# US 2022/0034700 A1 · Detection of event-based states during a fill level measurement

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2022/0034700 A1
- Document ID: US20220034700A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/278,813
- Filed: 2019-08-19
- Published: 2022-02-03
- Earliest claimed: 2018-09-24
- Assignees: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
- Applicants: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
- Inventors: Jens Merle; Alexey Malinovskiy; Stefan Gorenflo; Markus Vogel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220034700A1

## CPC

- G01F 23/284: Electromagnetic waves
- G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME

## Abstract

Disclosed is a method for detecting an event-based state, such as foam formation or a working stirring mechanism in a container during a radar-based measurement of a fill level of a filler located in a container. The method includes: generating an analysis curve and detecting a specified characteristic value of the analysis curve within at least one specified sub-region of the measurement region. The characteristic value can be the amplitude of a local maximum or the area under the analysis curve for example. A change or a dispersion of the characteristic value is ascertained over proceeding measurement cycles. The fill level measuring device detects the event-based state if the change or the dispersion exceeds a corresponding threshold. Thus, the occurrence of different events in the container can be imparted to a system controller automatically and without additional measurement instruments.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-7. (canceled)

### Claim 8

A method for detecting an event-based state by means of a radar-based fill-level measuring device which serves for measuring a fill level of a filler located in a container, the method comprising the following method steps which are repeated in successive measurement cycles:
emitting a microwave signal in a direction of the filler;
receiving a receive signal after a reflection of the microwave signal inside the container;
generating an analysis curve on the basis of at least the receive signal, wherein the analysis curve is generated such that a signal strength of the receive signal is reproduced as a function of a measuring distance;
detecting a specified characteristic value of the analysis curve within at least one specified sub-region of a measurement region;
ascertaining a change and/or a dispersion of the characteristic value over proceeding measurement cycles; and
detecting the event-based state when the change or the dispersion exceeds or undershoots a specified threshold.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, further comprising:
detecting an area under the analysis curve as the characteristic value at least in one sub-region.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, further comprising:
detecting an amplitude in the analysis curve as the characteristic value.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, further comprising:
detecting a number of local maxima in at least one sub-region of the measurement region as the characteristic value.

### Claim 12

A radar-based fill-level measuring device for measuring a fill level of a filler in a container, the fill-level measuring device comprising:
a signal generating unit designed to respectively emit a microwave signal in a direction of the filler in successive measurement cycles;
a receiving unit designed to receive a receive signal after reflection of the microwave signal inside the container; and
an evaluation unit designed:
to generate, on the basis of at least the receive signal, per measurement cycle, an analysis curve representing a signal strength of the receive signal as a function of the measuring distance;
to detect a specified characteristic value of the analysis curve within at least one defined sub-region of a measurement region;
to ascertain a change and/or a dispersion of the characteristic value over proceeding measurement cycles;
to detect an event-based state when the change or dispersion exceeds a specified threshold; and
to determine the fill level by means of the analysis curve at least if the change or dispersion does not exceed or undershoot a specified threshold.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The fill-level measuring device according to claim 12, wherein the evaluation unit is designed to output the occurrence of the event state graphically or as an electrical signal.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The fill-level measuring device according to claim 12, wherein the sub-region for detecting the characteristic value is manually configurable.