Method and system for processing echo signals

• US 20100017174A1
• Filed: 07/21/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Lyon, George Quinton
• Granted Patent: US 8,446,796 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/2
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/284 Electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/296 Acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/103 particularities of the measurement of the distance G01S13/12, G01S13/14, G01S13/16, G01S13/18 and G01S13/20 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/88 Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/101 Particularities of the measurement of distance G01S15/12, G01S15/14, and G01S15/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/292 Extracting wanted echo-signals

Abstract

In a pulse-echo measuring system, echo signals are compared by a difference calculator with the output of a model simulating the system. The detected differences are used to re-calculate parameters in the model. Other parameters are directly measured and applied to the model. A primary measurement, such as level, is detected more accurately and other parameters such as froth height and turbulence are estimated accurately.

Claims

1-9. -9. (canceled)

10. A method of processing echo signals in a pulse-echo measurement system, comprising:

providing a model of a measurement environment, the model being responsive to a plurality of parameters related to the measurement environment;

comparing each echo signal as received with a signal calculated by the model to derive a difference signal;

using the difference signal to recalculate one or more of the parameters and apply the recalculated parameter or parameters to the model so as to minimize the difference signal; and

providing at least one of the recalculated parameters as an output measurement.

18. A pulse-echo measurement system, comprising:

a device for repetitively transmitting pulse energy towards a target;

a device for receiving reflected pulses to form an echo profile signal;

a signal processing device configured to derive a measurement from the echo profile, the signal processing device including a model of a measurement environment, the model being responsive to a plurality of parameters related to the measurement environment, the model being operable to compare each echo signal as received with a signal calculated by the model to derive a difference signal; and

a recalculation device configured to recalculate a parameter in response to the difference signal and to apply the recalculated parameter to the model so as to minimize the difference signal and to provide the recalculated parameter as an output measurement.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the model includes a separate component model for each parameter.

20. The system according to claim 18, wherein one of the parameters is not directly measured by the measurement system.

21. The system according to claim 19, wherein one of the parameters is not directly measured by the measurement system.

22. The system according to claim 20, further comprising:

a sensor for directly measuring the parameter which is then applied to the model without undergoing recalculation.

23. The system according to claim 21, further comprising:

a sensor for directly measuring the parameter which is then applied to the model without undergoing recalculation.