Tank-contents level measuring assembly
First Claim
1. A tank-contents level measuring assembly comprising a horn antenna which transmits short electromagnetic waves through an opening in the tank toward the surface of contents of the tank, which electromagnetic waves are reflected at the surface and received by the same horn antenna, characterized by the following features:
- a) The level measuring assembly, including the horn antenna (1), is disposed outside an interior (3) of the tank at a tank wall (2) substantially along an axis of symmetry of the opening (4);
b) the opening (4) is closed with a plate (5);
c) a damping layer (9) is interposed between a microwave coupling element (18) of the level measuring assembly and a surface of the plate (5); and
d) the damping layer (9) occupies such a position between the microwave coupling element (18) and the plate (5) that each radiated or reflected electromagnetic wave passing through the damping layer is attenuated.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
To measure the level of contents in metallic tanks by means of short electromagnetic waves, it is proposed to mount the complete level measuring assembly, including the horn antenna, outside the tank. The transmitted waves are projected through an opening in the tank wall toward the surface of the medium whose level is to be measured. The opening is closed with a glass or ceramic plate. To distinguish the useful signal within the unwanted echos caused by multiple reflections of the electromagnetic waves at the glass or ceramic plate, a damping layer of a conventional damping material is interposed between the microwave coupling element and the surface of the glass or ceramic plate. To achieve an optimum signal-to-noise ratio, the damping coefficient is fixable and the distance between the level measuring assembly and the surface of the glass or ceramic plate is adjustable in the axial direction of the opening.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A tank-contents level measuring assembly comprising a horn antenna which transmits short electromagnetic waves through an opening in the tank toward the surface of contents of the tank, which electromagnetic waves are reflected at the surface and received by the same horn antenna, characterized by the following features:
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a) The level measuring assembly, including the horn antenna (1), is disposed outside an interior (3) of the tank at a tank wall (2) substantially along an axis of symmetry of the opening (4); b) the opening (4) is closed with a plate (5); c) a damping layer (9) is interposed between a microwave coupling element (18) of the level measuring assembly and a surface of the plate (5); and d) the damping layer (9) occupies such a position between the microwave coupling element (18) and the plate (5) that each radiated or reflected electromagnetic wave passing through the damping layer is attenuated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification