초록 ▼

Embodiments of the present invention provide an ultrasonic probe having an increased number (e.g., twelve) of ultrasonic sensors for measuring the level of liquid within a sealed container. The ultrasonic probe includes a neck tube that enables the ultrasonic probe to be used with existing, standard

Embodiments of the present invention provide an ultrasonic probe having an increased number (e.g., twelve) of ultrasonic sensors for measuring the level of liquid within a sealed container. The ultrasonic probe includes a neck tube that enables the ultrasonic probe to be used with existing, standardized container fittings despite having an enlarged barrel to accommodate the increased number of ultrasonic sensors. Embodiments of the present invention also provide a system and method in which ultrasonic sensors within an ultrasonic probe are activated one at a time to reduce crosstalk between the ultrasonic sensors and their wiring.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An ultrasonic probe for use with a container, the ultrasonic probe comprising: a barrel having an outer diameter;a conduit disposed within the barrel;a neck tube coupled to the barrel and a portion of a fitting assembly, the neck tube comprising a shoulder portion, a lower opening defined by the

1. An ultrasonic probe for use with a container, the ultrasonic probe comprising: a barrel having an outer diameter;a conduit disposed within the barrel;a neck tube coupled to the barrel and a portion of a fitting assembly, the neck tube comprising a shoulder portion, a lower opening defined by the shoulder portion, a side wall, and a first outer diameter defined by the sidewall, the first outer diameter of the neck tube being less than the outer diameter of the barrel;an internal volume disposed within the barrel, the internal volume being isolated from the conduit; anda plurality of ultrasonic sensors disposed within the internal volume, each ultrasonic sensor of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors having a wire that extends from the internal volume through the neck tube. 2. The ultrasonic probe of claim 1, wherein the portion of the fitting assembly comprises a sealing surface having an inner edge, the inner edge being located at least 2.0 mm from the sidewall of the neck tube. 3. The ultrasonic probe of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the first outer diameter of the neck tube to the outer diameter of the barrel is less than or equal to 0.95. 4. The ultrasonic probe of claim 1, wherein the barrel comprises: a collar having an upper opening, a lower opening, a sidewall, a side opening disposed in the sidewall, and an outer diameter defined by the sidewall;an outer tube comprising an upper opening, a lower opening, a sidewall, and an outer diameter defined by the sidewall; andan inner tube comprising an upper opening, a lower opening, and a sidewall, the upper opening of the inner tube being aligned with the side opening of the collar;wherein the inner tube defines the conduit, the internal volume is located between the sidewall of the inner tube and the sidewall of the outer tube, the side opening of the collar is aligned with the upper opening of the inner tube, and the collar is positioned between the neck tube and the outer tube. 5. The ultrasonic probe of claim 4, wherein the lower opening defined by the shoulder portion of the neck tube has a second outer diameter, the second outer diameter being greater than the first outer diameter of the neck tube. 6. The ultrasonic probe of claim 1, wherein the barrel comprises: a collar having an upper opening, a lower opening, a sidewall, a side opening disposed in the sidewall, and an outer diameter defined by the sidewall, the upper opening of the collar being coupled to the lower opening of the neck tube;an outer tube comprising an upper opening, a lower opening, a sidewall, and an outer diameter defined by the sidewall, the upper opening of the outer tube being coupled to the lower opening of the collar; andan inner tube coupled to the outer tube and the collar, the inner tube comprising an upper opening, a lower opening, and a sidewall, the upper opening of the inner tube being aligned with the side opening of the collar, the lower opening of the inner tube being aligned with the lower opening of the outer tube;wherein the inner tube defines the conduit and the internal volume is located between the sidewall of the inner tube and the sidewall of the outer tube. 7. The ultrasonic probe of claim 1, wherein the barrel comprises: an outer tube comprising an upper opening, a lower opening, a sidewall, and a side opening disposed in the sidewall; andan inner tube coupled to the outer tube, the inner tube comprising an upper opening, a lower opening, and a sidewall, the upper opening of the inner tube being aligned with the side opening of the outer tube, the lower opening of the inner tube being aligned with the lower opening of the outer tube, wherein the inner tube defines the conduit, wherein the internal volume is located between the sidewall of the inner tube and the sidewall of the outer tube. 8. The ultrasonic probe of claim 7, wherein the shoulder portion of the neck tube comprises: a shoulder tube coupled to the sidewall of the neck tube, the shoulder tube being coupled to the outer tube, the shoulder tube having an outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter. 9. The ultrasonic probe of claim 1, wherein the portion of the fitting assembly comprises: a first seal fitting member coupled to a portion of the neck tube, the first seal fitting member comprising a first threaded region and a protruding sealing surface, the protruding sealing surface of the first seal fitting member extending around the neck tube, the protruding sealing surface of the first seal fitting member being separated from the sidewall of the neck tube by a first distance. 10. The ultrasonic probe of claim 9, further comprising: a second seal fitting member, the second seal fitting member comprising a second threaded region, wherein the second threaded region is adapted to engage the first threaded region; anda gasket having a through hole through which the neck tube is disposed, the gasket being adapted to be disposed between the protruding sealing surface of the first seal fitting member and a protruding sealing surface of the container. 11. A system comprising: a container for holding a liquid, the container comprising: a body having an upper portion and an internal volume; anda stem disposed in a hole in the upper portion of the body, the stem having an inner diameter, a sidewall, a lip, and a protruding sealing surface; andan ultrasonic probe for measuring levels of liquid in the internal volume of the container, the ultrasonic probe comprising: a barrel having an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the stem, the barrel having a conduit disposed within the barrel, the conduit being in flow communication with the internal volume of the body of the container;a neck tube coupled to the barrel and a portion of a fitting assembly, the neck tube comprising a shoulder portion, a lower opening defined by the shoulder portion, a side wall, and a first outer diameter defined by the sidewall, the first outer diameter of the neck tube being less than the outer diameter of the barrel, wherein a portion of the neck tube is disposed within the stem;an internal volume disposed within the barrel, the internal volume of the barrel being isolated from the conduit and the internal volume of the body of the container; anda plurality of ultrasonic sensors disposed within the internal volume of the barrel, each ultrasonic sensor of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors having a wire that extends from the internal volume of the barrel and through the neck tube, each ultrasonic sensor of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors being positioned and oriented to emit sound waves into at least a portion of the conduit. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the barrel further comprises: a collar having an upper opening, a lower opening, a sidewall, a side opening disposed in the sidewall, and an outer diameter defined by the sidewall, the upper opening of the collar being coupled to the neck tube;an outer tube comprising an upper opening, a lower opening, a sidewall, and an outer diameter defined by the sidewall, the upper opening of the outer tube being coupled to the lower opening of the collar; andan inner tube coupled to the outer tube and the collar, the inner tube comprising an upper opening, a lower opening, and a sidewall, the upper opening of the inner tube being aligned with the side opening of the collar, the lower opening of the inner tube being aligned with the lower opening of the outer tube, wherein the inner tube defines the conduit, wherein the internal volume is located between the sidewall of the inner tube and the sidewall of the outer tube. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the lower opening defined by the shoulder portion of the neck tube has a second outer diameter, the second outer diameter being greater than the first outer diameter of the neck tube. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the barrel comprises: an outer tube comprising an upper opening, a lower opening, a sidewall, and a side opening disposed in the sidewall; andan inner tube coupled to the outer tube, the inner tube comprising an upper opening, a lower opening, and a sidewall, the upper opening of the inner tube being aligned with the side opening of the outer tube, the lower opening of the inner tube being aligned with the lower opening of the outer tube, wherein the inner tube defines the conduit, wherein the internal volume of the barrel is located between the sidewall of the inner tube and the sidewall of the outer tube. 15. A method of assembling a probe comprising a neck tube, a collar, an inner tube, an outer tube, and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors, the method comprising: (a) coupling the inner tube to the collar;(b) coupling the collar to the neck tube;(c) coupling the plurality of ultrasonic sensors to a sidewall of the inner tube; and(d) only after performing steps (a) through (c), coupling the outer tube to the collar, thereby creating an internal volume between the inner tube and the outer tube that encloses the plurality of ultrasonic sensors. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: (e) prior to coupling the outer tube to the collar, providing electrical current to one or more ultrasonic sensors of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors via one or more wires extending from each of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors, through the internal volume, through the collar, and through the neck tube. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein an upper opening of the inner tube is welded to a side opening of the collar, an upper opening of the collar is welded to a lower opening of the neck tube, and a lower opening of the collar is welded to an upper opening of the outer tube. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the outer tube to the collar comprises welding the outer tube to the collar. 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: (e) prior to coupling the outer tube to the collar, connecting all ultrasonic sensors of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors to a controller by a single multi conductor shielded cable. 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: (e) prior to coupling the outer tube to the collar, connecting a separate signal line that is not individually shielded to each ultrasonic sensor of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors, and connecting each ultrasonic sensor of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors to a common return line.