Fill level switch and sensor element for a fill level switch

• US 8,474,314 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2009
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Krohne Messtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Krohne Messtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Neuburger, Stefan, Musch, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): ROGERS, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US12/936,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20110100120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,558 Days
• Field of Search: 732/90.B, 732/90.V, 732/90.R, 732/91, 733/04.R, 733/04.C
• US Class Current: 73/290.R
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2845 for discrete levels G01F23/288, G01F23/292 take precedence

Abstract

A fill level switch (1) for measuring the fill level of a medium in a container (2), having a sensor element (3) for contacting the medium, a sender (4) for applying an electromagnetic emission signal to the sensor element (3) and an evaluation unit (5) for detecting a received signal from the sensor element (3). The sensor element (3) includes at least one cable (6) for guiding the emission signal. To provide a fill level switch, which is based on a sturdy measuring principle and which allows for reliable cleaning, the fill level switch uses a delay line as the cable (6) of the sensor element (3) and the sensor element (3) has a window (7) facing the medium in the mounted position of the fill level switch and at least a part of the cable (6) can be electrically influenced by the medium via the window (7).

Claims

1. Fill level switch for measuring the fill level of a medium in a container, comprising:

a sensor element for contacting the medium, the sensor element having a window facing the medium in a mounted position of the fill level switch in the container,

a sender for applying an electromagnetic emission signal to the sensor element, and

an evaluation unit for detecting a received signal from the sensor element,

wherein the sensor element includes at least one cable for guiding the emission signal, the cable being a delay line, at least a part of which is electrically influenceable by the medium via the window.

2. Fill level switch according to claim 1, wherein the carrying layer is a ceramic layer.

3. Fill level switch according to claim 1, wherein the window is formed of a thin dielectric layer in an electrically influenceable area of the cable.

4. Fill level switch according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the sender and the evaluation unit are arranged on a side of the sensor element that faces away from the medium in the mounted position of the fill level switch in the container.

5. Fill level switch according to claim 1, wherein an electrode structure for measuring conductivity is provided on or in an outer side of the sensor element that faces the medium where the electrode structure can be directly contacted by the medium.

6. Fill level switch according to claim 1, wherein the antenna structure is a flat micro strip antenna having a directed emission characteristic.

7. Fill level switch according to claim 1, wherein the cable is at least partially arranged in a flat configuration.

8. Fill level switch according to claim 7, wherein the flat configuration of the cable has at least one of a spiral, meander and connected circle segments shape.

9. Fill level switch according to claim 1, wherein the cable comprises an outgoing line and a return line, wherein a first end of the outgoing line and a first end of the return line are connected to at least one of the sender and the evaluation unit and wherein a second end of the outgoing line and a second end of the return line are electrically connected to one another.

10. Fill level switch according to claim 9, wherein at least one electric reference point of discontinuity in an area inside of the window in an area of the second end of the outgoing and return lines.

11. Fill level switch according to claim 1, wherein the cable is on or in at least one carrying layer.

12. Fill level switch according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the sender and the evaluation unit are arranged on a side of the at least one carrying layer that faces away from the medium in the mounted position of the fill level switch in the container.

13. Fill level switch according to claim 1, wherein the window has a frame is formed on a medium-facing side of the sensor.

14. Fill level switch according to claim 13, wherein parts of the cable run along an area of the window on or in an upper carrying layer and parts of the cable running beyond the area of the window are provided on or in a deeper carrying layer.

15. Fill level switch according to claim 1, wherein the cable has at least one electric reference point of discontinuity, wherein the point of discontinuity is provided in an area outside of the window.

16. Fill level switch according to claim 15, wherein the at least one cable of the sender and the evaluation unit are adapted for determining a round-trip time of an electromagnetic signal reflected by the point of discontinuity of the cable.

17. Fill level switch according to claim 1, wherein a side of the sensor element that faces away from the medium in the mounted position of the fill level switch in the container is at least partially enclosed by a metallic housing.

18. Fill level switch according to claim 17, wherein an electrically insulating casting resin is provided in a space between the side of the sensor element that faces away from the medium and the housing.

19. Fill level switch according to claim 1, wherein an antenna structure is provided on or in the sensor element, the antenna structure being adapted for emitting electromagnetic waves essentially in a direction toward the medium and for receiving electromagnetic waves in a direction from the medium, in the mounted position of the fill level switch in the container.

20. Fill level switch according to claim 19, wherein the antenna structure is connected with the cable via a switchable connecting means.

21. Fill level switch according to claim 19, wherein the at least one cable of the sender and the evaluation unit are adapted for determining a round-trip time of an electromagnetic signal emitted by the antenna structure, reflected by the medium and detected again by the antenna structure.

22. Sensor element for a fill level switch for detecting a medium, comprising:

a window for facing the medium in a mounted position of the fill level switch in the container, and

at least one cable for guiding an emission signal, the cable being a delay line, at least a part of which is electrically influenceable by the medium via the window.

23. Fill level switch according to claim 22, wherein the cable has flat configuration having at least one of a spiral, meander and connected circle segments shape.

24. Fill level switch according to claim 22, wherein the cable has at least one electric reference point of discontinuity, wherein the point of discontinuity is provided in an area outside of the window.