Apparatus for High Precision Measurement of Varied Surface and Material Levels
First Claim
1. An apparatus for measuring the level of a material within a vessel and for detecting the level of a solid surface within said vessel, comprising:
- a capacitance probe for measuring the level of the material within the vessel to a high degree of precision, said capacitance probe having an active element and a ground element in close lateral proximity to each other, said capacitance probe further having a proximate end and a distal end; and
a detection element incorporated into the distal end of the capacitance probe for detecting the level of a solid surface within the vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for measuring the level of a wide range of varied surfaces or materials housed within vessels, and for detecting contact with a solid surface within the vessel is disclosed. A high precision radio frequency admittance measuring system, using capacitance to measure levels of process materials, coupled with detection element to sense contact of the detection element with a solid surface, such as a floating roof. An active element and ground element in coaxial relationship provides means for measuring the level of process materials including water, oil, kerosene, jet fuel, gasoline. Along with detecting the level of a solid surface within the vessel such as a floating roof. One preferred application of the inventive apparatus is to provide vessel or tank overfill protection. The apparatus detection element is capable of sensing level and non-level solid surfaces.
24 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus for measuring the level of a material within a vessel and for detecting the level of a solid surface within said vessel, comprising:
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a capacitance probe for measuring the level of the material within the vessel to a high degree of precision, said capacitance probe having an active element and a ground element in close lateral proximity to each other, said capacitance probe further having a proximate end and a distal end; and a detection element incorporated into the distal end of the capacitance probe for detecting the level of a solid surface within the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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5. A system for measuring the surface level of a material stored within a vessel, comprising:
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a capacitance probe for measuring the level a material within the vessel, said capacitance probe having a proximate end and a distal end; a detection element coupled with the distal end of the capacitance probe for detecting the level of a solid surface within the vessel; and a computer processor to calibrate and monitor the capacitance probe. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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11. An apparatus for measuring the level of a material within a vessel and for detecting the level of a solid surface within said vessel, comprising:
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a capacitance probe for measuring the level of the material within the vessel, said capacitance probe having an active element and a ground element, wherein the active element and ground element are in a co-axial relationship with each other; and said active element detects the level of a solid surface within the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 17)
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15. A system for measuring the surface level of a material stored within a vessel, comprising:
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a capacitance probe for measuring the level of the material within the vessel, said capacitance probe having an active element and a ground element, wherein the active element and ground element are in a co-axial relationship with each other; and said active element detects the level of a solid surface within the vessel; and a computer processor to calibrate and monitor the capacitance probe. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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18. A method for measuring the level of a material or distinct solid surface within a vessel using a capacitance probe coupled with a detection element, and a computer processor, comprising the steps of:
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(a) calibrating the level of the capacitance probe through the computer processor; (b) monitoring the level of the material within the vessel, and monitoring any contacts of solid surfaces with the detection element, through the computer processor; and (c) providing output data of the material level as measured by the capacitance probe or if a solid surface contacts the detection element. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for measuring the level of a material or distinct solid surface within a vessel using a capacitance probe coupled with a detection element, and a computer processor, comprising the steps of:
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(a) calibrating the level of the capacitance probe through the computer processor; (b) monitoring the level of the material within the vessel through the computer processor; (c) providing output data of the material level as measured by the capacitance probe; (d) monitoring any contacts of solid surfaces with the detection element through the computer processor; and (e) providing output data if a solid surface contacts the detection element.
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Specification