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Ultrasonic liquid level monitoring system
Environment International, Vol., 18, p. I-XI, 1992 0160-4120/92 $5.00 + .00 Printed in the U.S.A. (c)1991 Pergamon Press plc. All rights reserved
NEW PATENTS This Section contains abstracts and, where appropriate, illustrations of recently issued United States patents and published patent applications filed from over 30 countries under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. This information was obtained from recent additions to the Pergamon PATSEARCH ~ online database in accordance with interest profiles developed by the Editors. Further information about Pergamon PATSEARCH ~ can be obtained from Pergamon Orbit InfoLine Inc., 8000 Westpark Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102, U.S.A. Copies of complete patents announced in this Section are available from Pergamon Orbit InfoLine Inc. for $8 per copy. Payment with order is required. Orders outside North America add $2 for air postage. Order by patent number for Pergamon Orbit lnfoLine only.
498~49 ULTRASONIC LIQUID LEVEL MONITORING SYSTEM Joseph W Caldwell, M a r k W Slobodnik assigned to Caidwell System Corp A liquid level measuring system having a tubular ultrasonic probe with a length in excess of the depth of liquid to be measured; for vertical insertion into a tank. A transducer inside the tube, at a first distance above the bottom end of probe body, responds transmits a sinusoidal acoustical pulse through the probe to the surface of the liquid. An echo returns from the surface of the liquid to the transducer and provides a sinusoidal echo signal. A receiver responds to the echo signal by providing a start signal corresponding to the transmitter signal crossing a predetermined amplitude in a predetermined direction and by providing a stop signal corresponding to a first selected echo signal crossing a second predetermined reference level in a predetermined direction. The speed of sound in the liquid is measured by measuring the echo time to a calibration rod in the tube at a known distance from the transducer. A timer measures the time between the start and stop signals and provides the time to a sequential controller. The depth of the liquid and the leak rate of the tank are calculated for display.
4984462 DETACHABLE LIQUID LEVEL MONITORING APPARATUS AND METHOD Robert Hass, Brian G Hodder, Christopher P Yakymyshyn assigned to Meditor Corporation Liquid level monitoring apparatus for monitoring the level of a liquid in a container
having a wall with an exterior surface and an interior surface and formed of a material which is substantially transparent to optical energy and which has an index of refraction different from that of the liquid. The apparatus comprises an optical sensor holder and adhesive means adapted to secure the sensor holder to the exterior surface of the container at a predetermined level. A sensor head is provided. An attachment mechanism is carried by the sensor head and the sensor holder for detachably mounting the sensor head on the sensor holder. A selfcontained power supply is provided which is coupled to the sensor head.
4984524 TECHNIQUE FOR CONTROLLING THE COMBUSTION OF FUEL HAVING FLUCTUATING THERMAL VALUES Kurt-Henr Mindermann, Franz Wintrich, D 4030 Ratingen, Federal Republic O f G e r m a n y The combustion of fuel having a highly fluctuating thermal value is controlled to permit optimization of air supply and reduction of waste gas impurities. The fuel passes through a combustion chamber having a degassing and evaporation zone, a primary combustion zone, and a secondary combustion zone. Measurements are taken in the evaporation and degassification zone to determine the thermal value of the fuel. This is done by detecting the intensity of H 2 0 and/or CO2 spectra emanating from the fuel. The measurement results are utilized to optimize the combustion parameters. Such measurements are also made in the following zones in order to provide further control of the combustion process.
NEW PATENTS This Section contains abstracts and, where appropriate, illustrations of recently issued United States patents and published patent applications filed from over 30 countries under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. This information was obtained from recent additions to the Pergamon PATSEARCH ~ online database in accordance with interest profiles developed by the Editors. Further information about Pergamon PATSEARCH ~ can be obtained from Pergamon Orbit InfoLine Inc., 8000 Westpark Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102, U.S.A. Copies of complete patents announced in this Section are available from Pergamon Orbit InfoLine Inc. for $8 per copy. Payment with order is required. Orders outside North America add $2 for air postage. Order by patent number for Pergamon Orbit lnfoLine only.
498~49 ULTRASONIC LIQUID LEVEL MONITORING SYSTEM Joseph W Caldwell, M a r k W Slobodnik assigned to Caidwell System Corp A liquid level measuring system having a tubular ultrasonic probe with a length in excess of the depth of liquid to be measured; for vertical insertion into a tank. A transducer inside the tube, at a first distance above the bottom end of probe body, responds transmits a sinusoidal acoustical pulse through the probe to the surface of the liquid. An echo returns from the surface of the liquid to the transducer and provides a sinusoidal echo signal. A receiver responds to the echo signal by providing a start signal corresponding to the transmitter signal crossing a predetermined amplitude in a predetermined direction and by providing a stop signal corresponding to a first selected echo signal crossing a second predetermined reference level in a predetermined direction. The speed of sound in the liquid is measured by measuring the echo time to a calibration rod in the tube at a known distance from the transducer. A timer measures the time between the start and stop signals and provides the time to a sequential controller. The depth of the liquid and the leak rate of the tank are calculated for display.
4984462 DETACHABLE LIQUID LEVEL MONITORING APPARATUS AND METHOD Robert Hass, Brian G Hodder, Christopher P Yakymyshyn assigned to Meditor Corporation Liquid level monitoring apparatus for monitoring the level of a liquid in a container
having a wall with an exterior surface and an interior surface and formed of a material which is substantially transparent to optical energy and which has an index of refraction different from that of the liquid. The apparatus comprises an optical sensor holder and adhesive means adapted to secure the sensor holder to the exterior surface of the container at a predetermined level. A sensor head is provided. An attachment mechanism is carried by the sensor head and the sensor holder for detachably mounting the sensor head on the sensor holder. A selfcontained power supply is provided which is coupled to the sensor head.
4984524 TECHNIQUE FOR CONTROLLING THE COMBUSTION OF FUEL HAVING FLUCTUATING THERMAL VALUES Kurt-Henr Mindermann, Franz Wintrich, D 4030 Ratingen, Federal Republic O f G e r m a n y The combustion of fuel having a highly fluctuating thermal value is controlled to permit optimization of air supply and reduction of waste gas impurities. The fuel passes through a combustion chamber having a degassing and evaporation zone, a primary combustion zone, and a secondary combustion zone. Measurements are taken in the evaporation and degassification zone to determine the thermal value of the fuel. This is done by detecting the intensity of H 2 0 and/or CO2 spectra emanating from the fuel. The measurement results are utilized to optimize the combustion parameters. Such measurements are also made in the following zones in order to provide further control of the combustion process.