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A multivariable fluid level detection system comprising a guided wave radar probe with sensor or sensors integral to the probe for producing sensor signal(s), a transmitter for transmitting guided microwave pulses down the probe, a receiver for receiving reflected microwave pulses, and a processor f

A multivariable fluid level detection system comprising a guided wave radar probe with sensor or sensors integral to the probe for producing sensor signal(s), a transmitter for transmitting guided microwave pulses down the probe, a receiver for receiving reflected microwave pulses, and a processor for producing a measurement of fluid level based upon a time difference between transmission of a pulse and receipt of a reflected pulse and the sensor signal(s).

대표청구항 ▼

1. A multivariable fluid level detection system comprising: a guided wave radar probe;a first sensor integral to the probe for producing a first sensor signal that is a function of a first sensed parameter, wherein the first sensor comprises a force sensor and the first sensed parameter is force or

1. A multivariable fluid level detection system comprising: a guided wave radar probe;a first sensor integral to the probe for producing a first sensor signal that is a function of a first sensed parameter, wherein the first sensor comprises a force sensor and the first sensed parameter is force or acceleration of the probe assembly;a transmitter for transmitting guided microwave pulses down the probe;a receiver for receiving reflected microwave pulses;a processor for producing a measurement of fluid level based upon a time difference between transmission of a pulse and receipt of a reflected pulse and upon the first sensed parameter. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor. 3. The system of claim 1 and further comprising: a second sensor integral to the probe for producing a second sensor signal that is a function of a second sensed parameter;wherein the processor produces the measurement of the fluid level based on time difference between transmission of a pulse and receipt of a reflected pulse, the first sensed parameter, and the second sensed parameter. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the second sensor comprises a pressure sensor. 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the second sensor comprises a temperature sensor. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor comprises an accelerometer. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the accelerometer comprises a tri-axis accelerometer. 8. The system of claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to determine, based on the first sensed parameter, movement of the probe assembly. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to compare, if movement of the probe assembly is determined, the measured fluid level with recently stored values of fluid level. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to determine, based on the compared measured fluid level with recently stored values of fluid level, whether the measurement of fluid level represents a true fluctuation of the fluid level. 11. A multivariable fluid level detection system comprising: a guided wave radar probe;a transmitter for transmitting guided microwave pulses down the probe;a receiver for receiving reflected microwave pulses;a plurality of sensors integrated into the probe for producing a plurality of sensor signals, each of which is a function of a sensed parameter, wherein at the plurality of sensors includes a force sensor and the corresponding sensed parameter is force or acceleration of the probe assembly; anda processor for producing a measurement output based upon a time from transmission of a guided microwave pulse to receipt of a reflected microwave pulse and the plurality of sensor signals. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of sensors includes one or more pressure sensors. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of sensors includes one or more temperature sensors. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the force sensor is an accelerometer. 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to determine, based on the sensed force or acceleration of the probe assembly, movement of the probe assembly. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to compare, if movement of the probed assembly is determined, the measured fluid level with recently stored values of fluid level. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the accelerometer comprises a tri-axis accelerometer. 18. A method of determining a fluid level within a tank, the method comprising: transmitting guided wave pulses down a probe assembly into a first liquid wherein the guided waves reflect off the first liquid;detecting reflected wave pulses off the first liquid;producing a first signal that is a function of a first sensed parameter wherein the first signal is produced by a first sensor which is integral to the probe assembly, wherein the first sensed parameter is force or acceleration of the probe assembly; andproducing a measurement output based upon a time from transmission of the guided wave pulses to receipt of the reflected wave pulses and the first sensed parameter. 19. The method of claim 18 and further comprising: producing a second signal that is a function of a second sensed parameter wherein the second signal is produced by a second sensor which is integral to the probe assembly; andproducing a measurement output based upon a time from transmission of a guided microwave pulse to receipt of a reflected microwave pulse, the first sensed parameter, and the second sensed parameter. 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising determining based on the first sensed parameter, movement of the probe assembly. 21. A system for measuring a level of each of a plurality of fluids, the system comprising: a guided wave radar probe;a transmitter for transmitting guided microwave pulses down the probe;a receiver for receiving reflected microwave pulses, the reflected microwave pulses reflected from interfaces between adjacent ones of the plurality of fluids having different dielectric constants;a plurality of pressure sensors spaced vertically along the probe for producing a plurality of pressure sensor signals; anda processor configured to calculate, based on the plurality of pressure sensor signals, a density gradient of the plurality of fluids and further configured to produce, based on the microwave pulses reflected from the interfaces between adjacent ones of the plurality of fluids having different dielectric constants, a measurement output indicative of the level of each of the plurality of fluids. 22. The system of claim 21, further comprising a temperature sensor. 23. The system of claim 21, further comprising a plurality of temperature sensors spaced vertically along the probe for producing a plurality of temperature sensor signals. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the processor is further configured, based on the plurality of temperature sensor signals, a temperature gradient of the plurality of fluids. 25. The system of claim 21, further comprising an force sensor configured to detect force or acceleration of the probe assembly. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured to determine, based on detected force or acceleration, movement of the probe assembly. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the processor is further configured to compare, if movement of the probe assembly is determined, the measurement output indicative of the level of each of the plurality of fluids with recently stored measurement outputs indicative of the level of each of the plurality of fluids. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the processor is further configured to determine, based on the comparison of the measurement output indicative of the level of each of the plurality of fluids with recently stored measurement outputs indicative of the level of each of the plurality of fluids, whether the measurement output represents a true fluctuation of the level of each of the plurality of fluids.