Transmitter

• US 20050088307A1
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Published: 04/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Original Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Schaffer, Joseph W., McIntyre, Craig
• Application Number:
  US10/683,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20050088307A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/612
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/35316 using a Bragg gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/35358 using backscattering to detect the measured quantity
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/35374 Particular layout of the fiber
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/247 for discrete levels
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/284 Electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/324 using Raman scattering

Abstract

A transmitter for providing inventory or inventory transfer information on industrial sites is described, for measurement of mass (M), weight (W), volume (V), level (L) and/or density (ρ) of a product (1) in a vessel (3) comprising: a level sensor (5), comprising: a conductive probe (9) extending into the vessel (3), means (11, 13) for generating and sending short electromagnetic pulses (S) down the probe, means (15) for reception of echoes (E) of the pulses (S) reflected at a surface of the product (1), means (17) for determining a time of flight (t) needed for a pulse (S) to travel down the probe (9) and its echo (E) to return, a pressure sensor (7), mounted on the probe (9), and a signal processing unit (45) for determining mass (M), weight (W), volume (V), level (L) and/or density (ρ) based on measurement signals supplied by the level sensor (5) and the pressure sensor (7).

Claims

1. A transmitter for measurement of mass (M), weight (W), volume (V), level (L) and/or density (ρ

) of a product (1) in a vessel (3) comprising;

a level sensor (5), comprising;

a conductive probe (9) extending into the vessel (3),

means (11, 13) for generating and sending short electromagnetic pulses (S) down the probe,

means (15) for reception of echoes (E) of the pulses (S) reflected at a surface of the product (1),

means (17) for determining a time of flight (t) needed for a pulse (S) to travel down the probe (9) and its echo (E) to return,

a pressure sensor (7),

mounted on the probe (9), and

a signal processing unit (45) for determining mass (M), weight (W), volume (V), level (L) and/or density (ρ

) based on measurement signals supplied by the level sensor (5) and the pressure sensor (7).

2. A transmitter according to claim 1, comprising at least one temperature sensor (49), integrated in the probe (9).

3. A transmiter according to claim 1, comprising a communication interface (51) for reception and/or delivery of information to a user, a supplier and/or a control unit (52).

4. A transmitter according to claim 1, comprising a totalizer (53), for totalizing supplies or withdrawals of the product (1).

5. A transmitter according to claim 1, comprising a monitor (55), for monitoring unauthorized supply of withdrawal of product (1) and leakage.

6. A transmitter according to claim 1, comprising a device (54) for determining a physical position of the transmitter.

7. A transmitter according to claim 1, comprising an integral server (56) for supporting communication with at least one Information Technology Network (58).