Time-based method and device for determining the dielectric constant of a fluid
AssigneeTeleflex Incorporated
InventorJames R. Champion
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device utilizes micropower, impulse radar and time domain reflectometry to determine the dielectric constant of a fluid. An electrically conductive probe preferably in the form of a transmission line, is inserted at least partially into the fluid. The device includes a signal generator that generates an impulse signal that is propagated along the probe. The time that it takes for the signal to reach the end of the probe is determined. The time of travel of the signal along the probe is then used to determine the dielectric constant of the fluid.
Claims20
A device (20) for determining the dielectric constant of a fluid (40), comprising:
- a probe (22) having a conductive tube that is adapted to be placed at least partially into the fluid, said probe having a first end (28) and a second end (30);
- a generator (34) that is coupled to said probe and generates a signal that is propagated along said probe from said first probe end toward said second probe end;
- a signal receiver (36) that receives a reflection signal that is a reflection of said propagated signal from said second end of said probe;
- and
- characterized by determining means (38) for determining a time that it takes said propagated signal to travel between said first probe end and said second probe end based upon said reflection signal and for determining the dielectric constant of the fluid using said determined time.
A method of determining the dielectric constant of a fluid (40), comprising the steps of:
- (A) inserting a probe (22) at least partially into the fluid;
- (B) generating a signal;
- (C) propagating the signal along the probe;
- (D) determining a travel time between the beginning of step (C) and a reflection time when the signal reflects from an end (30) on the probe;
- (E) determining an interface time between the beginning of step (C) and a time when the signal reflects from an interface (45) between the fluid (40) and another medium adjacent the fluid;
- and
- (F) determining the dielectric constant of the fluid using the travel time from step (D) and the interface time from step (E).
A device (20) for determining the dielectric constant of a fluid (40), comprising:
- a probe (22) that is adapted to be placed at least partially into the fluid, said probe having a first end (28) and a second end (30) that is placed into the fluid;
- a generator (34) that is coupled to said probe and generates a signal that propagated along said probe from said first probe end toward said second probe end;
- a signal receiver (36) that receives an interface signal, which is a reflection of said propagated signal from an interface between the fluid and an adjacent medium and a reflection signal, which is a reflection of said propagated signal from said second end of said probe;
- a computer (38) having a timer module that determines a first time that it takes said propagated signal to travel between said first probe end and the interface based upon the interface signal and a second time that it takes said propagated signal to travel between said first probe end and said second probe end based upon said reflection signal and a dielectric constant module that utilizes said first and second time determined by said timer module and determines the dielectric constant of the fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.