Fill level gauge

• US 6,401,532 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2001
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Krohne Messtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Krohne Messtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Lubbers, Wilhelm
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACKSON, ANDRE K
• Application Number:
  US09/851,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20010047685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 732/94, 732/90, 732/27, 736/18, 736/53, 736/32, 736/20, 733/40, 340/618, 342/124, 324/637, 324/642, 343/772, 343/878, 343/888, 333/32, 333/254, 333/908
• US Class Current: 73/290.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/284 Electromagnetic waves

Abstract

A fill level gauge operating by the radar principle and preferably used for measuring the fill level of a liquid or fluid in a container incorporates a microwave generator for generating a microwave signal, a waveguide for conducting the microwave signal, a horn radiator serving as a transmitting and/or receiving antenna, an impedance transformer, and a connecting flange, where the horn radiator is positioned on the near side of the connecting flange facing the liquid and the impedance transformer extends at least partially into the opening of the horn radiator. An obturator plate is designed as an integral extension of the impedance transformer and is positioned between the horn radiator and the connecting flange. This design permits easy replacement of the impedance transformer while providing a secure seal at the junction between the horn radiator and the impedance transformer.

Claims

1. A fill level gauge, operating by the radar principle, and preferably used for measuring the fill level of a liquid or fluid in a container, said gauge comprising an enamel-coated antenna, that is to be grounded, wherein an eyelet created in the process of coating the antenna with enamel constitutes a contact for grounding the antenna.

2. The fill level gauge as in claim 1, wherein only those surfaces of the antenna are enamel-coated which make contact with the inside of the container.

3. The fill level gauge as in claim 1, wherein the entire surface of the antenna is enamel-coated.

4. The fill level gauge as in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the antenna is a horn radiator.

5. The fill level gauge as in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the antenna is a horn radiator having a connecting plate for connecting the horn radiator to a flange, and the eyelet is produced at the outer perimeter of the connecting plate.