comprising a signal directing portion arranged and configured to direct a transmitted electromagnetic signal along a generally vertical path towards a surface of said product inside the tank, and to return a surface echo signal resulting from reflection of the transmitted electromagnetic signal at said surface of the product contained in the tank; andprocessing circuitry connected to said transceiver and configured to determine said filling level based on said surface echo signal,wherein a surface of said signal directing portion comprises a surface portion that exhibits a wettability defined by a contact angle between said surface portion and water being less than 30°. 2. The level gauge system according to claim 1, wherein said contact angle is less than 20°, preferably less than 10°. 3. The level gauge system according to claim 1, wherein said surface portion is coated by a coating comprises titanium dioxide for providing said contact angle being less than 30°. 4. The level gauge system according to claim 1, wherein said surface portion constitutes at least one half of said surface of said signal directing portion of the signal propagating device. 5. The level gauge system according to claim 4, wherein said surface portion constitutes substantially a whole of said signal directing portion of the signal propagating device. 6. The level gauge system according to claim 1, wherein said signal propagating device is a parabolic antenna comprising a conductive parabolic reflector having a concave signal directing surface, wherein said concave signal directing surface comprises said surface portion. 7. The level gauge system according to claim 1, wherein said signal propagating device is a horn antenna comprising an inner signal directing surface, wherein said inner signal directing surface comprises said surface portion. 8. The level gauge system according to claim 1, wherein said signal propagating device is a probe arranged to extend into the product contained in the tank, wherein at least a portion of said probe arranged between said transceiver and a maximum filling level of said tank comprises said surface portion. 9. The level gauge system according to claim 1, wherein said surface portion comprises structures for hindering water adhered to said surface portion from leaving said surface portion. 10. The level gauge system according to claim 9, wherein said structures comprise horizontally arranged ridges. 11. The level gauge system according to claim 1, comprising a water film arranged across substantially all of said surface portion being subjected to a tank atmosphere inside said tank. 12. A vessel for transporting a petroleum product at sea, comprising: a floating tank arranged to contain said petroleum product; anda level gauge system comprising a signal propagation device having a signal directing portion comprising a surface portion, the surface portion exhibiting a wettability defined by a contact angle between said surface portion and water being less than 30°,wherein said level gauge system is attached to said tank in such a way that at least said surface portion of said signal directing portion of the signal propagating device is arranged to be directed towards said petroleum product inside the tank. 13. The vessel according to claim 12, comprising a water film arranged across substantially all of said surface portion being subjected to a tank atmosphere inside said tank. 14. A method of determining a filling level of a product contained in a tank, comprising the steps of: providing a level gauge system comprising a signal propagation device having a signal directing portion comprising a surface portion, the surface portion exhibiting a wettability defined by a contact angle between said surface portion and water being less than 30°; andarranging the level gauge system at a closed tank, such that at least said surface portion of said signal directing portion of the propagating device is subjected to a tank atmosphere inside said tank containing water vapor such that said water vapor condensates as liquid water on at least said surface portion of the signal directing portion, thereby forming a water film on said surface portion. 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of: heating said product.