Emptying detection device, emptying system and emptying detection method

An emptying detection device configured to provide an emptying signal to an emptying system for emptying a container including a suction lance, the emptying detection device being configured to determine a level of a liquid in the container relative to the emptying detection device, the emptying detection device comprising:

• a sending and receiving unit being configured to emit electromagnetic waves and to receive electromagnetic waves, and
• a transponder unit being configured to receive electromagnetic waves from the sending and receiving unit, and to emit a signal in response to the received electromagnetic waves, and
• wherein the sending and receiving unit is configured to:
• emit electromagnetic waves at a frequency for which the liquid has a non-negligible absorption coefficient, and
• provide an emptying signal to the emptying system in response to receipt of the signal from the transponder unit in case at least one of a) both of the transponder unit and the sending end receiving unit are located below the level of liquid and b) a reception quality of the signal from the transponder unit received by the sending and receiving unit is above a predefined threshold, wherein
• the emptying detection device is attachable or integrated in a suction lance made out of a polymer material, allowing the propagation of electromagnetic waves in an ISM-band of at least one of an HF, UHF and GHz frequency range through the suction lance.

A suction lance for an emptying system for emptying a container of a dosing system, comprising:

• an emptying detection device configured to provide an emptying signal to an emptying system for emptying a container including a suction lance, the emptying detection device being configured to determine a level of a liquid in the container relative to the emptying detection device, the emptying detection device comprising:
• a sending and receiving unit being configured to emit electromagnetic waves and to receive electromagnetic waves, and
• a transponder unit being configured to receive electromagnetic waves from the sending and receiving unit, and to emit a signal in response to the received electromagnetic waves, and
• wherein the sending and receiving unit is configured to:
• emit electromagnetic waves at a frequency for which the liquid has a non-negligible absorption coefficient, and
• provide an emptying signal to the emptying system in response to receipt of the signal from the transponder unit in case at least one of a) both of the transponder unit and the sending end receiving unit are located below the level of liquid and b) a reception quality of the signal from the transponder unit received by the sending and receiving unit is above a predefined threshold;
• a hollow guiding element, wherein liquid is sucked through the hollow guiding element for emptying the container;
• wherein
• at least one of the sending and receiving unit and the transponder unit is mounted in proximity to an end of the hollow guiding element.

A method of retrofitting a suction lance comprising:

• a filling sensor is removed, replaced or left in place, and
• an emptying detection device including a passive RFID transponder attached on the suction lance, the emptying detection device being configured to provide an emptying signal to an emptying system for emptying a container and configured to determine a level of a liquid in the container relative to the emptying detection device, the emptying detection device including
• a sending and receiving unit being configured to emit electromagnetic waves and to receive electromagnetic waves, and
• a transponder unit being configured to receive electromagnetic waves from the sending and receiving unit, and to emit a signal in response to the received electromagnetic waves, and
• wherein the sending and receiving unit is configured to:
• emit electromagnetic waves at a frequency for which the liquid has a non-negligible absorption coefficient, and
• provide an emptying signal to the emptying system in response to receipt of the signal from the transponder unit in case at least one of a) both of the transponder unit and the sending end receiving unit are located below the level of liquid and b) a reception quality of the signal from the transponder unit received by the sending and receiving unit is above a predefined threshold.